November 23, 2015
Business Excellence Award Winners Announced   
 
Lights, camera, action! The Business Excellence Awards soared to new heights and shattered box office records. The academy awards themed event took place last week at Southview Country Club. Guests enjoyed the reception where they participated in a photo experience and were treated to a plated dinner which included a delicious dessert sponsored by Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau. This star studded affair brought out the best in Dakota County.

The program took a quick look back at the past year as well as informed guests about a new strategic plan that is being put into place by your Board of Directors. We also recognized four volunteers for their service over the past year including Lynda Boudreau, Mike Ferber, Lin Nelson and Don Sinnwell.

The highlight of the evening included recognizing each of the 21 nominees and announcing the winners of each category. The stars of the night included:

Community Leadership Award - Anchor Bank
Woman/Minority Owned Business of the Year Award - Insurance by Design
Young Professional Award - Joel Fugleberg
Non-Profit of the Year Award - Neighbor, Inc.
Small Business of the Year Award - Goff Public
Business Excellence Award - Gopher Resource
Legacy Award - Don Chapdelaine

Read more about each of the winners. Thank you to the sponsors of the Business Excellence Awards along with the committee for planning such an amazing event! 
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Government Affairs Committee Gearing Up 
 
Your Chamber's Government Affairs Committee is gearing up for 2016. If you have an interest in public policy development and grassroots advocacy on business issues at all levels - local, county, state and federal, let us know. We'd be happy to provide you additional information on how you can get involved in committee work or as part of our grassroots network. Contact Vicki Stute. 
360 Days to the 2016 Election
 
Are you excited about the prospects of the 2016 Elections?  Who will run?  Who will win?  Will the balance of power shift left or right?  Join us on December 4 and hear from long-time political experts Mauren Shaver, Shaver Public Affairs and Todd Rapp, Himle Rapp as they go "Beyond the 2016 Elections."   
 
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.  Register today.
 
Holiday Parties Galore!
 
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Celebrate the holidays with your favorite Chamber members! December is jam-packed with four holiday parties and you are invited to come to one or to them all. We will also be collecting toys for Toys 4 Military Kids at each of the holiday parties. Be sure to register in advance by clicking the links below. We'll see you there!

December 8 - 5:30 p.m. at Celt's Pub in Farmington
December 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Jensen's Food & Cocktails in Eagan
December 14 - 11:30 a.m. at Cherokee Tavern in West St. Paul
December 16 - 11:30 a.m. at Rudy's Redeye Grill in Rosemount    
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
23
24
8:00 a.m.

25


26

Happy Thanksgiving
27

Chamber
office closed
30
1

 		2
4:00 p.m.
3
7:30 a.m.
4
7:30 a.m.

7
8
5:30 p.m.

9
8:00 a.m.
Noon
10

11:30 a.m.
11
14
11:30 a.m.

15
12:00 Noon

16
7:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.

17
7:30 a.m.

18
happy_thanksgiving_card.jpg Did You Know?
Happy Thanksgiving and happy shopping! Black Friday is number one on the list of the top 10 shopping days with the highest amount of sales. An estimated 41% of people are planning to shop. We hope our retailers have an excellent day and don't forget about Small Business Saturday!
Wanted Analytics Demonstrates Importance of Soft Skills
 
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Wanted Analytics is a new tool being used by area organizations which combines real-time, global business intelligence with years of hiring demand and talent supply data to help make better strategic business decisions. Hiring trend data that is collected can assist HR professionals with the data to support future projects and approaches. Dakota Scott Workforce Investment Board recently shared with us that through data produced by Wanted Analytics, the top 10 requested soft skills for jobs posted by area companies include:
  • Oral and written communications skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Customer service oriented
  • Marketing
  • Team oriented/teamwork
  • Integrity
  • Microsoft Office
  • Problem solving
  • Work independently
  • Self-starting/Self-motivated
In many ways, this list is no surprise to your Chamber. Many members comment about soft skills being a critical component in tomorrow's workforce. These conversations will continue within our area business education partnerships. Contact Vicki Stute if you would like more information on how to become involved in the area partnerships.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community

West St. Paul City Council meets November 23 - see the agenda
Rosemount Planning Commission meets November 24 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Newsletter - read here 
Eagan Advisory Planning Commission meets November 24 - see the  agenda
Mendota Heights Planning Commission meets November 24 - see the agenda   
Member Spotlight: Staying Informed on Issues
 
Jill Skogheim 
Since we opened our first Dakota County 5-8 location in West St. Paul, the Dakota County Regional Chamber has been a great resource for getting to know the local business community and connecting with other small business owners. Further, Vicki Stute's knowledge and attention to local government affairs allows me to stay informed of issues that might affect my business and strengthens our position as a group through advocacy on a local, regional, and statewide level. I believe in the strength of businesses large and small working together to make the region vital and have made a number of connections through the events in which I've participated. I've found that I get out of the chamber at least as much as I put in whether it's sponsoring a hole at the golf tournament, attending womEn's circle events, or one of the public affairs sessions and getting to know other members informally. I am also looking forward to more opportunities as a new member of your Board of Directors.
 
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

Auto Vault LLC
Inland Real Estate Corporation
Writing and Design Partners

Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.

Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 
Comcast recently announced they have chosen Minnesota as the location to add 400 new jobs beginning in early 2016 at its downtown St. Paul office. The new positions are part of a multi-year plan to reinvent the customer experience-the company's #1 goal.  

The Vermillion River Watershed includes all or part of 20 cities and townships in Dakota and Scott Counties. The draft of the Vermillion River Watershed Management Plan is open for public comment until November 30, 2015. Comments from local business leaders on the draft Watershed Plan are welcome, www.vermillionriverwatershed.org.

wrapped_presents.jpg Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Eagan is partnering with Toys 4 Military Kids to collect toys this holiday season. If you are interested in donating to this cause your Chamber has a collection box at our offices, 3352 Sherman Ct, Suite 201, Eagan. We will also be collecting toys at each of the Dakota County Regional Chamber holiday parties.

Let's celebrate high ethical standards in Minnesota business. The Minnesota Business Ethics Award® (MBEA) invites all Minnesotans to nominate one or more Minnesota-based businesses for the 2016 awards. Go to www.mnethicsaward.org and click "Nominate a Company." The nominations deadline is January 22, 2016. 

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