GJ Hensen is a believer in what a chamber of commerce can do for a business.

When Hensen and his wife, Sandy, purchased Celebrate Event and Party Rental, one of the first things they did was join the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. They began attending chamber events and networking, and before long, Hensen found himself volunteering on the chamber board of directors. Now, he’s serving as chairman of the board.

Hensen, elected in November, replaces outgoing chair Karen Baker.

Hensen said the chamber has helped his business grow.

“The chamber is a place that can support all businesses,” Hensen said. “It takes effort to be involved, but introducing yourself and networking leads to referrals — that’s our biggest source of business. Chambers bring all walks of life and all businesses together.”

Hensen grew up in the Flathead Valley, and along with his wife, has three grown children and two grandchildren. He spent 30 years in the car industry.

The Hensens purchased Celebrate almost five years ago. In 2010 they bought out another party rental business and opened a location in Bigfork.

“It was a dream we had to have our own business,” Hensen said. “We looked at other businesses, but then this came up.”

During his two-year term as chairman of the chamber board, he’d like to see all Flathead Valley chambers working together more often.

“We should all promote the Flathead Valley together,” he said. “We strengthen ourselves when other chambers and other towns work together. It will effect everybody in a positive way.”

He said every town in the valley has something to offer to visitors and the goal should be to get tourists here and then direct them to the specific offerings of each community.

Hensen said he plans to take a lesson from his own industry and apply that toward the chamber. Often the other party rental businesses will work together on one event, he noted.

“We can’t all own everything that’s needed for an event,” he said. “We all work together.”

In addition, he’d like to increase promotion of the off-season as a way to bring in events and fill up restaurants and hotels during non-summer months.