CONNECTIONS October 2011 - Vol 42, Issue 10

Athena Luncheon

IN THIS ISSUE...

Thursday, October 13th from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Leadership

Join us for our Athena Luncheon on Thursday, October 13th, where we

P2- Message from Pat MulQueeny P3- Ambassador Updates P3- Ambassador of the Month

Public Policy

Smith, who has nearly 25 years of experience in the grocery industry, joined SUPERVALU in 1987 and was most recently the company’s senior vice president, finance, for eight years and also served as vice president, corporate controller and treasurer. Smith has been active in key initiatives of the company, including acquisitions and business realignment activities.

P4- Erik Paulsen Update

Community Building P5- Spotlight on a Member Law Offices of Richard Jensen

P5- Post Secondary Scholarships

Networking P6P6P7P7P8-

will hear from Sherry Smith. Smith is SUPERVALU’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, responsible for the finance activities of the $38 billion grocery company. She has held this position since 2010.

Article by Mike Stanton New Members Sponsorship Corner Upcoming Events October 2011 Calendar

Smith is a certified public accountant and began her career in public accounting with McGladrey and Pullen, serving primarily manufacturing and financial institution clients. Smith is a member of the Board of Trustees for Washburn Center for Children, a non-profit organization located in Minneapolis and is a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Cloud State University Foundation. At this luncheon we will also announce the Athena Award Winner!!! Please RSVP in advance on our website or by calling the Chamber office at (952) 944-2830. LOCATION: Grace Church located at 9301 Eden Prairie Road in Eden Prairie

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COST: $25 for Chamber Members & their guests / $40 non-Chamber members

Look for us on Facebook “Eden Prairie Chamber”

Sponsored By:

Look for us on LinkedIn “Eden Prairie Chamber” V our YouTube Visit CChannel “EPChamber2” Join the Discussion! epchamber2.blogspot.com

Supporting Sponsorships are still available! The cost to be a Supporting Sponsor is $250. This package includes: a display table and admission for two to the luncheon. For more information or to participate, contact Pat MulQueeny at pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org or at (952) 944-2830.

A special THANK YOU to our 2011 Annual Sponsors! Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

YOUR CONNECTION TO BUSINESS & COMMUNITY SINCE 1969

General Sponsor

Leadership Governor Dayton Addresses Chamber Members By Pat MulQueeny, President Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Governor Dayton made his inaugural appearance at an Eden Prairie Chamber luncheon on September 14th and said he welcomed the chance to come back. He recognized Eden Prairie for it being named the #1 Place in America to Live by Money Magazine in 2010. We had over 125 attendees adn theGovernor discussed many issues and concluded his speech by taking questions from the floor. Discussion points: •

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The Governor highlighted that we are living in difficult times. He talked about his trips to China and that we are not here to compete with the 50-60 cent an hour manufacturing jobs there. He told the group that those jobs are not likely to return. Minnesota has been in the top ten for states that have seen job and economic growth over the past 40 years. We have slipped to 13th which is caused by a combination of factors. Infrastructure – is a way that government can play a role in economic development. Strong infrastructure will help attract businesses. He additionally highlighted developments that have been held up because of infrastructure issues like waste water treatment facilities being outdated or unable to handle additional development.

outlets. The Chamber has held numerous public policy programs this year from our legislative kick-off breakfast, the US Congressman Erik Paulsen luncheon, the Governor’s luncheon as well as having Senator David Hann at our Government Committee meeting in August and Representative Jenifer Loon at the September meeting. These efforts are part of the Chamber’s strategic plan, to be the voice of business to our elected officials and to be the hub that connects all industries and sizes of businesses. Our Government Gommittee is working on a survey for our members to give us their input and comments as we get closer to the 2012 legislative session. We ask that you complete these surveys when you receive them and help us strengthen the business community.

The Governor also discussed the need for better linkage between higher education and the skills businesses need from workers. Stadium Question Hits Media Outlets During the Q&A portion of the luncheon, the Governor was asked about the potential new Vikings stadium, the location and costs. He answered that currently there is only one location that is being discussed and he felt the Vikings portion could in the end, approach $500 million. Many of the news media that were in attendance followed up on this and reported it on local TV, MPR and print

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Incomi ng Boar d Chair Schwar Gl tz with Gov. D enn ayton

“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 Updates 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 very busy Ambassadors visited during August/September! •

Anytime Fitness- Eden Prairie Amanda Musil 7942 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-562-8702 www.anytimefitness.com

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CLX Delivery Mark Larsen 13775 Chestnut Drive #223 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 612-454-9589 www.CLXDelivery.com

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Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer iler Patrick Lumby 16376 Wagner Way Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-224-9287 www.shockcitycellular.com

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Victory Auto Service & Glass Jordan Cozatt 64 Lake Drive East Chanhassen, MN 55317 952-358-3535

CLX Delivery

Ambassador of the Month- August David Hurley- Global View Capital This month’s Ambassador of the month is David Hurley, with Global View Capital! They are an Investment Advisory Firm, that brings Advanced Investment Strategies to people and businesses, that are unique to the industry. He joined the Chamber in January 2011, and became an Ambassador as well as joining several other committees. He had researched several other Chambers and found the Eden Prairie Chamber to be the most friendly and supportive. David says that is why he joined and why as an Ambassador he wants to help the current and new members get the most benefit out of their membership. He looks forward to meeting all Chamber members at upcoming events!

