Pocatello, ID Chamber Hosts Tour Every 10 Years
Legislators visit for three days to learn about community
The Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce hosts many events throughout the year. However, there is one they only host every 10 years.
In September 2015, the chamber organized a Southeast Idaho Legislative Tour, which brought a majority of the Idaho Legislature to Pocatello-Chubbuck for a three-day visit. About 75 of the state’s 105 legislators participated and visited interesting and vital community venues such as Idaho State University, Portneuf Wellness Complex, Pocatello Regional Airport, Portneuf Medical Center, Lava Hot Springs and the Idaho National Laboratory.
“Every 10 years, we bring legislators to our community to show them our economic development accomplishments and success stories that we have achieved over the last 10 years since they last visited us,” says Matt Hunter, president and CEO of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce. “We want to keep in contact with all of them, and a perfect way is to have them visit us and enjoy their three days in Pocatello-Chubbuck. The previous Legislative Tour occurred in 2005, and now the next will take place in 2025.”
Hunter says all hotels, travel expenses and meals for the legislators are paid for by corporate sponsors.
“It’s an expensive event, so businesses that provide sponsorships receive more time to speak with the legislators and attend more functions,” he says. “There are dozens of get-togethers scheduled during the three days for businesspeople and the legislators to interact.”
Other events during the visit included a luncheon at Farm Bureau headquarters, dinner and a show at the Idaho State University Stephens Performing Arts Center, a presentation by corporate sponsors Agrium and Monsanto at the Idaho Fish and Game headquarters, a trade show and dinner at Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center, and a breakfast and tour of Idaho Central Credit Union, which was the event's main sponsor.
“All participants got much out of the three days,” Hunter says. “Hundreds of businesspeople in the region got to speak one-on-one with legislators, and the legislators left here with a much better understanding and appreciation of Pocatello and Chubbuck.”