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Upcoming Events
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June 11: 4:30PMJoint After Hours Event
Midway Chamber &
St. Paul Area Chamber
at the
Minnesota Boat ClubJazz Festival Kickoff SPACE LIMITEDRSVP to Travis today!June 17: 11:30AMAnnual MeetingTown and Country ClubSpeaker:
Stan Hubbard, Sr.
Hubbard BroadcastingRSVP on Evite Today!
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Midway on the Fairway Tournament
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The Midway on the Fairway Tournament was won this year at 12 under par by Jim Ostlund and Skip Krawcyzk of Park Midway Bank, Devin O'Neil from Wells Fargo Advisors and Rickey Young. Our longest putt winners were Mark Ciampione (Braun Intertec) and Katie Morris, our longest drives were Mark DeVine (Guaranteed Clean maintenance) and Terri Fleming (Park midway Bank) and our closest to the hole was Mike Russel (Sussel Builders).
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Announcing the University Avenue Clean Team!
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Join the Midway Chamber, Midway Training Services and our amazing sponsors in keeping University Avenue clean of litter and debris! Get all the details and sign up here.
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New on MidwayChamber.com
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For more frequent information, check out the Midway Chamber's blog. It has news on everything that's happening in the chamber, information on new members, social media tips and information and you can comment and interact with other Midway Chamber Members there! Also remember to check out Midway Chamber Live for news not only from the chamber, but from your community and the business world. You can also access all of the Midway Chamber's Social Media Platforms from the links on the left hand side. And if you're a visual person, be sure to check out the pictures from chamber events on the Midway Chamber's Facebook page. |
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Staples Affinity Program
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There's now an easy button just for Midway Chamber Members! With 80,000 items to choose from and free delivery, what more could you want? You can get more information on this program here.
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Corporate Technologies Affinity Program
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Today a group of centrally located technicians can offer 1) better
care, 2) faster response, 3) more preventative maintenance for less
money than a dedicated full-time IT employee. A national leader in this new model of computer support is Corporate
Technologies LLC. Get more information here.
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11th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival
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Our June 11th After Hours will also be a kickoff event for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival! Allen Toussaint headlines the Friday, June 19th free concert in Mears Park. Other notables coming are Esperanza Spalding and Alex Han. This event is going to be huge and will definitely be happening at a location near you! Visit twincitiesjazzfestival.com for a full lineup of this exciting event!
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Midway Developments
from The Pioneer Press
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Hamline University's University CenterA new 70,000-square-foot student center promises to be a delicate issue, so Hamline has been taking it cautiously. The university is showing "concepts" to neighbors, faculty, staff and students to shop around ideas - and raise money for a groundbreaking next year. The University Center, a campus commons for more than just undergrads, is one part of a five-year vision that includes student housing and the extension of the campus border a block south to Minnehaha Avenue. Concordia Univeristy's Sea Foam StadiumThe University of Minnesota isn't the only school building a new gridiron. the lights recently went up for the Golden Bears at Concordia's NCAA Division II 2,000-seat, seasonally domed stadium, which will hose football, soccer and track. Progress on the $6.8 million project can be viewed at cugoldenbears.com. Completion of the first phase, including the air-supported dome by St. Paul-based Yeadon Fabric Domes, is scheduled for August. Later phases include an expansion to 3,000 seats and an addition of a building for locker rooms, weight rooms, and athletic offices. The stadium's name comes from $5.5 million in donations by executives from the Sea Foam Sales Co. 2700 Univeristy AvenueAt one point, Wellington Management had proposed a $24.3 million, nine-story building that, from the top down, would have apartments, offices, a grocery store at the fround level and three levels of underground parking. Now, it's a five-story plan: a grocery store and four floors of offices, with housing gone. Frogtown SquareA similar idea - commercial space facing University Avenue topped by three stories of housing with underground parking - has been delayed a year. The developer, a collaboration of community development corporations known as North East Dale University LLC, is hoping to complete financing this summer for the $13 million project, which includes 20,000 square feet of commercial space and 46 units of senior rentals. More than $2 million in government grants or loans have been committed so far. Selby/VictoriaGlobal realty had proposed a $5.9 million, mixed-use project for the city-owned land at Selby Avenue and Victoria Street, but it stalled and deadlines passed. Now city officials plan to go back to the drawing board and seek out a new developer. The Lyric at Carleton PlaceThis second phase of Johnson Brothers and the Cornerstone Group's Carleton Place Lofts is under construction. it contains about 175 apartments that will be marketed to the arts corwd. Scheduled to open next spring, the new building will feature a space for tenants to display their work, rooftop amenities - hot tub, sauna, greenhouse and garden plots - and 235 underground parking spaces.
