CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION BY THE EDEN PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THANK YOU 2017 ANNUAL SPONSORS! BUSINESS INVESTOR
Vol. 48, Issue 2 | February 2017
WOMEN’S NETWORKING BUSINESS EXPO The annual Women’s Networking Business Expo is back for 2017! If you are introverted, extroverted, new to networking, new to the Eden Prairie Chamber, not a member of the Chamber and/or love to meet great people without sounding salesy — this is the event for you!
SILVER SPONSORS
Join Judy Zimmer, Executive Coach, personal branding expert and CEO of Coachology.us, for an interactive and fun Judy Zimmer CEO, Coachology.us presentation that will focus on how to meet new people and celebrate the brand that makes each person unique. We’ll explore five key aspects of personal branding that will help you to remember what is unique about others and their business. You’ll walk away with tips and techniques and new connections based on authenticity, trust and fun and you will leave with a fresh new perspective on networking in 2017! Plus, browse the many interactive exhibitor tables prior to the presentation and engage with a variety of member businesses.
BRONZE SPONSOR
If you’d like to display your unique products and services for the Business Expo attendees as an exhibitor, please find the registration form at epchamber.org/events. asp or email Sarah at sarah.ober@epchamber.org. DATE: Thursday, February 9, 11 AM - 1 PM
Zane Birky
LOCATION: Olympic Hills Golf Club (10625 Mt Curve Rd, Eden Prairie)
Thank you to the 2017 Women’s Networking Annual Sponsor:
COST: $30 for members, $60 for non-members
Connect with the Chamber
“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
@EPChamber
“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969
@EPChamber
LEADERSHIP
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A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors By: Alan Wallner President, W Creative A vision and call to action for 2017 and beyond The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce leverages its position in the community to be the voice of local business. The Chamber is pro-business and works continuously to maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, our membership and the business community at large. One of our goals for 2017 is to increase the Chamber’s influence at local, state and federal levels and to actively work to set the legislative agenda for the marketplace in order to secure a vibrant future for business in the Southwestern metro area. The Chamber is committed to making the organization the best it can be through an emphasis on leadership and excellence. This commitment to leadership and excellence comes from not only the Chamber Board of Directors, president and staff, but also the membership. As we engage initiatives and begin to gear up for 2017 and beyond, we are asking for help from the Chamber’s membership. To build and grow the Chamber to be one of the most influential chambers in Minnesota, we need to have a stronger voice and greater connection with all businesses in the metro area. In mid-February, we are kicking off the Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event that is focused on increasing the Eden Prairie Chamber membership, and as a result, position the Chamber as a stronger and more widely engaged organization driven by leaders focused on building strong businesses in the local community. We are asking Chamber members to take 5 minutes and reach out to another business they do business with and share with them some of the great reasons why they joined the Chamber. Ask them to be a part of this initiative and create new opportunities that will strengthen their business in 2017 and years to come. Let’s work together to make the Chamber a highly valued resource of expertise and leadership in the greater Minnesota business community. Let’s continue to support the tradition of strong, resourceful programming with a focus on community and business development. Let’s collaborate with other business leaders to build the vision of a strong business community. This week, take a moment and reach out to another local business and let them know why you value the Eden Prairie Chamber and ask them to be part of growing the Chamber into becoming one of the most influential chambers in Minnesota. The first step in turning a vision into reality is making the commitment to take that first step. Please watch for Chamber email updates for more information about the Chamber Membership Event on February 14, 15, and 16. If you would like more information or to take part in the Chamber Membership Event, please contact Pat MulQueeny at (952) 944-2830 or pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org.
MEMBERSHIP
epchamber.org
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event 2017 February 14-15, 2017 Over 100 members in 2 days. Are you up for the challenge? With the new year, comes new opportunities for the Chamber. The Chamber is excited to announce a brand-new program for 2017: Go All in with the Chamber! Go All In with the Chamber is a community-wide membership event focused on growing the impact and influence of the Chamber and our membership. We are hoping to recruit as many new members to the Chamber as possible in just TWO days! Our volunteers will utilize their network of business connections to help grow the influence and impact of the Chamber. With new members comes new opportunities for networking for our current members, and new resources for the Chamber to better serve you. This will be a large-scale event with lofty goals and a whole lot of enthusiasm. We are setting our sights high—with a goal of 100 new members in just two days! How can you help? Start the buzz. Talk to your clients and colleagues who are not already members of the Chamber about why you joined the Chamber and how it has served you and your business. Tell them that this event is coming up and that it is a GREAT time to join! Let us know what companies you connect with so we can be sure to follow-up with them and offer them further information. Volunteer. Many of our volunteers will be contacted directly. If you haven’t been contacted yet but still want to be a part of this event, please call the Chamber at (952) 944-2830 and we will find a spot that best fits your strengths and interests. Donate. Would you like to get your product in front of our dozens of volunteers? Donate or sponsor refreshments or snacks for our generous volunteers as they work. We are very excited for this brand-new and very promising event. It is going to significantly enhance the Chamber’s resources to be able to better serve you. If you have any questions about Go All In with the Chamber, please call the Chamber office at (952) 944-2830.
