CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION BY THE EDEN PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Vol. 48, Issue 3 | March 2017
THANK YOU 2017 ANNUAL SPONSORS!
B.E.E.R. Luncheon
BUSINESS INVESTOR
SILVER SPONSORS
Tackling Workforce Development While Minnesota’s workforce remains one of our greatest strengths, there are a host of issues putting that strength status at risk. Join us as we explore the role of nonprofits, organizations, and state government in helping to address the workforce issues facing our members, led by R.T. Rybak. R.T. Rybak As CEO & President of the Minneapolis Foundation, former mayor of Minneapolis, Executive Director of Generation Next, an organization seeking to help close the achievement gap for minority students, and a long-time community and political activist, Rybak brings a unique perspective to the discussion. Because business knows no boundaries, the Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina and Richfield Chambers of Commerce host multi-chamber B.E.E.R. events throughout the year. These highly anticipated events provide an added value to our members with the goal of expanding our members’ network and reach in the business community. The B.E.E.R. theme for 2017 is “Navigating Today’s Troubled Business Waters.” Is workforce development a troubling issue for your business? Join us at the March B.E.E.R. luncheon to be a part of the conversation.
BRONZE SPONSOR
DATE: Wednesday, March 29, 11 AM - 1 PM LOCATION: Edina Country Club (5100 Wooddale Ave, Edina) COST: $35 for members, $55 for non-members Thank you to our B.E.E.R. luncheon sponsors:
Zane Birky
Connect with the Chamber
“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
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“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969
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A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors By: Alan Wallner President, W Creative The Eden Prairie Chamber, an untold story you need to know. The concept of businesses joining together to increase commerce has its beginnings in Europe hundreds of years ago. Initially, traders banded together for protection against common enemies and to establish policies to govern trade, and eventually they became a means of influencing governments and legislation. The modern Chamber of Commerce is more of an American development. The New York State Chamber is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in America, formed in 1768. The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce has evolved from the protection and promotion of commerce to many of the events and initiatives presented through the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. The primary function of protecting commerce remains the same, yet many additional functions have been added to adjust to the changing needs of the community, business and economic development. The prosperity of business depends on the development of the community, the success of businesses increases the prosperity of the community. It’s a win-win. Historically, and to this day, the Eden Prairie Chamber remains the most trusted source of information on local businesses and services and the most dependable ally in commerce. By holding regular networking events, ribbon cuttings, social events and legislative luncheons, the chamber keeps a steady flow of commerce in motion. Yet, much of what the Chamber does is either not known or misunderstood. For example, when the Metropolitan Airports Commission was considering the expansion and modernization project for Flying Cloud Airport, the Eden Prairie Chamber was responsible for lobbying and working with stakeholders to make sure this expansion happened. In a critical business conversation with one of Eden Prairie’s major employers, the Minnesota Chamber and the Eden Prairie Chamber were asked what the expansion plans were for Flying Cloud Airport. The Minnesota Chamber was not able to answer the question because they had not been involved with the issue. Eden Prairie Chamber President Pat MulQueeny, however, explained with conviction and certainty the details of the expansion and the intention for approval, and as a result, helped this company utilize the airport for its business, and made an impact by retaining the employer in Eden Prairie, which kept hundreds of jobs local. Additionally, during the Ryder Cup in 2016, this same airport expansion accommodated the corporate jet traffic to the area, and one runway was lined with corporate jets from out-of-state visitors who brought revenue to our local economy. The Eden Prairie Chamber is also one of the only chambers that has close relations with local educational institutions, supporting a career fair at Eden Prairie High School for students; scholarships; and student membership programs allowing students to shadow business owners and learn more about real-life business challenges. Through the Chamber’s scholarship program, nearly $100,000 has been awarded to local students. Many of these students come back after finishing their education to become active contributors in local businesses. Additionally, the Chamber hosts a highly successful and growing young professionals conference called Twin Cities Young Professionals; here is a great opportunity to be part of a growing success story — check it out at tcypsummit.com.
