Chamber of Commerce meeting

At the October Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board meeting, under old business, CEO Meri Ann Rush said that their Chamber Banquet on October 1 had “good attendance and was a good evening.” Rush added that she received positive feedback from the event and that the ticket sales were about the same as last year.

Regarding the September 26 Meet the Candidates forum Rush said “the turnout, and the questions were good.” Range Communications were supposed to live-stream the event but could not due to being short-staffed. However, chamber board member Bradyn Harvey took his own streaming equipment and quickly set it up, allowing them to broadcast over the Chamber’s Facebook page. Rush said she was relieved and “it worked out well.”

The chamber will have another Lunch and Learn on October 19 with Travis Winger who will speak about business retirement planning. It will be held at the Bistro 148 at Gottsche at 12 noon. November 16 will be the next Lunch and Learn with the subject of Chamber Benefits. Charter will sponsor this event and the lunch at the Bistro will be free to those who attend. 

Moonlight Madness is scheduled for October 27 with street closure on Broadway between 4th and 5th Streets. The categories for the costume contest will start with the group costumes first. Central Bank and Trust will have a costume scavenger hunt. There will be a photo booth in front of the Fire Hall. The Independent Record will have its pinata bash after the costume contest in the center of Broadway in front of Town Hall. The Masons will have tacos for sale at the Masonic hall, starting at 4:30 p.m. 

Regarding the Estate of Gwenda Urbigkit, Rush said letters have been sent out to financial members. Rush also found that the best interest rate was 3.9% from Edward Jones. They plan on placing the endowment funds in a one-year CD. 

For new business, Rush said that they will have the Christmas Committee go to the old fire hall and check the lights on the decorations and then hang them downtown later. The Lighted Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 10 with the theme “Winter Wonderland.” 

Rush reported to the board that she received a letter of resignation from Beth Lewis due to a personal reason. Her vacancy will be filled with an appointment to be determined.

Chamber President Howie Samelson reported that at the Chamber Banquet, their board was recognized by the State Chamber and received an award. Samelson said that he was “humbled and proud” but redirected the recognition from himself and placed it on the board members. Samelson added that he was “flabbergasted” at the board’s award. 

In the Director’s Report, Rush said regarding the Main Street Workshop on September 27 in Sheridan, that she “enjoyed it and I learned quite a lot.” Rush brought up the subject of succession planning with the caveat that she has no plans of leaving the Chamber. But she brought up the need to make a plan anyway so that whatever transition happens, they are ready for it. Rush wants to start the conversation and this will “make the Chamber strong.”

Rush also brought up the Workforce Bootcamp program that she wants to hold in the spring of 2023. The program is for six weeks, with a two-hour meeting each week. It would involve youth who are old enough to work and they would learn “soft skills” in the workplace. These skills include shaking hands, etiquette, and how to talk to people. Rush explained that if the students learn these skills, they are better positioned to get hired in their first jobs as they start their careers. The board gave their consensus to hold the program.

The next Chamber of Commerce meeting will be on November 10 at Big Horn Federal at 6 p.m.