The nation’s premier conference on the scienCe of the positive,
positive community norms & the science of positive experiences
Seeing with new eyes:
Uncovering positive norms & hidden protective factors to grow community health
IN BIG SKY, MONTANA & VIA LIVESTREAM: June 17-20, 2025
learn how to look at your work, your data, and the people you serve with new eyes
At the 2025 Montana Summer Institute, you’ll spend three and half days discovering innovative approaches that harness positive norms and increase protective factors, developing data-driven insights, and learning to create effective communications crucial for fostering healthier communities.
Join us to engage with leading experts, explore new methodologies, and learn how to leverage data and strategic communication to make a significant impact on community well-being. Don’t miss this chance to expand your toolkit and drive meaningful change by looking at your data, your messaging, and the people you serve through a fresh lens.
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Learn from researchers and leaders who are making a significant impact in their communities. Gain insights into their successes and take home actionable strategies that will transform your work.
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Dive deep into the Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and the Science of the Positive Experiences with hands-on workshops and expert-led discussions. Share your experiences and learn from others.
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Engage in thought-provoking dialogues about the challenges and opportunities for promoting positive norms to transform community health.
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Onsite and online attendees are encouraged to take part in our Foundations of Research & Practice webinar.
This two-and-half-hour online pre-institute will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, which have been used to enhance health and safety, increase protective factors, strengthen healthy norms, and transform community cultures on critical issues such as substance use, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and youth suicide.
Highly recommended for first-time Summer Institute attendees.
onsite registration includes:
Onsite participation in all event sessions
Breakfast & lunch on all event days
Continuing Education Credits from the University of Montana
Foundations of Research & Practice pre-institute webinar
Onsite FAQs
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Early Registration Fee: $1,095
Fee goes up to $1,195 after January 24, 2025
online registration includes:
Livestream access to morning keynotes
Choose between real time & recorded attendance
Continuing Education Credits from the University of Montana
Foundations of Research & Practice pre-institute webinar
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Early Registration Fee: $399
Fee goes up to $425 after January 24, 2025
why travel to montana?
Those who join us at the beautiful Big Sky Resort will get a healthy dose of relaxation and inspiration along with a top-notch training. Spend your days being challenged and energized in our Institute sessions, then take advantage of Montana’s endless summer evenings to explore The Last Best Place. Hike, fish, raft, horseback ride, visit Yellowstone National Park -- or just relax under the Big Sky! The gorgeous setting will magnify your learning, renew your energy, and help transform the way you approach your work.
Who is the Montana Summer Institute for?
If you are engaged in the work of transforming community or workplace health, the Montana Summer Institute is for you. Come to the Summer Institute and join a passionate community of leaders who are working to promote health and improve norms around issues including substance use, social justice, environmental health, traffic safety, suicide prevention, domestic violence, mental health, and more using the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms.
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...and grantees who work with local coalitions, non-profit organizations, or federal, tribal, state or county agencies to increase health and safety.
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…looking to change school, district, or campus cultures around vaping, alcohol, cannabis, bullying, truancy, bystander behavior, and more.
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...charged with creating safe and positive work environments and improving health and safety for employees and clients.
onsite FAQS
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All onsite sessions will be held in the Yellowstone Conference Center, at the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana.
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Foundations of Research and Practice Online Pre-Institute
This two-and-half-hour online pre-institute will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, and is highly recommended for first-time Montana Summer Institute attendees.
Live Zoom: Tuesday, May 20: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
All registrants will receive access to the pre-institute recording.Summer Institute Schedule
Monday, June 16: Arrival day
Tuesday, June 17: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Wednesday, June 18: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Thursday, June 19: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Friday, June 20: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm MT
Online Access
Attendance at all onsite sessions is encouraged but not required. Onsite registrants will receive access to the 2025 Montana Summer Institute Online Portal, where they can view the agenda, access the livestream, find session recordings, learn more about our presenters, and connect with one another.
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This two-and-half-hour online pre-institute will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, and is highly recommended for first-time Montana Summer Institute attendees.
Live Zoom: Tuesday, May 20: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
Recording: A recording of this event will be made available to all registrants.
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Registration includes Continuing Education Credits provided through the University of Montana School of Public and Community Health Sciences.
We will be offering 16.25 hours credit for the onsite event, and 11 hours for the livestream event. All attendees will receive digital certificates by email in August 2025.
