January 2013 Newsletter

CONNECTIONS JANUARY 2013 - Vol. 44, Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE...

Annual State of the City Luncheon

Leadership

Thursday, January 24th from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Interlachen

P2- Article by Cathy Haukedahl P2- Chamber Jackpot P3- Ambassador of the Month P3- Ambassador Updates P4- Article by Pat MulQueeny

Community Building

Nearly 100 people are expected to attend our annual tradition of bringing our business, city and education leaders together. Join us to hear Eden Prairie Chamber President, Pat MulQueeny, with an update of the state of the Eden Prairie business community; Superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools, Curt Tryggestad, on what issues the schools will face this year; and Rick Getschow, City Manager of the City of Eden Prairie, on the progress made in 2012 as well as the projections and expectations for 2013.

P5- Article by Makya VandiverHawkins P5- Fusion Information

Public Policy P6- Article by Tom Donohue P6- Sponsorship Corner Rick Getschow City of Eden Prairie

Networking P7- Get Involved- Volunteer!

P8- January 2013 Calendar

Pat MulQueeny Eden Prairie Chamber

Curt Tryggestad Eden Prairie Schools

LOCATION: Join us at The Garden Room of Eden Prairie, located at 8080 Mitchell Road in Eden Prairie.

epchamber2 Follow us on Twitter!

COST: The cost to attend is $25 for Chamber Members and their guests or $45 for nonMembers.

Look for us on Facebook “Eden Prairie Chamber”

RSVP: Phone: 952-944-2830 / Email: adminj@epchamber.org / Please note the 11:00 Registration time.

Look for us on LinkedIn “Eden Prairie Chamber”

SPONSORED BY: V our YouTube Visit CChannel “EPChamber2” Join the Discussion! epchamber2.blogspot.com

One sponsorship is still available- Call 952-944-2830.

THANK YOU to our first 2013 Annual Sponsor! * As of December 12, 2012. Want to see your logo here? Contact us for more information!

NEWSLETTER PREFERENCE- ELECTRONIC or PRINT

Silver Sponsor

If you want to only receive an electronic version of the newlsetter, please send an e-mail to Sammi at communications@epchamber.org and in the subject line, put “Electronic Newsletter Only.”

YOUR CONNECTION TO BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969

Leadership Meet Your 2013 EPC Board Chair

By Cathy Haukedahl, 2013 Chamber Board Chair Flagship Bank

Welcome to the dynamic Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce! It’s my heartfelt honor to serve as your 2013 Board Chair.

In January 2008, I joined Flagship Bank as Vice President of Business Banking and Branch Manager after working many years at Excel Bank as inside support. I never held an outside sales position in my life and attended my first Business@ Breakfast meeting at the Chamber - scared to death! What an amazing and incredible experience. I was warmly welcomed into the Eden Prairie business community by Chamber folks who genuinely cared about me and my business.

On that day, I began my Eden Prairie Chamber journey and quickly learned you have to stay engaged and attend events to obtain the best ROI for your membership. Since joining the Chamber, I served on the Golf, Gala & Membership Growth committees and as Tri-Chair of the Women’s Networking Group. Each committee interaction brought new business connections.

2013 will be an exciting year for the Eden Prairie Chamber.

We’ll implement fresh changes to programs, shake up the Gala and offer new business events. We’ll partner with the Edina, Richfield and Bloomington Chambers for shared General Membership Luncheons which enhance

sponsorship and networking opportunities.

Our Chamber is a strong vital representation of our community, but we can do more. Let’s commit to inviting nonmember businesses and non-profits to our events. To further our mission, we’ll focus on these goals: •

Brand the Eden Prairie Chamber as the “go-to” Chamber for business connections

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Increase Membership to include non-profit and faithbased representation

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Inform members to the highest level

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Ensure programs provide measurable value

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Encourage committee service

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I truly appreciate the trust you’ve placed in me as your Board Chair & wish you much success for the coming year!

Cathy Haukedahl is the 2013 Board Chair for the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to contact Cathy regarding the Eden Prairie Chamber, she can be reached at 952-9446050.

BusinessConnection

Everyone’s got an answer...

Your connection to business answers.

...ours will GROW your business.

We know times aren’t easy for Minnesota businesses these days. You need a resource that provides direct and immediate help for all of your important business questions. BusinessConnection is your free, go-to service in Minnesota for any and all business questions. Its purpose is to help Minnesota businesses grow by breaking down barriers, opening doors and answering questions – so you can get back to business.

