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2024 © Keystone Chamber of Commerce
2024 © Keystone Chamber of Commerce
Worked for The Keystone Chamber of Commerce since June of 2020, 2 weeks later President Donald Trump and family were at Mount Rushmore for the July 4th celebration.
As the Director and CEO of the Keystone Chamber, we have accomplished several things so far during this reign. From the Keystone Veterans Rally and Ride, several Victorian Christmas and Spring Vendor Shows, Hometown Celebrations and the growth of our travelers coming and staying in Keystone. Applied and received over $90,000.00 in grant money that has covered several events, marketing promotional (digital, print and radio/TV) activities of our little community while dealing with the “great” COVID-19 epidemic. Taking our membership from 27 businesses to over a hundred and continue working with new owners in Keystone to see the justification of holding a membership with the Chamber. And having a great number of people (board) and vendors to work with makes it easy.
Being able to foster business relationships with our members and support the community and drive economic prosperity is a plus to this business for me. Many will tell you after the first year, I carry a deep commitment to Keystone as a community and the businesses in the area. I have stayed this long due to my commitment and the needs of the Chamber of Commerce in Keystone. Having the enthusiasm to promote Keystone is easy, especially when you see our visitors that come here and you feel like you’re seeing the area through their eyes and I hope this excitement resonates with others. Being able to bring the Keystone Chamber of Commerce to where it is today is one of my greatest achievements and being able to be resilient through the many different setbacks that can come to a group that has seen many different challenges to stay above water.
My past achievements include state and national competitions with promotional printed items (public relations), photography and quilting with high awards of first and 2nd places in several different categories. Holding state and national officer positions has assisted my professional background and knowledge of the needs of advocating for our businesses and community. Teaching was a great way of showing my students that you can achieve most anything as long as you set your eyes on it and not let others bring you down to their level of not understanding the positives of accomplishing what’s most important to all concerned.
Mother to 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren and enjoys hobbies like quilting, sewing and crafting. Love to travel and have met numerous people of all walks of life in my travels to working at the Visitor Information Center in Keystone.
We have several big groups that will be coming into Keystone throughout the year and we can’t wait to start welcoming them at our door. So in saying that…. contact me and let’s get you involved with inviting them to your location and what we all can do to make them feel welcome to Keystone, the Playground of the Black Hills.
See you soon in Keystone.
Being a member of the Chamber Board of Directors has been a truly challenging yet rewarding experience, allowing me to actively contribute to the growth and development of our community. Serving on the board has provided me with a unique opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals who share a passion for fostering local business success. I find immense satisfaction in being part of strategic discussions and decision-making processes that shape the direction of our community’s economic landscape. The sense of responsibility and the chance to make a positive impact on the business environment are what make my role on the Chamber Board of Directors not just fulfilling, but a source of personal and professional joy.
Although I now live in Colorado, I grew up in South Dakota and have been spending vacations in the Keystone area since I was old enough to walk. It has always been my dream to own a cabin with a view of Mount Rushmore. Now that I do, I share it with others as a vacation rental so their families can great memories of the Black Hills just as I do.
I’m excited to be involved in the Chamber and look forward to working with local businesses to make Keystone an even better place to visit and spend precious vacations in one of the most special places in America.
My name is KJ Watson, and I am an attractions and operations manager at Rushmore Tramway Adventures. I like being involved in the Chamber because I am able to meet and network with like minded business owners/operators. Keystone is such a special place and our businesses and attractions are just as special, lots of history around Keystone. I like working with the Chamber because we get to showcase and promote the beauty of Keystone, SD and the rest of the Black Hills. We hope to see you soon.