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Thursday, August 18, 2016
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LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
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One of the great joys of serving as Interim President of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) is the opportunity to meet with member organizations and learn about the many ways local employers are working with their employees to establish the workplaces of the future. Over the past month, I have met with leaders of two local organizations who are leading the way on efforts to attract and retain talent and increase employee satisfaction.
A few weeks ago, I met with MRCC Board member Karen Dodson, COO of Be The Match, and other leaders in her organization. Be The Match, operated by the National Marrow Donor program, is headquartered in Minneapolis and has managed the largest and most diverse marrow donor registry in the world for the past 25 years.
After operating out of two locations in Northeast Minneapolis, the leadership of Be The Match began to search for a new location, with the strong desire to remain in the City of Minneapolis. They used the relocation to create a discussion around a new workplace strategy for the future.
Be The Match found the perfect location at 500 North 5th Street in downtown Minneapolis and recently opened its new headquarters, just north of Target Field on the light rail transit line. The marvelous new building tells the story of Be The Match throughout the facility, with an emphasis on the stories of individuals and families they have touched for over two decades. The work spaces are open throughout the building, part of a purposeful strategy to encourage more collaboration between different parts of the organization.
Be The Match also surveyed its employees to measure satisfaction with the new location and new work spaces and the results are impressive: employees gave very high ratings to the new location, their new work location, and the new work spaces. Access to public transportation was an especially significant factor in the employee satisfaction ratings; prior to the relocation, fewer than 5% of Be The Match employees used public transportation. In their new location, that number has skyrocketed to over 50%. Be The Match also reports that the new location and new workplace strategy is already paying dividends in terms of employee retention and attracting new talent.
I also had an opportunity to visit with MRCC Board member Blake Hastings, Managing Director of Brokerage Services with CBRE. Like Be The Match, CBRE recently moved in to a newly designed space in downtown and they report that employees love the new space and the bright, open and collaborative work environment.
We thank both Be The Match and CBRE for their ongoing commitment to Minneapolis and our region. I also wish to thank them for sharing their stories about building the workplaces of the future in order to ensure our economy remains strong and we are able to attract and retain the talent needed to support our region's businesses. (You can learn more about Be The Match by visiting www.bethematch.org)
Do you have a story to share about your organization's efforts to improve employee satisfaction and retain and attract talent? If so, I would love to hear about it. I enjoy telling your stories when I am out in the community.
Enjoy the remainder of August.
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John Stanoch
Interim President & CEO
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Minnesota Keystone Program recognizes, supports and promotes corporate giving by recognizing companies that give back at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings to the community. Qualifying companies have an operating presence in Minnesota and donate at least 2 percent of their pre-tax earnings through cash contributions, in-kind donations, or employee volunteerism.
Minnesota Keystone program is turning 40 this year and to celebrate we are running a monthly feature on Keystone member companies.
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This Month's Featured Member is PadillaCRT,
the tenth largest independent PR firm in the U.S.
Founded in Minneapolis in 1961, PadillaCRT has been a Minnesota Keystone member since 1977. In 2008, they were recognized as an honored company.
Why does your company value charitable giving?
Because we value the place we call home.
When Don Padilla and Dave Speer founded Padilla Speer Beardsley back in 1961, they envisioned a company that not only helped clients achieve their purpose; but also helped our community become the best it could be. They saw charitable giving as the price of admission for the privilege of doing business here. When 23 like-minded companies created the Minnesota Keystone program in 1976, Padilla Speer Beardsley was among the first to join.
We value charitable giving not just because of our legacy, but also because giving back enriches lives on so many levels. Whether it's helping feed the hungry, provide shelter to the homeless or improving access to education and the arts, our employees want to be part of the solution to the challenges our neighbors face. We want to extend the reach of charitable organizations so they can help more people. We want to contribute to a greater good that builds a better future for all.