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Arrival Day: Monday, June 16, 2025
Departure Day: Friday, June 20, 2025
If you book a flight from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport that departs any time after 3:00 pm on the afternoon of June 20th, you should have plenty of time to get to the airport.
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Bozeman Yellowstone International (Airport Code BZN) is served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, United and Southwest Airlines. Bozeman is a small but popular destination. The sooner you can make your travel arrangements, the better.
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Big Sky is located 50 miles from the airport. All transportation (taxis, ubers, rental cars) must be arranged in advance.
Many of our guests choose to rent a car and explore the area. Companies that offer shuttles from the Bozeman Airport to the Big Sky Resort include:
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Rooms are being held at the Big Sky Resort at special conference prices. Call (800) 548-4486 or book online.
Make sure to mention the Montana Summer Institute to get group rates.
All rooms will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.
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Breakfast and lunch will be provided on June 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th.
Participants will be on their own for dinner. There are many dining options at the Big Sky Resort and in the Big Sky Town Center.
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Make sure to check the weather before you pack.
The dress code for the event is casual. We are a friendly, informal group! Come prepared for sunny skies, afternoon thunderstorms, and chilly mornings and evenings. Big Sky is at 7,200 feet, and the weather can change quickly. It is important to wear sunscreen and drink a lot of water.
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We will measure the success of the Montana Summer Institute by the positive, inclusive experience and liberated participation of all attendees, including those of various ethnicities, skin colors, genders, ages, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, education levels, socio-economic statuses, and the myriad of other individual differences we respect and welcome at this event.
The Huntley Lodge and Big Sky Resort are ADA accessible facilities.
We provide a comfortable lactation room for attendees who need it, as well as a reflection room where attendees can watch the event livestream in a quiet, calm environment.
If there are ways we can make you feel more welcome at the Institute, please let us know.
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The Montana Summer Institute will abide by any state and local guidelines relative to COVID at the time of the event. This may include social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, hand sanitation, daily health questionnaires, or other health and safety precautions. No such guidelines are currently in place.
Masks are welcome, but not required. The Summer Institute is a community of people who care for one another. If you feel ill during the event, we recommend you watch the event livestream from the comfort of your hotel room.
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Onsite attendees can cancel and receive a full refund prior to May 1, 2025. Between May 1 and May 30, 2025, Onsite registrants can switch to our Online option, and receive a refund of the difference between the two registration fees. No cancellations or adjustments will be accepted after May 30, 2025.
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For payment and invoicing questions, please contact:
Autumn Gilleard
Meetings Northwest
agilleard@meetingsnorthwest.com
(406) 273-7224For all other event-related questions, please contact:
Jenae Meske
The Montana Institute
jenae@montanainstitute.com
701-320-8362 (call or text)
Online FAQS
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Online attendees will receive livestream and recorded access to all of the Institute's morning keynotes.
The afternoon workshops are highly interactive, and are available only to onsite attendees.
Online registrants will receive access to the 2025 Montana Summer Institute Online Portal, where they can access the livestream, find session recordings, learn more about our presenters, and connect with one another.
Keynote recordings will be posted by 7PM MT on each event day, and will available through September 30, 2025.
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The Summer Institute will be livestreamed from 9:00am to 12:00pm MST on June 17-20, 2025.
Live attendance is not required. Recordings will be available by 7PM MT on each event day, and will available on the 2025. Montana Summer Institute Online Portal through September 30, 2025.
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This two-and-half-hour online pre-institute will introduce the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, and is highly recommended for first-time Montana Summer Institute attendees.
Live Zoom: Tuesday, May 20: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
Recording: A recording of this event will be made available to all registrants.
-
Registration includes Continuing Education Credits provided through the University of Montana School of Public and Community Health Sciences.
We will be offering 16.25 hours credit for the onsite event, and 11 hours for the livestream event. All attendees will receive digital certificates by email in August 2025.
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Online registrants can cancel for a full refund through May 30, 2025.
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For payment and invoicing questions, please contact:
Autumn Gilleard
Meetings Northwest
agilleard@meetingsnorthwest.com
(406) 273-7224For all other event-related questions, please contact:
Jenae Meske
The Montana Institute
jenae@montanainstitute.com
701-320-8362 (call or text)