Friday, February 19, 2016

Your Regional Chamber Connecitons

Minneapolis Chamber 1 2 Bloomington Chamber 3 4 Northeast Minneapolis Chamber 5 6

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
@ToddChamberGuy
And a Good Time Was Had By All

(Those of you who attended the MRCC's Annual Meeting, yesterday, may want to skip this letter)

We promised the audience we would do three things yesterday; Engage, Entertain and Educate and I can tell you with confidence, we delivered on all three.

As was the case last year, we created an interactive game that had each table buzzing with competitive juices. We asked questions about exciting happenings last year across the region and then revealed the answers in a series of videos. The game was made more enticing because more than 40 members donated prizes. Thanks to their collective generosity, we were able to award attendees an astounding 50 prize packages. Not to mention those that picked up $20 during our Let's Make A Deal segment.

Lt. Governor Smith did an outstanding job of sharing the State's highlights from last year and some perspective on the upcoming session. She complimented the Chamber for its long held and steadfast efforts to fund transportation (roads, bridges and transit) and is hopeful we can reach a solution in the coming legislative session. She also honored me and the Chamber by presenting a proclamation from the Governor declaring it Todd Klingel Day. A wonderful honor, but I bet it won't get me out of any chores on the home front.

Kudos as well to our multi-hat wearing Board Chair, Laura McCarten and incoming Chair, Ted Johnson. He was clearly channeling Bob Barker.

Once again, I must credit your Chamber staff. With Christine Levens as the conductor, the team again rose above the bar to deliver a product of which you all would have been very proud. One Board member commented afterward that they cannot believe how much our small team can accomplish.

Knowing that I am stepping down in just over a month, this event only reminded me of what great hands the Chamber is in from both the volunteer leadership and staff perspective. As the hands on guy you all know me to be, that fact is wonderfully comforting and should be very reassuring to you..


Todd Klingel
President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Golf Public

BIG Climb Minneapolis
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Star

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Foodee
www.food.ee

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Indulge & Bloom
www.indulgeandbloom.com

Star

Dance and Entertainment Studios
www.danceandentertainment.com

Star

Star

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People Incorporated
www.peopleincorporated.org

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Express Employment Professionals - Minneapolis
www.expresspros.com
   
Featured Job Opportunities!
The following member companies are now hiring:
  • New Horizon Academy - Lead Teacher | Apply
  • Century Link - Sr. Enterprise Inside Sales | Apply
To learn more about these positions, please visit the Employment Opportunities section on the Chamber's website.
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Comcast Business Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition
Comcast Business announced their third annual Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition. Current and aspiring business owners can enter the competition for a chance to win up to $30,000 and participate in a day of mentoring with teams of business experts who will provide advice on how to implement their plan.  Based on a 250-word essay submission, applicants will answer the question: How could your business use technology to help enhance your business? Startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the Comcast Business Community to submit their application and essay and review the full program details. Entries are due by March 12, 2016. Entries will be judged and two winners will be selected in each of the 15 Comcast Business Regions: one winner for startup companies (in business two years or less) and one winner for entrepreneurs (in business for more than two years). The 30 regional winners will each earn $10,000 in cash.  Regional winners will be announced April 25, 2016. Voting from among the regional winners will take place between April 26 - May 13, 2016. The six grand prize winners will be announced June 6, 2016 with the Grand Prize event planned for August 2016.
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Plekkenpol Builders
Bloomington Mayo Gene Winstead presented a proclamation to Craig Plekkenpol at the beginning of the Bloomington City Council meeting on Monday, February 1.  February 20th, 2016 has been designated as Craig Plekkenpol Day in the city of Bloomington. Plekkenpol and his company were recognized for their 45 years of business in Bloomington as well as contributions to many local organizations. Craig Plekkenpol has also received the Robert L. Hanson Industry Service Award for his dedication & service to The Builders Association of the Twin Cities.
 

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 
Jamie Grant is the new president & CEO for the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Grant moves to Minnesota in April from Austin, Texas where is he currently holds the same position at Long Center in Austin, Texas and was previously general manager of Centre in the Square in Kitchener, Ontario. Both the Austin and Kitchener facilities are multiple-user venues roughly similar to the Ordway, with main halls slightly larger than the Ordway's 1,910-seat Music Theater.
 

Northeast Bank
NorthWestern Financial Review named Tom Beck as their annual Banker of the Year. Beck  is currently the President/CEO of Northeast Bank, joining the Bank in 1978 as a management trainee. He has been an active member of the community throughout his years in banking. Beck is  currently a member, and past Chair, of the Catholic Eldercare Board of Directors.  This annual honor is bestowed upon one bank president, CEO or chairman selected from submissions received from their designated 14 state region.
 