We also value charitable giving because it helps us attract bright, talented employees who want to be part of something larger than themselves; and because working on pro bono projects gives employees the chance to stretch beyond their daily work and contribute to other things they're passionate about, be it the arts, alleviating hunger, providing health care or raising awareness about social injustices. It keeps our minds fresh, and humble.
Why does your company continue to be members of Minnesota Keystone?
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We continue to be members for the same reason we joined Minnesota Keystone nearly 40 years ago: we believe in its mission. We also believe in the message Minnesota Keystone conveys about our businesses and people here in Minnesota: that giving back matters, and it's the right thing to do.
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Tell us about a meaningful partnership you have with a charitable organization.
Because of the way we structure our giving - helping 3-4 different organizations every year - our meaningful relationships are many and diverse. Our senior leaders serve on and lead many community boards, including the American Heart Association, the Make a Wish Foundation, the United Way, University of Minnesota Foundation, and many others. Our employee owners volunteer with scores of non-profit organizations. Together with our annual pro bono work and United Way fundraisers and food drives, meaningful partnerships are not in short supply!
In summary, we believe every organization has an opportunity to make the world a better place; and we are honored to be among so many Minnesota companies for whom giving back is part of doing business here.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
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 Featured Job Opportunities!
The following member companies are now hiring:
- Goff Public - PR Account Executive | Apply
- Hoglund Bus Co., Inc. - Diesel Mechanic - F/T | Apply
- New Horizon Academy - Lead Infant and Preschool Teacher | Apply
- New Horizon Academy - Lead Preschool Teacher and Assistant Toddler Teacher | Apply
- Snap Fitness - Personal Trainer and Fitness Sales Manager | Apply
- WNAV Audio Visual - Administration Assistant - WNAV Audio Visual Company | Apply
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Sign-up for the Urban Forestry Tree Program
 To maintain Minneapolis' wonderful urban forest, we need the help of private property owners and local businesses to plant more trees. The City offers a program to plant trees for qualifying businesses and nonprofits through the Health Department's Urban Forestry Project. These trees provide a great service to our city through reduced storm water runoff, lower energy use, and cleaner air for the communities where we live, work, and play.
Trees are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign up by September 1 to be included in our fall 2016 planting. Businesses and commercial property owners that pay a pollution control annual bill may apply here to reserve their trees for 2016. To qualify, the property must have enough space to accommodate a tree, and the owner must commit to maintaining and watering the tree.
Over 200 businesses have already taken advantage of the program. For more information visit the Minneapolis Urban Forestry Project.
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Target Market Program
The City of MInneapolis is considering implementing the Target Market Program, a new program aimed at Increasing competition and expanding opportunities for historically underutilized small-businesses.
Under the Target Market Program (TMP), qualified small-businesses will have the ability to respond alongside other similarly situated small-businesses for City contracts up to $100,000 instead of competing against larger, more established companies.
To qualify for the Target Market Program (TMP), the following criteria is being considered:
- The business must be independently owned and controlled
- The principal place of business must be within the 11 county metro area
- The business must meet existing federal (SBA) small business standards
- Average gross receipts may not exceed $23.98 million
- The principal owner of the SBE must not have a personal net worth of over $1.32 million
The City is still deliberating on the elements of this new program and wants to hear your thoughts before crafting their recommendations. Please complete this short survey by Friday, September 2nd, 2016 to let the City know what you think.
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Stonebridge Capital Advisors
Stonebridge Capital Advisors was named to the 2016 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisors. The company joined financial advisory firms from 34 states and Washington, D.C. in being selected as one of the nation's 300 top RIAs. The "average" Financial Times (FT) 300 firm on the list has 22 years of experience in the business and manages $2.6 billion in AUM. Stonebridge is one of only three Minnesota firms selected.
