The Wallys are Returning!

Representatives from the Chamber and MSU were in Salem, OR last month
to make a presentation to the Wally Byam Caravan Club. Pictured left to right:
David Smith, Melanie Stocks, Tom Stump, Sabra Slade and Cyndy Andrus

JULY 10, 2006 - Representatives from the Wally Byam Caravan Club International were
on handto witness the signing (above) of an agreement between their organization,
MSU and the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and Montana State University are pleased to announce that the Wally Byam Caravan Club International http://www.wbcci.org/ is returning to Bozeman.

 At a contract-signing ceremony Monday, July 10, WBCCI 2008 President Jerry Collins declared his intent to bring the club’s annual confab of Airstream owners together on the MSU campus in the summer of 2008.

 The rally will mark the 51^st annual rally for the club members, and the fifth time the rally has been held in Bozeman. The group was at MSU for rallies in 1973, 1977, 1982 and 1989, and had more than 3,400 units for each of those rallies. The group is smaller in numbers now, but still projects 1,000-1,300 units will be in Bozeman in 2008.

 “The Wally Byam Caravan Club has a long history with Bozeman, and we’re eager to welcome them back,” said Chamber President/CEO David Smith.

 Past rallies brought an economic impact of several millions to Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Restaurants, auto dealers and retailers all benefited. The community also benefited through donations to local non-profit organizations and the development of Wally Byam park at the southwest corner of College and 11^th Avenue.

Representatives of the Chamber and MSU have been working with Collins for the past year to secure the rally.