General Information

406-245-4111
info@billingschamber.com

John Brewer

CAE, President/CEO, Billings Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau
406-869-3720
john@billingschamber.com

I am the President and CEO of the Billings Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau and the manager of the Tourism Business Improvement District. The Chamber/CVB’s focus is to: promote Billings as a preferred destination for visitors, business travelers and sporting events; lead the community in local, state and federal issues impacting business and our quality of life; and to provide opportunities for membership as they relate to education, networking and value added services. The mission of the Tourism BID is simply to put heads in beds. I currently serve as the President of the Montana Association of Chamber Executives, and am an active board member on the MSU-Billings College of Technology National Advisory Board, the Big Sky Economic Development Corporation Board, Montana Chamber of Commerce Board, and Better Billings Foundation Board. I was the President and CEO of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau prior to coming to Billings where I led a team to develop statewide legislation implementing a tourism promotion assessment to grow tourism funding in communities throughout Washington. I was also part of the leadership team that successfully developed and secured resources to expand Spokane’s convention facilities by $96 million. I have a B.A. degree in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida.

Joan E. Kronebusch

Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau
406-869-3737
joan@billingschamber.com

My career in the hospitality industry started as a car-hop at the local Tastee-Freeze in Conrad, MT. I learned early on that people actually enjoyed hearing tid-bits of information about our small town! That was in 1977 - and I’ve been hooked on tourism ever since. My hospitality career has included 18 years in the hotel industry. I enjoy representing Billings on a global scale. It’s great to be able to create a memory for a family or give a delegate a reason to get out of their convention. My favorite thing is when a traveler stops by the Visitor Center to tell us they stayed an extra day or two on the recommendation from us.

My career at the Chamber/CVB has afforded me wonderful opportunities that include traveling to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on a Harley and taking my first ever hot air balloon ride - both events changed my life in very different ways! I have a zest for adventure - and a good shoe sale!

Being a Montana native, I’m often asked “why I live in Montana”…My answer is always the same…“why would I live anywhere else.”

Tom Krause

CVB Sales Manager
406-869-3731
tom@billingschamber.com

Born and raised in Butte Montana, I lived in Washington and Oregon before returning to Montana ten years ago with his wife of 21 years and my son and daughter. In my role as CVB Sales Manager it is my responsibility to prospect and recruit groups to hold their convention or conference in Billings.

Kelly McCandless

Leisure Sales Manager
406-869-3732
kelly@billingschamber.com

Born and raised in Billings, I have Bachelor’s Degrees in Mass Communications and Organizational Communication from Montana State University - Billings. After a year and a half doing Guest Services for the Chamber/CVB, I now focus on Leisure Travel Market promotion, encouraging families, small groups and FIT’s to visit Billings. Appropriately, I have a passion for travel, whether I am the one traveling or if I am assisting others in their travels to Billings. I am so fortunate to live in a town I love and be able to promote it. I am married to my fantastic husband, Ryan and I have two terribly spoiled dogs, Bella and Diego.

Nick Mann

Visitor Services Supervisor
406-869-3725
nick@billingschamber.com

I moved to Billings with my family at the age of 4 and spent the next 15 years here. I left to obtain a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Northwest Nazarene University. After completing a summer internship as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce I developed an interest in tourism and obtained a Masters degree in Strategic Marketing from the University of Glasgow. I have made my way back to Montana and am excited to begin my career here at the Billings Chamber of Commerce helping to make the city of Billings a better place to live and work. I have a passion for outdoor activities and have found that no other place combines the charm of a small town with the excitement of a thriving city quite like Billings. Our best days are ahead and I am proud to call Billings home once again.

Livestock outnumber people 12:1 in Montana.