June 13, 2016
Simple Definition of Marketing
 
According to Merriam Webster, the simple definition of marketing is: the activities that are involved in making people aware of a company's products, making sure that the products are available to be bought, etc.

Are you taking advantage of the opportunities your Chamber offers to market your business? Here are a few of these options with links to additional information:  
  • Purchase a membership mailing list
  • Advertise in Weekly Update
  • Advertise in the MailPak (next run due July 24)
  • Post hot deals, news releases and job openings online (all accessible under your member log in)
  • Enhance your online listing
  • Submit your news and announcements to be included in the Celebrate Business Success portion of Weekly Update (email Emily)
  • Sponsor event (connect with Emily to talk about what would fit best for your business)
  • Post your events on our online calendar (accessible under your member log in)
Committed to Business... for YOU.
Special Session in Flux  

Last Monday, Governor Dayton pocket vetoed the tax bill, leaving much of our work sitting on the table for future action. The tax bill was passed by both the House and Senate before session adjourned. Governor Dayton has indicated he will not call a Special Session unless his demands are met; and many speculate that no action will occur on transportation, tax, or bonding. We encourage you to contact Governor Dayton and ask him to call legislators back to the table to ensure our priorities get accomplished this year.    
SMYPros: Defining Your Personal Brand
 
Your business and personal brand are important. Do you know what your brand is? This program will help you define what your business and personal brands are and how to protect them. We'll discuss what a brand is, why it's important, the rules of branding and how to position a brand. A workbook will be provided to help facilitate a personal brand exercise with those in attendance. This is an event you don't want to miss! Register today.

Thank you to our sponsor:
 
Events Calendar
 
 
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
13
14
15

16

4:30 p.m.
17
20

10:00 a.m.
21

7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors

9:00 a.m..
Communications Committee

Noon
22

8:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
SMYPros

Noon
23
 
7:30 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee

4:30 p.m.
Membership Campaign Celebration
24
27

7:30 a.m.
PAC Board
28

8:00 a.m.
29

7:30 a.m.
PAC Board
30
1
4

Happy 4th of July!

Chamber Office Closed
5

8:00 a.m.
SBU Committee

11:30 a.m.
SMYPro Committee
6
7
8
Did You Know?
Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon. As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!  
 
Properly Display Our Flag
Care and handling of the American flag is steeped in tradition and respect. There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. This is called Flag Etiquette. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying  the American flag:
  • The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
  • In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
  • The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
  • Read more...
Vikings Clear Met Council Hurdle
  
Last Wednesday, the Metropolitan Council gave unanimous approval to the Minnesota Vikings' request for rezoning of their Eagan property.  On June 21, Eagan's City Council will review the final development application and if all goes well we should see shovels in the ground in early July for this nearly 200-acre, multi-use development which is anticipated to generate hundreds of millions of economic investment over the next 15 years.
MN Secretary of State Office Open Appointments: Applications due June 28 
  
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has released the June 2016 notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications, due June 28, 2016. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in demonstration of public service. Click here for the full list of vacancies.
City of Eagan Names New Community Development Director 
  
Please join us in welcoming Eagan's new Community Development Director, Jill Hutmacher. Jill comes to Eagan with a great deal of experience and a master's degree in urban planning. For the past six years, she has served as Community Development Director for the City of Arden Hills. Previously, she worked for the Bloomington Port Authority and the Dakota County Community Development Agency, touching such projects as Radisson Blu at the Mall of America, the 28th Avenue Park & Ride and the American Boulevard Light Rail Transit Station.

Jill will oversee a $2.3 million budget and 19 employees in community development, planning, building inspections and code enforcement. She is succeeding Jon Hohenstein, who retired in late May.
Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
 
Farmington City Council meets June 13 - see the agenda
Rosemount City Council meets June 13 - see the agenda  
Eagan City Council meets June 14 - see the agenda
Farmington Planning Commission meets June 14 - see the agenda 
Member Spotlight: Networking an Essential Part of Growth  
  
Anne McClimon
At The UPS Store, we work closely with our clients and we identify solutions for all of their printing and design needs. We help our clients to stand out from their competition and leave a lasting impression. Dakota County Regional Chamber is a great place to meet other business owners who feel the same way about their clients. We bought The UPS Store in Eagan three years ago and joined the Chamber right away. Being a franchise, networking with other business owners and employees is an essential part of growing our store. We work with businesses of all sizes, supporting organizations from start-up companies to large corporations. We can do everything from designing logos to creating a new unique brand, taking one step further and designing a consistent look for all of your business needs. Our goal is to do more than earn your business; our goal is to be an extension of your team.
 
New Members
We welcome the following new members!
 

St. Paul Saints Baseball Club 
Park Dental Rosemount 
Auxilium Solutions, LLC 
Minnesota Zoo

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!


Congratulations to Paul and Leslie Arazny, owners of Allegra Design, Print, Mail in Eagan, who were recently honored with the 2015 Operational Excellence Award from leading marketing, print and graphic communications franchise network, Alliance Franchise Brands.  They also received the Annual Sales Growth Award, given to the top 10 businesses in the network for sales growth percentage, as well as the Bronze Star recognizing their record-breaking sales achievement.

Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ has been honored with a 2016 When Work Works Award for its use of effective workplace strategies to increase business and employee success. Congratulations!

Congrats to Dr. Joel Fugleberg, Lifestyle Chiropractic, as he was recently honored by receiving the Top Chiropractor of the Month by Doctor's Choice Awards. To receive this award, doctors must be nominated and receive reviews from colleagues and/or other health care providers. 
 
 Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce
3352 Sherman Court, Suite 201
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dcrchamber.com
651.452.9872