June 15, 2015
Thank You 2015 DCR Chamber Golf Classic Sponsors

As our 2015 DCR Chamber Golf Classic quickly approaches, we would like to recognize all of the sponsors for our event. Thank you to our: Premier Sponsor - Gopher Resource; Pinflag Sponsor - Valley Staffing; Golf Ball Sponsor - Flint Hills Resources; Partner Sponsors - Atomic Data, Dakota Law, P.L.L.C, and Vision Source Yankee Eye Clinic;  Putting Green Sponsor - Think Mutual Bank; Beverage Cart Sponsors - Cherokee Service and Paul Eggen State Farm; Dinner Sponsor- Ecolab; Lunch Sponsor - Eagan CVB;  Drink Ticket Sponsor - Home Federal Savings Bank; Golf Cart Sponsor - SKB EnvironmentalExclusive Tee Sponsors - Affinity Plus Credit Union, Anchor Bank, Associated Bank, August Ash, Ayars & Ayars, Eagan Campus of Hotels, Jensen's Food and Cocktails, JBL Companies, Merchants Bank, Shred Right, Superior Service Center, and Xcel Energy;  Shared Tee Sponsors - 5-8 Grill and Tap, Dakota Electric, Gateway Bank, KW Commercial, and Life Wellness Center.
In-KInd Contributors: Gateway Bank, Green Mill, Granite City, Wings Financial Credit Union Prize Sponsor: UPS Store- Eagan

 

We greatly appreciate our sponsors' investment, as this tournament could not happen without their support. Our golf tournament will be held today, June 15th at Mendakota Country Club.

Committed to Business... for YOU.

DCR Chamber visits Capitol Hill 

 
Business leaders and chamber staff members from the DCR, TwinWest, Minnesota and U.S. Chambers are pictured at an evening reception atop the U.S. Chamber rooftop

Representatives from your Chamber participated in America's Small Business Summit this past week hosted by the U.S. Chamber.  The Annual Summit serves as a platform to build professional and personal networks and chambers from across Minnesota also use the opportunity to meet with Members of Congress and share issues of importance for the local business community.  Priority issues that were discussed with Members of Congress included:  Expanded Joint Employer Responsibility, Jobs Through Trade, Medical Device Tax Repeal, and Transportation/Infrastructure.  Click here to view the Briefing Papers or call 651-452-9872 for more information.

   

June South Metro Young Professionals Features Tour of Thomson Reuters

 

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. They combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization.  


As one of the biggest employers in Dakota County, the June SMYPros event will feature a tour of Thomson Reuters with a lunch presentation on the company.  The group will learn from fellow young professionals on their diverse roles at Thomson Reuters and have the opportunity to ask questions. Interested in attending this event?  RSVP to Kate Bowen by email or by calling 651-288-9200.

 

Event Location: Thomson Reuters, 610 Opperman Drive, Eagan, MN 55123
Date/Time Information: 11:30am- 1:00pm
Thank you to our sponsor:

 

About the series:

Annual participation in this group is $150 which includes all activities and events (a few special activities may be subject to additional charges).  You may attend one event as  guest for $25.  If you choose to join after attending as a guest, the $25 will be credited towards your membership.   

 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
15

10:00 a.m. to 
7:00 p.m.
16

Noon
17


7:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m.
18


11:30 a.m.
19
22

7:00 p.m.
23

8:00 a.m.
24

8:00 a.m.
Noon

2526
29

3:30 p.m.
30123
678

8:00 a.m.

Noon

9

8:00 a.m. 

3:30 p.m.
10


Membership Benefit: Submit Your Press Release!

 

One of the benefits of being a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce is the ability to submit your news and press releases straight to the website.Make sure to post your press releases about achievements, recent hirings, future plans, or any other exciting company news that you would like to share. You can do this by first logging into the DCR website, then navigating to news and clicking news releases. You can choose to upload your news straight to our website or even check on the news of other DCR members.


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

 

Eagan City Council meets June 16- see the agenda.
West St. Paul Planning Commission meets June 16 - see the agenda.
Mendota Heights City Council meets June 16 - see the agenda.
Rosemount Port Authority meets June 16- see the agenda.
Rosemount City Council meets June 16- see the agenda.

Farmington City Council meets June 15 - see the agenda. 


Your Membership: Brag About It!

 

Everybody joins the DCR Chamber for a different reason.  Perhaps you're in it for the networking!  Maybe you enjoy learning about policy and having a direct pipeline to your local legislators?  It's even possible that your company doesn't offer professional development opportunities, so you use the Chamber to train your staff.  Your Chamber knows that no two companies are exactly the same and that all members have different purposes for membership.

 

There's no denying, however, that being a part of your Chamber is beneficial.  But, did you know that your membership matters to your customers and prospects as well?    A national survey of 2,000 adults conducted in 2012 by Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, The Shapiro Group, revealed that being active in a local Chamber of Commerce is an effective business strategy: Two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers and are involved in the community.  Additionally, the survey found that 80 percent of consumers are more likely to purchase a product or service from a chamber member.