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 Erik Paulsen Updates Chamber Members United States Congressman Erik Paulsen highlighted issues that Congress is facing and took questions from our members in attendance at our luncheon. Congressman Paulsen thanked the Chamber for their work and highlighted that Chambers have the pulse of small business. He highlighted the change in the debate in Congress – it is no longer “should we cut government spending” but it is now “how much to cut.” He highlighted the ongoing work one of the committees he serves on - the Ways and Means Committee- they have held more meetings in the past two months than the last two years. The federal government is borrowing 42 cents on every dollar spent. He highlighted that tax regulation is hampering the economy and government spending is part of the issue as well. He believes that a balanced budget amendment will be up for debate and the last time that happened was 1996 when it came one vote shy in the Senate from passing. He also stated that the foundation is being laid for tax reform on a bi-partisan basis. He mentioned one company’s tax return was 19,000 pages long. One other item he mentioned – he is very passionate about medical manufacturing and he has talked to the President about this – companies are moving to Europe because the FDA is causing two year delays for our companies here. U.S. Congressman Erik Paulsen, R, District 3 202-225-2871 (Washington), 952-405-8510 (MN) Leadership Role: Co-Chair of Med Tech Cacus Committees: Hose Committee on Ways & Means

EPC Pre sident- P at M Congress man Erik ulQueeny with U S Paulsen a Chambe nd Edina r Preside nt, Arrie Larson

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.

Want your ad to be seen? Advertise with us! We have a variety of inexpensive ways for you to advertise your business:

Newsletter Ads, Newsletter Inserts, E-blast Ads, Website Press Releases, Job Positngs, etc. Contact Sammi at 952-944-2830 or at communications@epchamber.org

Connect online: www.mnbizconnect.com

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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 SPOTLIGHT ON A CHAMBER MEMBER: Q & A Law Offices of Richard Jensen-- Chamber Member since 1989

Rick Jensen started his practice after spending the first twelve years of his legal career working in the computer industry and banking. He opened the Law Offices of Richard Jensen in Eden Prairie in 1988. The initial focus was corporate law, but he did provide wills, trusts and real estate services for business owners and managers. Beginning in 1999 he began to spend more of his time helping families with estate planning. Rick’s business card features a picture of his English Cocker Spaniel, Reine. She keeps him company in his home office and accompanies him for his morning run along Anderson Lake Parkway. He is a counsellor-at-law. The old fashioned spelling is intentional, to stress a style of practice which is dedicated to taking the time to understand a clients concerns, needs and wishes. He illustrates with the observation that estate planning involves having clients educate him about their families, he helps them understand the law, and together they create the outline of a plan. Two of the most interesting business projects he worked on were the negotiation of an exclusive distribution agreement for a Beach Boys album, and the business work he did for Prince. The rock and roll business is a bit different, even for attorneys. He couldn’t believe the address of entertainment attorneys in Los Angeles, on the Avenue of the Stars. One of the first things Rick did when he started his practice was to join the Eden Prairie Chamber. It was a natural way to make contacts in the community. The relationships he’s made over the years for friendship and business make the investment of time and money worthwhile. Rick tells us he’s excited about technology advances that make it easier to serve clients from multiple locations. He’s now licensed in Texas – he and his wife now have a second home in the Woodlands north of Houston. He tells us, “With business clients, the phone and the internet make much of our work easier and more productive. I get to spend about three months each winter in a warmer climate, and still can take care of business back in Eden Prairie. And, because I do enjoy our snowy winter season, I get the chance to go cross country and downhill skiing when our Eden Prairie office is fully staffed. Law Offices of Richard Jensen are located at 8680 Grier Lane, Heron Suite, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 944-0406 www.jenslaw.com j

Post Secondary Scholarships... DUE: Friday, Oct. 28th by 4:00 PM 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.

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

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Networking Are You “Connected”? By Mike Stanton, Membership Director Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce

account? How about LinkedIn? Do you Tweet?

I believe technology shouldn’t be a wall (hello, voicemail tag anyone?), but rather a gateway to help us actually meet and speak to our fellow business people.

Nowadays, it seems we are all connected by some form of social media, right? Hard to imagine how we could live without some of our social media tools. I’m a fan of all these tools, yet being involved in the Chamber has taught me the value of real human interaction for business.