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Greetings!
Did you know that the Midway Chamber is wrapping up it's 90th year representing St. Paul Businesses?!? And did you know that Hubbard Broadcasting is celebrating their 60th year as a Midway Chamber member?! Join us in celebrating these wonderful anniversaries and honoring Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. as our Business of the Year!
June 17th, 2009
11:30-1:30PM
Town & Country Club
300 Mississippi River Boulevard
Special Guest Speaker: Stan S. Hubbard
$30
11:30-12:00 Registration/Networking
12-1:30 Lunch and Awards Ceremony
To RSVP to our June 17th Luncheon, click here.
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Chair's Article
by Bob Hughes, Pioneer Press
A Very Successful Year for our 90th
Anniversary!!
I love this quote: "It takes 20 years to be an overnight
success!" by Eddie Cantor. For the Midway Chamber it has been a cumulative
effect of 90 years of participation of businesses and business leaders like
you!
Success never happens overnight or at one speed-networking
event. Successful partnerships and business relationships are the end result of
cumulative efforts to connect with your potential customers. As I approach the
end of my appointment of Chair of the Midway Chamber of Commerce I can't help
but be proud of the fabulous turn out and enthusiasm I witnessed throughout our
2009-2010 season of events.
- September - Asst. Chief
Tom Smith/St. Paul Police& VoteYes Initiative
Assistant Chief Tom Smith wowed
us with a behind the scenes description of the security challenges they faced
during the RNC events in St Paul.
- October - Stevie Ray's
Improv Group
I loved this event, the crowd had
the opportunity to roar with pleasure during the most tenuous time of the
nation's economic challenges and in the height of the negativity of political
campaigns.
- November - Dan
Hill/Sensory Logic
The best event ever at O'Gara's!
The room was so crowded we had members eating lunch at the bar, but no one
minded. The presentation was fascinating, only the Midway Chamber could provide
a speaker routinely seen on national media!
- December - Non Profit
Spotlight
It was an awesome display to see
90% (50) of our nonprofit members profiled in our own power point presentation
and more then 30 of those represented at the luncheon.
- January - Bill
Knowles/Salt Lake City LRT Mitigation Consultant
It was a packed room with many
guests who were able to hear directly from someone who has actually worked on a
number of light rail projects and what he has found to work and not work
regarding business mitigation efforts across the country.
- February - Jason
Swartz/Padilla Speer Beardsley
Wow, it was evident that our
group desperately needed some guidance and explanation of what the heck social
media is and how it works. You could hear a pin drop and people were taking
notes!
- March - Governor Tim
Pawlenty
By far the best event of the
season! No matter your political leanings, Governor Pawlenty gave a great
speech to over 200 guests and members that in return gave him a standing
ovation!
- April - Shelley
White/National Alliance on Mental Illness
We received many compliments on
this presentation; very timely information when so many of us are dealing with
overly stressed family members and colleagues.
- May - Kou Vang and Dr.
Bruce Corrie/ Concordia University
Ok, this might really have been
my favorite event! Over 120 people overcame their tentative thoughts about
being in a funeral home and were rewarded with a fascinating story about the
Hmong culture from our own Kou Vang. It was great story telling, fun, great
food and educational, we had over the top high marks from our
attendees!
Total Attendence for our 9 luncheons to date: 1,050
members and guests!!! That is amazing turnout for a challenging year!
The best is yet to come! Now is the time to join our yearlong
effort where we have literally chosen not to participate in the recession! At
least for an hour and a half! Please join us for our 90th Annual
Meeting at the Town and Country Club, Wednesday June 17th- to hear Stanley S.
