May 18, 2015
Get Involved with This Year's Tournament

Golf in the Tournament
We only have a couple foursomes left for this year's tournament. Click here to download the registration form. Please note: you do not have to be a Chamber member to golf, and you CAN sign up as a single or double- we will pair you with a team. 

Donate to the Wine and Beer Pull
The Wine and Beer Pull is a great opportunity to help raise money for the DCR Charitable Foundation. Please consider donating a bottle of wine or craft beer that has a minimum store value of $10.00. Not only will your donation be appreciated by over 140 participants, but it's also tax deductible. You get to attach your business card to each bottle, leading to more exposure for you and your business. For more information, click here! If you'd rather donate to our silent auction, we welcome that as well. Please click
here 
to see the form.

Volunteer for the Event

As a Chamber member, you probably already know that in order to get the most out of your membership, you need to stay active within the Chamber. However, as summer approaches, it can be easy to lose sight of the importance of staying active within the Chamber. One great way to maximize the value of your membership is to get involved with a new committee or group. Volunteering helps you interact with both other members and business professionals you would have never otherwise interacted with. Additionally, it shows your support of the Chamber. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Chelsea Johnson.

 

We also have ONE sponsor tee left- please email Chelsea to take advantage of this opportunity!
Committed to Business... for YOU.

It's A Wrap - 2015 Legislative Session

 

June's Legislative Breakfast features "It's a Wrap" with several of Dakota County's elected leaders on Friday, June 5, 2015.  Join us as they rewind the 2015 Legislative Session.  Learn more about the impact on your business based upon the action of our legislative leaders during the 2015 legislative session.  What happened with property tax reform for businesses?  Was a transportation funding package passed?  Did they finish on time and support your business priorities and make it easier to grow your business and create new jobs?  Or did their decisions create additional obstacles and cost you more to run your business? Click here to register for this event.

Confirmed speakers include:


Representative Anna Wills - 57B

Representative Pat Garofalo - 58B
 

Your Chamber offers real-time information and resources on a number of issues important to your business through Legislative Breakfast Series.  The breakfasts are designed for business community members to hear first-hand from lawmakers and industry experts on how legislation within all levels of government affect their businesses' bottom line, job creation, growth and expansion.  Members can also communicate their concerns, comments and questions. 

 
Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

MAC Considering Higher Minimum Wage

 

Today, Metropolitan Airports Commission, at the urging of Governor Dayton is considering a minimum wage of $10 per hour for airport workers.  Your Chamber supports the minimum wage pre-emption bill that prevents any local government from setting a minimum higher than the state minimum wage.  We have contacted MAC commissioners and encouraged them to oppose a higher minimum wage at the airport as well.  This practice poses several concerns: 

  • An airport only minimum wage creates challenges and higher costs for businesses that happen to be located on airport property.
  • MSP enjoys great economic benefit from the Delta hub located here.  Driving up costs at the airport could encourage those connections and the economic activity that accompanies it, to relocate to a lower cost airport.
  • Minnesota's minimum wage is already set to raise to $9.50 by 2016 and be indexed to inflation after that. 

Please contact your MAC commissioners and encourage them to oppose an airport-only minimum wage.  Contact information can be found here.      

Chamber Office Provides Marketing Opportunities for your Business 

 

Thanks you to those who stopped by the Chamber's Open House last week to view the new office and network with other business colleagues. We had over 75 members and non-members attend this event and we are happy to be welcomed into this new space. 

 

If you came to this event or have visit the new Chamber office, you know that the new space offers many opportunities for Chamber members. We hope you take advantage of these opportunities:

  • Reserve the conference room for an upcoming business meeting or special event for a nominal fee. Email Chelsea if you are interested in reserving this space for an event. Our conference room can seat 16 around the table and 22 people total.
  • Stop by between business meetings and take advantage of volunteer work station - your "home away from home". This is a free benefit of being a member.
  • Promote your business through product and service contributions- we are seeking state-of-the-art technology.
  • Reserve an annual sponsorship of the conference room, which includes branding of this area with your business logo and many more benefits. 

For further information on details and pricing, please contact us at 651-457-9872 or by email. 

May's Breakfast with Champions To Focus on Growth

 

This month's "Breakfast With Champions" speaker is Jon O'Malley. Jon O'Malley is founder and owner of YouProfit, Inc.  Jon started two companies, bought two other companies, and has sold two companies.  Since 2006 he has devoted himself to working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping them grow their profits, acquire other companies, and to set their companies up to be sold. Calling all Businesses!


