We know you're busy, and that your time is valuable. We also know that the Chamber has a ton of events taking place each month! It can be hard to keep track of everything that's going on, but we are here to help! Here are some tips to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

• Email Reminders: If you regularly attend Chamber Connection, Sauk Rapids Chamber or Waite Park Chamber, you may already get email reminders before each event with host and location information. If you aren't currently getting those reminders though and you want to, email Shelly and she will get you on the lists!
• Save the Social Media Graphic:  Each month we compile a simple calendar graphic with all our events and post it on Facebook. Save it to your phone so you can keep it handy! Here's the August calendar.
• Print the calendar. More of a paper person? You can print the website calendar! On the calendar, make sure you have calendar view selected then click the print icon. 

• Add to your Calendar: Every event on the Chamber's website calendar has the option to add it to your email calendar. Simply click the share button near the title of the event and click Add to Calendar. Email Emily if you need help.

When in doubt, you can always give the Chamber office a call and we will help make sure you don't miss a thing. We hope to see you a lot as summer winds down, have a great August!

NEXT Emerging Leaders is hosting a VISITOR DAY on August 8th! This is your chance to come learn more about this great group of young professionals. Register now to attend!

Business After Hours is hosted by Bremer Bank on Wednesday, August 16th from 4:30-6:30pm. Come anytime to network, check out their new facility, and have some fun! 

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.

With the goal of keeping you 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

Downtown revitalization - 16 projects were approved for Main Street Economic Revitalization grants, totaling $1.5 million in upgrades for downtown. Learn more

 

Midwest Cybersecurity and Technology Summit - The Midwest Cybersecurity and Technology Summit takes place on August 17th from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Delta by Marriot in Fargo, ND and Livestream. You can attend for free!

 

New laws as of August 1st. The start of August brings several new laws into effect. Here's what you need to know. 

 

STATE & NATIONAL

Sick and safe leave is coming. Starting January 1, 2024, Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law requires employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state. Here's how you can prepare.

 

Inflation is on the decline... but we're not out of the woods yet.  Core prices, which strips out volatile elements like food and energy, rose 4.8% on an annual basis and 0.2% from May to June. Learn more

 

As August blows in... So do new laws surrounding the use of recreational marijuana. So, when and where can you legally light up? The answer is hazy.

 

LIBERTY. The Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform This Year (LIBERTY) Campaign was formed by the US Chamber to call upon Congress to enact measures this year to improve border security and the legal immigration system. Here's how this affects you.

 - Sponsored Content -

We were no strangers to marketing when we opened our doors in 2018, but these five years alone have presented unique challenges and new opportunities for success. We are extremely grateful to all of our clients, family, and friends who have supported us. Here's to many more years!

Thank you to all of these Chamber members who celebrated milestone anniversaries of Chamber membership in July 2023. We are so grateful for your continued support!

SAVE ALL THE DATES!

With autumn fast-approaching, the Chamber event calendar is getting FULL. Make sure you don't miss out on any of the action - save the dates for all of these special events!

Friday, Aug. 25 | 7:30-9am

Holiday Inn & Suites

Pulling off Chamber Connection every Friday morning is no easy feat, so we honor our dedicated chairs each year at the Gavel Change! Give Mike a friendly farewell, enjoy an entertaining meeting, welcome Michelle as chair and meet the new vice-chair! 

Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 5-8pm

Park Event Center

The Star Celebration is the Annual Meeting for the Chamber. The evening includes hors d'oeuvres, networking, and a short program where we take a look back at the past 12 months and also recognize the outstanding Chamber volunteers.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 | 7:30am - 1pm

Chamber Office

During this half-day summit, we'll learn how to integrate DEI practices into business from the standpoints of race, gender, sexual orientation and ability, and how to translate what you learn into actionable steps for your business. You will not want to miss this event!

Thursday, Oct. 5 | 8-9am

Chamber Office

Membership Maximizer is an introduction to the Chamber and how it works. This is open to all Chamber members and their employees whether you are new to the Chamber or you just want to learn more about all the opportunities we offer to our members.

Join us on Thursday, August 17th at Back Shed Brewing from 5pm-8pm for a member social! Look forward to:

• Live music by Two for the Road
• Jimmy Z's Food Truck
• Free Back Shed Brewing beer and door prize drawing every half hour
• Good times and great networking!

Member Socials are a great way to get to know other Chamber members (and their families!) in a relaxed setting. There is no need to register, so bring a guest and come and go as you need. We hope to see you there!

Of course, there's always much more. Visit the Chamber calendar for a full list of events. 

The Marketing Committee is a behind-the-scenes committee that serves as the sounding board and idea generator for all things marking when it comes to the Chamber. The group helps other committees when they need marketing advice and also serves as the Chamber's marketing department. Over the course of the last year, the group has been working on a new mission and vision for the Chamber as well as a marketing plan, campaign creative, and more!

Current Marketing Committee Members

• Rachael Sogge, Eyecon Graphics - Chair
• Dennis Host, Coborn's, Inc.
• Sarah Forystek, Vye
• Brittney Goebel, North Creative Co.
• Rich Thul, DeZURIK
• Cristy Lahr, Re/Max - The Janel Morgan Team
• Tina Johanning, Anna Marie's Alliance
• Jason Hallonquist, AIS Planning
• Kris Crandall, Crandall Helpdesk
• April Good, AMG Promotions & Apparel
• Mike McLaughlin, Screen Time Indoor Billboard

Learn More about the Committee

You do not need to work in a marketing role to be an important asset to this committee and to the Chamber. If marketing is something you enjoy or even want to learn more about, this could be a great fit!

 

To learn more about joining this committee, reach out to chair Rachael Sogge, Eyecon Graphics to get started. The committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 8am to 9:15am at the Chamber office. 

Happy Summer!

Starting on 5/26, the Chamber office will be closed at noon on Fridays through the summer. We will also be closed July 3rd and 4th. Happy Independence Day!

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West Saint Germain Street, ste. 101

St. Cloud, Minnesota, 56301

 

320-251-2940

StCloudAreaChamber.com