CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION BY THE EDEN PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THANK YOU 2016 Annual Sponsors! SILVER SPONSOR
Vol. 47, Issue 6 | June 2016
Legislative Breakfast: The Capitol Press Corps We are partnering with the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce for another great educational opportunity in the Legislative Breakfast series—Minnesota’s premier legislative and political forum. Tom Hauser, KSTP; Rachel Stassen-Berger, Pioneer Press; and Mary Lahammer, TPT, all members of the Capitol Press Corps, will share a behindthe-scenes view of life at the Capitol during the Legislative Session. We will learn about the victories, disappointments and the missed opportunities of the 2016 Legislative Session. Each Legislative Breakfast strikes a balance between public policy and intriguing dialogue, while presenting the opportunity to develop strong relationships with legislators and public officials.
BRONZE SPONSORS
DATE: Friday, June 10, 7:30 - 9 AM LOCATION: Minneapolis Marriott West, 9960 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park * Please note this is a change from previous communications COST: $30 for members, $60 for non-members
GENERAL SPONSOR
Tom Hauser KSTP
Connect with the Chamber
Like us on Facebook at “Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
Rachel Stassen-Berger Prioneer Press Follow us on Twitter @EPChamber2
Mary Lahammer TPT Join our Linkedin group “Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969
LEADERSHIP
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A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors By: Katie Misukanis, M.P.A. Government Relations Director, Rasmussen College
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It is here: summer! It is the season that we Minnesotans live for—we can open the windows, put the winter coat away and pull out the swimsuits. It also means that the Eden Prairie Chamber Golf Tournament is around the corner. This is a great event to interact with friends, host clients and golf Bearpath—an event that you won’t want to
As the Chamber looks back on the first half of the year, we are could not be happier about the results. We have had outstanding partnering opportunities like the most recent Women’s Networking lunch with Twin West. Our Business@Breakfast has been well-attended, and we recently co-hosted a Transportation Roundtable that was attended by Lt. Governor Tina Smith and Met Council Chair Adam Duininck. We also launched the amazing Twin Cities Young Professional Summit. We had over 200 attendees and have received consistently positive feedback from those who participated. We cannot wait to host the summit again in 2017, so keep an eye on tcypsummit.com for details. We would be remiss if we did not remind you to check out our website for upcoming events and, as always, to bring a friend. Come to our Lunch and Learn about Marketing on June 20, join us for an After Hours at Rogers Memorial Hospital or network with local businesses every Wednesday morning at Business@Breakfast. We cannot do what we do without you and your referrals. And remember, you receive $100 for each member you refer! When you help support the Chamber and its growth, we want to support you in return. I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event in the near future!
Meet the newest member of the Chamber team: Meghan Heitkamp
Meghan Heitkamp joined the Chamber team in late May as the Social Media & Events Intern. Meghan is a senior at the University of St. Thomas, where she is pursuing an English and Communication double major and Business minor. She is very active outside of her studies as well, working as a Writing Consultant at the Center for Writing on campus, executive Admissions events and giving tours to prospective students, serving as a Writing Mentor at Wellstone International High School and staying active as a member of the English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta. Meghan loves to read—usually at a cozy coffee shop around the Twin Cities. Meghan says she is looking forward to learning more about the Eden Prairie community and making lasting connections with our members. Introduce yourself to Meghan at our next event or say “Hi!” via email at info@epchamber.org.