Marco
Eric Casteel was promoted to Senior Director of IT Sales. Casteel has been with Marco for 14 years and has 22 years of industry experience. Casteel will be responsible for Marco's IT sales initiatives and strategies.  Pat Haney was promoted to Director of Major Accounts. Haney has been with Marco for four years and has 22 years of industry experience. Haney's responsibilities include leading Marco's Major Account Sales Team. Also, Marco purchased Data Comm, Inc. located in Missouri and Nexus Office Systems, Inc. in Illinois. Since 2010, the company has grown from 350 employees to 1,030 employees and now has 48 locations. Marco serves 30,000 customers throughout the Midwest and nationally.   


Panera Bread
RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
The File Depot - Twin Cities South

2110 W 98th St.
Bloomington, MN 55431
www.TwinCitiesSouth.thefiledepot.com 

 

Lisa and Jerry Pittman cut the ribbon on Minnesota's first File Depot location in Bloomington.

UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
Scena Tavern
Monday, March 7, 2016 | 4 to 6 p.m.
(Ribbon Cutting at 4:30 p.m.)
2943 Girard Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
www.scenatavern.com

Please RSVP to Brent at
bpavia@minneapolischamber.org if you plan to attend.

Home2Suites by Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 | 4 p.m.
2270 West 80 1/2 Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
www.home2suites3.hilton.com

Please RSVP to Brent at bpavia@minneapolischamber.org if you plan to attend.
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Good Morning Minneapolis:
Super Bowl LII - What Can Minneapolis Expect in 2018?
www.minneapolischamber.org/gmm

Friday, February 26, 2016 | 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Admission: $30

Marquette Hotel
Windows on Minnesota

710 South Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402 | View Map

Super Bowl 50 is now in the rear view mirror. Andrea Mokros, Vice President of Communications and the rest of the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee is looking forward. What can Minnesota and Minneapolis expect in 2018? What will be the economic impact, the fan experience and the role for business? Find out at Good Morning Minneapolis!
 
 

Thank you to our series sponsors:
Xcel Energy and DLR Group
 
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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You're Invited: Visit a Chamber Focused Leads Group 

Chamber members have the opportunity to join one of our ChamberNets/Business to Business leads groups. These groups are a collaboration of individuals who share a vision of success and provide Chamber members an opportunity to develop professional networking relationships and share business referrals or introductions. Groups meet monthly. Participation is limited to one member per industry and there is an annual fee of $50 to participate in the group. There are currently three ChamberNet groups. Groups designated as B2B are generally made up of Business-to-Business members, while ChamberNets have a combination of Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer organizations. Please contact the group chair listed below for more information.

ChamberNet 1
Meets the first Wednesday of each month 12-1 p.m.
Bloomington Chamber Office
Joe Miller, Farmers Insurance, (952) 253-9505; jmiller5@famersagent.com

ChamberNet 2
Meets the third Wednesday of each month 12-1 p.m.
Bloomington Chamber Office
Brianna McClain, AXA Equitable, (763) 443-6235; brianna.mcclain@axa-advisors.com

Business-to Business (B2B) 1
Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month 8-9:30 a.m.
Minneapolis Chamber Office
John Lawson, SDK, (612) 332-5500; jlawson@sdkcpa.com
Member to Member Discount UPS Savings MN Drug Card
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 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 Rhonda Bernard at (612) 370-9121 today!

Union Bank & Trust

Promote Your Business Here  

Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Northeast Networking Night at Sen Yai Sen Lek
Register Today Wednesday, February 24
5 to 6:30 p.m. / Sen Yai Sen Lek

Thank you to our presenting sponsors: Union Bank & Trust
Thank you to our series sponsor: CenterPoint Energy
Thank you to our event sponsor: Sen Yai Sen Lek, LLC
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
Public Policy Forum: Public Safety - MPD & the DID SafeZone
Register Today Friday, March 4
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Wells Fargo Center

Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Wells Fargo
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Public Affairs Forum: 2016 Legislative Preview
Register TodayFriday, March 4
7:45 to 9:30 a.m. /
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Meet the Chamber! Bloomington
Register TodayTuesday, March 8
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. /
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
2016 Best in Business Awards
Register Today Thursday, March 31
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / LOEWS Minneapolis Hotel

Thank you to our sponsors: Comcast, Xcel Energy, RBC Wealth Management, Associated Bank and PSAV