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Thursday, December 17, 2015
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A Look Back, A Look Ahead
As this is our last newsletter for the year, it is the perfect opportunity to review some highlights from 2015 and take a peek at the coming year.
I will start by thanking all of you for helping the Chamber have one of its best years ever. We judge success by how many members we engage, how effectively we represent your voice at the various levels of government and our ability to continue to develop regional thinking and action. And, in the process, we make sure we remain fiscally sound.
On all those fronts, your Chamber had a successful 2015. Programming attendance was up across all three chambers (Minneapolis, Northeast and Bloomington). While we made little definitive progress at the Legislature on our top issue, transportation, when the session ended, the Governor, House and Senate had all agreed the issue needed resolution, including the amount of investment required. City Hall was a different story. In this case, our leadership of the Minneapolis Workforce Coalition led to a much more comprehensive approach to understanding and resolving workplace issues. With regard to the Region, we were particularly proud of unveiling the new Regional Dashboard last May. This collaborative effort involved more than a dozen organizations ranging from GreaterMSP to the Wilder Foundation and the MN Chamber. The framework will serve as a template for guiding this market's future in an increasingly competitive environment.
We also want to thank the Lynx and Golden Gopher Women's Hockey team for reminding us that "Minnesota Champions" is not an oxymoron. We applaud the progress made by our other teams this year and look forward to them also joining the winner's circle soon.
For all the highlights of 2015, I hope you will join us for our fun and highly interactive Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 18, 2016.
We begin 2016 optimistic that there will be sufficient will and shared vision at the Legislature this year to allow us to actually address the state's transportation needs and achieve something meaningful. Our 2016 programming will continue to be engaging, exciting and in some cases, provocative. And we will continue to press ourselves and our regional partners to improve, particularly in the areas of workforce development and education.
For those of you following my personal health journey, my heartfelt thanks for your support. Personally, I cannot wait to put 2015 behind me.
On behalf of all of us here at the Chamber, we wish you an enjoyable and relaxing Holiday Season.
Todd Klingel
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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 Featured Job Opportunities!
The following member companies are now hiring:
- Tervis - Part Time Sales Associate Sales Lead
- Century Link - Sr. Enterprise Inside Sales
- YouthLink - Communications Manager
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You are invited to join General Mills and HandsOn Twin Cities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of service through volunteerism during MLK Service Week 2016. Community Service projects will take place in conjunction with the 26th Annual MLK Holiday Breakfast, sponsored by General Mills and UNCF.
Pledge service hours on behalf of your company and join the MLK Corporate Community Service Coalition!
Service Project Options:
- Participate in a pre-planned service project coordinated by GMI & HOTC limited space available (email [email protected] directly for more information)
- Connect with HandsOn Twin Cities to learn how your service goals can be met through existing opportunities or have them create a custom project for your team www.handsontwincities.org
- Coordinate your own service project with a community organization, school or nonprofit on behalf of your company
No matter which option you choose, complete the pledge form below by 1/4/16 for your company to be included!
Complete the MLK PLEDGE TO SERVE here.
The following Chamber member businesses have already answered the Call to Serve:
Accenture, Ameriprise, General Mills, Target, US Bank.
At the MLK Breakfast, we will highlight the collective impact that the Business Community is making across the Twin Cities through these projects. Together, we can do great things! For more information on the MLK Breakfast,
click here.
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Minnesota Twins Baseball/Mortenson Construction
The Minnesota Twins are planning a $5 million renovation in Target Field's center field seating area to be completed before the 2016 baseball season. Populous architecture firm (based in Kansas City) is designing the new spaces with Mortenson Construction as builders. The same team oversaw the original design and construction of the ballpark. The new 3,700-square-foot space will include two seating sections: an upper-level area called "Minnie & Paul's," - open to all fans - and a lower-level section called "Catch," with limited access for about 120 season ticket-holders.
Twin Cities Habitat for HumanityThrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial, a significant partner of Habitat for Humanity, helped to sponsor a special day of volunteering by senior leaders from many of the largest Twin Cities congregations. Brad Hewitt, CEO of Thrivent Financial, was one of the co-chairs who helps organize this build day which took place in Cottage Grove.
University of Minnesota
*The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) named the University of Minnesota as winner of the Innovation category of its fourth annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards. The University of Minnesota System took the prize for Minnesota's Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) initiative, which has helped catalyze the launch of a record 16 startups in 2015, bringing its total to 86 since 2006. The University of Minnesota also demonstrated how research and innovation are fueling entrepreneurship and building resilient communities
*The United States Golf Association is partnering with the University on a $2.5M study on ways to make golf less expensive, more eco-friendly and more popular. The U of M's Les Bolstad Golf Course will be the study's chief lab as researchers explore ways to save on water costs. Five million people have stopped playing golf nationwide since 2003; Minnesota still has the most golfers per capita in the U.S.
*The new Athletes Village had its ceremonial groundbreaking. This is the first new development facilities for Gopher Athletics in 30 years.
Comcast
Comcast announced plans to add 400 new jobs beginning in early 2016 at the company's regional office in downtown St. Paul. The new jobs will include additional customer service representatives and managers in Comcast's existing call center. To accommodate the growth, Comcast's current 125,000 square-foot Twin Cities regional facility will add an additional 45,000 square-feet of lease space at its 10 River Plaza Park location. The construction will be completed by early 2016.