LEADERSHIP
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A Message from the President By: Pat MulQueeny, IOM President, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Lead. Advocate. Prosper. Strategic Plan Goal #1: Grow the influence of the Eden Prairie business community through proactive advocacy and thoughtful public policy initiatives. Our Chamber has been advocating for our businesses at the MN Legislature on numerous issues including – enacting meaningful business property tax relief, investing in a transportation plan that is comprehensive and includes money for roads, bridges and transit, a preemptive bill that would not allow local government from enacting their own ordinances on business (example is what is happening in Minneapolis), and a modification to the MN Human Rights Act (ADA) to help prevent lawsuits and giving businesses the opportunity to remedy their violation. In addition, we held a roundtable meeting with the Lt. Governor and Chair of the Met Council to discuss metro transportation issues and SWLRT, and we signed on to a letter opposing the massive increase in the salaried wage threshold put forward by the Administration in D.C. At the time of this article, there are a few days left for the Minnesota Legislative session and we are hopeful that we will get a transportation bill passed, relief in some form on business property taxes, a preemptive bill passed and changes to protect businesses from lawsuits. In addition, we provided our members a free lunch and learn on how to have your voice heard with elected officials—very timely as we head into election season. Strategic Plan Goal #2: strengthen the organization and ensure growth through bold leadership. One of our new major programs that is directly focused on building the leaders of tomorrow is the Twin Cities Young Professionals Summit. We held the inaugural TCYP Summit on April 29th and provided two amazing keynote presentations along with 6 individual breakout speakers to over 200
attendees! Plans are already coming together for next year’s TCYP Summit so be thinking about your future leaders who you want to send to learn from top presenters! Strategic Plan Goal #3: Ensure the future prosperity of the Eden Prairie marketplace. The Chamber continues to work closely with businesses and education related to current and future workforce. Please mark your calendar for the next Career Fair at the high school on October 25th. In addition, we are working on welcome packets for both the Ryder Cup and Super Bowl visitors. We will have thousands of guests in and around Eden Prairie with many of them staying at our local hotels. We are planning to provide them with a visitors’ guide that promotes our area restaurants, retailers and community as a whole. If you are interested in participating in this, please call our office at (952) 944-2830. I will end this column on a sad note and mention the loss of one of our long-time Chamber members Bob Carling. Bob was our Small Business Person of the Year in 1982, and he was also named MN Small Business Person of the Year that same year. He was a World War II courtesy of the veteran and a member of the Lions PhotoStarTribune Club since 1961. Bob was named a lifetime member of the Chamber by our Board of Directors. I have known Bob for many years—mainly through seeing him at Chamber or community events always with a huge smile on his face. Bob had a lively spirit about him that I will never forget. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed.
“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
NETWORKING
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN JUNE? After Hours at Rogers Memorial Hospital Join us for an After Hours networking event to celebrate the grand opening of the Rogers Behavioral Health-Minneapolis. Rogers Behavioral Health offers specialized psychiatry and addiction services. They now bring the evidence-based care they’ve offered in neighboring Wisconsin for more than 100 years. They invite you to join their team, administration and medical leadership for a grand opening of the Eden Prairie location. Come take a tour of the facility while enjoying appetizers, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages. Clinic staff will be located throughout the facility to give an overview of the offered programs. The celebration will also include a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the Rogers Memorial staff to their new space. DATE: Thursday, June 16, 4:30 - 6 PM LOCATION: Rogers Memorial Hospital, 6442 City West Parkway, Suite 200, Eden Prairie COST: FREE for members, $15 for non-members
Lunch & Learn: Marketing How does your company rise above a cluttered culture? Join the Chamber for a Lunch & Learn event on Monday, April 19 from 11:45 AM - 1 PM with presenter Jeff Stone of Picture Time, LLC. Jeff will be teaching you how to create better marketing content to help you rise above all of the marketing consumers face in choosing products and services. Lunch & Learn events are an opportunity to learn something new that will benefit you and your business over the lunch hour. Learn from your fellow members as you enjoy your lunch out of the office. Bring business cards, as there’s always time for networking. You bring your lunch, we’ll provide beverages. DATE: Monday, June 20, 2016, 11:45 AM - 1 PM LOCATION: The Chamber office, 11455 Viking Dr, #270, Eden Prairie COST: FREE for members, $15 for non-members
Business@Breakfast Business@Breakfast is the Chamber’s only weekly networking event. It is a great opportunity for businesses that rely on referrals and personal connections as each attendee has the opportunity to present a 60-second infomercial about their business and referrals that would be beneficial for them. Come prepared with 35-40 business cards and an appetite-breakfast typically includes fresh fruit, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs and bacon. DATE: Wednesday, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 7:30 - 8:30 AM LOCATION: Tavern 4 & 5, 16396 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie COST: $12 for members, $15 for non-members
NETWORKING
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SAVE THE DATE: LADIES ON THE LINKS The 12th annual Ladies on the Links golf tournament is right around the corner! Get out of the office and make new connections on the course. You will enjoy a 9-hole round of golf at Bent Creek Golf Club, an After Hours with appetizers, exhibitor tables, and more! Find the registration form at epchamber.org/events.asp or inserted into this newsletter. Sorry gentlemen, the tournament is for women only. But please join us for the concluding After Hours that is open to the general membership! Register at epchamber.org/ events.asp. Interested in sponsoring a hole or exhibiting at the After Hours? Contact Sarah at sarah.ober@epchamber.org.
COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT: RECOGNITION COMMITTEE The Recognition Committee identifies 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 and members of this committee select one nominated business or Chamber member for each award. Those seven awards include the Excellence in Education Awards and the PostSecondary Scholarship which were recently released for nominations.
Business Scholarship 2016
The Excellence in Education Award for Outstanding Project will be presented to the individuals responsible for an exemplary project or service that has benefited the students (K-12) and/or staff in Eden Prairie Independent School District 272 or The International School of Minnesota during the 2015-2016 school year. The Excellence in Education Award for Outstanding Educator will be presented to an individual that has contributed outstanding work and influence to a school in Eden Prairie Independent School District 272 or to the International School of Minnesota.
