 |
| Building Tomorrow's Workforce
One of this chamber's most effective ongoing workforce programs is STEP-UP. We started this partnership with AchieveMpls more than 10 years ago and have seen it grow significantly since that time. STEP-UP AchieveMpls trains and places over 800 talented young people (ages 16-21) each year in paid professional jobs with dozens of our members and over 160 of the most respected organizations in our region. Anyone can participate from Fortune 500 companies to small local businesses. STEP-UP also works with companies in five growing industries - financial services, health, legal services, outdoors / recreation, and STEM - to grow and diversify their worker pipelines through advanced career opportunities and industry recognized certifications. This year, nearly 900 young people have completed extensive preparation, including 7 hours of chamber certified work readiness training, and mock interviews. STEP-UP AchieveMpls is actively seeking employers who can provide challenging internships for them. All they need is the opportunity! As U.S. Bank Chair and STEP-UP Co-chair Richard Davis says, "Our great city's future will be built upon an investment in our dynamic, diverse Minneapolis youth." At the Chamber, we recognize that growing our region requires strong investment in workforce development. That's why I encourage you to join us today in becoming a STEP-UP Achieve employer, or if you're already an employer, expand your commitment by hiring more interns. Together let's ensure that all 900 of these promising interns have summer jobs! Sign up today at www.achievempls.org/stepupachieve or call 612.455.1565. How Your Zipcode Impacts Your Life
Next Wednesday, your Chamber in partnership with the Saint Paul Area Chamber will host a luncheon, sponsored by HealthPartners, which dives even deeper into the workforce and achievement gap issues that face our region and many across the nation in a unique way. Our guest speaker, Dr. Anthony Iton, Senior Vice President for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment, has become a leading national expert on the inter-relationship between educational achievement, socio-economic status, and simple geography. His work has shown that every additional $12,500 in household income buys one year of life expectancy. He argues that investing in education and closing the achievement gap will do far more to improve health outcomes for low-income neighborhoods than making healthcare more affordable. To register for this event please click here. Transforming the Business Vitality Index
The Business Vitality Index has served as the Chamber's report card for our region for seven years, comparing MSP to nine other cities across the nation. The BVI served as our report card, highlighting areas in which we excelled and those areas in which we failed. I ask that you save the date for the next Critical Issues Forum on May 29th, MSP Measures: Regional Indicators Dashboard presented in partnership with GreaterMSP. This event will reveal a new tool, an evolution of the BVI of sorts, into something even more valuable, comprehensive and focused to track our region's economic competitiveness and build a path toward the future. This tool, The Regional Indicators Dashboard is a set of shared, objective metrics that will track the region's overall success in terms of critical economic, environmental and social outcomes. The Greater MSP region has long been known for its economic strength, cultural diversity and excellent education system. Its workforce serves as a key competitive advantage and a driving force of the region's economic success. Don't miss the unveiling of this year's Dashboard and a discussion on how leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors will be able to better manage growth, focus investment, set strategic priorities and act more quickly in areas requiring cross-sector collaboration. Please join us. Help the City Help Your Business
Finally, as a business in Minneapolis you have the opportunity to provide feedback on the City's proposed initiatives to make it easier to do business in Minneapolis. Join other business owners May 20, 2:00 to 3:00 at US Bank, 919 E. Lake, to hear about the Mayor's Business Made Simple initiative. City Attorney Susan Segal will be reporting back on information gathered from business owners about how to improve City processes. More information about this session hosted by the Lake Street Council is available here. 
Todd Klingel
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce |
|
|
Fourth Annual Placemaking Residency Moves Twin Cities To Better Health
Population health is one of the most profound issues facing American society today. There is growing evidence that well designed cities can contribute to a reduction in obesity, heart and lung disease, diabetes, social isolation, and other issues that compromise our communities.
Throughout the week of May 11-15, 2015, policy makers, practitioners, and concerned citizens throughout the Greater Minneapolis Saint Paul region are exploring the intersection between urban design and population health alongside internationally renowned experts Dr. Richard Jackson, Dr. Anthony Iton, and Gehl Studio during the 4th Annual Placemaking Residency.
