News from Your Chamber

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

This e-newsletter is brought to you by Chairman's Circle member:

Chamber Connection on Friday

Join us Friday 7:30-8:30am for networking and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. Don't forget to bring $1 and your business card for a chance at door prizes! Everyone gets a chance to introduce themselves and share a brief update on their business or community happenings. The host ends the Connection with brief overview of their business followed by a drawing for door prizes.

DRIVE Networking

Full Schedule of Events

ADVERTISE IN THE E-NEWSLETTER

One top banner ad is available every week in the Chamber e-newsletter. Reach 1,500 people for just $125! Ads are on a first come, first served basis, and are also available in the body of the e-news for $100. Partner level members and up receive one complimentary e-news insert per year.

Please email jtanner@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your space.

Registration Closes Friday

Navigating Minnesota's New ESST Law

Every employer with one or more employees is affected by Minnesota’s new Earned Sick and Safe Time law. Employers are required to create a policies offering paid time off for illness, doctor appointments and other health or safety matters for employees and their families. Even if you already offer sick time, vacation time, or other paid time off (PTO), you will want to hear more about the requirements, how you can be compliant, and the possible future changes that may be made to this law. Vinna Human Resources will be providing information and resources to help employers navigate this new legislation.

Foxhole Brewhouse Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Congratulations and cheers to Grant and Cari Huisinga and Ryan and Liv Fuchs of Foxhole Brewhouse on the ribbon cutting of their new premier food and drink venue! Originally founded by the Fuchs in 2015 in Downtown Willmar, the Huisingas joined the Foxy crew in 2022 to add to the experience and excellence in food. Stop by to try their award-winning craft beer and indulge in the elevated brewpub menu. Also pictured are Chamber Ambassadors Doug Kuehnast (United Prairie Bank), Amanda Erickson (Lake Region Bank), Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology), Fernando Cano (Weichert Realty), Vicki Davis (Fladeboe Land and City of Willmar), Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Michelle Marotzke (Mid-Minnesota Development Commission), and Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management).

Foxhole Brewhouse

Free Legislative Breakfast

Volunteers Needed

Junior Achievement is looking for 10 volunteers to commit five hours at Kennedy Elementary in the spring (March-May). There are opportunities in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. If interested, contact Michelle Marotzke at mmarotzke@yahoo.com or (320) 287-1737.

Does Your Business Have Commercial Vehicles?

The Chamber’s Business Education Network is sponsoring a Touch a Truck event at the Willmar Senior High School on Wednesday, April 3 from 11:00 – 3:00. This event is intended to expose students to the many facets of commercial vehicles at work in our community, including their various functions and operation. If you would like to get involved, please contact Sam Bowen at Ridgewater College at (320) 222-5206 or sam.bowen@ridgewater.edu.

More Than Membership Ad Sales

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber is partnering with West Central Tribune to publish the third edition of its More than Membership magazine this spring. If your business is interested in advertising in this popular publication, please contact West Central Tribune Advertising/Marketing Director Christie Steffel at csteffel@wctrib.com. Pictured is the front cover of the 2023 edition. This magazine is sent out with the newspaper and is distibuted to Chamber members, prospects, and members of the public.

Business Education Network

The Business Education Network and Willmar Public School District welcomed PACT for Families Collaborative and Advocacy & Inclusion Matter of West Central MN to the high school on February 21st. The students tossed bean bags and played Plinko while they learned more about these two fabulous organizations. Zero Hour is the first hour on Wednesdays at the high school. This time is scheduled every other week for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Those that do not have work to catch up on are in the commons area until classes start at 9am.This provides the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses right here in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like to connect with students, please reach out to program coordinator Jennifer Lindquist at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.

Registration is Open!

This year's conference theme, "The Impact of Technology on Agriculture," underscores the profound transformation that technology continues to bring to traditional farming and agribusiness practices. From AI and data analytics to supply chain management and precision farming, technology is reshaping the landscape of the agricultural industry. Explore these topics and more through insightful panel discussions and firsthand accounts from industry producers during the Storyteller sessions. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow Ag professionals and gain valuable insights into the future of the industry. This event is hosted by MinnWest Technology Campus and the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and is complimentary to qualified Ag professionals.

Student Job Fair & Career Expo

Chamber Community Job Board

Hiring? Don't forget to login to ChamberMaster to post your openings on the Chamber Job Board! Job postings will be shared weekly in the e-newsletter that reaches 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website. Please contact the Chamber if you have any questions.