Flathead Business Watercooler

Manufacturing Symposium 

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce holds its 2026 Flathead Manufacturing Symposium from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building, 777 Grandview Ave., Kalispell. The symposium's jam-packed agenda includes important information about apprenticeship, a session on AI & Automation by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC), AI with the Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, FVCC Trades Institute, MT Coreworks training, and an update on the latest programs from the Small Business Administration. Tours of the FVCC Trades Institute and the Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center will be available after the symposium and luncheon.   To register, visit business.kalispellchamber.com.  

Business Matters! Luncheon

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce holds its Business Matters! Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the Flathead Valley Community College Arts and Technology Building, 777 Grandview Ave., Kalispell. The luncheon will highlight the manufacturing industry. Cost is $30 for members and $45 for non-members.   

Ribbon cutting 

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce holds a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Alpine Health and Wellness, 162 Timberwolf Parkway, Suite A2, Kalispell.  

Chamber lunch 

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce holds its membership luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 13 at Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center, 930 2nd Ave. W., Columbia Falls. The featured presentation is Montana Mass Timber – Building America's Future presented by Jim Griswoldm, senior vice president of operations at SmartLam.  

Brew x Build 

The Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College holds its Brew x Build at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 14. Brew x Build is a monthly gathering for entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Each month, a local entrepreneur shares an honest look at where they are, what they are navigating, and where the community could help. Then the room responds with something better than advice: skills, connections and resources. The WIEC is located at 715 Grandview Drive. 

Web Analytics Workshop 

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce holds a Web Analytics Workshop at noon on Oct. 14 at the chamber, 2 S. Main St., Ste. 205, Kalispell. This workshop explores advanced SEO strategies, including content quality, topic clusters, technical SEO improvements, backlinks, and the use of Google Search Console to monitor website performance.

Ribbon cutting 

The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon on Oct. 14 at Western Sky Heating & Cooling, 3580 Montana 40, Columbia Falls.  The event will feature remarks, an official cutting of the ribbon, tours of the business and an opportunity to meet the team. 

Expert Thursday 

The Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College holds its Expert Thursday at 10 a.m. on Oct. 15 with Mark Ulett and Todd Twete. The WIEC is located at 715 Grandview Drive. Expert Thursdays offer guidance on specialized topics.

Coffee Buzz

The Evergreen Chamber of Commerce holds its Coffee Buzz at 8 a.m. on Oct. 16 at Mountain Pass Safes and Coins, 2593 U.S. 2 E., Suite 4.