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RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 Salon Oriana
Southtown Shopping Center
7819 Southtown Center
Bloomington, MN 55431 www.salonoriana.com Owner Jessica Splinter cut the ribbon for her new Aveda concept Salon Oriana in the Southtown Shopping Center. |
Clear Health Chiropractic
5614 West 36th St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
www.clearhealthchiropractic.com
Dr. Erik Coombs celebrates the opening of Clear Health Chiropractic in St. Louis Park.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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 Washburn - McReavy Dawn Valley Chapel
Friday, December 18, 2015 | 1:30 p.m. 9940 Bush Lake Rd.
Bloomington, MN 55438 www.washburn-mcreavy.com Please RSVP to Brent at [email protected] if you plan to attend. |
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Minnesota Keystone Luncheon
www.minnesotakeystone.org
Last Thursday, December 10, over 500 people attended the Minnesota Keystone event to celebrate great companies in our community who give back. Latitude, McGough Construction and Cargill, Incorporated were honored for their exceptional giving programs.Click here to learn more about their giving practices.
Thank you to our keynote speaker, David Mortenson.
We are grateful to the following sponsors for their support.
The Minnesota Keystone Program promotes, supports, and recognizes the contributions Minnesota companies make each year to their communities. Since its inception in 1976, the program has worked to recognize companies that enhance the quality of life in Minnesota by giving back at least 2 percent of pre-tax net earnings. Qualifying contributions include cash, in kind donations, employee volunteerism and giving programs.
For more information about the Minnesota Keystone Program, visit www.minnesotakeystone.org.
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Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's
Annual Membership Meeting: Building on Success
Friday, January 8, 2016 | 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Members: $20 | Non-Members: $40
Tables of Ten: $185
Sheraton Bloomington
5601 West 78th Street
Bloomington, MN 55439 |
View Map
The Bloomington Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting "Building on Success" will celebrate the successes of the Chamber in 2015 and look forward to what is in store for 2016. This event will highlight the Chamber's programming and signature events, membership development, and strategic vision while featuring keynote speaker Dr. Joyce Ester, President of Normandale Community College.
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Joyce Ester
President of Normandale Community College
Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event for a refund.
All no shows will be billed. Substitutes are accepted.
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 DRIVE Emerging Leaders 2016 Season Pass
www.minneapolischamber.org/drivepass
Join DRIVE Emerging Leaders on the third Friday of each month for the well attended morning rountables. Hear from guest speakers and discuss topics important to this marketplace with the members of the region's most energetic and thoughtful young professional group. Purchase your season pass now and guarantee your spot at the table.
Regular admission price for members is $10 per roundtable.
Click here to purchase your season pass and SAVE 25%
Information form and payment must be received by Monday, January 25, 2016.
Passes can be purchased by a single company and shared by a number of employees.
Questions? Call 612.370.9100.
Season passes are ONLY available for Chamber members.
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 Let's Connect! 2016 Season Pass
www.minneapolischamber.org/letsconnectpass
NEW IN 2016 - we're bringing Let's Connect to you! Let's Connect will hit the road and be hosted at member businesses throughout the year.
Make sure your business leads stay hot! Join the Bloomington Chamber every other month in 2016 for Let's Connect! Check out our popular networking event that features a chance to show off your company with your one minute commercial while enjoying a continental breakfast and learning about other local businesses. Be sure to bring brochures to display and business cards to share!
Click here to purchase a 2016 season pass at $54 for a savings of 25%
Regular admission price for members is $72 for the year.
Information and payment must be received by Thursday, January 7, 2016.
Season passes are ONLY available for Chamber members.
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 Executive Women's Council 2016 Season Pass
www.minneapolischamber.org/ewcpass
The
Chamber's Executive Women's Council (EWC) events are forums for networking, education and support of Twin Cities' women executives. The EWC provides opportunities to make connections with peers and stay current with business trends that have an impact on women.
The Executive Women's Council Season Pass provides admission to all six council events (five luncheons and one happy hour) in 2016. As a pass holder, you will save time and money. Pass holders are automatically registered for events and receive a discount of $30 over the course of the year. Season pass holders will receive six event admissions for $140 (a savings of $30).
Programs for 2016 are tentatively set for the following days: January 27, March 30, May 18, July 20 (5-7 p.m.), September 14 and November 16.
Substitutions are accepted. If you are unable to attend an Executive Women's Council event, you are welcome to send someone in your place.
To purchase the Executive Women's Council Season Pass, please complete the following information and email to
[email protected] or fax to 612.370.9195.
Information and payment must be received by Thursday, January 21, 2015.
Season passes are ONLY available for Chamber members.
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Want to start saving on business supplies with your chamber membership?
Don't let this offer go to waste- please pass it on to the person responsible for purchasing office supplies within your company.
Returning Customer | New Customer
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Chamber Referral Program
Do you know of a business that would benefit from membership?
Click on the link below and provide the business name and contact. When your referral joins the Chamber you will 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 more gift certificates you receive!
Here is how it works:
- Contact the business you are referring and let them know that you have submitted them as a potential new member
- Complete the online referral form
- Chamber staff will contact your referral about membership and mention your name
Sharing how your Minneapolis Regional Chamber membership has helped your business can make a big difference!
Contact Lisa Myhre at (612) 370-9137 or Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!
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!
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Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
 Tuesday, January 12, 2016
7:45 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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Let's Connect!
Thursday, January 14, 2016
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to our sponsor: West Side Perk
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Breakfast with the Mayors
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Town & Country Club
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Xcel Energy
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Meet the Chamber! Minneapolis and and Metro Cable Network
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Metro Cable Network
Thank you to our series sponsor: Panera Bread Catering
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