 

So, how can you use these statistics to your advantage?  Let your customers and potential customers know that you're a member!  Tell them about us.  Put our logo on your website and display your window cling at the front of your business.  You've made a smart investment.  Let your community know!

Survey Source HERE

Member Spotlight: Julie Schroeder


 
This week's Member Spotlight features Julie Shcroeder, owner of Color Me Mine in Eagan.  Your Chamber asked Julie why she enjoys her membership:

 

 "I joined the Chamber 5 years ago when I opened my first store.  Honestly, I had no idea what they could do for me, but I thought it would be a good idea as a business owner.  It has proven to be an essential piece in running my business!  I have met so many great contacts within my community who have helped me with my many questions and business needs.  Along with that the information regarding government issues and changes that affect my business are essential.  Its just a great organization to be a part of AND....its fun!

 

Thank you for your continued investment in the Dakota County Regional Chamber, Julie!  Do you know someone who should be featured in the member spotlight?  Let us know!

 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!

 

 

North Hike, LLC

10260 Upper 178th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044

(952) 564-4272

Contact: Derick White

View website HERE

  

NorthHike is a sales development company specifically tailored to guide small business owners and their sales teams to sales success.  NorthHike accomplishes this through targeted services that include sales management support, 1:1 sales mentoring and sales leadership development.  NorthHike answers the questions that continually challenge most small businesses:

 

*             How do we bring consistency and accountability into our sales process?

*             How do we develop the sales talent we currently have in place?

*             How do we move beyond the entrepreneurial sales model we have now?

*             How do we develop a disciplined sales process for our organization?

 

Simon Says Lead

3440 Federal Drive
Suite 230
Eagan, MN 55122

(612) 470-7867

Contact: Dina Simon

View website HERE

 

To be unstoppable, you need loyal followers, a compelling offer, smart systems and creative ways to solve any business problem. Simon Says Lead� gives you all that and more. Simon Says Lead is a business and leadership consulting company working with individuals and corporations to breakthrough to accomplish their goals. 

When life strikes and you can't seem to move forward, nothing matters more than the health of your business or personal brand. Knowing that critical fixes need to be made is one thing, but knowing how to make them is another thing entirely.


For a creative solution to all your business problems, Simon Says..."Lead"! 

 

 

Netrix IT

1285 Corporate Center Drive

Suite 190

Eagan, MN 55121

(651) 389-3312

Contact: Richard Gall 

View website HERE

 

Netrix IT is a managed IT services firm that focuses on three things:
  1. Data security - we have outside consultants come in and evaluate our processes and procedures to ensure we maintain the highest standards for data security
  2. Accountability - we provide guaranteed Service Level Agreements and have a live dashboard that allows our clients to hold us accountable for performance
  3. The Future - we provide a three year fiscal IT roadmap for our clients that helps them know where they are going with their technology.


 

South Metro Lawn Care

4001 Black Hawk Road
Eagan, MN 55122 

(612) 384-2517 

Contact: Michael Freeman

View website HERE
  

South Metro Lawn Care, LLC. is an Eagan-based Lawn Maintenance and Landscaping Services provider. Formed in 2013 out of a partnership with Carver Nursery, SMLC provides turnkey solutions for commercial and residential commercials during both the summer and winter months. 



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

 



Your Chamber provides 4 $500 scholarships to young women moving on to pursue higher education in the Dakota County Community, through the DCR Chamber Foundation. Congratulations to all the recipients. 

Twin Cities Relationship Center recently opened up their doors in Eagan. Congrats, Dr. Todd Berston!  Ambassadors stopped by for a ribbon cutting on Thursday.



Congratulations on your new office, Jean Pierre Pallais Agency- American Family Insurance.  Ambassadors stopped by for a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 28th.

 

 Carol Keyes, one of the founding principals of Complete Health, Environmental & Safety Services, Inc. (CHESS), was recently awarded the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)-Northwest Chapter Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) award.

 

Join Neighbors, Inc. for Taps & Apps: An Event to Fight Hunger on Wednesday, June 17th at Summit Brewing Company. Event includes beer tasting, appetizer pairings, lawn games & silent auction. Tickets available at: www.neighborsmn.org/event/taps-apps/

 

The American Cancert Society needs volunteers like you. Many cancer patients face another challenge - getting to and from their treatment appointments. The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery� program provides free transportation so patients can focus on getting well, instead of getting a ride. Volunteer your time to drive: http://bit.ly/1kZkxSb

 

Congratulations to Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen & Russ P.A., who was named to the sixth Accounting MOVE PROJECT Best CPA Firms for Women  List by the American Society of Accountants and the American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants.

 

 According to a recent study done by NerdWallet, Mendota Heights has been named ninth best place to start a business in Minnesota. The city of Mendota Heights had a median household income of $95,083 from 2009 to 2013, well above the state median of $59,836, according to the U.S. Census data. Mendota Heights also has one of the highest ratios of businesses per 100 people on this list (14.34) and a low unemployment rate (3.7%). 

 

The Twin Cities' largest minority business advocacy group has given its Entrepreneur of the Year award to Shaw-Lundquist Associates Inc. President and CEO Hoyt Hsiao. Congratulations to our valued member! Click here to see more information.
 


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