One Year Later....
It is hard to believe that I started my career here at the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism one year ago, October 1, 2014. Reflecting back on the past 12 months, we have accomplished much, with much left to accomplish. For a guy whose wife says he is the slowest walker in the world, I am in such a hurry to get things done when it comes to the Chamber. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel, but is the train even moving?
On the half full side of the glass: We have added 45 new members in 2015! We reinstituted Morning Business Brews and Business after Hours networking events, with waiting lists to host the events. We held State of the City and State of the Schools luncheon events, with 3 others scheduled in the near future. We hosted numerous lunch & learn webinar programs, as well as a multi-chamber program. We held a successful golf tournament, Spring Business Expo, and an Annual Meeting with a record crowd. The Chamber has served as an advocate for the business community by attending and speaking at City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Our voice is being heard and more importantly, being sought. We are in the process of publishing our membership directory and official area guide book and implementing a new resident mailing package. In September, staff greeted incoming freshman and their parents at both St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges with welcome bags. Heck, we even got on Twin Cities television dressed as a reindeer parading around town.
On the half empty side of the glass: The Chamber still need to get more members to our events, our luncheons and our networking events. We need to continue to work on recruiting, and strengthening our committees, our boards and our membership base. The Chamber needs to have 100% membership retention, and a minimum of 300 members by the end of 2015. We need to be fully staffed to carry out the tasks necessary to be THE BEST chamber in Minnesota. The Chamber needs to be move up to the 1st option on our members to-do list, not the 7th or 8th.
Yes, it has been quite a year here at the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. Growth, engagement, excitement, challenges, opportunities, relevant, active, respected: words that can be used to describe the past 12 months of activity. The train is picking up steam and moving down the track - are you on board?
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2015-2016 Membership Directory Getting Close to Print
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We are working hard to get the final ad spots sold for the 2015-2016 Membership Directory, which will be printed and distributed by the end of October. Special thanks to our advertisers to date: Edina Realty, Professional Pride Realty, Northfield Retirement Community, Community Resource Bank, Professional Dental, Three Links, Northfield Construction/Bluewater Commercial Corp, First National Bank and Laura Baker Services.
We still have a few ad spots left, so make your space reservation today. A full page color ad is $500, a half page color ad is $350, and a quarter page color ad is $100.00 Carla Hanson at Engage Print can put your ad together for a small additional cost.
These guides will be distributed to all of our members, along with our new resident mailing packages, relocation requests, realtors and hotels. This is the first time in many years the Chamber has produced a membership directory, so don't miss out on the opportunity to market your company. Contact Todd at the Chamber office at 507-645-5604 for more details.
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Northfield Area Chamber Hosts State if the Schools Address
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The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 1st Annual State of the School address on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Northfield Golf Club, sponsored by Benjamin Bus Inc. The speaker was Dr. Chris Richardson, Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools # 659.
School Board Chair and Northfield Chamber Board Member Julie Prichard introduced Dr. Richardson, and highlighted an award that he had recently received. After thanking the Chamber and the business community for their strong support of the school district, Dr. Richardson gave a short review of the 2015-2015 school year. Low administrative costs allow the district to spend 70% of its revenue on students in the classroom. The introduction of day-long kindergarten and the Greenvale Community School program were highlights of the past year, along with test scores that are the best of the best in the state and country.
Dr. Richardson then highlighted the five goals for the district: see all children ready for kindergarten, have all students literate by grade three, diminish the achievement gap, make sure all students are career and college ready and to see all students graduate from high school. He also talked about phase two of the transformational technology plan that moves iPads in the elementary schools, and the completing the Master Facilities Plan. All of the schools were highlighted with technology, safety and space limitations that affect each district building, and some options that might be available.
Brittney Neset with the Northfield News attending the event, and this recap comes from her article.
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OCTOBER
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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1
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2
9:00 am
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12:00 pm
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7
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8
10:00 am
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13
4:30 pm
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15
10:30
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20
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8:00 am
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10
:00 am
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26
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7:00 am
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28
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October 5-9 is Northfield Chamber Membership Drive Week
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In July 2015, the Chamber kicked off its' "Just One More" Membership Campaign. Each member received a packet of information, including a membership application form a member benefit sheet, sponsorship investment opportunities flyer, and a membership letter. The goal was for each current member to approach another business that was not a current member to talk about the benefits of being a Chamber member and get them to fill out the paperwork and sign up. If every member could sign up "just one more" business, we can double the size of our organization.