Connect anytime: www.mnbizconnect.com Call toll-free: 1-888-MINN-BIZ / 1-888-646-6249 Personal assistance is available 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. BusinessConnection is a service of Grow Minnesota! and sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, its local chamber partners and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Connect online: www.mnbizconnect.com

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“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 Hopkins, MN - POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “Connections,” 11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Leadership Ambassador of the Month ~ Nov./Dec.: Steve Bowman, Tiger Plumbing, Heating & Air!!!

This month’s “Ambassador of the Month” is Steve Bowman, with Tiger Plumbing, Heating & Air! They are an Eden Prairie based full service plumbing, heating and air conditioning company, servicing the Southwest Metro area for 12 years. Because of their continued growth, Tiger moved to a new location, 12100 Singletree Lane, earlier this year.

With the cold weather on its way, Steve would like to remind his friends at the Chamber to make sure their furnaces are serviced annually to make sure they are safe and to change their filters regularly. It is also a good idea to turn off the circuit breaker for the air conditioner. Some have heaters in them and the warmth will create an attractive place for mice to spend the winter. Thank you and congrats Steve!

Ambassador Updates from the Month of December!

The Eden Prairie Chamber Ambassadors serve as goodwill representatives in our business community. They learn about member businesses and encourage membership retention through mentorships, personal phone calls and much more. Below are some of the places that our busy Ambassadors visited during December of 2012!

Murphy Business of Minnesota Dan Bauer, Managing Partner 7825 Washington Ave. S., #520 Bloomington, MN 55439 952-484-7222 www.MurphyBusiness.com

Site visit with Silpada Desig ns

Jewelry!

Silpada Designs Jewelry Laura Schiburr, Star Leader 612-518-0243 www.MySilpada.com/Laura.Schiburr y p

ess Site visit with Murphy Busin

of Minnesota!

Interested in serving on the Ambassador Committee in 2013?

Call our office for more information!

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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Leadership 2013 Presents Great Opportunities

By Pat MulQueeny, IOM, President Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

As we start the New Year, we want to highlight for our members the many ways to be involved and utilize your membership. Chamber membership can be viewed much like a gym membership – except it is for your business. People go to the gym to get fit and build a healthy body, the Chamber can do the same for your business.

Many members use the Chamber to increase sales for their business. They do this by attending programs and meeting prospects, they market their business through advertising with the Chamber (newsletter, e-blasts, website and membership directories), they sponsor events to gain maximum exposure and many serve on our committees to work on a specific issues/programs and meet other members on the committee.

Public Policy and connecting with elected officials is a key way the Chamber helps to build a strong business community. The Chamber has built very strong working relationships with our city officials and staff to be sure businesses do have a voice through the Chamber on issues that impact them locally.

Whether it is taxes, the proposed LRT line or other issues, the Chamber is the only organization in Eden Prairie that is the voice for business. In addition, we have strong relationships with our county officials, state officials, the Minnesota Chamber, US Representative Erik Paulsen and a great connection with the US Chamber on national issues.

Chair, Glenn Schwartz for his tremendous leadership in 2012 leading our organization with a year of growth. Also, thank you to our Board members who served and had their terms end in 2012: •

Patrick Bernal – Supervalu

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Gus Anchondo – Walmart

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Cecilia Cervantes – Hennepin Technical College

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Michelle Swanson – Xcel Energy

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Clarence Nunn – GE Fleet

We look forward to another great year and the efforts and leadership our Board of Directors will bring. Our 2013 Board includes: •

Scott Anderson - Rosemount Inc. (Emerson)

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Jeff Brosz - Benchmark Learning

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Carrie Dolinar - Pro Staff

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Allan Giese - G4 Investments, LLC

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Cathy Haukedahl - Flagship Bank (Board Chair 2013)

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Mark Hayes - GE Capital Fleet Services

Additionally, other ways we are helping business is by building a strong community. We recognize excellence in our awards, scholarships and help build future business leaders with our Student Membership program. Also, we are actively building leadership skills with our Fusion (young professionals) and with the volunteers on our committee.

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Jeff Holds - Phoenix Technology Solutions, LLC

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Mic Klaith - Beacon Bank

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Bill McReavy, Jr. - Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel

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Sherri Roseen - Froehling Anderson, LTD.

If you are interested in serving on our committees, please review the committee information sheet in this newsletter. If you want to attend programs or send your sales people to events, check out the event calendar at epchamber.org. Additionally, if you want to market your business to members of the Chamber, please call Sammi Dummel at 952-944-2830.