Volunteer of the Year 2015
The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce supports higher education and grants a $2,000 scholarship to an area student who exhibits proven qualities of commitment to the learning program, high initiative, and high achievement in education and involvement in their community/volunteer activities. If you know of a deserving candidate for either award, please direct them to epchamber.org/news.asp.
Stretch your leadership skills: Join a Chamber committee!
ATHENA Award 2015
Find a complete list of our committees and their descriptions at epchamber.org/join.asp. Contact the Chamber staff at (952) 944-2830 for more information or to be added to the mailing list for upcoming meetings. New for 2016: Super Bowl and Workforce Development Committees
NETWORKING
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LOOKING BACK: EVENTS INDECEMBER MAY LOOKING BACK: EVENTS EVENTS IN LOOKING BACK: INDECEMBER Missed an event?
You can see all of the pictures and additional information on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/EdenPrairieChamber/
After Hours at Wings of the North Air Museum We celebrated a Grand Opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Wings of The North Museum on May 5. The Wings of the North Air Museum currently houses three award-winning restored aircrafts, including a Boeing N2S-1 used for training during WWII and flown by Former President George Herbert Walker Bush. The museum also features aircraft engines, an ejection seat, a WWII Jeep built by Ford, and other displays. Our members enjoyed Cinco de Mayo-themed refreshments including beer, margaritas, and appetizers. The museum also drew for several great door prizes including two four-packs of tickets to AirExpo 2016 and the grand prize: a ride in a World War II AT-6 Texan airplane! The grand prize winner was Mike with the Eden Prairie Lions Clubs International. The museum and library are open on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and at other times by appointment.
Guest Day at Business@Breakfast We saw another enthusiastic crowd at Guest Day at Business@Breakfast! Guest Day invites both regular attendees and first-time attendees to come experience all that B@B has to offer at a discounted rate. If you are a regular B@B attendee, it is a great opportunity to share the success you’ve found with this event with a colleague, client or friend who is a non-member. If you’ve never attended, Guest Day is a great day to start. Come see why B@B continues to be a consistently beneficial event for our members. Guest Day only comes four times a year—don’t miss the next one! Save the date: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Thank you to Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC for hosting Guest Day in their meeting facility.
Progressive Networking Luncheon Our Women’s Network Committee hosted another successful sold out Progressive Networking Luncheon in partnership with the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce on May 12 at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest. Our facilitator Sarah Kinkeade of Anchor Bank led us through three rounds of networking practice and insight. Our attendees switched tables with each course of their meal so they could implement their new skills into conversations with new connections. Thank you to our event sponsors: Aerotek Recruiting and Staffing, Anchor Bank, Premier SEO Ninjas and NovaCare Rehabilitation. The next Women’s Networking program is an After Hours on Thursday, July 14 at Champp’s in Eden Prairie.
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MEMBERSHIP
New Members
Site Visits & Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Welcome to the Chamber! US Bank Eden Prairie 300 Prairie Center Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 942-2863 www.usbank.com ARCpoint Labs of Eden Prairie 6554 Edenvale Blvd Eden Prairie, MN 55346 (952) 426-4468 www.edenprairie-mn.arcpointlabs.com
Congratulations to these Chamber members who recently celebrated an opening or re-location. Thank you for letting the Chamber be a part of your celebration!
Device Pitstop Eden Prairie
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest 1800 White Bear Ave Maplewood, MN 55109 (651) 255-0055 www.jaum.org Home Depot — Eden Prairie 13100 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 949-0982 www.homedepot.com
Wings of the North Museum
Future Concepts Studio & Spa 6403 City West Parkway Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 942-0252 www.futureconceptsalon.com Red’s Savoy Pizza 582 Prairie Center Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 944-3020 www.savoypizza.com The Well Chiropractic 966 Prairie Center Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (763) 913-6156 www.gotothewellchiro.com
Comfort Inn Eden Prairie
Ambassador of the Month 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.
Lesley Fahey
Rain International
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
JUNE 2016 - Calendar of Events Monday 30
Tuesday 31
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
Wednesday 1
Thursday
Friday
2
3
9
10
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
MEMORIAL DAY
6
7
Golf Tournament Bearpath Golf & Country Club
13
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
14
20
21
Lunch & Learn: Marketing 11:45 AM -1 PM Chamber office
27
8
Legislative Breakfast 7:30 - 9 AM Minneapolis Marriott West
15
16
17
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
After Hours: Rogers Memorial Hospital 4:30 - 6 PM Rogers Memorial Hospital
22
23
24
30
1
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
28
29 Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
PLEASE RSVP/Cancel FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!