With the printing of the 2015-2016 Membership Directory and Official Area Guidebook, there has never been a better time for a business to join the Chamber. Take a few moments out of your busy schedule the week of October 5-9 and recruit another business to join the organization that represents business interests in the Northfield Area.
The Chamber has the potential of 400 members. We need your help in reaching that goal!
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Advertise your
business here!
Please contact Lindsay for pricing details
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SEPTEMBER
Cocoa Bean Toys and Sweets
515 Division Street South
Northfield MN, 55057
507-645-5322
Primary Contact: Felicia Crosby
maurices
Bridgewater Commons
2420 Bridgewater Lane
Northfield MN, 55057
218-725-3918
Primary Contact: Rachel Holmquist
Gran Plaza
2018 Jefferson Road
Northfield MN 55057
507-366-1862
Primary Contact: Salvador Robles
Award Centre
211 Division Street South Northfield MN 55057
507-645-6680
Primary Contact: Jan Krause
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September's Top
Chamber Buck
Redeemers:
1. Rare Pair
2. Gooters Dough to Go
3. Cannon River Winery
Remember
Chamber Bucks
make great gifts or employee incentives. Available all year in $5, $10 and $25 denominations
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Heritage Dental Care
507-645-9543
Ambassadors from left to right:
Marty Benson - Community Resource Bank
Amy Voight - Voight Home Improvements
Carly Dabroski - Northfield News
Bob Cross - Professional Pride Realty
Shawn McLeran - Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic
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Viking Auto Salvage
651-460-6166
Ambassadors from left to right:
Marty Benson - Community Resource Bank
Amy Voight - Voight Home Improvements
John Thomas - Mr. JST Technology Consulting, LLC
Jan Stanton - Frandsen Bank & Trust
Bob Cross - Professional Pride Realty
Shawn McLeran - Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic
Carly Dabroski - Northfield News
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Northfield Area Family YMCA
507-645-0088
Ambassadors from left to right:
Amy Voight - Voight Home Improvements
Carly Dabroski - Northfield News
Jim Williams - Forget-Me Not Florist
Martha Kasper - Edina Realty
Shawn McLeran - Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic
Jan Stanton - Frandsen Bank & Trust
Marty Benson - Community Resource Bank
Andrea Dolan - Premier Bank Minnesota
Marty Benson - Community Resource Bank
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Magic Door B & B
507-581-0445
Ambassadors from left to right:
Jan Stanton - Frandsen Bank & Trust
Amy Voight - Voight Home Improvements
Marty Benson - Community Resource Bank
Shawn McLeran - Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic
Carly Dabrowski - Northfield News
Andrea Dolan - Premier Bank Minnesota
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October is Minnesota Manufacturing Month
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The state of Minnesota is recognizing October 1-10 as Minnesota Manufacturing Week, with numerous celebrations and activities to recognize the importance and impact of manufacturing to the economy of Minnesota and the world. The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism will also be participating in local events throughout the month, including a luncheon and the 1st annual Northfield Area Chamber Manufacturer of the Year award.
Check your e-mail and the weekly e-Burst for more details and dates of upcoming events.
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Business After Hours at The Grand Event Center sponsored by The Tavern of Northfield and Ole Store Restaurant
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Morning Business Brew at Blue Water Commercial Real Estate, sponsored by Rebound Enterprises
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Join Northfield Yarn on Saturday, October 10th at 7pm for their Fall Yarn Tasting. Shop owner Cynthia Gilbertson has specially selected a number of the shop's new fall yarns and will tell you what makes them special and what they're great for. You will get pattern ideas, see sample garments, and knit with the yarns yourself. Refreshments are provided ! Admission is $12 and registration is required as space is limited
507-645-1330
The EO Johnson Rochester office just completed their 2015 United Way Pacesetters campaign with the United Way of Olmsted County. EOJ was one of 12 businesses in Rochester that participated in the Pacesetters group. The Rochester office exceeded their campaign goal and had 83% staff participation. "Flat Sam" helped kickoff the campaign by traveling with our service and sales staff over a couple of weeks and encouraged them to donate to this wonderful cause.
As part of the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (D0D) Outreach Initiative, the Northfield Area Family YMCA will provide military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs. "The Northfield Area Family YMCA is happy to help meet the critical needs facing families of deployed military service members," said Virginia Kaczmarek, Executive Director of the Northfield Area Family YMCA. "Families are the most affected when a loved one gets deployed, so we are deeply committed to providing them with the support they need."
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Do you have business news to share? We want to hear about it! Please contact Lindsay at
[email protected]
to have your big announcement in next months newsletter.
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Are You Connected?
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