Montana summer institute 2027
Positive Norms, Powerful Results:
The Path to Healthy, Thriving Communities
— The nation’s premier conference on the Science of the Positive,
Positive Community Norms & the Science of Positive Experiences —
IN BIG SKY, MONTANA & VIA LIVESTREAM: June 15-18, 2027
For decades, the Science of the Positive has offered a bold and hopeful premise: that the surest path to healthy, thriving communities is to identify what's working, amplify what's strong, and build on the good that already exists in every community. During the 2027 Montana Summer Institute, you’ll see new data, hear fresh insights, and gain an even deeper understanding of how promoting health is the best way to increase it.
Over three and a half energizing days, you'll explore the data, frameworks, and real-world results behind some of today's most exciting community health work. You'll hear from expert researchers and experienced practitioners who are forging a positive path forward on issues including youth substance use, traffic safety, mental health, suicide, domestic violence, and more. And if you can join in person in Big Sky, your afternoons will be filled with hands-on, interactive workshops designed to help you measure, communicate, and expand the impact of your own work.
Whether you're new to the Science of the Positive or have been applying it for years, the 2027 Summer Institute will light the path ahead, giving you the tools and next steps to help your community thrive.
onsite registration includes:
Onsite participation in all event sessions
Breakfast & lunch on all event days
Continuing Education Credits
Online pre-institute webinar
Early Registration | Thru September 30, 2026: $995
Standard Registration | Thru January 31, 2027: $1,095
Late Registration | After February 1, 2027: $1,195
online registration includes:
Livestream access to morning keynotes
Choose between real time & recorded attendance
Continuing Education Credits
Onlinepre-institute webinar
Early Registration | Thru September 30, 2026: $300
Standard Registration | Thru January 31, 2027: $325
Late Registration | After February 1, 2027: $425
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, Positive Community Norms and the Science of Positive Experiences.
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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.
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.
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 18, 2027: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
All registrants will receive access to the pre-institute recording.Summer Institute Schedule
Monday, June 14: Arrival day
Tuesday, June 15: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Wednesday, June 16: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Thursday, June 17: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
Friday, June 18: 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 2027 Montana Summer Institute Online Course, 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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Onsite registration includes our Introduction to Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and the Science of Positive Experiences pre-institute. This two-and-half-hour webinar will provide foundational information to help you get the most out of the Summer Institute, and is highly recommended for first-time Summer Institute attendees.
Live Zoom: Tuesday, May 18, 2027: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
Recording: A recording of this event will be made available to all registrants.
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Onsite participants may earn up to 1.625 (16.25 hours) of Continuing Education Units, depending on session attendance.
Qualifying attendees will receive digital certificates by email in October 2027.
2026 Participants must verify their session attendance in the Summer Institute Online Course by January 31, 2027 in order to receive a credit certificate.
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Arrival Day: Monday, June 14, 2027
Departure Day: Friday, June 18, 2027
If you book a flight from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport that departs any time after 3:00 pm on the afternoon of June 18th, 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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The Big Sky Resort is located 50 miles up a mountain road from the Bozeman Airport. ALL TRANSPORTATION MUST BE ARRANGED IN ADVANCE. UBER AND LYFT ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
AIRPORT SHUTTLES: We have partnered with Peak Shuttle to provide reduced-cost transportation to and from the Big Sky Resort. Register for a shuttle here.
TAXIS: Taxis are available through Bozeman Airport Taxi and other local companies.
RENTAL CARS: Rental cars are available at the airport.
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Rooms will be held at the Big Sky Resort at special conference prices through May 14, 2027.
Call (800) 548-4486 or book online.
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 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th.
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 experience and engaged 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 other individual differences we respect and welcome.
ACCESSIBILITY:
The Huntley Lodge and Big Sky Resort are ADA accessible facilities. Accessible parking is also available.
A Reflection Room will be available where onsite attendees can watch the event livestream in a quiet, calm, low-light environment. No talking or cell phone use will be permitted.
Keynote and workshop sessions will have live in-room captioning.
Virtual sessions will be closed-captioned using Zoom auto-captioning.
The Institute agenda, session slides, and other materials will be available on the Montana Summer Institute Online Course. Content posted to the Online Course is accessible on mobile devices, desktop/laptop computers, and screen readers.
A lactation space will be made available for attendees who need it. Please let us know if you will lactation space access.
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 3, 2027. Between May 3 and May 28, 2027, 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 28, 2027.
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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 2027 Montana Summer Institute Online Course, 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, 2027.
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The Summer Institute will be livestreamed from 9:00am to 12:00pm MST on June 15-18, 2027.
Live attendance is not required. Recordings will be available by 7PM MT on each event day, and will available on the 2027 Montana Summer Institute Online Portal through September 30, 2027.
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Online registration includes our Introduction to Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and the Science of Positive Experiences pre-institute. This two-and-half-hour webinar will provide foundational information to help you get the most out of the Summer Institute, and is highly recommended for first-time Summer Institute attendees.
Live Zoom: Tuesday, May 18, 2027: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm MT
Recording: A recording of this event will be made available to all registrants.
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Online participants may earn up to 1.025 (10.25 hours) of Continuing Education Units, depending on session attendance.
Qualifying attendees will receive digital certificates by email in October 2027.
2026 Participants must verify their session attendance in the Summer Institute Online Course by January 31, 2027 in order to receive a credit certificate.
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If you would like to register three or more people from your coalition or organization for the online Summer Institute, please reach out to us for group pricing.
Group rates are not available for the onsite event.
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Online registrants can cancel for a full refund through May 28, 2027. No cancellations or changes will be accepted after that date.
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For payment and invoicing questions, please contact:
Autumn Gilleard
Meetings Northwest
agilleard@meetingsnorthwest.com
(406) 273-7224For technical support and other event-related questions, please contact:
Jenae Meske
The Montana Institute
jenae@montanainstitute.com
701-320-8362 (call or text)