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Nicole Santelman - Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC

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Glenn Schwartz - Glenn J. Schwartz, Attorney at Law

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Stephen West - Eden Prairie Indepenent School Dist. 272

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Bryan Zimmerman - Allied Waste Services

We want to thank our members and especially the 2012 Board

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11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

Community Building The HEART In Small Business

By Makya Vandiver-Hawkins, Owner Smarty Pants Kids, LLC (966 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie)

Setting

your own hours.

Being your own boss. Pursuing your dreams. Whatever the reason for “small business”, there should always be heart in it!

Unfortunately, I have spoken with many people that feel that if no one else is caring, why should they. Our emotional trickle down effect as a nation is going down a negative slope. One-by-one we CAN make a difference! We don’t need to give speeches. We need to give compassion.

Too often we are finding that our ourselves, our friends, family, and neighbors hurrying through life. Making the fastest biggest buck they can and speeding on without checking underneath their tires.

Our country was built on small business owners who cared about making a difference. Our forefathers had giant HEARTS! From inventors to farmers and black smith’s to the local baker, everyone made a difference.

I know having heart and making a difference doesn’t pay the bills….but it can! When you show that you authentically care for your clients, your relationships deepen.

People talk and small business owners listen. When was the last time you hugged a client? Hugging is not unprofessional. Hugging says, “Hi. I am a person too”. If you see me and need a hug or need to give a hug, please feel free to. Not everyone is a hugger, so those simple phone calls or a personalized card to say, “I think of you when you are not paying me.”

I carry a wonderful book in Smarty Pants Kids called, “Santa Goes Green.” It is one of my favorites because the moral of the story is, “One boy, in one house, in one town- DID make a difference.”

I continue to carry hope that people will slow down, support the local businesses that support our communities and leave the world in better shape for the children of our future opposed to hurrying through TODAY.

Did you know that we have a young professionals group?

We do...it’s called Fusion and anyone can join!

Mission: To help emerging leaders of Eden Prairie businesses grow professionally and personally through networking and education so they may be an integral part of our business community.

Is this group right for me? Fusion is composed of people who are newer to their position, profession or our business community. The age range is roughly 22 to 40, although Fusion is not exclusive to this age group. Participants of Fusion are looking to build relationships, and share business strategies & professional stories in order to prepare themselves as the future leaders of their business community. Through monthly networking meetings and social events, members form both professional and personal connections. In addition, the group occasionally partners with other professional groups throughout the Twin Cities to provide additional networking and growth opportunities for Fusion members.

What do my annual dues include? Your Fusion membership dues cover meeting space, food, and other expenses for our monthly meetings. Social events are typically free to attend, but additional purchases (such as food/beverages) are the responsibility of the individual. On occasion a more complex social event will have an attendance fee associated with it to cover the costs of the event.

More information? Contact Sammi at 952-944-2830 or at communications@epchamber.org. Our first meeting of 2013 will be on Tuesday, January 15th from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM at STAR BANK in Eden Prairie. See you there!

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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Public Policy A New Era of Energy Abundance

By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO U.S. Chamber of Commerce

As America celebrates the New Year we count our blessings. Among our many national blessings is abundance of affordable, accessible, and safe energy. It could revitalize America’s economy, create millions of jobs, help reduce our deficit, and lessen our dependence on foreign sources.

Because of technological advancements, we can now tap vast oil and gas resources in geologic formations that were previously too costly and too difficult to reach. As a result, we have access to a 100-year supply of natural gas, and by 2020, oil production is expected to rise by 68% above 2008 levels.

This is a game-changer. Until recently, we were spending billions annually to import foreign oil, which made up 60% of our supply just five years ago. Our economy was increasingly vulnerable to the whims of unfriendly regimes and disruptions to the global energy supply.

Today, the boom in shale oil and natural gas—as well as opportunities in other sectors of the energy industry— could transform our economy.

The U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy recently sponsored a report by energy research firm IHS-CERA to assess the economic benefits of the shale boom—if policymakers don’t get in the way. Shale development has produced 1.75 million jobs over the past few years and could be responsible for 3.5 million jobs by 2035. Shale energy development will pump $237 billion into the U.S. economy this year and could generate $2.35 trillion in government revenues by 2035.

But we won’t realize the full potential of our energy resources without sound policy and prudent development.

Much of the recent progress has been despite the federal government, not because of it. Most of the new production is taking place on private or state lands—federal lands

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remain largely closed. The private sector has driven growth by investing in new technologies. And the industry is working with state governments and the public to adopt best practices and strict environmental standards, and the states are effectively regulating energy development. But federal bureaucratic roadblocks, like overregulation, endless environmental reviews, tax hikes, and permitting delays, could halt new development.

