Chamber Connection AM 

No Chamber Connections until September.

Have a great summer!

Member Corner Updates

~  Nothing to report this week.

Ambassadors Present

1st Dollars 

Kinetico

4078 Hwy 71 NE

Willmar, MN

(320) 235-7935

Pictured left to right: Nancy Miller, Mary Hagen, Joe Cook (staff), Jessie Jacobson, Greg Swenson, laura Borgerding, Nicole Franzwa and Marie Kragenbring (staff). 

Grand Central Dance Station

102 6th Street SW

Willmar, MN

(320) 894-0205

Pictured left to right: Nicole Franzwa, Laura Borgerding, Nancy Miller, Mary Hagen, LaChandrea Kraus (owner), Greg Swenson, Ali Slagter (instructor), Maggie Gauer (instructor) and Jessie Jacobson.

Coaching: Improving Employee Performance

June 16 ~ 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Willmar Conference Center

$30 for NeXt members; $40 for prospective members

Coaching isn't an addition to a leader's job - it's an integral part of it.  Becoming an outstanding coach requires that you help each individual on your team.  This session will help you develop POSITIVE POWER through:

• Creating a constructive, winning climate on your team
• Leading your team to improved performance by providing feedback and recognition
• Dealing with people on the team who don't carry their load
• Setting the pace for your team to be successful

To Register ~ (320) 235-0300

or email next@willmarareachamber.com

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NeXt Social/Networking Opportunities

* June 15th ~ Take Me Out to the Ball Game (see article at right)

* June 16th ~ 5:30 p.m.

Green Mill ~ Social

EE-Promotions Advertising Opportunity

Chamber Referral Program

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and its partners need your help answering a big question - How will Minnesotans get around locally, regionally and statewide in 50 years?

This spring, MnDOT launched Minnesota GO, a new initiative to develop a long range vision for transportation in the state.  In west central/southwest Minnesota, you can add your thoughts about the future of transportation by attending a public workshop in Willmar on Tuesday, June 7th at 6:30 p.m at the Large Outreach Room at Ridgewater College.

To make the most of this effort, they need to hear from people of all backgrounds who will think broadly about future transportation needs.  Participants will have an opportunity to share ideas and opinions in small groups.  This insight will help them make decisions about transportation priorities around Minnesota now and for future generations.

After they complete all eight public hearings throughout the state, the 31 member Minnesota GO Steering Committee will review feedback and related research.  Then, they will draft and recommend a vision statement and set of objectives and will hold a public hearing on the proposed vision in July.

The reality is that our infrastructure is aging, which makes establishing a vision and set of objectives even more important.  MnDOT and other transportation organizations will use the vision and information from this project to develop short term and long term plans for all transportation modes.

To find out about more, visit Minnesota GO at www.minnesotago.org.

Get Your Tickets Today! 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Chamber Mixer

Wednesday, June 15th

Bill Taunton Stadium

Cost $25 per ticket

Join us on Wednesday, June 15th for the "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" Chamber Mixer!

Gates open at 6:05 p.m.  Food catered by Heglund Catering will be served from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  Only 100 tickets available, so don't wait to long to register!

To register click here, call the Chamber at 235-0300 or email chamber@willmarareachamber.com.

We hope to see you there!

Worksite Wellness Roundtable

Wednesday, June 15th

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Willmar Conference Center - Gallery 5

Willmar Lakes Area CEO's, COO's and Business Owners are invited to attend a Worksite Health Roundtable on June 15th from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Willmar Conference Center in Gallery 5.  This event has been crafted with the understanding that the influence of our business and community leaders is critical in improving the health of Minnesotans.

Topics will be from the standpoint of what the owner or president can do to influence positive change.  Don Klassen, founder of The Presidents Network, will faciltiate the roundtable.

Purpose: Expand the number of leaders in the community committed to driving down the costs of health care and improving the overall health of our employees and community.

Focus: Worksite practices and policies that can be initiated, maintained and sustained over time.

For more information, please visit www.president-network.com.

To RSVP please email Don Klassen at dklassen@skypoint.com.

18th Annual Aggie Open

June 27 - 11 a.m. Shotgun Start

Islane Pine Golf Course, Atwater

Cost - $65/person

Purpose ~ The Aggie Open is designed to "invite" both ag related businesses and farm producers to participate in a golf event, strengthen networking relationships and promote agriculture.

Format ~

• 11 a.m. shotgun start at Island Pine Golf Course in Atwater
• Limited to the first 144 golf registrations
• Foursomes will be coordinated by the Chamber if a foursome is not indicated
• Each foursome will receive two golf carts at registration

 Other Details ~

• Come early and warm up for an afternoon of great golfing!  The driving range will be open from 9 - 10:30 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. shotgun start.  Golfers must register first before using the driving range.
• Island Pine will provide lunch items from 10 - 11 a.m.
• Great door prizes including gift certificates

If you would like to register for the Aggie Open call the Chamber office at 235-0300 or email mnegen@willmarareachamber.com.

Entries must be received by June 20th.

Chamber Unveils QR Codes

The Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announces our QR (Quick Response) Code for www.willmarareachamber.com and www.willmar.com websites.

The QR Code provides you with a user-friendly format for accessing our website when "on the go" or in the Willmar Lakes Area.  The QR Code can be downloaded from any smart phone.  You can find the application for your phone by searching Barcode Scanner in the market.  To use this application, follow these simple steps:  Use your phone to hover over the QR Code and it will automatically take a picture of the QR Code which then prompts you to a new screen that shows the website address.

Some avenues where the QR scanner code will be included is: the e-newsletter, the Chamber Newsletter in the West Central Tribune and on our Willmar & Kandiyohi County map. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber at 235-0300.