Produced by Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation and with lead support from HealthEast, the 4th Annual Placemaking Residency engages communities in workshops, walking tours, study groups, presentations, and demonstration projects exploring new ways of working together to build a better future for our community. The 2015 residency includes more than 25+ events hosted by 50+ organizations in neighborhoods including the East Side, EcoDistrict, and University Avenue/Lexington to Little Mekong (Saint Paul), East Downtown and Midtown Phillips (Minneapolis), and the South Loop (Bloomington).
Click here for the Full Schdule |
Click here to registration today
|
|
|
|
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
|
Win a $150 Amazon Gift Card!
Refer two potential members by May 29th and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $150 Amazon Gift Card!
Everyone Wins! When your referral joins the Chamber you will also receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice.
There is no limit to the number of referrals you can submit. The more referrals you provide the better your chances are of winning! Of course if you only have one referral please submit it. You are still eligible to receive a $50 gift certificate to the member restaurant of your choice!
Refer someone today.
For more information, please contact Lisa Myhre at (612) 370-9137 or Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121.
|
|
|
|
Minneapolis St. Paul Business
Journal's Women in Business 2015
The award recognizes women for their professional achievements, leadership qualities, and contributions to the broader Twin Cities community. Chamber member award winners include: Sarah Gavin, Weber Shandwick, honored with the Career Achievement Award; Laura McCarten, Xcel Energy and chair of the MRCC Board of the Directors; Laura Oberst, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, Britt Carlson, Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx; Kelly Mansell, M.A. Mortenson Co.; Joy King, American Cancer Society; Suzann Brown, U.S. Bancorp; Kelly Matter, Resource, Inc.; NIchol Beckstrand, Sunrise Banks; Diane Kern, Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq; Judy Lysne, Lifeworks Services, Inc. and Ann Marie Woessner-Collins, Jones Lang LaSalle.
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center
On July 1, 2015, Bloomington Theatre and Art Center (BTAC) will change its name to Artistry. BTAC serves an audience of 70,000+ per year with theater productions, exhibitions, and arts education programs. The new name and logo will also help audiences, artists, funders, and other stakeholders understand that BTAC is a nonprofit producing arts organization based in the city-owned Bloomington Center for the Arts, which serves as a home for seven independent organizations with varied missions and programs. BTAC's programming takes place in the Center for the Arts and many other locations throughout the Twin Cities.
Mortenson Company
M. A. Mortenson Company has hired Dave Foley as a Construction Executive, specializing in healthcare construction, for Mortenson's Minneapolis office. Foley has more than 30 years of experience in construction. Prior to joining Mortenson, he was vice president of Minneapolis operations at Knutson Construction. Mortenson Construction was named the nation's fifth largest healthcare builder by Modern Healthcare magazine in 2014, with more than $1.1 billion in healthcare construction.
Kraus-Anderson® Construction Company (KA) promoted Michael Spence, AIA, FCSI to vice president, director of quality. Spence has served as KA's director of quality since 2008. He will oversee an integrated process for quality at all levels, including technical and quality-related training and professional development programs. Spence is a 40-year industry veteran in the design and construction industry where he focused on large complex projects. |
|
|
RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
|
 Flaunt Accessories
945 Broadway St. N.E, Ste. 210
Minneapolis, MN 55413 www.flauntaccessories.com Owner Melissa Hardin gets ready to cut the ribbon for the Flaunt Accessories store in northeast Minneapolis' Broadway Building. |
 Dance and Entertainment Studios
3701 West Old Shakopee Rd., Ste. 700
Bloomington, MN 55431 www.danceandentertainment.com Cutting the ribbon for the new Bloomington location of Dance & Entertainment Studios. |
 Lommen Abdo, P.A.
