CONNECTIONS A PUBLICATION BY THE EDEN PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Vol. 47, Issue 11 | November 2016
THANK YOU 2016 ANNUAL SPONSORS!
ATHENA Luncheon 2016
SILVER SPONSOR
Join us for our annual ATHENA luncheon presented by Suburban Chevrolet! We will be presenting the 2016 ATHENA Award to the chosen recipient.
BRONZE SPONSORS
The ATHENA Award is presented annually to a woman or man who is recognized for professional excellence, community service and for actively Dr. Barbara Butts Williams assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The ATHENA Award highlights what recipients have accomplished, in addition to paving a path for future successes. In celebration of this award presentation, we will hear from the 2016 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Career Achievement honoree, Dr. Barbara Butts Williams, PhD. Dr. Barbara Butts Williams is Executive Dean, External Relations & Partnerships and Dean Emeritus of Business at Capella Education Company. DATE: Thursday, November 10, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
GENERAL SPONSOR
LOCATION: Grace Church (9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie)
Sponsored by:
COST: $30 for members, $60 for non-members
Connect with the Chamber
“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
@EPChamber2
“Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce”
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969
@EPChamber
LEADERSHIP
epchamber.org
A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors By: Katie Misukanis, M.P.A. Government Relations Director, Rasmussen College As a political science major and Government Relations Director, I could not let the second best day of this year go by without recognition- election day, of course! While I am confident that I am one of less than 3% of the population who enjoys the build-up and anticipation of November 8th, I also would not be a good Board Chair to not recognize its significance. While I think we can all agree that this Presidential campaign is like none other we have seen and we all may be excited for it to be done, the ending result will impact all of us. The interesting thing is that the first U.S. Presidential election in 1789 was not a contested race, the citizens knew that George Washington was the best person to be our first President. It was not until 1820 that political parties started to have a profound impact on the process. Regardless of your political leanings, I encourage you all to take a moment to do research on the candidates and vote. I encourage you to know your issues—issues that impact your business, your family, your neighborhood—today and four years from now. I encourage you to look at the candidates’ websites, google their name to find out if there are forums or debates they participated in, go to the caucus and BPOU websites for more information, understand who endorsed them and how those organizations match with your needs. We live in a democracy and this is a fragile time for business. It is imperative that you exercise your right as an American to have a voice in who represents you.
WHAT YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS ARE SAYING
“The EPC’s Business@Breakfast has been an extremely valuable resource for our dance studio. Unlike our experience with other networking groups, we’ve actually received new students through our B@B connections. People at B@B don’t simply promote their own business; they genuinely care about helping you build your business. We appreciate being part of the warm and welcoming B@B community.” - Sandy Haydon, DE Studios
epchamber.org
LEADERSHIP
A Message from the President By: Pat MulQueeny, IOM President, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Education and the Future Workforce The Chamber’s Student Membership program kicked off its 11th year this past month. This annual program is designed to connect 20 high school students to our businesses in such a way that helps them learn skills, understand our business community better and prepare them for future careers. As a member of the chamber, you can help these students in a number of ways—they are looking for job shadows and informational interviews to learn about careers, the responsibilities of different jobs, what education/ training they need to be successful and business projects. If you would like to connect with our Student Members to offer them a job shadow, internship or other opportunity, please call our office at (952) 9442830 or email me at pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org. Building Your Sales Pipeline As we get closer to the end of the year, businesses look at how 2016 will end. Will sales and profit goals be met? What will 2017 look like and what planning should be done now? There are three main recent areas of focus for the Chamber to help our members fill their sales pipelines to help you reach your goals: Business@Breakfast - The Chamber looks to help our members build strong pipelines for future sales in a number of ways. Our weekly B@B program is designed so that members can give a 60-second sales pitch about their company and what they can do for their clients and future clients. Many of our members attend this program every week to maximize their opportunities to reach potential new clients, help other members understand what they do so they can refer them and to look for businesses that offer products or services they can use. As you plan on how you want to fill your sales pipeline, be sure to include our B@B program. Expos and After Hours – one of the easiest ways to promote your business is to exhibit at one of our events. For a low cost, your business can display your products and services to the people who come out to the event. This is a great way to gain exposure and have one-on-one conversations with business leaders at the events and discuss your unique products and services. One of our most popular expo event is the SWEEP expo. This event gathers members from the SouthWest Metro, Waconia, Excelsior and Eden Prairie Chambers for an After Hours events that features exhibitor tables to browse, appetizers and time to network with members of the four Chambers. This is a great event to reach a wide variety of business people and help fill your pipeline. If you have not exhibited at this event previously, mark your calendars for the 3rd quarter of 2017 (the 2016 date was October 27). Lunch and Learns – these free events hosted at the Chamber office are exactly as they sound: a program over lunch for a member to present on their area of expertise and share valuable information. Who doesn’t want to learn form an expert for no cost? The Chamber conference room is our typical location and the topics vary from sales, technology and health and wellness. If you haven’t tried one of these Lunch and Learns, add them to your list of opportunities to learn about a variety of topics. Or, why not share your own expertise with your fellow members? Share information that they can use, but become a resource or possibly future client for them in the future after you’ve proven your expertise. For more information on the Chamber’s Lunch and Learns or to sign up to present, please e-mail lori.brown@epchamber.org. “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
PURPLE REIGN GALA
www.epchamber.org The Purple Reign Gala presented by the Minnesota Vikings took place on Saturday, October 15 in the Hyundai Club at U.S. Bank Stadium. This 19th annual Eden Prairie Chamber tradition brought together over 260 attendees to enjoy a night of celebrating the great businesses that make up the Eden Prairie Chamber and all that the Chamber is able to do because of those businesses. Attendees enjoyed many games, appetizers, a silent auction with nearly 100 items, a live auction featuring six big-ticket items, a plated meal and an exclusive performance by The Purple Xperience, a Prince tribute band led by Dr. Matt Fink, one of the original members of The Revolution.
