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CHAMBER INFORMATION
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jill Presseller,
Chairperson, Gries Lenhardt Michenfelder Allen, PLLP
Kriss Mills
Past Chairperson,
Cabela's
Jeri Van Heel, Treasurer,
MVp Mechanical Service Co.
David Carlson,
Director, Tegrete Corporation
David Henningson,
Director, Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd.
Grady Kinghorn,
Director, Kinghorn Construction
Scott Mounger,
Director, OSTB Wealth Strategies
Catherine Reller, Director, Country Inn & Suites - Albertville
Kyle Sabot, Director,
Rogers Printing & Promotional
Bob Schlichte, Director,
Grand Casino Mille Lacs & Hinckley
Nick Shultz, Director,
First American Bank
Amy Valek, Director, J&B Group, Inc.
Sheila Zachman, Director, Commercial Realty Solutions
CHAMBER STAFF
Donna J. Hartley,
President
Sara Biren,
Marketing Director
Nate Anderson, Member Services
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
OUR MISSION
To promote partnerships between business, government, and community, while providing information and resources, therefore creating a positive environment for the I-94 West communities.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Please RSVP to
Sara Biren
for all events or
register/pay online.
Friday, February 6
7:30 am to 9 am
The Breakfast Club
The Legacy of
St. Michael
Sponsored by
Mettle Computer Solutions
 Monthly networking event. Breakfast provided by the Legacy of St. Michael $5 Members $10 Non-Members  Tues., February 10 The Night Club
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Pour Wine Bar & Bistro, Otsego After-hours networking
Wed., February 11
The Medina Club
11 am to 12 pm
Medina Police & Public Works FacilityNetworking group for local businesses. Sponsored by Farmers State Bank of Hamel   Wed., February 11FASTSIGNS
Ribbon Cutting Celebration2 pm6098 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center Join us as welcome FASTSIGNS to the Chamber! Tuesday, February 17Mardi Gras
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Holiday Inn Mpls NW - Elk River Wild Woods Water Park 9200 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego Wed., February 18Women's Leadership Forum
8:30 am to 10 am Country Inn & Suites - Albertville Sponsored by   Terri Thatcher Agency This month's featured speaker Kimbra Ness, Keller Williams Premier Realty
Spotlight Sponsor Northern Community Chiropractic Thurs., February 26Networking Luncheon: Print, Radio, Online, and Outdoor Advertising11 am to 12:30 pmDehn's Country Manor 11281 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove Featuring StarTribune, BOB FM, Crow River News, North Wright County Today, and Franklin Outdoor Advertising T hurs., February 26-Fri., February 27Grand Casino Hinckley TripCheck-in 4 pm Check-out 11 am Fun with fellow Chamber Members at a great rate! 
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NEW MEMBERS
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The Chamber is growing! Please click on the links below to learn more about our New Members. Serving Minnesota's 6th Congressional District Device Pitstop of Maple Grove13732 83rd Way Maple Grove, MN 55369 (763) 568-7578 Your one-stop solution for all your Computer, Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone needs. Edward Jones - Ross Vande VegteRogers, MN (763) 450-1559 A personal approach to financial advising. Forte Music Academy11011 61st Street NE, Ste. 130 Albertville, MN 55301 (763) 634-8527 Forte Music Academy offers music lessons in: Guitar, Voice, Violin, Viola, Piano, Drums, Bass Guitar, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, and Percussion. The Imprint Gallery7381 Mariner Drive Maple Grove, MN 55311 (763) 315-4321 Premier provider of advertising specialties, promotional items, apparel and awards/recognition products since 1998. Techmate400 Central Ave E St. Michael, MN 55376 (763) 515-3454 Repair and sales of smart phones, tablets, computers, laptops, and more. Voyageur Real Estate Group - Keller Williams Classic Realty NWBill Carrington7365 Kirkwood Ct, Suite 200 Maple Grove, MN 55369 (763) 234-2211 Real estate professional committed to working through the entire process in your best interest.
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RENEWING MEMBERS
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Thank you to the following Members that have recognized the value of their Chamber Membership and renewed their investment with the Chamber in January:
Albertville Premium Outlets
Bernings Auto Repair
Broadway Bar & Pizza
C. Emery Nelson
CenterPoint Energy
Central Bank
Central Hair Design
Commercial Door Systems
Dehn's Country Manor
Eull's Manufacturing
FOCALPOINT Flooring Cabinets Design
Fox Hollow Golf Club
Health Enhancement Therapies
K-Manufacturing, Inc.
Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church
Minnesota Association of Townships
Nova Care Rehabilitation
P & F Machining, Inc.
Partners in Pediatrics, Inc.
River Inn - Hanover
Roy C., Inc.
Shark Industries, Ltd.
Tegrete Corporation
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FROM THE CHAIR
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 Dear Chamber Members, January was a very busy month for the Chamber on a number of fronts. We said farewell to three Directors, with our sincere gratitude: Treasurer Jeff Mueller of 21st Century Bank, Deb Sammon of Coborn's of Albertville, and Brandi Nelson of Northeast Bank. We thank you for your service to the Chamber and to the members of our communities.
We also welcomed three new Board members: Nick Shultz of First American Bank, Amy Valek of J & B Group, and Sheila Zachman of Commercial Realty Solutions. The Chamber staff and Board of Directors look forward to working with them as they bring new ideas and experience to the group. January kicked off what promises to be a year filled with valuable and informative events for members and non-members alike. Several members attended the Minnesota Chamber's Session Priorities dinner, which featured a keynote address from Governor Mark Dayton and a round table panel discussion from legislative leaders on this session's top issues. At the end of the month, eight of our cities' leaders came together for the annual State of the Cities Luncheon. This year's municipal update drew the highest attendance we've seen for this event. Another hugely popular event, the Vine & Stein Wine & Craft Beer Tasting, was held at Rush Creek Golf Club on January 15. Many thanks to Pour Wine Bar, Thorpe Distributing, Westside Liquor, and Cub Foods for providing samples of wine, beer, and an artisan cheese selection. As always, the food and service at Rush Creek was excellent. Once again, jazz quintet Gibraltar provided entertainment. Our thanks to the Vine & Stein committee for their hard work. We have many more events planned for the year, and we hope you'll join us. We're happy to announce a premier opportunity for your company to become involved with all of our Signature Events - the new Diamond and Emerald Sponsorships - in addition to event-specific sponsorships. Please see below for more information on these exciting new opportunities to promote your business and support the Chamber. We hope to see you at one of our events soon! 
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MARDI GRAS
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Tuesday, February 17, 2015
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm :: $25 Members & Non-Members
Holiday Inn Mpls NW - Elk River & Wild Woods Water Park
9200 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego
Featuring Entertainment NOLA Style
by Charlie Lucas Live
Join us for an amazing evening of fun!
Mardi Gras Style Appetizers :: Cash Bar
Games & Prizes :: Duck Race :: Raffle :: Costume Contest
Mardi Gras Salad & Dip (Crab Pate)
Chicken & Andouille Gumbo
Smothered Okra
Fried Fish with Remoulade Sauce
Muffulette Sandwich
Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce
Games Courtesy of Boondox Bar & Grille
 SPONSOR THIS EVENT! CALL DJ AT 763-428-2921 FOR DETAILS. DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM HERE OR
REGISTER & PAY ONLINE
HERE
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| FEBRUARY RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATIONS | |
 Please join us for a
Ribbon Cutting Celebrations
to welcome FASTSIGNS
to the I-94 West Chamber!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
2 pm
6098 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center
Followed by:
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CHAMBER LUNCHEON
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Chamber Luncheon:
Print, Radio, Online, and Outdoor Advertising
Thursday, February 26, 2015
11 am to 12:30 pm
Dehn's Country Manor, Dayton
$15 Members :: $20 Non-Members
This is a great opportunity to network with your fellow businesses. You can present a 20 second commercial, network during the event, and enjoy lunch while hearing from local media outlets about how they can help you market your business.
Featuring:      Register Online
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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP FORUM
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Sponsored by
TERRI THATCHER AGENCY
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
8:30 am to 10:00 am
Country Inn & Suites - Albertville
6554 Lamplight Drive
** Please note location **
Light Breakfast Provided This month's
Featured Speaker: Kimbra Ness, Realtor The Spring Real Estate Market Getting Your Home Ready to Sell 
RSVP by Monday, February 16 sbiren@i94westchamber.org or 763-428-2921 or Register Online!