920 Second Ave. S. (International Centre-10th Floor)
Minneapolis, MN 55402 www.lommen.com Leaders at Lommen Abdo celebrated their new offices on the 10th floor of the International Centre with a ribbon cutting & open house. |
 Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis Downtown
19 North Eighth St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403 www.minneapolisdowntownsuites.hamptoninn.com GM Dustin Pinkerton gets some help from Mayor Hodges & Council Member Frey opening the Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis Downtown. |
 Arcata Apartments
901 Xenia Ave S.
Golden Valley, MN 55416 www.arcataapts.com Celebrating the new Arcata Apartments in Golden Valley with Mayor Harris. |
|
|
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
|
Minneapolis Television Network
Friday, May 15, 2015 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.
(Ribbon Cutting at 6 p.m.) 1620 Central Ave., Ste. 175
Minneapolis, 55413 www.mtn.org Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
IT-Ready (Creating IT Futures Foundation)
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 | 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. 7505 Metro Blvd., Ste 430
Edina, MN 55439 www.creatingitfutures.org RSVP by May 12 to www.creatingitfutures.org/events/open-house-edina |
Courtyard and Residence Inn
by Marriott Minneapolis/Bloomington
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 | 3 p.m. 7800 Bloomington Ave. South
Bloomington, MN 55425 www.marriott.com Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 | 11 a.m. 555 Nicollet Mall, Suite 251 (RBC Plaza)
Minneapolis, MN 55402 www.affinityplus.org Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
|
|
W
hat are past participants saying
about Leadership Twin Cities?
"I met so many wonderful people and feel that I have such a better understanding of our community and my role in it. This program far exceeded my expectations and I'm so grateful for the opportunity."
Britt Carlson, Minnesota Timberwolves, LTC Class of '11-12
"Leadership Twin Cities has provided me a phenomenal opportunity to network and build relationships with the leaders and future leaders of this community. The number of times that this has helped me personally and professionally is countless." Jeff Urban, Solution Design Group, LTC Class of '00-01 
Leadership Twin Cities is a nine-month program that informs people about the critical issues facing our region. Its focus is to educate and inspire future leaders - and challenge them to make a difference through personal commitment and involvement If you or someone you know would be a valuable participant in this program, please visit www.minneapolischamber.org/leadership to view sample agendas, past participants and complete the online application. The application deadline is June 11, 2015. For more information about Leadership Twin Cities, call (612) 370-9100 or email [email protected]. |
 |
|
|
|
Critical Issues Forum: MSP Measures: Regional Indicators Dashboard
Friday, May 29, 2015 | 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Member: $30 | Non-Member: $50
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403 |
View Map
Join the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and partners for the release of a new shared tool to track our region's economic competitiveness and build a path toward the future. The Regional Indicators Dashboard is a set of shared, objective metrics that will track the region's overall success in terms of critical economic, environmental and social outcomes.
The Greater MSP region has long been known for its economic strength, cultural diversity and excellent education system. Its workforce serves as a key competitive advantage and a driving force of the region's economic success. Don't miss the unveiling of this year's Dashboard and a discussion on how leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors will be able to better manage growth, focus investment, set strategic priorities and act more quickly in areas requiring cross-sector collaboration.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Target
Thank you to our series sponsors: Mortenson Construction, Associated Bank, Comcast and Xcel Energy
|
|
|
Chamber Community Connections at Second Harvest Heartland
 Thank you to Chamber Community Connections volunteers who helped sort and package food for distribution to hungry seniors, families and children through Second Harvest Heartland. This local organization provides support to nearly 1,000 programs, food shelves, soup kitchens and shelters throughout 59 counties in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Chamber Community Connections brings together Chamber member volunteers with member non-profits who could use a helping hand. Contact Cheri at [email protected] to participate or to suggest a project. Our next project will be June 23 at RESOURCE. Click here to learn more. |
|
|
42nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament
Grab your clubs and golf attire and join the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce for its 42nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament on June 15, 2015 at the Minnesota Valley Country Club. We only have a few foursomes left so make sure you register today! Cost is $180 per golfer or $695 per foursome with a shotgun start at 12 p.m. To register yourself or your foursome, click here. Save time on the day of the tournament and make sure you purchase your VIP pack now as well! You can also make a silent auction donation and keep your business visibility up to par. A donation is the perfect opportunity to get your product, service or business name in front of more than 150 influential business professionals from many different Twin Cities companies. For more information on item donations, call Anna Stinson at (612) 370-9123 or click here! Donate to the Golfer VIP Bag! For $100 you have the chance to put an item in the bags received by the golfers (item subject to approval by Chamber). In return, you get a dinner reservation to spend time networking with attendees after the tournament as well as your company name listed in the program. Click here for details. |
|
|
|
Want to start saving on business supplies with your chamber membership?
