Big
Ideas were shared at last night's Bonners Ferry
Chamber of Commerce Big Ideas Dinner 2016. Along
with dinner at the Kootenai River Inn's Ktunaxa
meeting room, Chamber of Commerce officers
presented details for upcoming events being
planned for Boundary County. In addition,
several local entrepreneurs presented summaries
of businesses they are developing. An update was
given on the status of Bonners Ferry's new
Shopko store currently being built on the South
Hill.Chamber President Michael Listman welcomed attendees to the Big Ideas Dinner, and reviewed several events coming up in Boundary County that are currently in the planning stages. Other Chamber officers took the podium to provide more details and schedules on these events.
Coming events that were discussed included:
• Women in Business Conference 2016, coming up May 14
• Kootenai River Days, July 4-10
• SWISH Basketball Tournament
• Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, September 16
• "Buy Local" month, October
"Our goal is to eventually present at least one Chamber of Commerce activity each month," said Mr. Listman.
Brief presentations were given by several people with new businesses in the county. These presentations included:
• Heart Rock Wines, presented by Lillian Rennie Lonborg
• Scented Crow Candle Company, presented by Tasha Swisher
• Mandy's Gift Gallery, presented by Mandy Lammers
• Medicine Man Pharmacy, presented by Aimee Stuermer
A representative of Shopko, Jason Brandow, discussed the new Shopko store being built in Bonners Ferry.
In addition, Library Director Sandy Ashworth gave a presentation on the Boundary County Library, focusing on the digital learning and instructional services provided by the library, including the library's Fab Lab.
Craig Johnson, CEO of Boundary Community Hospital presented information on the hospital, and reviewed much of its newly acquired equipment, services offered, recently garnered awards and recognitions the hospital has received, and upcoming activities, including the hospital's upcoming Health Fair, Fun Run, and Bike Rodeo.
The evening also included gift "swag bags" for attendees, drawings for prizes, a silent auction for gifts donated by local merchants, and, of course, networking.
To learn more about the Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce, visit their website at http://bonnersferrychamber.org/