February 22, 2023
2023 CAPITOL CONNECTION ROUNDTABLE
TUES, FEB 21 - Montana's 68th Legislative Session
On Tuesday, February 21, the Montana Chamber's Priority Bill, HB571: Clarify Real Property Statute of Limitations was heard in committee, and we stood in opposition to HB475 and SB347 which are not conducive to a strong business climate because of restrictions placed on equipment dealers. HB475 does irreparable harm to Montana’s 56 equipment dealers by requiring them to sell parts at their cost. We know of no other instance where the government mandates this business-killing requirement. Both HB475 and SB347 allow customers to gain access to proprietary intellectual property (software) and alter pre-set EPA settings, horsepower settings and safety settings. This is unacceptable and puts the public at risk.

Up-to-the-minute 'Legislative Tracker' with Chamber Priority Bills - Supported Bills - Opposed Bills and Watch List is available on our website.

JOIN US - VIRTUALLY: Tuesdays at 12 pm throughout the Session
REGISTRATION OPEN - Get Your Tickets NOW!
THURS, MARCH 16, 2023 | 12 NOON - 7 PM
Delta Hotels Helena Colonial

Manufacturing & International Trade Day recognizes and celebrates the impact manufacturing and exporting have on Montana's economy. Leading national companies are investing in local Montana businesses at record levels. Join us and learn how to elevate your company from industry leaders who are driving this growth.
 
Panels and Fireside Chats include:
  • Words from Montana's Manufacturing Leaders and Why Choose Montana to Invest?
  • Innovative Workforce Solutions;
  • Best Practices to Recruit Talent;
  • Value-added Ag Transforming Our Local Communities;
  • A Look at Montana's Innovative Film Production, and
  • Growing Montana's International Trade Presence.

Attendees will hear from companies like Applied Materials, Biosqueeze, Bridger Brewing, Hi-Country, Federal Signal, Montana Silversmiths, New Horizons Studio // Hyundai Motor Group, Nomad, Spika, Vista Outdoors, Vu Studios, West Paw, and Wood's Powr-Grip, to name a few.

Network with peers, lawmakers and don't miss the Trade Show & Reception featuring
Governor Greg Gianforte. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business and products, not just to manufacturers, at the Trade Show. Click HERE to learn more.

$75 PER PERSON which includes lunch and reception
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!
 
Platinum: Accelerate Montana, Applied Materials, Boeing, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, First Interstate Bank, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, Montana State Fund, MSU Innovation Campus, New Horizons Studio, NorthWestern Energy, Stockman Bank, and Valley Bank of Helena
Gold: Allegiance, Charter, Diversified Plastics, PacificSource Health Plans, and Sterling CRE Advisors
Exhibitor: Montana Department of Commerce and UBS
 
To learn more about becoming a Sponsor or Exhibitor for this event, contact Stacye Dorrington at Stacye@MontanaChamber.com.
Listen to Jim Vinoski of 'MANUFACTURING TALKS' Podcast Interview w/Scott Sehnert, MMA Board President
WEIGH IN: FTC Proposed Ban on Noncompete Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule to ban noncompete agreements for all employees and independent contractors, with no exceptions except in cases between a buyer and seller of a business. 

The FTC lacks any statutory authority that even comes close to giving it the authority it claims to propose such a rule. This action by the FTC is blatantly unlawful. 

To help the Montana Chamber weigh in on this proposed rule, we encourage you to complete a confidential survey about your business’ use of noncompete agreements. Please help us represent you by completing the survey here.
CHAMBER SIGNATURE EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Inaugural CONVERGENCE to Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week
WED-FRI, MAY 10-12 | PARADISE VALLEY, MT

Established in 1983, National Travel & Tourism Week is an annual tradition when the industry comes together to celebrate the power of travel as an economic driver for the U.S. economy. This year's event happening from May 7-13 is the 40th Anniversary and the theme is 'Travel Forward.'

To recognize one of our state's leading industries, the Montana Chamber of Commerce will
celebrate #NTTW, as well as tourism's intersection with the film and outdoor recreation industries, as vehicles to harness the power of place, #TheLastBestPlace, as an economic driver at our Inaugural 'Convergence" event on May 10-12, 2023. Tickets for the NTTW23 celebration Luncheon on Thursday, May 11 from 11:30 am - 2 pm are available separately from the full three-day event.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Contact: Candace Strauss - VP, Marketing & Communications
candace@montanachamber.com | 406.640.1331
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
PDT, Inc. was born in my two-car garage in 2000 – a new beginning based on more than 30 years experience in the dental industry.

I wanted to bring fresh and improved products to clinicians, growing out of those decades of listening to your observations, ideas, suggestions, and new technology. The corporate name, Paradise Dental Technologies, came from my determination that our employees, our dental partners, and your patients should have the finest possible products available in the dental marketplace. It should be Paradise!

Dental instrument design, evolution, and development have been my professional life for thirty-plus years and it has always been fascinating and rewarding. It has been fun and interesting to work in clinics around the world, see new techniques and address ongoing issues. There are always new technologies to explore and examine and so many ways to make things better.

I am proud to offer what I believe are the most carefully designed and hand-crafted dental instruments available, as well as the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective instrument sharpening system I have ever seen!
MT BUSINESS NEWS & RESOURCES
Tester, Daines, Zinke, and Rosendale Address Montana Legislature...Read here.

‘Rust’ with Alec Baldwin coming to Park County (Yellowstone Film Ranch)...Read here.

Montana World Trade Center Trade & Investment Survey...Take the Survey here.
THIS BUSINESS BRIEF IS SPONSORED BY