August 15, 2016
Take Advantage of Small Business University on September 22 
  
Small Business University is a day-long seminar which will feature keynote speaker, John Puckett, co-founder of Caribou Coffee and co-owner of Punch Pizza, along with breakout sessions on topics that are important to small businesses. We know your time is valuable so our goal is to ensure that you leave at the end of the day with new ideas and strategies to integrate with your business right away! 

Breakout session topics include:
*Growing Your Business the Right Way: Where Your Marketing Dollars are Best Spent
*Learn to Lead
*Cyber Security: Is Your Business Protected?
*Digital Marketing: Want to be in Business in Five Years?
*How to Make the Most of Networking to Grow Your Small Business
*Business Plans: You Can't Get there if You Don't Know Where You're Going
*What does having the Wrong People on the Bus Cost You?
*Social Boom!
*Maximize Your Website: Now and for the Future

Click here to learn more and to register.

Thank you to our sponsors!
Premier Sponsor:                  


Associate Sponsors:                     
                        

Supporting Sponsors:                                     Partner Sponsors:
Eagle Valley Bank                                          Gateway Bank
SPIRE Credit Union                                          PR Caffeine
Xcel Energy                                                    

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here to learn more about sponsorship. 
Committed to Business... for YOU.
DCR Chamber PAC Endorsed Candidates Announced  
  
The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee announced last week that it has endorsed candidates in the following Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives Districts:
  • 51A - Brad Gerten
  • 51B - Laurie Halverson
  • 52A - Richard Hansen
  • 52B - Regina Barr
  • 56 - Dan Hall
  • 56B - Roz Peterson
  • 57 -Cory Campbell
  • 57A - Ali Jimenez Hopper
  • 57B - Anna WiIls
  • 58 - Tim Pitcher
  • 58A - Jon Koznick
  • 58B - Patrick Garofalo
"There is significant experience and expertise with the candidates we've endorsed and we're confident they will bring effective and consistent leadership to the capitol on issues that are important to our business members," said Don Hoeft, Chair of the DCR Chamber of Commerce PAC Board of Directors. Read the full press release. 
Do You Know "The Champion's Code"? 
 
Our speaker, Ross Bernstein, will share leadership philosophies from some of the greatest coaches in sports. If you are a leader, or want to learn how to create more "buy-in" with your co-workers and best customers - then this session is for you. Ross, the best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, has been featured on thousands of television and radio programs over the years including CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and "CBS This Morning," as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today.

Join us on Thursday, August 25 at 7:30 a.m. at Southview County Club. Register today. 
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
 Tuesday
 Wednesday
 Thursday
 Friday
15
 16

Noon
Meet the Chamber

4:30 p.m.
Ambassador Committee 
17

7:30 a.m.
18

7:45 a.m.
19
22
 23

7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee

8:00 a.m.
24

8:00 a.m.
25

7:30 a.m.
26
29
 30

7:00 p.m.
31

8:00 a.m.
1
 2
5

DCR Chamber Office Closed
6

8:30 a.m.
PAC Board of Directors

11:30 a.m.
SMYPros Committee
3:30 p.m.
Business Excellence Awards Committee 
7
 8

7:30 a.m.
Executive Committee

8:00 a.m.
9

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Did You Know?
We are getting ready to start planning our programs for the next year and want your input. Do you have any speakers or topics of interest that you would like us to consider? Click here to share your ideas with us! 

MN Secretary of State Office Open Appointments: Applications due August 23  

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has released the August 2016 notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications, due August 23, 2016. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. Click here for the full list of vacancies.          
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
Farmington City Council meets August 15 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets August 16 - see the agenda
Eagan City Council meets August 16 - see the  agenda
Rosemount City Council meets August 16 - see the agenda
Rosemount Port Authority meets August 16 - see the agenda  
Mendota Heights City Council meets August 16 - see the agenda 
Member Spotlight: Critical Piece to Success  
  
Rachael Reiling, Spire Credit Union
I am the Business Development Manager for SPIRE Credit Union, a not-for-profit member owned cooperative with 16 branches. We are a full service financial institution and are very focused on improving the financial well-being of our member-owners. My role with SPIRE is to create co-op awareness by bringing onsite credit union benefits to employers as a benefit to their staff. I serve the Dakota County Regional Chamber through many different avenues and this has been instrumental in growing our memberships and making life long connections. SPIRE is a proud sponsor of Meet the Chamber, where I get to meet new members first. Since my focus is B2B, I have also been able to make the connections I need through serving on the Ambassador Committee. I appreciate the comradery and opportunities I have received directly from the Chamber and know this community has been a critical piece to my success.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Hobby Lobby - Eagan

Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.
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Renewing Members
Last week these awesome members renewed their Chamber membership. Thank you!!  
            
360 Communities - 22 years
 
Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
  

Last week we celebrated the new Holiday Inn Express with a ribbon cutting. Eagan's newest hotel open on June 28, 2016. Congratulations!



Marco, a leading technology services provides, announced last week that it has purchased Document & Network Technologies, a copier/printer and business IT services company in Missouri, as part of their national expansion.

Congratulations to Lin Nelson, Director of Legislative Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, on celebrating 10 years with the company. Lin is currently on your Chambers Board of Directors and leads the Government Affairs Committee.


Twin Cities Premium Outlets is turning two! Eagan and Dakota County are lucky to be home to this awesome shopping destination.


Oasis DEG recently hired Kris Williamson in the role of Professional Employer Consultant. Welcome to the Chamber Kris!

 
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872