Like any annual convention, the Montana Tavern Association's version features many fun events, parties and social gatherings. But serious business is also attended to during the rendezvous.
While registration, golf, sporting clays shooting and poker tournaments commence Monday, Sept. 10, organization business meetings start at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with the public relations and insurance committees convening in the Vigilante room.
Wednesday morning the budget and finance committee will meet simultaneously with the legislative and gambling committee, both beginning at 9:30 a.m. and expected to run until 11:30.
At 2 p.m. the general business meeting will begin with a welcome from Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy. Other Flathead area officials will likely be in attendance as well including city and county officers and local legislators.
MTA Executive Director Diana Koon said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer would address this business meeting at 2:15. A regulatory agencies discussion panel is on tap at 2:30 featuring Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath, Gambling Control Division Administrator Gene Huntington, Department of Revenue Director Dan Bucks and Liquor Division Administrator Shauna Helfert. A number of department personal are expected to be on hand to augment discussion as well.
At 3:15, Executive Director of the Montana Meth Project Pam Shea will address the assemblage on the importance of conquering this scourge.
At 3:30 p.m. an Attorney General candidate forum will be conducted. (See sidebar.)
Following a brunch, Thursday morning's business commences at 10:30 in the Ballroom. Committee reports will be heard, discussed and finalized and new business will be covered followed by the election of a new slate of officers.
The host city for the 2009 convention will also be voted on and selected. The 2008 convention will be hosted by the Cascade County Tavern Association and will take place in Great Falls.
With that, the 2007 MTA convention will officially close.
Sidebar: AG candidates will square off
The highlight of the Sept. 12 afternoon business session of the MTA convention will be a panel comprised of the five announced candidates for Attorney General. The panel is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. and last until 4:30.
MTA Government and Legal Affairs Counsel Mark Staples put the panel together and will moderate. "I believe this is the first time these candidates have appeared together and faced one another," Staples. "This panel should be a very interesting one for MTA members and the greater public as well," he said.
The Attorney General heads the Justice Department which also regulates gambling through its Gambling Control Division, now headed by Administrator Gene Huntington, an appointee of current Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath.
Candidates appearing will be: Republican Lee Brunner, a Butte attorney in private practice; Republican Tim Fox, a Helena attorney in private practice; Democrat Steve Bullock, a former assistant attorney general now in private practice in Helena; Democrat John Parker, House Minority Leader and Deputy County Attorney for Cascade County in Great Falls; and Democrat Mike Wheat, a former state Senator now in private practive in Bozeman.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, September, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.