Business Forecasting: Does it Matter for a Small Business?

From the Desk of Rick Howe, IOM, Director of Visitor Services

Does "business forecasting" sound like a dull term you hear on news programs? Changing complexities of industry trends and global markets affect Jackson Hole - and your business - more than you might think.

Business Forecasting Highlights

• Hindsight Intelligence: If you knew then what you know now, would you have made changes in your business?
• Predictability: Some of the changes in the environment would be predictable if we paid attention to the signs.
• Trends: Look at trends in different spheres - Social, Customer, Economic, Competition, Technology, Legal, Political, Environmental. All of these could have an affect on your business.

What got us here will not get us there. We must always be willing to spend our time adjusting business models to our customer's point of view. If we're spending most of our time continually doing things right, should we be more focused on doing the right things?

Would you like to learn more about business forecasting in Jackson Hole? Attend the Pulse of Business luncheon on Tuesday, April 29 at the Ranch Inn from 12:00-2:00pm at the Ranch Inn and take positive steps towards opening your door to more business. Click here to learn more and to RSVP.

For more information, please contact Rick Howe, IOM, Director of Visitor Services 307.201.2294 or rick@jacksonholechamber.com.

Jackson Hole Rendezvous

3 Days of Skiing and 3 Nights of FREE Live Music

The Jackson Hole Rendezvous is a three-day lifestyle and music festival taking place from March 27-30, 2014 in Jackson Hole. Things kick off on Thursday, March 27 with a free concert in the town of Jackson featuring Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. The free live music heads to Teton Village on Friday night with Blues Traveler hitting the stage. On Saturday, Michael Franti and Spearhead rock the stage in Teton Village (free). Visit http://www.jacksonhole.com/rendezvous.html.

All of the live music for the Jackson Hole Rendezvous features FREE admission. The concert space is outdoors and is an enclosed area with an entry gate. We ask that you bring no outside alcohol into the concert space as food and beverages will be available inside of the venue. No dogs are allowed in the concert space.

Private Reserve tickets are available to guests who prefer access to a private, premiere viewing area adjacent to the stage as well as complimentary food and beverages, starting at $50. Private Reserve

*Enjoy responsibly and take the START Bus home. Extra buses will be running each night.

Thanks: Courtney Manovich Completes Winter Internship

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize Courtney Manovich for her work with the Chamber as Winter Intern!

Courtney graduated this spring from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in the School of Business - Sport, Art, Entertainment Management. Her primary project involved working directly with Chamber members to help update and refresh their ChamberMaster listings.

Casey Stout, IOM, Executive Assistant, commented, "It was a pleasure watching Courtney expand her professional network while working one-on-one with Chamber staff and our members."

Courtney commented, "My internship at the Chamber was not just a learning experience, it was a warm and fun involvement with some of the friendliest and most caring individuals I’ve ever met in my life. My experience provided me with the knowledge of marketing, meetings, events, tourism, and how to comfortably network with community members and business owners in and around Jackson Hole. This internship has opened my eyes to so many different career paths and interests that I would never have known about if it was not for the Chamber. Being able to learn every aspect that there is to offer in the business world as an intern, all while having fun, is one decision I am glad I made and I will never regret!"

About the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Internship Program: The Chamber o provides unparalleled opportunities for high school and college students looking to immerse themselves in the business world.  Internships are geared to the intern’s skills and interests as well as Membership business needs. Visit http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/initiatives/internships.php.

Courtney is pictured with Rick Howe, IOM, Director of Visitor Services. 

Jackson Hole Airport Chamber Mixer

 

The Jackson Hole Airport will host a Chamber Mixer on Thursday, April 10 from 5:00-7:00pm featuring refreshments from Jedediah's at the Airport and the famous Howdy Pardner mimosas!

The Jackson Hole Airport has welcomed thousands of visitors to the valley during the 2013-14 winter season. The community is invited to celebrate the record-breaking year while getting an up-close look at recent facility upgrades. The Airport and the Chamber will pay special recognition to the Howdy Pardner Ambassador Club and the dozens of volunteers who provided exceptional customer service, along with mimosas, to incoming passengers during peak load hours.

The Winter Airport Program will continue through March 30. Interested volunteers can sign-up online. For more information, please visit http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/initiatives/howdy-pardners.php. 

Chamber Mixers are casual networking events hosted by Chamber Members and open to the community. Would your business or organization like to host a Chamber Mixer? There are still a few openings for the summer season. For more information and to schedule a date, please Contact Renee Leone, Events Coordinator, events@jacksonholechamber.com or 307.201.2309.

Chamber Seeking Entries for the High Noon Chili Cook-Off

Calling all chili fans! The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and Howdy Pardner Ambassador Club are excited to present the 2014 High Noon Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, May 18 from 12:00-3:00pm. Local chili aficionados are invited to show off their skill and enter the contest. There are categories for individuals and for businesses.

Chili may be hot and spicy or mild and flavorful. It could be meaty or vegetarian and green or red. But it must taste the best to win top honors. Rain or shine, Town Square is the place to be! A refreshing selection of beer and other beverages will also be available to cool tasters’ palates. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Renee Leone, Events Coordinator, renee@jacksonholechamber.com or 307.201.2309. Registration deadline is Sunday, May 11.

2013 Winners:

Professional Category
First Place:  White Buffalo Club
Second Place:  Town Square Tavern
People's Choice:  Town Square Tavern

Amateur Category
1st Place: Show Stoppers
2nd Place: Jackson Hole Cow Belles
People’s Choice: Show Stoppers

The High Noon Chili Cook-Off, held the Sunday of ElkFest weekend, draws local residents and visitors into the community while celebrating the culture and heritage of Jackson Hole! ElkFest is traditionally held the third weekend in May and is followed by Old West Days. To see a complete schedule of events for both festivals, please visit www.jacksonholechamber.com/events. Click here to download the entry form.

RRR Business Leaders 2.0

Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling (ISWR) is pleased to present a new and improved Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Business Leaders program! Originally established in 2007, RRR Business Leaders was a casualty of the Great Recession. Thanks to generous support from 1% for the Tetons and several other community partners, ISWR is able to revitalize and re-launch this popular community program in 2014!

What is RRR Business Leaders?
RRR Business Leaders is a green business certification program and membership-based association managed by ISWR. Teton County businesses, nonprofits and government agencies are encouraged to apply for membership. Member organizations receive community recognition and a variety of marketing and networking benefits.

Apply for membership online at www.rrrbusinessleaders.org.  The application assesses various aspects of your business operations, including practices related to reducing, reusing and recycling. 

Organizations are also encouraged to attend the March 13 Sustainability Series from 6:00-7:30pm at Cowboy Coffee in downtown Jackson to learn more about involvement in this revived program.