I’m proud to be part of an organization like the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce that helps each of you to combine your technology with ways to have personal interaction! Let us know if there is a Chamber member that you would like get introduced to!

How many of you have a Facebook

Our “social” media tools are great, but they cannot ever replace the connection two people make when they sit down and speak to each other. Seems like the more we surround ourselves with voice mail, email and other social media, the more we create a wall of technology that prevents truly connecting with others.

Welcome New Members!!!

HM Cragg 7674 Washington Ave. S Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Barb Callahan, Marketing Manager Category: Electronic Manuf./Dist. www.hmcragg.com (952) 884-7775

THANK YOU to our Sponsors for September! Ambassador Lunch Sponsors

www.goumbria.com 952-374-6464

www.redmoonchinesecafe.com 952-941-6556

Nine Mile Communications 7475 Flying Cloud Dr #225 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Rob Cabitto, President Category: Communications www.ninemilecommunications.com (952) 454-0290

Governor’s Luncheon Sponsors

World Pay PO Box 44855 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Kimberley Waite, Account Exec. Category: Merchant Services www.worldpay.us (802) 343-7763

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www.hngc.com 952-556-5400

www.hennepintech.edu 952-995-1300

www.vikings.com 952-828-6500

Great exposure for your business for a great deal!!! For more information on how to become a luncheon sponsor, please contact Pat MulQueeny at pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org or by (952) 944-2830.

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

Networking

We would like to invite you to the 6th Annual Member Appreciation event, ChamberFest! Every Chamber Member is invited to this awesome event. We do require that everyone who attends, RSVP’s in advance. Right now, we are seeking donations for prizes. This would give your business a chance to be seen by over125 other Chamber Members. Prizes will be given out by how many years a company has been a member of the Chamber. If you are interested in donating a prize or to RSVP, please contact our office at (952) 944-2830. We hope to see you all there!

Quickbooks Workshop

Cloud Technology Summit

Wednesday, October 19th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Star Bank in Eden Prairie

Wednesday, October 26th from 11:00 AM - 1:15 PM

Join us for this introductory Quickbooks workshop. We’ll demonstrate how it works and answer your accounting and QuickBooks questions. 30 Minute Bonus: Special Cash flow session presented by Fiscal Foundations expert, Paul Kloster. QuickBooks – The Accounting Solution for Small to Midsized Businesses Accounting is the language of business, and QuickBooks helps you master it! 95% of small businesses use QuickBooks because it offers so many great things. This event will be held at Star Bank located at 250 Prairie Center Drive in Eden Prairie. There is no cost to attend this event! We hope that we will see you there! Visit our website (www.epchamber.org) or contact our office (952) 944-2830 to RSVP for this workshop!

The Eden Prairie and Bloomington Chambers are pleased to announce their partnership with Microsoft on a Cloud Technology Summit! Mark your calendars for this amazing program – it will be on Wednesday, October 26, from 11:00 AM– 1:15 PM at the Mall of America in the Great Room. Our emcee for the event is Fox 9 News Anchor, Jeff Passolt. Presenting the Keynote is Microsoft’s own Kevin Remde, Sr. IT Pro Evangelist – Microsoft Corporation. Kevin is an engaging speaker and webcaster who has landed several times on Microsoft’s top 10 webcast list, and has delivered many top-scoring TechNet events and webcasts. Visit our website (www.epchamber.org) or contact our office (952) 944-2830 to RSVP for this event!

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

OCTOBER 2011 - EPC Calendar of Events Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

3

4 5 11:30 AM- Ambassador Mtg. 7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ at EPC Breakfast at The Colony

6

7

10

11

13 7:30-9:30 AM- Board Mtg at EPC 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM- Athena Luncheon at Grace Church

14 * Newsletter ads due to the Chamber

20

21 * Newsletter inserts due to the Chamber

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24 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM- Gala Committee Mtg. at EPC

12 7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony

18 7:30 AM- Government Committee Mtg at EPC 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM, Fusion Mtg. at Star Bank 4:30 - 6:30 PM- ChamberFest at Brunswick Zone 25

19 7:30- 8:30 AM, Business@ Breakfast at The Colony 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM- Quickbooks Workshop at Star Bank

26 27 7:30- 8:30 AM, Speed Networking at Bent Creek 7:30 AM- Business Development Mtg. at EPC 11:00 AM - 1:15 PM- Cloud Technology Summit at the Mall of America

CHINA TRIP DEPARTS!

CHINA TRIP RETURNS! 28

31 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

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

Bourbon Street Ball Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Gala Committee is seeking donations for the silent auction items, live auction items, wine donations and sponsorships. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pat MulQueeny at pat.mulqueeny@epchamber.org or at 952-944-2830.