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Marco
The consulting firm Great Place to Work® and Fortune have named Marco one of the country's 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials in 2016. The company earned a place on this list based on their millennial team members' responses to anonymous survey questions asking about the levels of trust, pride and camaraderie they experience in the workplace. Also in 2016, Great Place to Work® ranked the company as one of the country's 30 Best Workplaces to Retire From. Finally, Marco purchased Document & Network Technologies (DNT), a copier/printer and business IT services company located in St. Louis, Missouri. Their 80 employees have joined the Marco team. This is the 14th acquisition the company has completed over the past three years.
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Clear Channel Airports/Metropolitan Airports Commission
Clear Channel Airports (CCA) has signed a 10-year deal to handle all advertising planning and buying for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The company will manage advertising that will run throughout the airport on double-sided LED video walls, flight information displays and other signage as well as roadside digital billboards across the area & digital signage on airport property.
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Twin Cities Business Marvelous Mentors and 2016 Hall of Fame
Ann H. Barkelew, founding General Manager of FleishmanHillard Minnesota (a MRCC member business) will be honored as a Marvelous Mentor by Twin Cities Business. Marvelous Mentors are chosen for being examples of outstanding successful Minnesota business leaders who have helped others. Chamber member inductees into the 2016 Hall of Fame include Richard A. Copeland, Owner and Chairman, Thor Construction Inc. and Ginny Hubbard Morris, Chair & CEO, Hubbard Radio.
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RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Wells Fargo
East Town Towers
600 South 4th Street #220
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.wellsfargo.com
Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf recently cut the ribbon opening two new office buildings 550 & 600 Wells in downtown's East Town.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS
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Good Morning Minneapolis: The Event Economy
Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
The Depot | Hiawatha Room
220 South Third Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55401|
View Map
By the end of 2016, Minneapolis will have hosted an array of special events, like the international Ryder Cup golf tournament, the 34th running of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and the annual celebration of winter in Minneapolis, Holidazzle. What makes MSP and the city of Minneapolis an attractive location? Our presenters will shed light on some of the logistical challenges, the economic impact these diverse events have on the local economy and the role business plays as both sponsors and promoters.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor:
Xcel Energy
Thank you to our series sponsor:
DLR Group
Thank you to our event sponsor:
AVEX
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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Want to start saving on business supplies with your chamber membership?
 As a chamber member, your company is eligible for special savings, aggressive pricing and other great benefits from Office Depot, including the special offer below.
Join the Office Depot Chamber Program today and receive this special offer.
Did you know... as a Chamber member business, your employees save at Office Depot and OfficeMax, too! Just in time for back-to-school.
Members save on every single item in Office Depot/Office Max stores.
Plus, save up to 50% off school supplies and these Hot 100 items.
Simply show your Chamber Store Purchasing card at checkout - don't have a card?
Text "ChamberBTS" to 555-888
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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!
Enhanced Listing Opportunity
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 or
John Youngberg at (612) 370-9170 today!
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Northeast Networking Night: Fair State Brewing Cooperative
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Good Morning Minneapolis: The Event Economy
 Friday, August 26
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel - The Depot | Hiawatha Room
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Xcel Energy, our series sponsors: DLR Group and our event sponsor: AVEX
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B.E.E.R.: Think GREAT
Thursday, August 31
11 a.m.to 1 p.m. / Olympic Hills Golf Club
Thank you to our series sponsor: Xcel Energy
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Let's Connect!
Wednesday, Sept 7 DATE CHANGE
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
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Public Policy Forum Presented by Wells Fargo:
The Current Political Landscape-Understanding the Terrain
Friday, September 9
7:30 to 9 a.m. / Wells Fargo East Town
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Wells Fargo
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Business Day at Bloomington City Hall:
Better Together - Business Strong!
Friday, September 16
8 to 11 a.m. / Bloomington Civic Plaza
Thank you to our sponsors: Mall of America, Normandale Community College, Waste Management of Minnesota, Inc., Xcel Energy, Donaldson Company, Inc., Drazan, Henke & Associates, PLLC, HealthPartners, Holiday Companies and Weber Shandwick
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