Friends,

This week our regional leaders and up-and-comers alike had not one, but two fantastic gatherings to celebrate success and reflect on the past year, and perhaps more importantly, focus on what comes next for our region. On Monday evening the GREATER MSP Partnership kicked off 2023 at their NEXT event where we heard from executives at local Fortune 500 companies alongside innovators and entrepreneurs who have leveraged each other's strengths to create new economic opportunities in the Twin Cities - from the five major banks working with First Independent Bank to open the first Black-owned bank in the state, to General Mills partnering with South African recycling company Myplas to not only reduce packaging waste, but create hundreds of new jobs as they work to open their first plant in North America. Congrats to Peter Frosch and the entire GREATER MSP team!

And last night the St. Paul Area Chamber celebrated its 155th Annual Meeting in downtown. The theme for this year's event was Investing in Tomorrow and emceed Jeff Aguy of 2043 SBC brought his trademark visionary energy to the stage. Chamber President B Kyle reminded us of the importance of the scooch - the need to make room at the table for new friends and the leaders of tomorrow. It was great to see so many friends, and it was fantastic to see so many of our newer downtown partners attending their first Chamber event and meeting so many new people. I'm looking forward to continuing many of the great conversations we started last night and reflecting on the wisdom of all of the speakers in the days and weeks to come. Congrats and thank you to everyone at the Chamber who hosted a great event!

Finally this week I want to continue to keep an eye out for opportunities to lend a hand, offer directions or even just give a wave and smile to athletes and their families in town for the tournaments. Keep reading for more news from around downtown including welcoming our newest board members, great restaurant recommendations from our friends at Visit Saint Paul and a heads up about events in the week to come.

See you around downtown!

-Joe

Downtown Alliance appoints two to board

The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance announced two additions to its board last week.

Jennifer Hellman, CEO and president of Goff Public, is taking one of the seats. Hellman has 25 years of experience at Goff Public, where she leads the agency as president and CEO, overseeing the strategic direction of the business and team of public affairs professionals.

Richard “Rick” L. Smith Jr., regional president of the upper Midwest region for Travelers, is taking the other seat. He is responsible for Travelers’ business in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Smith has spent his entire career with Travelers since joining the company in 1980. In his early years, he held several underwriting positions in the company’s Houston, Texas office before returning to its headquarters in Saint Paul to work in the commercial insurance division.

Upcoming events around downtown

March 3

MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament | Xcel Energy Center

Twin Cities Ballet presents Pink Floyd’s 'The Wall: A Rock Ballet' | Fitzgerald Theatre

March 4

MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament | Xcel Energy Center

Saturday Morning Yoga | Union Depot

SPCO - Family Concert | Ordway

Saturday Vibe: Mini-Maker Mushroom Mania | George Latimer Central Library

Twin Cities Ballet presents Pink Floyd’s 'The Wall: A Rock Ballet' | Fitzgerald Theatre

Cory Wong ft. Victor Wooten | Palace Theatre

March 5

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band | Xcel Energy Center

Elle King | Palace Theatre

Twin Cities Ballet presents Pink Floyd’s 'The Wall: A Rock Ballet' | Fitzgerald Theatre

March 7

Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary | Xcel Energy Center

RIVERSIDE w. THE CYBERIAM DUO | Amsterdam Bar and Hall

March 8

MSHSL Boys State Hockey Tournament | Xcel Energy Center

Music Mayhem Trivia | Camp Bar

Lowertown Trivia Night @ Station 81 | Union Depot

Level Up at the Library! + Library After Dark: Game Night | George Latimer Central Library

March 9

MSHSL Boys State Hockey Tournament | Xcel Energy Center

March 10

MSHSL Boys State Hockey Tournament | Xcel Energy Center

A full look at what's coming in the week ahead can be found on our event calendar. Check it out!

Are you following the Alliance on Facebook? What about Instagram?

Event season is in full swing! Make sure you're following the Downtown Alliance on social media to stay up to date on all the latest downtown events and news. Plus, we do love giveaways, so you never know when you could end up with tickets, swag or other great downtown prizes.

@StPLdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org

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