September 30, 2019
Produced by the Mid-America Chamber Executives
Did you Know?

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US, could fit inside North Dakota 46 times.
ND's first lady invites public to share recovery stories on initiative website

North Dakota's first lady is continuing her efforts to empower communities across the state when it comes to addiction and recovery...Helgaas Burgum, who has spent her time as first lady focusing on the disease and sharing her story of recovery, spoke on the issue at the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce's Women Connect event Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo.
Route 2 Elsewhere

For some Pierce County residents, US Highway 2 represents a route to an out-of-town job, or perhaps to the grain elevator; maybe it's the road to take to a relative's home...Filmmaker Dirk Wierenga made a stop in Rugby earlier this week to collect stories from people living along the stretch of US-2 running through the town, and Darylanna Durkee of the Rugby Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors' Bureau shared the news in a breathless-looking Facebook post: "Guess who just spent the morning filming for a documentary about life and opportunities along Hwy2?!?" Durkee asked, following her post with a line of upward-pointing thumb emojis. "This girl!!"
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Institute

Institute for Organization Management (Institute) is the premier continuing education experience for chamber professionals. Since 1921, the Institute program has educated and empowered chamber executives with the knowledge and skills they need to be leaders in their organizations and industry.

The Institute curriculum is comprised of four week-long sessions. Each session is five days and is offered at five locations across the country annually. With courses on topics such as advocacy, media training, membership, finance, legal issues, human resources, and much more, Institute ultimately educates participants on all facets of running an association. To view a full listing of course offerings, click here .  

MACE POLL
Has your chamber ever endorsed or opposed school referendum?
Yes
No
Survey Says:
Does your chamber have government memberships?

Yes: 53.6%

No: 46.4%
Dan Ahlers, former Democratic legislator from Dell Rapids, announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate

Dan Ahlers, a former Democratic legislator from Dell Rapids, is seeking to represent South Dakota in the U.S. Senate...Ahlers, who closed his Dell Rapids video store earlier this year, serves as the president and interim administrator of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Ahlers holds a bachelor's degree in government and international relations from Augustana University.
Pheasantennial time!

Redfield will celebrate 100 years of Pheasant hunting on October 30th, 2019. On Oct.30th, 1919, the state’s first one-day pheasant hunting season was held in Spink County...During that same year, 25 pheasants were also released on a ranch south of Frankfort. Later, the Redfield Chamber of Commerce made the first large release of pheasants in the area.
Can this virtual reality tour convince you to work in Madison?

Imagine this: The doorbell rings and you're greeted by a delivery person with a box in hand...This virtual reality headset is a project three years in the making. It was spearheaded by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce to recruit applicants from outside the Midwest to come to Madison for job opportunities.
Rural Wisconsin communities seek paths to better health care future

Fading murals of children, their arms outstretched to iron ore and timber tumbling overhead, celebrate a heyday that has long since passed by Hurley, Wisconsin...Rita Franzoi, director of the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce, says the trails serve the dual purpose of improving the local economy, too. The county had seen its population slowly dwindle since the 1920s, but a survey showed that young people have moved to Iron County for its outdoor recreation. 
Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Teachers Appreciation Night

Local businesses decided to show some support to our educators in the Heartland Wednesday night. The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Teachers Appreciation Night at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. Teachers typically spent at least $600 out of their own pockets yearly to supply their classrooms with needed materials.
Local business owners take leadership roles at Chamber

Two small business owners will take on key leadership roles with the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors effective Nov. 1. Judd Knispel and Brooke Hubbard, who both currently serve on the Chamber’s Executive Committee, earned unanimous approval to assume the roles of chair and chair-elect, respectively, for the coming year.
What you need to know about the Sartell, Sauk Rapids school district referendums

While this year's general election might not seem as salient in the headlines as past elections, millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake — as is the future of programming in two of Central Minnesota's largest school districts...While campaigns for each have yet to heat up, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors weighed in Thursday with its endorsement of both requests.
Good things are on the way in St. Paul
By B Kyle, President and CEO of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

Look, I get it. Some real estate people think investing in downtown St. Paul is more vexing than a bad poker hand. News flash: They’re wrong. In spades. I can’t say this strongly enough: The art of the possible ripens into reality when we believe in it.
Special networking breakfast at local Chamber celebrates Hispanic heritage

At first glance, Centro Hispano’s September networking breakfast held inside the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce office may have seemed just like many of the others the organization hosts. But, digging deeper, those in attendance likely realized that this particular gathering was a special one. For starters, it took place during Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of all the different ideas and people brought to this country by those of Hispanic origin.
Hensel takes reins of Bellevue chamber

The Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce tabbed a man with deep roots in the community to be its next leader. Kevin Hensel officially began as the chamber’s new president and chief executive officer on Sept. 16. He has lived in Bellevue most of his life, graduated from Bellevue West High School, has two degrees from Bellevue University and served on multiple boards of directors for organizations in the community, including the chamber.
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