The Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) Partners with University of Montana In Support of Leadership & Entrepreneur Training for Foreign Students

The Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) has partnered with the International Programs
Department at the University of Montana and the Summer Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Program (SLEP) by coordinating opportunities for international students from two universities in
China to meet with local entrepreneurs in Downtown Missoula.

Nine Downtown entrepreneurs will host approximately 20 foreign students in their place of business for a tour of the business, an overview from the owner, and a question-and- answer session this Wednesday, July 27 from 2-3:30 pm. The MDA members hosting the tours are:

Lindsay Irwin Bitterroot Flower Shop 811 S. Higgins

Tom Snyder Five on Black 325 N. Higgins

Jennifer Kuehn Hunting & Gathering 741 S. Higgins

Tami Ursich Iron Horse Brew Pub 501 N. Higgins

Jake Kreilick Lake Missoula Tea Company 136 E. Broadway

Ben Sokoloski Market on Front 201 E. Front

Paige Livingston One Eleven 111 N. Higgins

Todd Frank Trailhead 221 E. Front

Roger Flynn Zootown Brew 121 W. Broadway

"This is a great opportunity to showcase Downtown Missoula entrepreneurs in a way that connects our community to the University of Montana," said Aimee McQuilkin, President of the MDA Board of Directors. "We are proud to highlight a variety of quality businesses and their owners, who implement best practices in their area of expertise and contribute to our diverse
and eclectic Downtown."

SLEP is a UM program for international students to study leadership and entrepreneurship in Missoula and to improve their English language presentation skills. In its second year, SLEP
leadership sought to enhance the curriculum with Missoula entrepreneurs willing to be interviewed about creating and building a business, best practices and challenges, and advice for a future in business ownership.

Seventeen (17) students and two chaperones are expected to arrive at the Downtown Missoula
Partnership (DMP) office at 218 East Main for a brief overview of Montana’s most diverse city
center before deploying to Downtown businesses for tours and interviews at 2 pm.

Missoula media representatives are invited to attend any of the tours/interviews. For more information, contact DMP Operations Coordinator Sarah Ferguson via phone (543-4238) or email
([email protected]).

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Sarah Ferguson

Operations Coordinator

Downtown Missoula Partnership

218 E Main | Missoula, MT

406.543.4238 | http://www.missouladowntown.com