Montana Treasures
For AFMS & NFMS Members Only!
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to updates on all the happenings at the AFMS, NFMS, Billings Gem & Mineral Show Aug. 3–6, 2023
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(Meetings, Exhibits, and Planned Field Trips)
We’re excited that you’re coming to our rock show in Billings, Montana! This site will be updated as we have new details to provide you before you arrive in August. You can stop by and visit any time.
If you don’t want to miss out on anything new — especially if we schedule more field trips — please subscribe. That will be the best way to find out what is happening so you can better plan your trip.
We also recommend that you visit Yellowstone National Park southwest of us or Glacier National Park northwest of Billings on your way to or from the show. They are both outstanding!
Advance Registration
Saturday August 5, 12:00–2:00 pm
AFMS & NFMS Luncheon
Saturday August 5, 7:00–10:00 pm, Ballroom
Banquet & Awards Dinner
Sunday August 6, 9:00–11:30 am
Editors/Webmasters Breakfast Buffet
REGISTER NOW
Wednesday, August 2
Display Case Setup
10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Show Room
(help available if needed)
Thursday, August 3
AFMS Uniform Rules Meeting
8:00 am – 11:00 am, Madison Room
Competitive Exhibit Judges
8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Parlor Room
AFMS Annual Meeting & Scholarship Meeting
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Madison Room
Friday, August 4
NFMS Annual Meeting
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Madison Room
Saturday, August 5
NFMS Juniors Cracker Barrel
8:30 am – 10:00 am, Parlor Room
AFMS/NFMS Luncheon
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Ballroom
AFMS/NFMS Social Hour
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Ballroom
AFMS/NFMS Banquet & Awards Dinner
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Ballroom
Sunday, August 6
Editors/Webmasters Breakfast
9:00 am – 11:30 am, Ballroom
ALAA Meeting
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Parlor Room
Live Auction to Benefit NFMS & ALAA
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Madison Room
Register Your Rock Exhibit!
You may enter a non-competitive exhibit or a competitive exhibit. You must register using the correct form. Competitive exhibits will be judged by the NFMS and the winners will be awarded trophies.
- Competitive Exhibit Entry Form (download PDF)
- NON-Competitive Exhibit Entry Form (download PDF)
Registration Deadline: July 1, 2023 (registration now closed)
Exhibit Setup: Wed., August 2, 2023, 10am – 8pm
Questions? email Guests@BillingsGemClub.com
Hurry! Space is limited. Registrations are first come, first served.
Speakers and Events
Terrible T-Rex: Lifestyles of a Mesozoic Legend
Nate L. Murphy
Fossil Exploration & Preparation, Dino Lab
Fri. Aug. 4, 10:00–11:00 am, Madison Room
Everything you wanted to know about Tyrannosaurus Rex but were afraid to ask!
Learn more on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!
Theo Kellison Meet & Greet
Theo Kellison
YouTube ‘Rock’ Star and Rock Artist
Fri. Aug. 4, 11:30 am–12:30 pm, Madison Room
Theo Kellison is well known in the rockhounding community for being an inclusive and adventurous personality. Learning and discovering never stop on his YouTube channel. He makes all things ‘rocks’ enjoyable and accessible to his viewers. Come meet Theo in person and get your burning questions answered!
Learn more on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!
Quartz Twins From the PC Mine
Pete Knudsen, PhD
Professor Emeritus Mining Engineering (Retired)
Montana Technological University
Sat. Aug. 5, 11:00 am–12:00 pm, Madison Room
Quartz Twins and Other Minerals From the PC Mine in Jefferson County, Montana.
Learn more on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!
A New Look at Old-Fashioned Dinosaurs
Scott Hartman, PhD
Paleontologist, UW–Madison
Sat. Aug. 5, 1:00–2:00 pm, Madison Room
From 80-ton giants to small enough to stand on your hand, to whether they were good parents, how fast they grew, which ones weren’t scaly, and which ones were warm-blooded, join UW-Madison paleontologist Scott Hartman as we explore how the last 25 years of research and discovery have fundamentally altered our understanding of dinosaurs.
Learn more on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!
Online Marketing Strategies
Thea Marie
Content Creator & Marketing Specialist
Sat. Aug. 5, 3:00–4:30 pm, Ballroom
This workshop will guide you to successfully manage your social media and marketing strategies so they work. Includes Rock Resources for rock clubs but all businesses and clubs are welcome to attend.
Dinosaurs: TV vs Real Life
Scott Hartman, PhD
Paleontologist, UW–Madison
Sun. Aug. 6, 12:30–1:30 pm, Madison Room
Have you watched Dinosaur Train on TV? The Land Before Time? Ice Age? Maybe Jurassic Park? How about recent dinosaur documentaries? Join UW–Madison paleontologist, Scott Hartman, for a behind-the-scenes look at how these projects are made, and how TV and movie dinosaurs often differ from our modern understanding of dinosaurs.