THANK YOU SPONSORS! EVENT SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS ANCHOR BANK C.H. ROBINSON REPUBLIC SERVICES WASHBURN-McREAVY WINGS FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION WARM-UP SPONSOR CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR SUPPORTING SPONSORS BREMER BANK CENTERPOINT ENERGY CLEAR CHANNEL OUTDOOR OLYMPIC HILLS GOLF CLUB RASMUSSEN COLLEGE SHARPER MANAGEMENT TIGER PLUBMING, HEATING & AIR
GENERAL SPONSORS EDEN PRAIRIE SMILES FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES WELLS FARGO - EDEN PRAIRIE VILLAGE XCEL ENERGY BEST DRESSED SPONSOR ANCHOR BANK INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS FROEHLING ANDERSON HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE MEDEXPRESS URGENT CARE 2-MINUTE DRILL SPONSORS PINSTRIPES RESTAURANT ROYAL CREDIT UNION
www.epchamber.org
PURPLE REIGN GALA
Thank you to picture time for capturing all of the unforgettable MOMENTS of the evening. See all the photos from the purple reign gala on our facebook page: Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
MEMBERSHIP
www.epchamber.org
LOOKING BACK: EVENTS EVENTS IN LOOKING BACK: INDECEMBER DECEMBER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER? To register for these events and more, log on to epchamber.org/events.asp
Business@Breakfast: Cultivating Connections Series Business@Breakfast in November will feature the Cultivating Connections Series. This six-part workshop focuses on making meaningful, long-lasting connections that will benefit your business. During the workshops, attendees will develop a plan to utilize the Chamber in 2017 in ways that will implement the skills they gain during the series. The workshop will replace the usual ten-minute member presentation. Attendees should still come prepared to speak about their business and with business cards, as the 60-second “commercials” will remain. Attendees that attend all six workshops (one in August, four in November and one in December), will receive the Cultivating Connections certificate to signify their knowledge and skill in clear communication, networking, public speaking and more. DATE: Wednesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 AM (NO B@B on Wednesday, November 23) LOCATION: Tavern 4 & 5 (16396 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie) COST: $12 for members, $17 for non-members
Lunch & Learn: Stay Healthy this Holiday Season Can you have fun throughout the holiday season and still be healthy? This Lunch & Learn, led by Cambria Camillo and Andy Smith of Anytime Fitness, will teach you simple tips and tricks to help you stay on-track this holiday season, so you’re a step ahead of your New Years Resolution when January 1st hits. They will also explain what is going on in your body when you make healthy or unhealthy choices, and how to achieve your goals with simple adjustments over time. 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 and bring business cards because there’s always time for networking. You bring your lunch, we’ll provide beverages. DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 11:45 AM - 1 PM LOCATION: Chamber office (11455 Viking Dr, #270, Eden Prairie) COST: FREE for members, $15 for non-members
Beers with B.E.E.R.S. The very-popular Beers with B.E.E.R.S. is back for 2016! Network and create connections with members of five different Chambers (Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Richfield and SouthWest Metro) while you sample micro-brewed beers from local breweries. Try them all and help us crown the “Best Chamber Beer” Award! See the included flyer for participating breweries and more details. DATE: Thursday, December 1, 4:30 - 6:30 PM LOCATION: The Prairie Pub inside Brunswick Zone XL (12200 Singletree Lane, Eden Prairie) COST: $20 for members, $30 for non-members
www.epchamber.org
Looking back on October Candidate Forum
We invited members of the Chamber and wider community to engage in dialogue with local candidates of House District 48A and 48B and Senate District 48 on October 6. The discussion moderated by Mary Lahammer of TPT Almanac, focused on topics important to local businesses including transportation, regulations, health care and business taxes. You can hear the candidate’s opening statements on our Facebook page - just go to our video section.
MEMBERSHIP Site Visits & Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies 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!
DogWatch of the Twin Cities
New Members Welcome to the Chamber! Stratasys, Inc. 7665 Commerce Way Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 937-3000 www.stratasys.com Ascent Audiology and Hearing 7820 Terry Pine Ct, #110 Eden Prairie, MN 55347 (952) 594-8358 www.ascentaudiologyedenprairie.com Edward Jones - Eugene Lee 8929 Aztec Drive, #7 Eden Prairie, MN 55347 (701) 866-3133 www.edwardjones.com Coopersmith Marketing 7165 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (612) 922-9601 www.coopersmithmarketing.com
National American University
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
NOVEMBER 2016 - Calendar of Events Monday 3
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 2
Thursday
Friday
3
4
9
10
11
Business@Breakfast: Cultivating Connections Series 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
ATHENA Luncheon 11:30 AM - 1 PM Grace Church
Legislative Breakfast: The Election is over! Now what? 7:30 - 9 AM Doubletree by HiltonMinneapolis Park Place
15
16
17
18
Lunch & Learn: Stay Healthy this Holiday Season 11:45 AM - 1 PM Chamber office
Business@Breakfast: Cultivating Connections Series 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
22
23
24
25
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
30
1
2
Business@Breakfast: Cultivating Connections Series 7:30 - 8:30 AM Tavern 4 & 5
Beers with BEERS 4:30 - 6:30 PM Brunswick Zone XL
Business@Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 AM BEER Luncheon 11 AM - 1 PM
7
14
21
28
8
29
PLEASE RSVP/Cancel FOR ALL EVENTS BY 12 PM THE DAY PRIOR! Visit epchamber.org to view details, pricing or to RSVP today!