The 7 Drivers of Growth and Profits
In this powerful seminar, you'll learn...

  • How to build a business that can run without you
  • How to break the cycle of chaos
  • What very profitable companies do that others don't
  • The 7 Drivers of Growth and Profits

So don't miss out on this key opportunity to take the next steps towards growing your business. Register here!
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
18
Noon

3:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.
19
Noon

3:30 p.m.
20
7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.
21
9:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.
22
2:00 p.m.
25

Chamber Office Closed: Memorial Day
26
8:00 a.m.
27
8:00 a.m.
Noon

28
7:30 a.m.

3:30 p.m.
29
11:00 a.m.
12
8:00 a.m.
3
4:30 p.m.
4
12:00 p.m.
5
7:30 a.m.
89
7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.
10
8:00 a.m.
Noon
11


8:00 a.m.
12
1:00 p.m.
WomEn's Circle Social: Wine Tasting and Networking

Have you ever wondered what to do when asked to pick a bottle of wine for the table?  Do you have questions about which red goes best with spicy or sweet foods?  Davina Albanese, Certified Wine Specialist and friend of the 5-8 Grill & Tap, has answers to these questions and more.  She'll also guide the group through a paired tasting, so everyone can see how food affects the taste of the wine.  Following the tasting lesson there will be time for networking and Hors d'oeuvres with a cash bar open to all. Not a member of the womEn's circle? No problem! You can attend as a guest.

Join us for a womEn's circle social event,"Wine Tasting and Networking" on Thursday, May 21st from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We will be gathering at the 5-8 Club (1741 South Robert Street, West Saint Paul, MN 55118) for an evening of networking, wine tasting, learning and fun.

$25 per person for womEn's circle members
$30 per person for non-circle members
(Registration includes wine tasting, lesson and appetizers)
Click here to register online.
To register over the phone or if you are not sure how to register, please call 651-288-9202 or email Chelsea.

*Please note: The two womEn's social events are not included in your annual womEn's circle investment. Each social is an extra fee outside of your circle membership. Guests/non-womEn's circle members are welcome to attend for $30.

Did you know?

Did you know "World Baking Day" was on May 17th? Click here to check out some great baking recipes for the month of May!

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

 

Eagan City Council meets May 19- see the agenda.
Rosemount City Council  meets May 20 - see the agenda.
Mendota Heights City Council meets May 19 - see the agenda. 

Farmington City Council meets May 18 - see the agenda.

TRADE = Economic Development

 

One of our nation's greatest opportunities for economic growth, increased wages, and job creation is through increasing exports and global trade.  After all, outside our borders are markets that represent 80% of the world's purchasing power, 92% of its economic growth, and 95% of its consumers.  Congress must approve the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, both of which your Chamber advocates for on your behalf.  Click here for further details.  

2015 State of Manufacturing To Be Held on May 18

 

Dakota County Regional Chamber is delighted to host one of Enterprise Minnesota's 2015 State of Manufacturing® (SOM) events in Dakota County to discuss the findings from its seventh annual survey. These results will report on the state and regional manufacturing outlook and the industry's top issues. Enterprise Minnesota conducted hundreds of phone surveys and 14 focus groups with manufacturing executives across the state to understand their perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting business.
 
The event will include a presentation of results by Enterprise Minnesota president & CEO, Bob Kill, followed by a period of questions and discussion.
 
State of Manufacturing Survey Release
Monday, May 18, 2015
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Argosy University, Room 2030
1515 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN  55121

Register Now! Click here for a sneak peek.

Ribbon Cuttings Galore!