Office Closures
Please note: The Chamber office will be closed February 13-16 and from 12-5 PM on Friday, February 17 for Go All In with the Chamber. We apologize for any inconvenience.
“Connections” (USPS 729770) is published 12 times per calendar year by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Periodicals postage paid at Prior Lake, MN - POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “Connections,” 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
LEADERSHIP
www.epchamber.org
A Message from the Chamber President By: Pat MulQueeny President, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Legislature in Session The Minnesota Legislature is already in session and I recently attended the Minnesota Chamber’s Session Priorities Dinner. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from the Governor and leaders from the House and Senate. It is clear that there is a shared view of getting a number of bills passed this year including transportation and some tax reductions. Of the course the devil is in the details, and we will see what the House/Senate/ Governor will agree on before adjournment. We will continue to provide updates to our members on important issues and remind members to stay in contact with their elected officials throughout the year and especially during the session. Eden Prairie has two new faces representing Eden Prairie: Senator Steve Cwodzinski and Representative Laurie Pryor. I was able to visit with them in their offices during the first week of session, to get to know them and discuss the Chamber’s top issues including reducing business taxes and passing both a uniform state labor standard and a 10-year transportation investment bill. We will have the chance to hear directly from them on Friday, February 3rd at our Legislative Luncheon. This program will give our members the opportunity to get their perspectives on issues, hear what their top priorities are and to ask additional questions about business issues. Metro Survey Results In December of 2016, the Eden Prairie Chamber asked its members to participate in a metrowide business survey as part of the Metropolitan Advocacy Coalition of Chambers. Our Chamber has championed this effort, were pleased to see it happen and are ready to report some of the results.
• Economy – an overwhelming majority of our respondents believe that the economy is heading in the right direction. This view is stronger the more local the level, with many expecting to see an increase in revenues and nearly 90% expecting the size of their workforce to remain the same or increase. • Workforce Regulations – Businesses across the Twin Cities are concerned about individual cities passing new regulations to govern scheduling employees, the amount of safe and sick time provided and minimum wage requirements above the State level. More than 70% of businesses believe ordinances related to scheduling and paid safe and sick leave will have a negative impact on their business. Close to 80% of Eden Prairie businesses that responded already have benefit programs in place for their workforce that is designed for their specific industry and employees. • Metro sales tax – Just over 60% of Eden Prairie businesses that responded oppose additional sales tax increases to support transit funding. If a sales tax is increased for this, 65% of our respondents believe that voters should have to approve the plan. • Future challenges – workforce issues and specifically the cost of labor and access to skilled workforce topped the list for our businesses, followed closely by health care costs and the cost of complying with local and state regulations. Join us for Business Day at the Capitol We encourage our members to participate in Business Day at the Capitol on March 8th starting at 10:45 a.m. This program, coordinated by the Minnesota Chamber, brings hundreds of statewide business leaders together to meet our elected officials and discuss the top business issues for Minnesota. Information and registration for this program can be found at mnchamber.com. If you plan to attend, please e-mail pat.mulqueeny@ epchamber.org so we can coordinate our Eden Prairie business group.
LEADERSHIP
www.epchamber.org
MACC Survey Results The Metropolitan Advocacy Coalition of Chambers (MACC) is made up of twenty-one area chambers of commerce from across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. This survey was sent out in December 2016 and over 500 businesses participated. You can see the variety of industries the respondents represent to the right. These findings were presented at the State of the City luncheon on Jan. 19. You can see some of the highlights from that presentation below. In regards to their revenue and employee outlook, here’s what respondents reported: • Expect revenue to increase • Very few look at laying off employees • Reduction in workforce less than 10% • Large number of respondents are going to increase their workforce Do you support statewide legislation that would prevent local government entities from imposing their own city-wide employee benefits’ mandates on businesses?
There has been much discussion regarding reforms to the Metropolitan Council. Please choose the following reforms you would most like to see:
Do you support the Legislature increasing the metro sales tax to support transit funding?
How important is it for organizations such as chambers of commerce to advocate on behalf of businesses as these issues are initiated at the local government level?
Further questions about this information? Call Pat MulQueeny at (952) 944-2830.