America’s leaders must not squander this opportunity.

That’s why the Chamber is pushing for expanded energy development in any Big Deal that Congress strikes to address our fiscal challenges.

Yes, America has plenty to be thankful for. We’ve got all the elements for a new era of energy abundance—natural resources, technology, capital, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, let’s adopt an agenda that reflects it.

100 Years Standing Up for American Enterprise U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Sponsorship Corner ~ December ~ Ambassador Lunch Sponsor (All Year)

7922 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie 952-374-6464 www.goumbria.com

Interested in becoming an Ambassador Lunch Sponsor? Contact Sammi to find our more!

Phone: 952-944-2830 Email: communications@epchamber.org

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

Networking Get Involved by Volunteering on a Committee!

T

here are so many different ways that you can get involved in the Chamber! Check out the committees below and let us know if you are interested in learning more or joining.

•

Ambassadors Committee: A good option for Chamber Members who have been around a while or new Members who want to be very active. They are the “good will representatives” of the Chamber. They are expected to attend as many events as possible and learn about other Chamber Members and their business needs, as well as to welcome new members & help business representatives connect throughout the Chamber community by attending new member site visits & ribbon cutting events. Meeting Times: the 1st Tuesday of each month at 11:30 AM plus four additional site visits.

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Business Development Committee: The goal is to foster a positive, healthy environment that encourages new business growth & development. Meeting Times: the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM at the Chamber Office.

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Fusion (Young Professionals): This group is not a committee but is comprised of emerging leaders who are newer to the business world or to their professions. The purpose is to share business strategies and professional experiences while building relationships through monthly meetings and social events. Fusion is our only dues-based group. Meeting Times: typically the 3rd Tuesday each month at 11:30 & social events as planned.

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Gala Committee: The Gala is our biggest annual fundraiser. The committee is formed to develop and execute a plan for the event. Members can join just to be a part of the brainstorming process, or they may take on bigger action roles. Meeting Times: As needed.

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Golf Committee: The Golf Tournament is one of our biggest annual fundraising events. This committee develops and executes a plan for the event that will meet Chamber objectives. They also help staff the event where needed. Meeting Times: as needed.

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Government Committee: This is a great group for those who are interested in the legislative, transportation and business advocacy issues that affect Eden Prairie and the surrounding areas. This committee discusses these issues and then helps communicate positions to local metro and state officials. They also meet with and influence the people who are forming current policy and future legislation. Meeting Times: the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 AM at the Chamber Office.

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Legacy Committee: Contacts and meets with members not actively engaged with the Chamber and works to help them maximize their membership through Chamber programs, events and marketing opportunities. Meeting Times: As needed.

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Recognition Committee: The objective is to identify exceptional programs and individuals in the educational and business systems through the recognition and scholarship awards of the Chamber. The chamber hands out seven awards and scholarships throughout the year. Meeting Times: the 1st Wednesday of each month at 3:30 PM at the Chamber Office.

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Women’s Networking Group: Not a committee, this group meets each month to hear from a featured speaker on a predetermined topic. This is a very fun and outgoing group for women who enjoy networking with other women to grow professionally and develop relationships. Meeting Times: typically the 2nd Thursday of each month from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Ambassador Committee on a site visit in 2012.

11455 Viking Dr. #270, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 • Ph: 952-944-2830 • Fax: 952-944-0229 • www.epchamber.org

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This is a publication of: Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

11455 Viking Drive, Suite 270 Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Ph: 952.944.2830 Fax: 952.944.0229

www.epchamber.org

JANUARY 2013 - EPC Calendar of Events Monday

Tuesday 1

Wednesday 2

EPC OFFICE CLOSED...

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8

Thursday 3

NO Business@Breakfast

Friday 4

7:30 AM - Business Development Committee Meeting @ EPC

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10

7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

7:30 AM - 1:00 PM- Board Meeting

11

11:30 AM - Ambassador Committee Mtg. at EPC Office

4:30 - 6:00 PM- BEER Bowling Event @ Pinstripes

14

15

16

17

7:30 AM - Government Committee Meeting @ EPC

7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

7:30- 9:00 AM, Breakfast Networking @ Smarty Pants Kids

18

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM- Fusion Meeting @ STAR BANK *Newsletter ads due to EPC

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22

23

24

25

7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM, State of the City Luncheon @ The Garden Room

*Newsletter inserts due to EPC

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29

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31

7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

PLEASE RSVP FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!