Hubbard of Hubbard Broadcasting. We are honored to have the opportunity to
hear about the challenges of Mr. Hubbard as he as successfully led Hubbard
Broadcasting through such amazing changes of the fast paced industry of
broadcasting. We are also pleased that this happens to be the 60th
year that Hubbard Broadcasting has been a member of the Midway Chamber of
Commerce!
Of course we also had a tremendously successful gala,
softball tournament, golf tournament, great after hours events, a completely
revamped website (due to our great hire Travis O'Neil), newly engaged
Ambassador's team led by David Dominick and Julie Novak and the creation of the
University Ave Clean Team in partnership with Midway Training Services.
We need you to stay engaged, there is so much more to come
over the next few years. The signficance of the existence of the Midway Chamber
has never been as evident as it is now with the Central Corridor light rail
finally moving into a construction stage by the end of next summer. Thank you
so much for your support, it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as board
chair. We will be in great hands as our current Vice Chair, Tom Whaley with the
St Paul Saints takes over for next year!
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Member Notes
MetroPlains Management is undertaking a multi- focused initiative at the Spruce Tree Centre, where the Midway Chamber is headquartered, to utilize solar energy, reduce energy usem recycle more waste and promote a more environmentally concious office experience. With the help of a grant from Xcel Energy, the new solar panel system will be one of the largest solar installations in Minnesota. MetroPlains is in the process of becoming LEED certified by the U.S. green Building Council.
Western Bank announced today that Al Emory, VP of commercial banking, recently
received the Distinguished Leader Award from the YMCA of Greater St. Paul
for his involvement as a board
member of the Midway Family YMCA and the Y Partners campaign chair.
American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET) a leading engineering consulting firm
congratulates Thomas P. Venema on his election to
President of the Council of American
of Structural Engineers of Minnesota (CASE/MN) for the 2009-2010 term. Mr.
Venema was sworn in at the CASE/MN Annual Seminar and Tradeshow on May 12, 2009.
He is currently serving as Vice President of the CASE/MN group.
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New Midway Chamber Member, Diehl and Partners, LLC
See all of our new member profiles on the Midway Chamber Blog!
Main Contact for the Chamber: Lisa L. Diehl
Title:
Principal
How long has the company been in operation: One Year
Company's Mission Statement: Skilled direction for your real estate needs.
What do you hope to gain from your Chamber membership: Diehl and Partners, LLC is dedicated to assisting
owners within the St. Paul Midway area with their real estate needs. Principal, Lisa Diehl is involved with the
Midway Chamber Economic Development Committee and is committed to working with
the successful business owners in the Midway area of St. Paul
Accomplishments/Company Background Information: Diehl and Partners, LLC, founded in 2008
by Lisa L. Diehl, CCIM, CPM was created to meet the full range of real estate
brokerage, consulting and development for the needs of property and business
owners. Known for its integrity and
strategic partnership, Diehl and Partners, has 23 years of real estate experience
including: property management, retail,
brokerage, site selection and development.
The partner's individual creativity and dedication to
service have been key factors in the company's success in assisting its client's
real estate needs. Diehl and Partners
works in unison to identify and implement innovative real estate solutions for
their client's objectives.
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Socialization of the Media Landscape
By Jason Swartz
Today's media world is changing at speeds much faster than your household broadband. One change in particular - the rise of social media - has the potential to both positively and negatively affect your company and its brand. That's because YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and other popular social media outlets and communities are shifting the control of information to audiences, altering the marketing landscape.
Social media is broadly defined as the merging of new technologies and social interaction. Think "word of mouth" for the Web, or what many marketing professionals refer to as "word of mouse." In this vast online community, end-users and customers have the tools and the opportunity to share information and speak their minds with peers.
Some of the new technologies fueling this movement include easy-to-use blog soft ware that allows anyone and everyone to instantly write or "post" their opinions for the world to see. Simple content-management tools also provide easy uploading and sharing of images and video.
The result: social media has transformed today's consumers from content subscribers into content publishers. And what they're saying can help you or hurt you in the court of public opinion.