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Another example of what the Chamber does for the community involves a current infrastructure initiative. The Chamber is actively working to get businesses involved in successfully getting the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SW LRT) approved, bringing more opportunities for economic development with jobs, transportation and community involvement to Eden Prairie. These are only a few examples of the distinct advantages of combining efforts of like-minded businesses with the purpose of economic development to expand your own business while increasing awareness of your community. The more the local business community grows, the more potential there is for your own business or service to expand its success. The Chamber exists to serve its members. It provides the resources and tools you need to maximize your opportunities. Membership in the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce can give your business a powerful edge in today’s competitive market. In 2017, one of our goals is to bring large and small businesses together more regularly. It is important for both small and large businesses to better understand how each contributes to the community fervor and economic drive. It is important for all members to know how important their participation is in building commerce in Minnesota and our local community. I think the Vision Statement for the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce says it best: To ensure prosperity in our community by promoting commerce, and by enhancing our member’s business success through leadership, advocacy and growth opportunities.
Looking for new ways to promote your business in 2017? Become a monthly sponsor of our growing Business@Breakfast program!
NEW OPPORTUNITY! Become a monthly Business@ Breakfast Sponsor!
Business@Breakfast is the Chamber’s fastest-growing networking opportunity for our members. In 2017, we have seen an average attendance of 50 people at each meeting. If you have never attended, this is a great time to start. Each attendee gets the opportunity to share about their business and unique products and services for 30-45 seconds, followed by a featured presenter who will share valuable business and networking information. And as always, a hot and delicious breakfast is included! $100 sponsorships are available for each of the remaining months of 2017. They include: • Two attendees per Business@Breakfast for that month • An included 40-word description of your business in the email reminders for that month’s Business@Breakfast • An opportunity to place one flyer or marketing piece on the business card table • Listing as a monthly sponsor on the website promotion of that month’s Business@Breakfasts • Recognition as a monthly sponsor with the accompanying Facebook post for that month’s Business@Breakfast If you are interested in sponsoring a month of Business@Breakfast, please contact Lori at lori.brown@epchamber.org or at (952) 944-2830.
“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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A Message from the Chamber President By: Pat MulQueeny President, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Membership, Connections and the Business Community The Eden Prairie Chamber recently held its “Go All In with the Chamber” membership training event. Nearly 60 Chamber volunteers joined us to participate in this training to learn more about the Chamber and to help us with outreach to area businesses. Following the training, we heard from many volunteers that they didn’t realize everything the Chamber does and the work we do on behalf of the business community. This event clearly helped us inform our volunteers about the Chamber and, in turn, help them be able to share our story, now and in the future. We will be sharing many of these key work items and opportunities each month in our newsletter through staff, Board member and other guest columns. In addition, we will be hosting a special after hours event on March 28 to thank them for their participation and to welcome the new members who joined the Chamber. Chamber membership is more than just a plaque on the wall for our businesses; it is visibility, credibility and opportunity. The Chamber promotes its members through our website, referrals to e-mails and phone calls we receive at the office and in relocation materials we provide. Additionally, we use our “voice of business” on public policy issues with local, state and federal elected officials. Issues that are impacting our business community and our members’ opportunity to grow and be successful are at the top of our list – transportation and infrastructure investment, uniform labor standards versus cities creating their own regulations, tax relief, health care and receiving value through the fiscal disparities dollars collected. These issues and more are on our list that our Public Policy Committee is working on. Opportunities for your business In the months ahead, members will have the opportunity to have their voice heard at the State Capitol as bills move forward on key issues. When you receive our e-mail notifying you of an opportunity, I highly recomment that you contact your elected officials – tell them your story and why each issue is important to you. Join us on March 8th for Business Day at the capitol as companies from around the state converge in St. Paul to discuss and deliver our message to our elected officials. The day is from 10:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and includes issue briefings, lunch with a discussion on healthcare reform, visits to our elected officials and a reception to end the day. The cost is $75 for our members. To register, please send me an e-mail at pat. mulqueeny@epchamber.org. Additional programs, networking events and opportunities for our members are listed on our website at epchamber.org, or please call our office with any questions you may have at (952) 944-2830.
AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH Anne Byrne Byrne Law Office, LLC 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.
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NETWORKING
LOOKINGBACK: BACK: EVENTS EVENTS IN LOOKING INDECEMBER DECEMBER
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARCH?
To register for these events and more, log on to epchamber.org/events.asp
Chamber 202: Maximize your Membership New to the Chamber? Want to learn more about all of the benefits available to you and how to maximize your Chamber membership? Join us for one of the many Chamber 202 programs on Friday, March 3. We will offer you step-by-step instructions of how to get involved, define the programs and benefits and show you how to navigate our website. Plus, meet some of your new fellow members and start growing your Chamber network! Light refreshments will be served. DATE: Friday, March 3 Pick the time that works best for you: 8-9 AM, 12-1 PM, 3:30-4:30 PM LOCATION: Chamber office (11455 Viking Dr, #270, Eden Prairie) COST: FREE for members
Business Day at the Capitol Join your peers to advance your priorities face-to-face with legislators. Get briefed on the issues, and then ride buses to the Capitol for prearranged legislative appointments. Afterward, return by bus for an informal reception. Share where your legislators stand on the issues while networking with business associates from around the state. There is a pro-business majority in the legislature – let’s make the most of this opportunity! DATE: Wednesday, March 8 LOCATION: InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront (11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul) COST: $75 for members, please email pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org to register
Business@Breakfast Business@Breakfast is a great program for companies that depend on one-on-one interactions or referrals. Attendees get the opportunity to present a 30-45 second commercial about their business and all attendees enjoy a 15-20 minute presentation by a featured presenter. Plus, there’s plenty of time for networking before and after the program, so be sure to arrive by 7:15 a.m. with a stack of business cards. March 8: Sean Picht is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments in Eden Prairie helping people plan for retirement, save for education or a rainy day, select the proper life insurance or help consolidate 401k plans left at previous employers. He will be sharing information about Edward Jones and provide a brief look back to 2016 and an update on key financial markets for 2017. March 22: Todd Thiewes, Sales Director of Sandler Training, has been successfully selling and leading individuals for over 20 years. His career includes a successful track record as an independent sales representative, senior marketing manager, sales operations manager and regional sales manager. Todd realizes that for true behavioral change to happen, new ideas need to be coached and reinforced just as you would with a top athlete. His goal is simple: to help you reach your sales goals. Thank you to our 2017 Business@Breakfast sponsor:
DATE: Wednesday, March 8 - Sean Picht Wednesday, March 22 - Todd Thiewes LOCATION: Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC (8050 W 78th St) COST: $12 for members, $17 for non-members
NETWORKING
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The annual Eden Prairie Home, Landscape & Garden Expo is Saturday, March 18 at Grace Church. This annual tradition in the Eden Prairie community is the perfect opportunity to kick-off your spring projects around your home and lawn. Meet the very best in contractors, roofers, lawn care specialists, plumbers and MORE! We will have over 100 exhibitors, plenty of activities for the kids, FREE seminars & raffle drawings all day long, and of course, free admission for all. The Grace Cafe will be open for snacks & beverages. Time: Room: Company: Topic: 9:15 AM A Abundant Life Chiropractic A Drug-Free Approach to Headaches 9:30 AM B Iron River Construction The ‘Not so Big’ Lake House 10:00 AM A Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Travel to Australia & New Zealand 10:15 AM B Edina Realty - Cheryl Eastbourne Staging your Home to Sell 10:45 AM A Window Concepts of Minnesota How to Choose a Replacement Window or Door 11:00 AM B The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center Creatively Incorporating Edibles into your Landscape 11:30 AM A AMEX Exteriors Home Forensics - Science & Design Combined 11:45 AM B The Garden by the Woods The Art of Attraction & Distraction: Wildlife in your Landscape History of Hometime and What Home Projects add the Best Value 12:15 PM A Miriam Johnson, HOMETIME 12:30 PM B Master Gardeners Container Gardening: A How-To Guide 1:00 PM A Farmers Insurance - Aaron Nicklay Homeowners Insurance: Price vs. Value 1:15 PM B Gutter Topper & Bjorkstrand Exteriors Water Management for your Home SouthWest Transit will be offering FREE SW Prime Rides to the Everything Spring Expo for residents in the service area of Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chanhassen and Carver. Rides can be requested using SWPrime.org, the SW Transit Phone App, or by calling 952-SW-PRIME (952)-797-7463. Thank you to our Event Sponsors:
MEMBERSHIP
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LOOKING BACK: EVENTSIN INDECEMBER JANUARY LOOKINGBACK: BACK: EVENTS EVENTS LOOKING INDECEMBER Missed an event?
