2nd annual Cross Border Golf Tournament seeks to build business connections

A successful day of social networking was had at the 2nd Annual Cross Border Golf Tournament in Eureka, Montana.

Tracy McIntyre, of the Eureka Rural Development Partners and Norman Leach of the AmCham enjoy a sunny afternoon reception at The Wilderness Club — Photo courtesy Kootenay Business

From the opening breakfast to the closing mix and mingle reception on the sunny patio of The Wilderness Club's clubhouse, it was a perfect day and place to promote cross border economic co-operation.  Before the golfers hit the links they were warmly welcomed by Mike Cuffe, House Representative District 2 of the State of Montana.

Cuffe thanked all participants and spoke about how important American and Canadian economic ties were for both countries.  He said Montana was the only America state to be bordered by three Canadian provinces.  Montana possesses nine border crossings including one of the busiest in the Northwest at Coutts.

Mike Cuffe is also a member of the board of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Regions (PNWER) organization. The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a statutory public/private non-profit created in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
The event was held at the prestigious Wilderness Club Golf Resort near Eureka, Montana and was hosted by the Eureka Rural Development Partners.

“I was very pleased with our turn out and the opportunity to network throughout the day at the Wilderness Club. This event is built around providing social networking on and off the golf course,”  said organizer, Tracy McIntyre of the Eureka Rural Development Partners.  “This is our second annual event at The Wilderness Club and it has been popular venue for our partners.  We hope to expand and grow this event as we continue to foster cross border economic development issues.”

In attendance was Norman Leach, executive director of The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada) based in Calgary. The AmCham is a private, non-profit, membership organization that promotes the two-way flow of trade, goods, services and investment between Canada and the United States. AmCham Canada, with seven chapters located throughout Canada, is committed to promoting trade opportunities, advancing economic growth, and facilitating the mobility of people, goods and services across the longest undefended border in the world. AmCham Canada continually strives to promote and foster a positive climate for commerce, trade and investment between the United States and Canada, as well as a positive working environment among the business people and professionals who facilitate and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Also in attendance were John Rogers, Montana Chief Business Officer; Andy Shirtliff, Small Business Ombudsman from the Montana Governor's Office of Economic Development; Clint Dunford, former Alberta Minister for Economic Development, plus the president of Glacier Bank, Director of the Montana West Economic Development, the mayor of Eureka LeeAnn Schermerhorn, as well as the Director of the Alberta Southwest Economic Development Alliance from Pincher Creek, Alberta and four senior managers from Canfor’s Kootenay sawmills in Canada, who have a major re-load facility in Eureka.

Sponsors and partners of the event included….

Glacier Bank
The Wilderness Club
Rural Propane Services
Montana Ambassadors
Alberta Southwest Economic Development Alliance
Montana West Economic Development
Vision Net
HD Power Supply
Petro Gas