NETWORKING
www.epchamber.org
LOOKING BACK: EVENTS EVENTS IN LOOKING BACK: INDECEMBER DECEMBER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY? To register for these events and more, log on to epchamber.org/events.asp
Legislative Luncheon Join the Eden Prairie Chamber as we kick off the 2017 legislative session with State Representative Jenifer Loon, State Senator Steve Cwodzinski and State Representative Laurie Pryor. We will be discussing the issues most important to local businesses in the upcoming legislative session. We will hear from newly elected Senator Steve Cwodzinski and Representative Laurie Pryor and Representative Jenifer Loon, who is in her fifth term. DATE: February 3, 11:30 AM - 1 PM LOCATION: Hilton Garden Inn (6330 Point Chase, Eden Prairie) COST: $30 for members, $60 for non-members
Legislative Breakfast with TwinWest We are partnering with the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce for a Legislative Breakfast on February 10. This particular event in the series welcomes the 2017 Legislative Leadership made up of Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt and House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman. The leaders will discuss their caucuses’ priorities for the 2017 session. The series strikes a balance between public policy and intriguing dialogue while presenting the opportunity to develop strong relationships with legislators and public officials. DATE: Friday, February 10, 7:30 - 9 AM LOCATION: Doubletree by Hilton-Minneapolis Park Place (1500 Park Place Blvd, St. Louis Park) COST: $35 for members, $55 for non-members
After Hours Join us for the first After Hours of the year hosted by Keller Williams Commercial and Keller Williams Elite - The Guild Group! Enjoy complimentary appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages provided by CRAVE, one complimentary alcoholic beverage per person, numerous door prizes and a goodie bag from all of the hosts. Learn more about the Keller Williams team and how they can serve you while you mingle with fellow members of the Chamber. DATE: Thursday, February 23, 4:30 - 6 PM LOCATION: CRAVE (8251 Flying Cloud Dr #3010, Eden Prairie) COST: FREE for members, $15 for non-members
www.epchamber.org
MEMBERSHIP New Members Welcome to the Chamber! Aflac 5810 W 78th Street, #210 Edina, MN 55439 (320) 293-2183 www.aflac.com
Friday, May 19, 2017 Radisson Blu Hotel - Mall of America The Twin Cities Young Professionals Summit is BACK for 2017! The theme for the 2017 summit is “Diversity & Inclusion.” This annual Summit gathers hundreds of young professionals from throughout the greater Twin Cities metro and neighboring states for a day of connection, collaboration and inspiration. The Summit keynote, breakout speakers and activities will reflect and enhance your understanding of the theme. Every attendee will walk away with new insight into bringing inclusion into the workplace.
First keynote speaker: Greg Cunningham U.S. Bank Greg Cunningham is Vice President of Global Inclusion and Diversity for U.S. Bank. His career has been dedicated to driving brand differentiation through cultural leadership. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the United Negro College Fund’s Minnesota campaign. His expertise on and accomplishments in diversity and inclusion in the workplace have been featured in national and regional media outlets including Fortune magazine, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Uptown Magazine and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
REGISTER: tcypsummit.com
ChiroFit Health and Wellness 7114 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 943-2404 www.chirofithealth.com Chanhassen Chiropractic 7800 Market Boulevard Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 934-4500 www.chanhassenchiro.com Snap Fitness Eden Prairie 8767 Columbine Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 944-7627 www.snapfitness.com/edenprairie Trinity Exteriors 4204 Park Glen Road St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (952) 920-9520 www.trinityexteriorsinc.com Clearent 8016 Telegraph Road Bloomington, MN 55438 (612) 940-8357 www.clearent.com Brain Balance 4745 County Road 101 Minnetonka, MN 55345 (952) 582-4290 www.brainbalance.com L & M Associates, LTD 10907 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 944-7576 www.l-m.com
Ambassador of the Month
Steve Bowman Tiger Plumbing, Heating & Air
Our Ambassador Committee is a group of volunteers who serve as mentors to new members and act as good-will ambassadors on behalf of the Chamber.
This is a publication of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
11455 Viking Dr, #270 Eden Prairie, MN 55344
P: (952) 944-2830 F: (952) 944-0229
www.epchamber.org
PERIODICALS US POSTAGE PAID PRIOR LAKE, MN USPS#729770
FEBRUARY 2017 - Calendar of Events Monday 30
Tuesday 31
Wednesday 1
Golf Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM, Chamber Scandinavia Trip Info Mtg 5 - 6 PM, Chamber office
6
Thursday
Friday
2
3
Public Policy Committee Meeting 7:30 - 9 AM Chamber office
Legislative Luncheon 11:30 AM - 1 PM Hilton Garden Inn
7
8
9
10
Ambassador Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Hellmuth & Johnson
Women’s Networking Business Expo 11 AM - 1 PM Olympic Hills Golf Club
Legislative Breakfast 7:30 - 9 AM, Doubletree Chamber 202 8 - 9 AM, Chamber office
13
14
15
16
17
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED 12 - 5 PM
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event
Go All In with the Chamber Membership Event
20
21
22
23
24
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Hellmuth & Johnson
After Hours with Keller Williams 4:30 - 6 PM CRAVE Eden Prairie
1
2
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
President’s Day
27
28 Golf Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM Chamber office
3
Public Policy Committee Meeting 7:30 - 9 AM Chamber office
PLEASE RSVP/Cancel FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!