 

As a member of the DCR Chamber, you have the option to utilize countless marketing opportunities.  With the weather warming up, many of your fellow members are taking advantage of one marketing opportunity in particular; ribbon cuttings.  Please consider supporting your fellow members and attending one or two ribbon cuttings this month.  Scheduled ribbon cuttings for the remainder of May include:

 

SPIRE Credit Union Ribbon Cutting-  TODAY, May 18, 2015- 3:30pm

 

American Cancer Society Ribbon Cutting- Tuesday, May 19, 2015- 3:30pm

 

DataBank Ribbon Cutting- Thursday, May 21, 2015- 9:30am

 

Auto Vault Ribbon Cutting- Friday, May 22, 2015- 2:00pm

 

The Pallais Agency Ribbon Cutting- Thursday, May 28, 2015- 3:30pm

 

Brookdale Senior Living W. St. Paul Ribbon Cutting- Friday, May 29, 2015- 11:00am

 

Click here for event details

SMYPRos: Volunteering to Gear up for Summer Camp

 

This month's South Metro Young Professionals meeting will feature community service at YMCA's Camp Streefland. YMCA is a non-profit, inclusive organization of people committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting health and wellness and encouraging social responsibility.  Camps at the Y share one thing: they're about discovery. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. 

 

Event Details:

Location: Camp Streefland, 11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 27th, 2015
3-5pm clean up at Camp Streefland, followed by Happy Hour networking at Brunswick Zone.

Fees/Admission: Annual participation in this group is $150 which includes all activities and events.  You may attend one event as guest for $25.  Should you choose to join after attending as a guest, the $25 will be credited towards your membership.  RSVP for the event HERE!

 

For more information on the SMYPRos program, click HERE.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!

 

 

 

Brookdale Senior Living Solutions

1365 Crestridge Lane  

Eagan  MN  55123 

Contact: Rachelle Lavalier 

(651) 260-7026 
Website HERE 

Brookdale Senior Living Solutions

5891 Carmen Avenue 

Inver Grove Heights, MN  55076

Contact: Rachelle Lavalier

(651) 260-7026
Website HERE

Brookdale Senior Living Solutions
315 E. Thompson Avenue
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
Contact: Penny Johnson
651-453-1803
Website HERE

Brookdale Senior Living Solutions
305 East Thompson Avenue
West St Paul MN 55118
Contact: Penny Johnson
651-453-1803
Website HERE

 

Brookdale is the national leader in senior living because we help people age well through our unique set of abilities to meet the changing needs of seniors, culture and care.

We are a national company, but serve people locally. Our care falls into four categories - independent living, assisted living, dementia care, and skilled nursing. We also offer therapy, home health, and hospice. Because of this, we become the central source for care options for seniors as they age and as their needs change.

Our mission is to enrich the lives of those we serve with compassion, respect, excellence, and integrity.

 

 

 

American Cancer Society

950 Blue Gentain Road

Suite 100

Eagan, MN 55120

Contact: Sara Paul

(651) 255-8100 

Website HERE

 

For over 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer. We do this by helping people stay well through using our prevention services, get well with our programs during treatment, find cures by funding research, and fighting back through our signature events. We are a volunteer driven, health-based organization dedicated to creating healthy communities by providing cancer education, services and programs. Together, we will finish the fight against cancer!

 

 

Coming Soon to Eagan!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

1992 Rahncliff Court

Eagan, MN 55122

Contact: Dawn Stucky

Website HERE 

 

Nothing Bundt Cakes is the perfect place to pick up a delicious treat for yourself, a gift for someone special or a hand-decorated bundt cake to wow any crowd. Every delicious bite-sized bundtini, individual bundtlet and sharable bundt cake is baked fresh daily and crowned with our signature cream cheese frosting. With nine classic flavors and a seasonal Featured Flavor to choose from along with forty festive hand-crafted designs, you'll find the perfect bundt cake for any occasion. Browse our supply of charming cards and unique gifts, too, and you'll see why our bakery is your one stop party destination.


 

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

 

Chris Dixon of Insider Training recently celebrated 8 years in business.  Congrats on your achievement, Chris!

Allegra- Marketing, Print and Mail Center recently celebrated aname change from Insty Prints with a ribbon Cutting.  Congrats Allegra!

 

As the region's new leader in customized data center, managed services, and cloud solutions DataBank ensures the availability of your critical information as if the world were dependent on it - for your business, it does.  On Thursday, May 21, 2015 your Chamber will host a ribbon cutting for Databank at 9:30am.  If you'd like to attend, please register here.


Marco, Inc.'s CEO, Jeff Gau, has been named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 in the Upper Midwest. 

Casper's Cherokee of Eagan, Lone Oak Grill, and Rudy's Red Eye Grill are all in the running for TwinCities.com Pioneer Press "Best Patio" of 2015. Go vote for your fellow member businesses here!

August Ash has been named a Top 25 Web Firm by MSP Business Journal. Congratulations! 

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
651.452.9872