You can see all of the pictures and additional information on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/EdenPrairieChamber/
Legislative Kickoff Luncheon We kicked off the upcoming legislative session on February 3 with a luncheon at Hilton Garden Inn. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with and hear from recently elected officials Representative Laurie Pryor (District 48A), Representative Jenifer Loon (District 48B) and Senator Steve Cwodzinski (District 48). The officials discussed the topics most important to local businesses that will be at the forefront of conversation at the upcoming legislative session. Thank you to our elected officials for joining us and to all who came out to engage in the discussion!
Women’s Networking Business Expo Our Women’s Networking programming for 2017 began on February 9 with a business expo. Ten exhibitors came out to share their unique products and services with our attendees. Our featured speaker, Judy Zimmer led us through a thoughtful discussion on our personal brands and how we can better utilize our time at networking events. Thank you to all of the exhibitors who positively enhanced our event: Boys & Tyler Financial Group, Brain Balance, Cadence Chiropractic, Chanhassen Chiropractic, HealthSource of Eden Prairie, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pinstripes, Regus, Styles & Statements and Trinity Exteriors. And thank you to our 2017 Women’s Networking Annual Sponsor Pinstripes for making our Women’s Networking events possible!
Go All In with the Chamber We hosted off an innovative training session midFebruary titled “Go All In with the Chamber.” This event brought together Chamber members representing a wide variety of industries, company sizes and job titles to collaborate and learn more about the Chamber’s influence at the local, state and national levels. Members worked together to spread the word and educate their fellow business leaders about the many benefits of the chamber We learned a lot and we had some fun along the way! Thank you to Element Fleet Management for sharing their Innovation Center with us to host this great event. And thank you to all of our enthusiastic volunteers for coming together to learn more about the Chamber!
Don’t miss the next great Chamber event! Keep up-to-date on everything coming up at epchamber.org/events.asp
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
MARCH 2017 - Calendar of Events Monday 27
Tuesday 28
Wednesday 1
Golf Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM Chamber Office
6
7
8
Ambassador Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Hellmuth & Johnson
Thursday
Friday
2
3
Public Policy Committee Meeting 7:30 - 9 AM Chamber office
Chamber 202 8 - 9 AM 12 - 1 PM 3:30 - 4:30 PM Chamber office
9
10
16
17
Business Day at the Capitol
13
14
15
Workforce Development Committee Meeting 8 - 9 AM Chamber office
20
21
22
18 Eden Prairie Home, Landscape & Garden Expo 9 AM - 3 PM, Grace Church
23
24
30
31
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM Ambassador Site Visits 1:30 - 2:45 PM
27
28
29
Golf Committee Meeting 11:30 AM - 1 PM
B.E.E.R. Luncheon: Workforce Development 11 AM - 1 PM Edina Country Club
New Member Welcome After Hours, 4:30 - 6 PM
PLEASE RSVP/Cancel FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!