March Monthly: Tradeshow Winners, Updates and Summer Events

MADE IN MONTANA

Made in Montana, Grown in Montana, Native American Made in Montana

Made in Montana Monthly

March 2022

If it's produced in Montana, it's produced with pride.

Deer Lodge Entrepreneur Wins Retailer of the Year Award at 2022 Made in Montana Tradeshow.

HELENA, MT –  Entrepreneur Rachel Jenkins was announced as the 2022 Retailer of the Year today at the annual Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food and Gifts in Helena. Montana Department of Commerce Deputy Director Adam Schafer presented the award to Jenkins, who owns Montana Made & The Lilliepad Boutique in Deer Lodge.

“Small businesses are the foundation of Montana’s economy, and are vital in keeping our communities thriving by creating jobs and opportunities,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “This year’s winner of our Retailer of the Year Award clearly has strong community connections and enthusiastically supports Made in Montana producers,” Osterman added.

Located at 517 Main Street in downtown Deer Lodge, Montana Made & The Lilliepad Boutique offers a wide variety of Made in Montana, Grown in Montana, and Native American Made in Montana products sourced from all corners of the state. “Consumers are excited to purchase authentic handmade or grown Montana merchandise,” Rachel Jenkins said. “What inspires me is meeting new vendors and being able to tell their story and how their products are made. I want shoppers to know they are truly helping local Montana families when they purchase items from Montana Made.”

Each year, Montana retailers are nominated by their peers to receive the Retailer of the Year Award. Montana Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras and Department of Commerce Deputy Director Adam Schafer presented awards to the following winners:

Best in Show Overall - Windrift Hill, based in Conrad, makes 45 different types of soaps, 21 scented lotions, and 13 scented body butters using natural clay oxides, herbs, oils, and farm fresh goat’s milk.

Best in Show New Exhibitor - Montana Block, based in Billings, builds functional, high-quality, and unique wooden kitchen products, specializing in End-Grain Butcher Blocks.

Best in Show Honorable Mention – Lake Missoula Tea Company, based in Missoula, offers the highest quality tea from around the world.

2022 Retailer of the Year

2022 Made in Montana Retailer of the Year: Montana Made & the Lilliepad Boutique. 

L - R Rachel Jenkins and Deputy Director Adam Schafer


2022 Made in Montana Tradeshow Best in Show: Windrift Hill. 

L to R Deputy Directory Adam Schafer, Windrift Hill owner Amber Hofstad, Lt. Governor Kristen Juras

Windrift Hill

Montana Block Co

2022 Made in Montana Best in Show New Exhibitor: Montana Block Company.

L to R Deputy Director Adam Schafer, Montana Block Company owner Brittany Martishius, Lt. Governor Kristen Juras, Montana Block Company owner Mitchell Martishius.


2022 Made in Montana Tradeshow Best in Show Honorable Mention: Lake Missoula Tea Company.

L to R Deputy Director Adam Schafer, Lake Missoula Tea Company Jake Kreilick, Heather Kreilick, Ryan Payne, Lt. Governor Kristen Juras.

Lake Missoula Tea Co

International website grant

Membership Database Upgrade

We are working on integration with the State Information Technology division on the Membership Database to use single sign-on authentication.  This piece is important to the security of the new database and we are currently testing user cases to make sure it works property before deploying.  We anticipate "going live" this summer.  We're excited about the final product and can't wait to show you!


Upcoming Shows - Courtesy Listings

 

Missoula Summer MADE Fair
June 19th
10am-4pm | Caras Park
Applications due April 1st

Flathead Cherry Festival
July 30-31 | Main Street in downtown Polson
Applications due  April 15th


Circles info

Share your Made in Montana news!  We're always interested in hearing from you, our Made in Montana members.  If you have an exciting update to your business or product line we want to share your story.  Please email press releases, links to news stories, or quick updates to the Made in Montana team.

 


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