Weekly Update:
October 8, 2018
Sponsored in-part by: 
Chamber & Community News
Did You Know...
Voters Guide Week 2:
South St. Paul City Council Candidates
Over the next few weeks, the River Heights Chamber of Commerce will be sharing Candidate Voter Guides for you to get to the know the specific candidates running for offices in the River Heights region. Please take a few minutes to learn more and see what the candidates have to say.

Board Nominations
Would you like to join the Board of Directors of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce, or do you know a great business leader you'd like to nominate to serve an elected 3-year term?

Be a part of this great leadership and decision-making team with the River Heights Chamber of Commerce and have some fun, too!

Award Nominations & Annual Meeting Sponsorships!

Who Should The Chamber Honor for 2019 Business of the Year & Forrest Glewwe Visions of Excellence
It's time to make your nominations ( email Nicole) or complete the online application for Business of the Year & Forrest Glewwe Visions of Excellence Awards! Applications due by Monday, October 22


Forrest Glewwe Visions of Excellence Award Winners
1987- Dale Schenian
1988- Forrest Glewwe
1989- Ken Nelson
1990- Harold LeVander, Sr.
1991- George Cameron
1992- Lyle Jacoby
1993- Ed Kuntz
1994- Mark Brown
1995- Worth Stiles
1996- Sid Puppe
1997- John Tenney
1998- Kathy Smith
1999- Noel Estenson
2000- Doug Rech
2001- Bill Lucking
2002- Jim Kemp
2003- Ed Gutzmann
2004- Donnette Hilton
2005- Don Haugen
2006- Greg Kuntz
2007- LaDonna Boyd
2008- Kevin Kraus
2009- Cheryl Frank
2009- Don Chapdelaine
2010- Mike Haverkamp
2011- Nancy Fish
2012 – Bill Smith
2013 – Rollin Glewwe
2014 – Harold “Red” Leonard
2015 – Senator James P. Metzen
2016 – Beth Baumann
2017 – Representative Rick Hansen
Business of the Year Award Winners
1995 - First American Bank- Bremer Bank
1996 - Fury Motors
1997 - Gertens
1998 - Southview Bank- Mainstreet Bank
1999 - Cenex Harvest States- CHS Inc.
2000 - Waterous Company
2001 - Cherokee Manufacturing
2002 - LeVander, Gillen & Miller
2003 - ReMax Realty 100
2004 - Pind Bend Paving
2005 - Key Community Bank
2006 - Bester Brothers Transfer
2007 - American Bank
2008 - Dakota Electric Association
2009 - Heartland Credit Union
2010 - Schadegg Mechanical
2011 - Flint Hills Resources
2012 - Sherman Insurance Agency
2013 - Wipaire
2014 - Town Square Television
2014 - Safeway Bus Company
2015 - Pawn America Minnesota
2016 - Krech O’Brien, Mueller and Associates (KOMA)
2017 - Tandem Printing, Inc. 
2018 - Deerwood Bank
Ambassador Business Visits
Thank you to our Ambassadors for getting to know a little more about these great businesses in our community!
Weeknight Kitchen
Sportsman's Guide - Retail Outlet Store
Upcoming Chamber Events
Chamber Meetings & Events This Week:

Thursday, October 11
  • 8:00 a.m. - Inver Grove Heights Local Issues @ ISD 199 District Office, IGH
Food for Thought:
Speed Networking
Tuesday, October 23
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Evolve Workplace
260 Wentworth Ave E.,
West St Paul
$25 members/$35 non-members

Join us for our first “Speed Networking” luncheon with presenter, Kelly Jahner-Byrne who will start the session by offering tips you can use in any setting to help you “Leverage Your Connections.”
CoffeeNet at Inver Hills Community College
Wednesday, October 31, 2018  
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Inver Hills Community College
2500 East 80th Street   
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077

Start your Halloween off with a treat! Join us for coffee and refreshments to network with your fellow Chamber colleagues, and don't forget you can bring a friend and your business cards!
Join ALL the Chambers in Dakota County for a County-wide Business Expo & After Hours
Thursday, November 1
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
LaGrand Conference at GrandStay Hotel
7083 153rd St. W., Apple Valley

The event includes a cash bar, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and exhibits by members from the participating chambers. 

The cost to exhibit is as follows:
  • 6ft table is $150, which includes table skirting and electricity. 
  • Free-standing display space is also $150 and includes electricity. 
  • ½ 6ft (3 ft.) table is $90, which includes table skirting and electricity. 

Please specify if you have a floor display or if you need electricity for your booth. Each vendor is asked to provide their own signage.  

Space is limited! To reserve your space, please RSVP by email to  colleen@riverheights.com   by Friday, October 12th.
Join the River Heights Chamber VIP Text Club!
Get Free River Heights Chamber
Text Message Reminders

Text RHChamber to 20673 to receive upcoming event reminders from the River Heights Chamber of Commerce!
Economic Development News - Progress Plus
Retail Rally - Where Innovative Retailers & Their Partners Gather, Learn and Celebrate
Tuesday, October 9
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park

We are so pleased to have Amanda Brinkman (Small Business Revolution & Deluxe) deliver a keynote titled “Retail Lessons Learned While Revitalizing Main Streets Across America” . Amanda has a hit show on Hulu and has spent three seasons revitalizing retailers across the country. It’s going to be great and we are so lucky to have her at the event!

Join us and use promo code “ retailchampion ” to get 30% off tickets!

Member News & Events
ProAct in Eagan Names DARTS for 2018 Employer Partner of the Year
“These partners are wonderful examples who work closely with us to provide opportunities for the people we serve,” said ProAct President and CEO Steven Ditschler. “We are grateful for their role in enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.”
ProAct’s New Employer of the Year, DARTS, is based in West St. Paul and serves senior citizens in multiple ways. ProAct gets involved with housekeeping for DARTS at residences around Dakota County. Crews of five or six participants and two ProAct staff members perform the work.
“It’s a win-win all around, one nonprofit working with, and for another,” said McGeheran. “Our missions align beautifully with one another in celebrating and supporting diversity, aging and inclusion.”
DARTS also holds training sessions, open house events and monthly meetings to build on the partnership. And, “meet and greet” gatherings bring both parties together to review specific needs for each residence, and to establish expectations for the work, McGeheran explains.
The business manager said the community and companionship experienced by senior citizens and ProAct participants has been priceless.
Ambassador of the Month for September
Bruce Bairaktaris
Quality Auto Care Center
100 S. Concord Exchange
South St. Paul
(651) 457-6255
Hot Deals & Job Postings!
Share Your Business' Hot Deal or Employment Opportunity with the Chamber!  It's a free member benefit !

 Login to your member account or contact the Chamber here .
River Heights Chamber of Commerce | 651.451.2266 | nicole@riverheights.com | riverheights.com