Presentation created with kids in mind — everyone welcome!
Learn more on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!
Highlights of
Montana Treasures
Vendors
24 vendors of minerals, fossils, crystals, gemstones, jewelry, and more.
Speakers
Attend one of our stupendous presentations on dinosaurs, crystals, and more.
Exhibits
28 non-competitive and competitive rock displays from all over the country.
Field Trips
Several trips are scheduled the week after the show for agates, fossils, and more.
Questions? Contact Our Guest Liaison (406) 200-8778
Montana Field Trips
What’s a trip to Montana without going rock hunting? We have several trips finalized and a few tentative. Signups will be taken during the show.
Field trips planned:
- Mon. Aug. 7: Bear Canyon Agate
- Tue. Aug. 8: Bear Paw Formation - Shale Fossils
- Wed. Aug. 9: Montana Agate on Yellowstone River Valley*
- Wed. Aug. 9: Cowboy Dinosaur Digs
10–20 people, $125/adult (group rate fee), kids 10 and under free, visit website for more details† - Thu. or Fri. Aug. 10 or 11: Cedar Creek Anticline – Marine Fossils*
- Fri. Aug. 11: Montana Agate on Yellowstone River Valley*
- Fri. Aug. 11: Cowboy Dinosaur Digs
10–20 people, $125/adult (group rate), kids 10 and under free, visit website for more details.†
* Tentative depending on water level. We will do our best to arrange an alternate field trip in the event of a cancelation due to rain or high water levels but we can’t make promises at this time.
† Min. of 10 signups per group. Friday trip only if Wednesday trip fills up.
Questions? eMail us at Guests@BillingsGemClub.com
Important: No dogs allowed on field trips.
Show Room
Main Show Features:
- 26 vendors from the Rocky Mountain region
- Silent Auction of a large variety of specimens
- Over 30 raffled items of gems, minerals, jewelry, and more
- 28 displays of minerals from around the country
- Kids’: Wheel of Fortune, Silent Auction, Rock Bags, Gem Scoop
Special Exhibits:
- Judith River Dinosaur Institute
- Carter County Museum
- Scott Hartman Dinosaur Art
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Museum of the Rockies
Don’t Miss Out!
eMail us to subscribe for new and updated show info.
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Who We Are
Billings Gem & Mineral Club
We are a bunch of rock lovers (like you) committed to hunting, digging, and admiring our geologic finds all over Montana. Since 1959, we have helped many of our fellow rockhounds come out of the closet and learn to embrace their passion for rocks without shame!
Montana is a great place to rockhound because there is an abundance of geological features to view, eras to investigate, and types of rocks to be found. Agates, jasper, fossils, crystals, dinosaur bones, Indian artifacts, and more.
We are delighted to have you visit us!
What to Do in Billings
When You’re Not at the Show
This video was made by Josh with ‘Through My Lens’ and he did a great job of covering many of the main highlights of our fun city.
If you have questions, call our Guest Liaison
Kathie Burke (406) 200-8778
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Billings?
Head to Visit Billings’ website and find the perfect activities for you.
Watch the video above for some highlights.
Where can I stay during the show?
The Billings Hotel & Convention Center of course! Show rate is $109.
Visit the Billings Hotel’s special booking page or call (406) 248-7151.
What is there to do in Montana?
There is so much to do in our big state that you won’t be able to do it all!
Go to Visit Montana’s website to plan your perfect vacation.
Need to Contact Guest Support?
(406) 200-8778 or Guests@BillingsGemClub.com
RV Campgrounds
There is very limited availability for RV Campgrounds in and around Billings so book early!
Billings, Montana
- Billings KOA Holiday
547 Garden Ave., Billings MT 59101
(406) 252-3104
(approx. 5 miles from show) - Yellowstone River Campground
309 Garden Ave., Billings MT 59101
(406) 259-0878
(approx. 5 miles from show)
Columbus, Montana
- Itch-Kep-Pe Campground
- 4640 MT-78, Columbus MT 59101
(approx. 60 miles from show) - Mountain Range RV Park
19 Mountain Range Rd, Columbus MT 59019
(406) 252-3104
(approx. 40 miles from show)
Red Lodge, Montana
- Red Lodge KOA Journey
7464 US Hwy 212, Red Lodge MT 59068
(406) 446-2364
(approx. 60 miles from show)
Where It’s Happening…
Billings Hotel & Convention Center
Show Entrance is on East Side. You can’t access the show through the hotel until you have a paid wristband.
Show Schedule
Thu. Aug. 3 10:00am–5:00pm
Fri. Aug. 4 10:00am–5:00pm
Sat. Aug 5 10:00am–5:00pm
Sun. Aug. 6 10:00am–4:00pm
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US