As a valued Chamber member, you're able to receive aggressive pricing on the items you use every day from office products to cleaning and breakroom supplies to technology items. And those savings more than offset the costs of the dues each year.
Enjoy a free box of Biscoff cookies with your qualifying delivery order of $125 or more!
Use coupon code 77589117 when checking out. Valid thru May 31, 2015.
Returning Customer | New Customer
|
|
Got the Urge to Network?
ConnectForLunch Dramatically Updated
Our ConnectForLunch program has just been dramatically updated. Instead of the current version, which offered only one day each week, the new version will now be available three days every week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 52 weeks a year.
And there's more improvements. Lots more:
- You'll have more choices: Now you can choose which restaurant you'd like to go to, instead of being assigned to a particular restaurant by the software. French cuisine? Italian? Vegetarian? A restaurant that's close by? The choice is yours.
- And more choices: You can choose to meet new contacts, renew contacts with businesspeople you've met before, or both. Just pick the group you'd like to join... or start your own group.
- And more flexibility: Instead of the current twice-a-month subscription which restricted you to only two lunches a month, you'll be able to buy packets of five, ten or twenty lunches which can be used at any time. Any unused lunches are fully refundable within six months after purchase.
- And even more flexibility: Have an opening in your schedule? No more waiting until next week to go to lunch: you can go to lunch as early as the next day.
Click here to see upcoming lunches.
Enhanced Listing Opportunity
Click here for details.
Did you know that over 31,000 people visit the Chamber's website every month? And that for as a little as $150 you can show off your company to thousands of potential clients? The Chamber now offers Enhanced Listings in our Online Membership Directory. Your company is immediately bumped to the top of your category in search results and includes a YouTube video, a photo gallery, 1,600 character description, 20 additional keywords and much more!
You can check out the Minneapolis Regional Chamber's Enhanced Listing by clicking here and compare it with your listing in our online directory.
Contact Lisa Myhre at (612) 370-9137 or Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!
|
|
|
|
 |
Get Acquainted Breakfast: Annual Art-A-Whirl Kick-Off Breakfast at Brickmania Toyworks
Wednesday, May 13
 7:30 to 9 a.m. / Brickmania Toyworks Thank you to our presenting sponsor: CenturyLink Business Thank you to our series sponsors: Northeast Bank and Xcel Energy Thank you to our event sponsors: Eastside Food Coop, Brickmania, Logan Park Neighborhood Association, East Minneapolis Exchange Club and Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association |
 |
Does Your Zip Code Matter More than Your Genetic Code?
Wednesday, May 13
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Radisson Blu Minneapolis Thank you to our presenting sponsor: HealthPartners |
|
DRIVE Roundtable: Minnesota United FC - Inside Soccer
Friday, May 15
7:30 to 9 a.m. / the Local Thank you to our series sponsors: Foley & Mansfield, PLLP, Wells Fargo, Cara Irish Pubs and Xcel Energy |
 |
B.E.E.R.: Ross Bernstein
Friday, May 15
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Bachman's Floral - Home and Garden Thank you to our sponsors: Xcel Energy, Promotion Select, CenterPoint Energy and RBCU |
|
Meet the Chamber! Minneapolis and Center for Changing Lives
Tuesday, May 19
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Center for Changing Lives Thank you to our series sponsor: Panera Bread |
|
Public Affairs Forum: 2015 Legislative Wrap-up
Thursday, May 21
7:45 to 9:30 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce |
|
Small Business: Celebrate Small Business
Tuesday, May 21
5 to 7 p.m. / Urban Growler™ Brewing Company Thank you to our series sponsor: UPS Thank you to our event sponsor: Urban Growler Brewing Company |
|
|
|
|
|
