Happy (almost) New Year! As we look back on 2022, we can't help but reminisce on some of the highlights that made it an unforgettable year, thanks to YOU!

 

Great Events: Through 2022, you helped us pull off some unforgettable events. The Bags and Brew series and the Chamber Open were fun and memorable ways to fundraise and network throughout the summer. The Business Awards Luncheon and Star Celebration allowed us to honor some truly impressive professionals in the area. And the Central MN Farm Show made a triumphant and very successful return to St. Cloud!

 

New Members: From January through December, 2022 we welcomed 123 new members to the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce! That's 123 more potential connections, relationships, and opportunities to engage in the St. Cloud business community. Welcome to all of our new members, and to our existing members, thank you for your continued support! 

 

Engagement & Growth: In 2022, the Business Development Council planned and hosted 10 Lunchtime Learning sessions. The Marketing Committee helped with the launch of our new website and the beginning stages of a new marketing plan for the Chamber. The Government Affairs Division hosted a variety of events from a public safety panel to candidate meet and greets plus the annual Washington DC trip. The Connectors Committee was launched and is ramping up new member efforts. The Top Hat Ambassadors attended over a hundred combined events, photo visits and more. And 30 people graduated from the Leadership Program after spending 9 months learning and growing.

 

Networking, of course: We would be remiss not to mention the extensive amount of networking opportunities that you helped us provide in 2022. There were dozens of Business After Hours events, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park Chamber events, and New Member Mixer events. Plus, of course, 45 Chamber Connection meetings throughout the year. You all SHOWED UP to connect, learn, and grow! 

 

All of this plus so much more made 2022 an incredible year for our Chamber, and has made us even more grateful for all that our members do to insure our success as an organization. Cheers to a great year behind, and an even better one ahead! 

Register now to attend the Regional Cities Priorities Breakfast on January 18, 2023 at the Chamber Office. Enjoy a light breakfast and hear from area City leadership. Learn about city projects, bonding requests, and issues important to our six area cities during the 2023 legislative session.

Join us at Beaver Island Brewing Co. from 5 - 7 p.m. on January 18 for Tending for a Cause! $1 from every pint purchased & ALL tips will be donated back to the Farm Show Scholarship, which is awarded annually to students pursuing a career in agriculture in the Central MN area.

Here are a few more important dates to put on your calendar, but don't forget to check out our full events calendar for even more.

• Chamber Connection: No Chamber Connection - New Year's (12/30/2022)
• Lunchtime Learning: Business Succession & Continuity Planning - What Owners & Managers Need to Know 1/4/23 (1/4/2023)
• Chamber Connection: St. Cloud Area Chamber (1/6/2023)
• NEXT - Chamber's Emerging Leaders Meeting - 1/10/2023 (1/10/2023)
• New Member Mixer (1/10/2023)
• Chamber Connection: St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (1/13/2023)
• Waite Park Chamber Meeting 1/18/23 (1/18/2023)

With the goal of keeping members informed and up to date, these news bites feature local, regional and national news items that relate to the business community in Central Minnesota. 

 

LOCAL

Athena Award recipient announced: Each year, The Women's Fund honors an exceptional woman leader who inspires others to achieve excellence personally and professionally. Learn more about this year's winner, Geni Bechtold. 

 

Scholarships Available: The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for high school and college students. Learn more

 

Q4 Quarterly Business Review: The fourth and last Quarterly Business Report of 2022 for the St. Cloud Area has been released. View it here

 

STATE & NATIONAL

 

Grants awarded to startups: Launch Minnesota has awarded over $380,000 in innovation grants to startups. Learn more

 

Business benchmarks: The Minnesota Chamber has release their 2023 Minnesota Business Benchmark Report. Check it out

 

New guidance from the IRS: The IRS has released guidance on energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits. Learn More

 

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Thank you to all of these Chamber members who celebrated milestone anniversaries of Chamber membership in November, 2022. We are so grateful for your continued support!

Lunchtime Learning Spring 2023

The Lunchtime Learning schedule for spring 2023 has officially been released! See below for all the great topics and speakers lined up for the spring season. 

February 1

Topic: Mental Health Matters - Supporting Your Employees

Speakers: Kelly Doss, Resiliency Coaching; Laura Holzheimer, Central Minnesota Mental Health Center; DeAnn Burns, Functional Industries

Sponsor: Mindology

 

March 1

Topic: Quickbooks Tips, Tricks & Reports; Advice from an Expert

Speaker: Mason Schirmer, Money Matters

Sponsor: Frandsen Bank & Trust

 

 

April 5

Topic: Get a Grip on your Business; 6 Steps to Getting what you Want from your Entrepreneurial Company

Speaker: Steven Andres, EOS Worldwide

Sponsor: Dan Kramer, Inc.

May 4

Topic: Gone Phishing? Don?t Get Caught Unprepared - Cybersecurity 

Speaker: InteleCONNECT, Inc.

Sponsor: RTA LLC

 

June 7

Topic: Create A Culture of Giving

Speaker: Kate Bjorge,

Initiative Foundation

Sponsor: Regional Diagnostic Radiology, Alliance Imaging, The Vein Center Laser Treatment & MedSpa

 

Learn More

Read full session descriptions and speaker bios by clicking the link below.

Get a Season Pass!

Did you know you can purchase a season pass to attend all 5 Spring 2023 Lunchtime Learning sessions for the price of 4? Contact us at 656-3826 or email Registrations@StCloudAreaChamber.com to purchase yours!

The Central MN Farm Show, February 28 & March 1, is the largest indoor show of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Attendees come from Minnesota and the tri-state area to enjoy two days of focused agricultural opportunity. 

• 200+ Exhibitors with 350+ Booths
• 3,500 visitors from MN, SD, WI, IA and NE
• Keynote and Topic on the Hour Guest Speakers
• Daily Giveaways

Register to be an exhibitor now using the link below!

Register by February 1st to make sure your name is listed in the Farm Show program.

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com