Many businesses find these new communications channels a little frightening, mainly because talking to consumers traditionally has been a fairly safe, one-way process. All companies had to do was create a TV commercial, record a radio spot or buy a newspaper ad - and then hope for business to start booming.
But the realm of social media is ruled by dialog. And as in any social setting, that can be difficult if you're the subject of discussion. In fact, you may not even be invited into the conversation.
So what's a company to do?
ENGAGE
However frightening, social media should be embraced. Reason number one is reality - these discussions among your most influential customers will, rest assured, go on with or without you. That said, social media gives businesses the opportunity to join in the conversation, and help build a larger network of brand champions to spread your message and influence action.
After all, consumers are more likely to buy from a company that was recommended by a friend, than one recommended by the company's marketing staff. Social media also allows companies to talk with their customers instead of at them.
Engaging with your target audiences can happen through any of several social media channels. Launch a corporate blog, or find and comment on other influential blogs in your industry. Create a viral video that can be shared across the Internet or employ content syndication, which can also be shared within a large community and allow third parties to repurpose your material for their own use. Perhaps the safest and surest route to get started is to do your own social networking through established online communities like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.
Before engaging, however, it's important to understand and respect the unwritten rules of each social media avenue. Consider two real world examples from two well-known brands - one great, the other a great example of what not to do.
SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS
Doritos created its "Crash the Super Bowl" campaign in 2007. This consumer-generated contest gave average people a chance to produce their very own Doritos commercial, upload it to the Web and have a shot at the grand prize: having their video aired live during the Super Bowl.
But the winning video wasn't decided by Doritos. Instead, the general public voted via a customized Web site created specifically for the contest, which also allowed users to comment and share their opinions on the contestants. This contest contained all the ingredients for a successful social media campaign - it engaged consumers by giving them an interesting subject for discussion, it provided a convenient platform for the conversation and it generated a lot of buzz for the Doritos brand in the process.
SOCIAL MEDIA BLUNDER
On the flip side, Wal-Mart found a way to display the deceiving and downright ugly side of social media. In September 2006, a blog entitled, "Walmarting Across America," was born. The premise was based on an everyday American couple, Jim and Laura, documenting their RV journey from Las Vegas to Georgia via a blog - camping out in Wal-Mart parking lots along the way.
During their travels, the couple interviewed Wal-Mart employees, all of whom expressed extreme enthusiasm about working for the mega-retailer. Such widespread sentiment raised a small but very red flag in the minds of media watchers. Shortly after Jim and Laura's journey began, they were uncovered as fakes.
Jim and Laura's blog was actually a "flog" (fake blog). It turned out that Wal-Mart's PR firm not only created the flog, but also developed the content published by "Jim," (actually a staff photographer for The Washington Post) and "Laura," (a real-life freelance writer), both of whom had been hired for the campaign.
The differences between these two examples are many, but transparency is probably the most outstanding. Doritos created a campaign that was open and straightforward.
Wal-Mart did not. Consumers are smart, certainly a lot smarter than most executives assume. As legendary advertising man David Ogilvy once said, "The consumer isn't a moron; she is your wife."
Besides respecting the rules of engagement for social media, it's also important to ask yourself what you expect to gain and what avenue best fits your goal. Not all social media channels make sense for all brands.
For example, a company selling life insurance and retirement plans may not be the best candidate for a viral video, mainly because the content isn't all that entertaining (a requisite for most successful viral videos). However, that same company might consider, for example, a branded Web site that provides a forum where future retirees can interact and share stories about their retirement plans, possibly with a promotional or contest element.
As technology and the speed of Internet information continue to advance, social media will play an increasingly important role in the way companies communicate with customers. Online is going mainstream, so now is the time to get in on the conversation. Assess your goals, find ways to leverage social media opportunities and take an open, honest approach to gain a competitive advantage.
Jason Swartz is a web marketer and copywriter for Padilla Speer Beardsley, a multi-specialty communications consulting firm with headquarters in Minneapolis and an office in New York. Jason majored in creative advertising at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and earned a bachelor's degree from the school of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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Remember we have our last Chamber Luncheon until September on June 17th. Check out the Evite Here and we'll see you there!
Sincerely,
Lori Fritts
Midway Chamber of Commerce |
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