May 12, 2014

Golf Classic Hits the Ground Running

This year's 2014 DCR Chamber Golf Classic is filling up

fast - with only a handful of team spots left, it is sure to be a sold out event. There are currently over 25 companies sponsoring the event. If your company wants the chance to sponsor, make sure to take advantage of this opportunity by signing up with this form.

Silent Auction Announced

This year's event will feature a silent auction, as well as our traditional wine and beer pull. Each year, the donations we receive and our sponsor's generosity make this day possible. Please consider supporting our event by donating gift certificates, merchandise or services. If you have something to donate, please fill out this form or let us know by email.

DCR Chamber Intern/Mentorship Program

Weekly Blog: Kristen Howland

How Smart Phones Affect Your Business:

Every day we see people glued to their smart phones, so we often view smart phones in a negative way; however, smart phones are very useful to businesses. Smart phones offer many things that can help the company run smoothly and efficiently. Employees can quickly read and respond to emails, view documents online, take and share pictures of office events, and even more. Smart phones do not only help your business's employees, it helps the customers.

The majority of consumers carry a device that can tell them everything they need to know about your business. They can easily find your business's phone number, address, opening and closing times, step by step directions to your business, and what products or services your business provides. It's important that you harness the power of this device in your favor, so that the consumer can be easily find and navigate your website.

Here are some ways that you can use smart phones to your business's advantage:

Create an alternative website layout that it smartphone friendly
Make an app for your business
Use social media to promote your company

Committed to business... for YOU.

Political Party Leaders to Discuss November Elections

May's Legislative Breakfast features "Donkeys vs. Elephants" with Minnesota's political party leaders, Keith Downey (GOP) and Ken Martin (DFL) on Friday, May 16, 2014 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Commons on Marice in Eagan. Join us as they "unwind the spin" on November's elections, learn more about their strategies for the future, how they plan to capture the independent voter, and the race for cash. Sign up today.

Dynamic Sign Ordinance Changed to Benefit Businesses

Last week the Eagan City Council unanimously approved a change in the Dynamic Sign Ordinance. Effective May 16, 2014, businesses will now be able to increase the frequency of change in their messaging to every 60 seconds. Your Chamber advocated on your behalf to ensure a change from once every 20 minutes to 60 seconds. With a change rate of 60 seconds, businesses have the ability to relay more information about its services to the community, increasing community awareness. The increase in communication to the community has the potential to increase business revenue, ultimately increasing sales tax revenue for the city of Eagan. Additionally, a change rate of 60 seconds provides an incentive for new businesses to relocate to Eagan or open up a new location as the ability to inform the community about their presence and services is easier and more effective than with a 20 minute change rate. Special thanks to the Eagan City Staff and City Council for working together to benefit business.

South of the River Business After Hours Expo

Join us at the Buck Hill Event Center to network with other chamber members from Dakota/Scott County on May 22. Event includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and exhibits by members from each of the participating chambers.

In addition, the student businesses from the 2013-2014 Lakeville YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy will debut their newly launched businesses to consumers, potential clients or investors. Please fill out this form and return to cjohnson@dcrchamber.com to register.

Events Calendar

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
12	13	14 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two Noon ChamberNet	15	16 7:30 a.m. Legislative Breakfast
19	20 Noon Meet the Chamber	21 7:30 a.m. Business Owner's Roundtable 8:00 a.m. Farmington Coffee Break	22 4:30 p.m. South of the River Small Business Expo and Business After Hours Trade Show	23
26	27	28 7:30 a.m. SMYPros Professional Development Event 8:00 a.m. ChamberNet Two Noon ChamberNet	29	30
2 4:00 p.m. Molinaro Davis Ribbon Cutting	3	4	5 4:00 p.m. DARTS Ribbon Cutting & Open House	6 7:30 a.m. Legislative Breakfast 3:00 p.m. Minnesota Orthodontics Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

May Quick Poll

What do you consider to be your largest challenge in operating your business?

Lack of qualified workers

Increasing business expenses

Lack of business development resources

Lack of professional networking opportunities

Increased business regulations

Nothing, I'm doing fine

Click here to submit your answer!

Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

West Saint Paul City Council meets May 12- see the agenda.

Rosemount Work Session meets May 13 - see the agenda.

Eagan Work Session meets May 13 - see the agenda.

Mendota Heights Park and Recreation Commission meets May 13 - see the agenda.

Did you know?

DCR Chamber of Commerce will provide Certificates of Origin upon request to our members and non-members engaged in exporting. Please call 651.452.9872 to make arrangements to have your shipment certified.

Cost:

-Members: Included in Membership

-Non-Members: $150 per certificate

Chamber Seeking Summer College Intern

Are you or is someone you know looking for an internship? The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking a summer Intern.

Description: As an intern at DCR Chamber, you would be exposed to many business professionals in the community who could be valuable connections when seeking a job. You will get hands on experience in a professional business environment.

Time Commitment: 12-20 hours per week
Compensation: PAID
Desired Class Level(s): College student
Job Function(s): Sales/Business Development, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Fundraising/Development, Administrative/Support Services

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to Chelsea Johnson at cjohnson@dcrchamber.com.

New Members

We welcome the following new members!

Regus

860 Blue Gentian Road

Suite 200

Eagan, MN 55121

Contact: Elizabeth Broz

www.regus.com

Regus is the world's largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office. Over a million customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,800 locations in 600 cities and 100 countries, including 10 locations throughout the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, allowing individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to.

Lucy

Outlets Pkwy 3905

Suite 735
Eagan, MN 55122

Contact: Terri Hensel

www.lucy.com

At lucy we make workout wear for activity-prone women. We want pants and tops that support our active pursuits. And look great. So we design apparel that moves with us when we need it to, and stays put when we ask it to (and even when we don't). Made from the latest high-performance materials that wick, breathe, reflect and stretch four ways; we can go all out feeling taken care of. lucy outfits us for the studio, gym, running trail and beyond. Every piece of clothing is designed to fit our lives. The lives we all live. In motion.

Suit and Tie Delivery

3790 Vermilion Ct. S

Eagan, MN 55122

651.760.8363

Contact: Blake Lis

www.suitandtiedelivery.com

Eagan, MN Restaurant Food Delivery! Order online! Suit and Tie Delivery is a marketing and advertising service that specializes in restaurant delivery. Busy, time strapped, convenience-minded customers in the office, hotel, for events, or at home order Suit and Tie Delivery to deliver the food they want, when they want it, and where they want it with exceptional quality, efficiency, and service. From our extremely efficient ordering system to our drivers who are dressed for success, we take pride in having working relationships. Go to www.suitandtiedelivery.com and order today!

Member News

News on what's happening with our members and in the community!

ProAct will be holding their Golf Classic event on August 18 at Hastings Country Club. The ProAct Golf Classic supports people with disabilities in Dakota and Goodhue counties, and in western Wisconsin.

Thriveon has been named one of the '100 Best Companies to Work For' by Minnesota Business magazine. On June 5th, 2014, Minnesota Business magazine will host the 3rd annual 100 Best Companies to Work For awards event at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Fairview Ridges Hospital received the Innovation of the Year in Patient

Care, large hospital category, from the Minnesota Hospital Association at its recognition event on Friday April 25th.

The City of West St. Paul is holding an Open House on Wednesday May 14th, 2014 from 5pm-7pm at City Hall. The City Hall lobby will be transformed into a living past with historical photos, information and beautiful displays from the inception of West St. Paul all the way to present day. To find out more, click here.

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce

1121 Town Centre Drive, Suite 102

Eagan, MN 55123

651.452.9872

Give us a call today!

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