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JANUARY EVENTS
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Clockwise from top left: Gibraltar entertains at the Vine & Stein; Phil & Diane of Pour Bottle Shop at the Vine & Stein; State of the Cities Luncheon; Ribbon Cutting at Boondox
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Thanks to all who joined us for our January events!
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NEW SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
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We are pleased to introduce two Annual Sponsorship Levels, the Diamond Sponsor and the Emerald Sponsor. These sponsorships cover a twelve-month period and offer you a convenient, highly visible way to promote your business or organization while supporting the events, programming, and mission of the Chamber.
Diamond Sponsor $5,000 - Framed certificate acknowledging sponsorship
- Vinyl banner hanging at Chamber Office & events
- Listed as equivalent sponsor of Annual Dinner
- Listed as equivalent sponsor of Golf Tournament
- Recognition on all Chamber publications
- Banner ad on website
- Enhanced online directory listing
- Recognition on social media
- Foursome at Annual Golf Tournament
- Quarterly recognition in printed newsletter
- Table for eight (8) at Annual Dinner
- Recognition in Chamber Directory 1/4 page
- $250 reduction from membership dues
- Rolling sponsor on event screen
- Logo & direct link in monthly emailed newsletter
Emerald Sponsor $3,000 - Framed certificate acknowledging sponsorship
- Vinyl banner hanging at Chamber Office & events
- Recognition on all Chamber publications
- Enhanced online directory listing
- Logo on website
- Recognition on social media
- Monthly recognition in email newsletter
- Quarterly recognition in printed newsletter
- Four tickets to Annual Dinner
- Twosome at Annual Golf Tournament
- Recognition in Chamber Directory
- $250 reduction from membership dues
- Rolling sponsor on event screen
- Logo & direct link in monthly emailed newsletter
Please contact DJ at the Chamber office
to secure your Annual Sponsorship today!
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SAVE THE DATE
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Business & Community
Excellence Awards
Thursday, April 9, 2015
8 am to 10 am
The Crown Room
at the Wellstead of Rogers
Featuring Keynote Address by
Dan Dixon, President/CEO
Guardian Angels of Elk River
More details and nomination form
available soon!
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FROM THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER
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Join us March 3 for Business Day NOT at the Capitol
By Bill Blazar
Gov. Mark Dayton has released his budget for the next two years, signaling once again that he has little interest in making progress on Minnesota's competitiveness. The statewide business community needs to send a united message to the governor and legislators: Use the state's projected $1 billion surplus to reduce some of our uncompetitive business taxes.
March 3 is the perfect opportunity. Please join the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and our local chamber partners for our annual Business Day NOT at the Capitol.
There's a twist to our event this year. The State Capitol is under construction, so we are bringing the lawmakers to you. All activities will be at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul - Riverfront. We promise a new format and new opportunities.
Nothing makes a better impression on our elected officials than hearing firsthand from their constituents. Business Day NOT at the Capitol is the perfect venue to learn the latest about issues that affect your bottom line and deliver a personal message to policy decision-makers. Let legislators know how decisions at the Capitol affect your ability to grow in Minnesota and compete in the global economy.
Morning and luncheon keynote speakers will energize you for the afternoon. The event is also a chance to:
- Network with your peers from across Minnesota.
- Rally with your recognized region of the state.
- Quiz key legislators on hot topics from education to transportation to environment.
Minnesota is enjoying some of its best economic times in recent years with a projected surplus of more than $1 billion for the next two-year budget cycle, growing to $3 billion for the following two years. The governor's budget, unfortunately, missed the opportunity to provide tax relief. He used the majority of the surplus to lock in long-term, permanent spending, raising taxes on some employers, and increasing fees.
His recommendations are disappointing and shortsighted. Businesses and individuals absorbed a series of tax increases in 2013 that topped $2 billion. Budget surpluses in 2013 and 2014 - in the billions of dollars - clearly present a chance to make Minnesota businesses more competitive and ensure more investment is made in our state.
Attend Business Day NOT at the Capitol and send the message: This is not the time to raise taxes again. Use this opportunity to ease some of the cost burdens on employers to best position Minnesota in a changing and growing economy.
As one employer, your voice can be a whisper. Combine it with hundreds of others, and your voice becomes a roar. Your voice makes a difference. We look forward to seeing you March 3.
Bill Blazar is interim president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
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