2024 Big Sky Economic Development Annual Meeting
Powered by Collaboration
Thursday October 3, 2024
About the Event
You’re invited to our 2024 Big Sky Economic Development Annual Meeting, Powered by Collaboration on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Historic Billings Depot at 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (lunch provided).
Billings is no ordinary city. We’re a unique tapestry of industries that create a remarkable way of life and form Montana’s largest and most diverse economy. A community made up of strong industries – healthcare, tourism, construction, hospitality, finance, agriculture, a growing manufacturing sector, an innovative energy hub, robust headquarters for finance, a place where entrepreneurs thrive, and a leader in medical education. All of these industries represent what makes us Billings, Montana’s City.
Join us as we reflect on the remarkable history of industry growth in Billings, celebrating the visionaries who have shaped our city over the decades. We'll explore the present by engaging our strategic partners in a dynamic "Powered by Collaboration" rapid-fire Q&A session. Be inspired for the future with a keynote address highlighting the critical role a vibrant downtown core plays in building a strong regional presence. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our past, engage with the present, and be inspired to shape the future of Billings.
We have reached our capacity for RSVP's at our venue. Please email marcell@bigskyeda.org if you have any questions or inquires about cancelations.
Annual Meeting Event Hosts
BSED EDA & EDC Board Chairs
Andy Gott, BSED EDC Board Chair
VP, Commercial Group Manager, First Interstate Bank
.png "AM Social (1)")
Riley Bennett, BSED EDA Board Chair
Project Manager, Dick Anderson Construction
Featured Speaker
Overview of the history of industry growth in Billings
Kevin Kooistra
Executive Director, Western Heritage Center
Powered by Collaboration
Rapid-fire Q&A with our Strategy Partners
-1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=AM%20Social%20(6)-1.png "AM Social (6)-1")
John Ostlund
Yellowstone County Commissioner
Mike Boyett
City Administrator, Council Member - Ward 5
Mike Nelson
General Manager, Northern Hotel
Katy Schreiner
CEO, Downtown Billings Alliance
John Brewer,
President & CEO, Billings Chamber of Commerce
Keynote Speakers
Be inspired for the future with a keynote address from the Kilbourne Group, highlighting the critical role a vibrant downtown core plays in building a strong regional presence. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor our past, engage with the present, and be inspired to shape the future of Billings.
The Kilbourne Group is built on RESPECT for the past, GRATITUDE for the present, and INSPIRATION for the future.
Founded in 2006, Kilbourne Group has a deep passion for urban spaces and an experienced understanding of how design and amenities can respond to today’s demand for walkable, mixed-use, urban cores in communities.
.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=AM%20Social%20(5).png "AM Social (5)")
Mike Allmendinger
President, Kilbourne Group | Fargo, ND
As President of Kilbourne Group, Mike Allmendinger currently oversees the largest redevelopment effort in historic downtown Fargo. With nearly 20 years of experience in historic renovation, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use urban infill projects, Allmendinger leads a multi-disciplinary, integrated team of professionals in real estate projects from site selection, redevelopment, fundraising, construction, and operations. Formally trained as a Landscape Architect, Allmendinger believes that applying the values of design and innovation to real estate creates sustainable communities. Creating unique experiences is the passion of the Kilbourne Group team.
In 2003, Allmendinger founded Land Elements, a landscape architecture firm that focuses on concept design to create a unique sense of place, and offers full landscape architecture services. In 2019, Land Elements was acquired by Confluence, a Des Moines, Iowa-based landscape architecture firm.
.png "AM Social (6)")
Andrea Nelson
Business Manager, Tallgrass Trail | Officer for Kilbourne Group | Fargo, ND
As Business Manager of Tallgrass Trail, Andrea Nelson oversees all business and finance operations for a private family office in North Dakota. She sits as an officer for Kilbourne Group as well as on the investment committee for the Great Plains Opportunity Investment Fund II, LLC which funded two separate projects in Fargo, ND. Nelson has over 20 years of accounting and finance experience through a progressive career in roles at Eide Bailly, City of Billings, MT, Microsoft Corporation, and Tallgrass Trail. Born and raised in Billings, MT, Nelson is a graduate of Skyview High School and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, holding a Bachelor of Accounting and is Certified Public Accountant.
Before you go, content to explore!
.png "AM Social (2)")
Big Sky Economic Development
Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) is a public-private partnership. The Big Sky Economic Development Authority (EDA), the public agency, evolved from the Montana TradePort Authority launched in 1989 by the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners. Big Sky Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the private business side, was started in 2002. Over 145 of the county’s top businesses are member-investor partners in the EDC. Together, the organization’s mission is to sustain and grow Yellowstone County’s vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life, by providing leadership and resources for business creation, expansion, retention, new business recruitment, community development and workforce development.
.png "AM Social (3)")
Talent Recruitment Tools & Resources
We hope that you find it to be useful in your recruitment and retention of talent. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide your organization with tools to help showcase all Billings has to offer your current and potential employees. The examples you will find in this packet are suggestion and ideas for you as you consider using the boib toolkit. Consider co-branding your organizational content/swag/apparel with the BOIB brand. We have many examples of how you can use the brand and the content inside the toolkit. We hope to inspire you with ways you can incorporate it with your organizational materials for maximum impact!
.png "AM Social (4)")
The Vault at 201 N Broadway Podcast
The Vault at 201 N Broadway is the official business podcast of Big Sky Economic Development in Billings, Montana's City! We interview community leaders, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and resource partners here in Montana to share their stories, expertise, industry insights, and strategies.
Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business and your leadership.
Tangible takeaways to save you time and improve whatever it is that you’re working on.