PRESIDENT’S LETTER
A New Chapter
M
y heart is full of gratitude as I begin a new
and dedicated volunteers. I look forward to partnering
chapter with the St Cloud Area Chamber of
with you to strategically position the Chamber as the
Commerce. I visited St. Cloud 25 years ago as a tourist.
area’s leading convener of great ideas, leadership,
Soon thereafter I relocated from south Florida and now
engagement, and business advocacy. I am dedicated
have spent nearly half my life promoting this great place.
to building on our success, taking on new challenges,
When first introduced to the region I was enticed by
and continuously looking for new and innovative
the welcoming feel, quality of life, cost of living, work
opportunities for growth.
opportunities, and impressive business growth. Since
Through the years I’ve had the pleasure to get to
day one, I have been so proud to work for the Chamber,
know and work alongside so many of you, and I look
an organization that contributes to these community
forward to continuing to do so in my new capacity.
successes every day.
And for those of you I do not know yet, I’m eager to
As executive director of the Chamber’s Convention
meet you and build our relationship. I’m confident
and Visitors Bureau, I’ve had the great privilege to
that together we will accomplish great things for our
represent the St. Cloud area and its hospitality and
community and local business.
tourism industry. It has been an incredibly rewarding
I am humbled, thankful, and honored to carry on
experience working with our team to bring hundreds of
our Chamber’s 152-year legacy and continue the great
thousands of people to town. These visitors have been
work done by past and current board members,
introduced to new experiences, made lifelong memories,
volunteers, and of course retired President Teresa Bohnen.
and contributed to our local economies through leisure
I encourage you to share your ideas and hopes for the
travel, meetings and conventions, special events, and
future of the Chamber, my door is always open and
tournaments. Together we must continue to ensure that
I look forward to talking with you soon.
our destination is full of unique amenities that contribute to our quality of life, benefit residents, draw visitors, and attract and retain employers and employees. As your new Chamber president I’m thrilled for the opportunity to lead our successful 5-Star Chamber and work with the organization’s talented team, members,
Editor’s Note: Learn more about Julie in "New at the Top" on page 15.
Julie Lunning Publisher
2020-21 BOARD MEMBERS ____________________________
Main Phone: 320-251-2940 • Automated Reservation Line: 320-656-3826 • Program Hotline: 320-656-3825 information@StCloudAreaChamber.com • StCloudAreaChamber.com ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF ____________________________ President: Julie Lunning, ext. 104 Vice President: Gail Ivers, ext. 109 Communications & Workforce Development Coordinator: Open Position Special Events Coordinator: Laura Wagner, ext. 131
Membership Specialist: Antoinette Valenzuela, ext. 134 Administrative Assistant: Vicki Lenneman, ext. 122 Administrative Assistant: Shelly Imdieke, ext. 100 Communications Intern: Tess Glenzinski
Marilyn Birkland, LocaliQ Ron Brandenburg, Quinlivan & Hughes, Past Board Chair
Willie Jett, St. Cloud School District Kevin Johnson, K. Johnson Construction, Board Vice Chair Bernie Perryman, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Board Chair
John Bryant, Geo-Comm
Paul Radeke, BerganKDV
Main Phone: 320-251-4170
Christy Gilleland, Gilleland Chevrolet Cadillac
Brenda Sickler, Theisen Dental
Executive Director: Rachel Thompson, ext. 111
Allison Waggoner, DCI Inc.
Tanja Goering
Director of Sports & Special Events: Dana Randt, ext. 110
Ray Herrington, Pioneer Place on Fifth
Donella Westphal, Jules’ Bistro
Sales Manager: Nikki Fisher, ext. 112
Joe Hellie, CentraCare
Social Media & Marketing Specialist: Emily Bertram, ext. 129
Patrick Hollermann, InteleCONNECT
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF ____________________________
Chriss Wohlleber Dr. Jason Woods, St. Cloud State University Colleen Zoffka