Membership Matters

Membership Matters

Summer 2005
Volume 6, Issue 3

Our Members Say...

“Chamber? Yeah, you could say I’m a fan… a BIG ONE! We have undoubtedly grown in the local market as a direct result of our Chamber membership. In my opinion, the #1 networking group in Central Minnesota is the Friday morning Chamber Connection. What better way to start your weekend than having breakfast with 150 of your friends, all for a buck and a business card. It doesn’t get any better than that!”

Kipp Hoeft, CEO/President, K-PRO Marketing Group, Inc.

I moved to the St. Cloud Area only five years ago. Since then, joining the Chamber has helped me get to know the community better and make great friends while helping my business grow. The Chamber definitely works!

Julia Krengel, Julia’s Gifting Service

Our involvement with the St. Cloud Area Chamber has been a great key to our success! We have seen a direct relationship between our involvement in Chamber functions, like Chamber Connection, and the growth in our business.

Rob Opheim, St. Cloud Center for Tae Kwon Do

On your behalf…

Introducing "Arm Chair Benefits"

If you want to network, you need to attend functions. If you want to promote your business, you need to buy a sponsorship or pay for advertising. If you want to learn new business techniques, you need to attend business education programs. If you want to keep up on business news, you need to read publications.

You can receive all of these benefits and more as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. But what if you don’t have time to do these things? What benefits do you receive from your Chamber membership? The answer is: Plenty!

For those members who just can’t fit in one more thing (and there are a lot of them!), we have what we call “Arm Chair Benefits.” These are membership benefits that you receive even if the only thing you do every year is write out your membership check. For example:

Ÿ Referrals off the Chamber website. As a member you receive a free listing on the Chamber website. Our business directory has provided members with well over 1 million (yes, 1 million) referrals in the past seven years. Only members are listed in the online directory and that listing is included free with your membership.

Ÿ Links from the Chamber website. As part of your membership you receive a free link off the Chamber website when you provide us with your website address.

Ÿ Job bank listings. Members have free use and access to the Chamber’s job bank. That means you can post your job openings on our website and take advantage of the thousands of visitors who choose www.StCloudAreaChamber.com as their first stop when looking for information about the St. Cloud area.

Ÿ Phone referrals. Our policy is to provide referrals to members only when we receive phone call inquiries. We provide up to 400 referrals – per month – to people who call the Chamber looking for business information.

Ÿ Membership directory. Only Chamber members are listed in our membership directory. We encourage businesses to use our Membership Directory and Buyers Guide just like they use the phone book, but to use our directory first!

Ÿ Job fairs. The Chamber staff attend job fairs outside of St. Cloud encouraging potential employees to consider St. Cloud in their job search. We willingly take your business information with us and promote your job openings. You can stay home and mind the store.

Ÿ Influence. You can call the mayor. You can call area legislators. And when you do, you are one voice. When the Chamber of Commerce president calls she has over 1000 voices behind her. As a member of the Chamber you are stronger and your voice is louder.

If you decide that Chamber Connection or Lunchtime Learning need to wait for a different time, remember Arm Chair Benefits and rest assured that while you’re taking care of business, your Chamber is taking care of you.

New Members

April
Erickson Hoffman & Associates
(320) 230-1710
Laketrails Base Camp
(320) 258-4617
Brian Klinefelter Memorial Foundation
(320) 259-5525
Wireless World
(320) 333-8255
Great River Educational Arts Theatre
(320) 258-2787
Cartridge World
(320) 258-3148
John Frobenius
(320) 255-9951
Panera Bread
(320) 656-9650
Albany Golf Club
(320) 845-2505
Independent Lifestyles, Inc.
(320) 529-9000
May
June

In Detail... Special Events

We like to think that we offer great value to all of our members. Part of that value comes from making sure we have something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in networking, product demonstrations or just playing a few rounds of golf, our events are a priceless way to make great friends and build business contacts. You can also increase your company’s visibility by taking advantage of multiple advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

59^th Annual Chamber Open. Summer is the perfect time to get into the swing of things. The Chamber’s annual golf tournament is open for all skill levels and provides members a chance to network, win prizes and promote their business. Join us August 8, 2005 at the St. Cloud Country Club, 301 Montrose Rd. , St. Cloud . Reservations are required.
Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet. A chamber is nothing without its members. That’s why each year we roll out the red carpet for all those who make the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce the area’s most reliable voice of business. This year’s event is October 13, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.
Tech Expo. The Tech Expo brings together technology professionals from around the state to connect, collaborate and communicate! It’s four hours packed full of information you can take back to the office with you. The 4^th Annual Tech Expo is Tuesday, November 1, 2005 from 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.
The Central Minnesota Farm Show. The largest of its kind in the Upper Midwest , the Farm Show is also a great place to meet others in the Chamber and community. Come and check out the variety of exhibits from the latest farm equipment and tractors to options on feed and seed. Mark your calendars for Feb. 28- March 1, 2006 at the St. Cloud Civic Center .
Business After Hours- Extra! Each April this event brings together approximately 50 businesses and 300 guests for a festive evening of games, food and giveaways. Much like a tradeshow, participating businesses purchase space for displays and demonstrations. Mark your calendar now for Tuesday, April 11, 2006 from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Kelly Inn .
Business Awards Luncheon. Every spring we raise our glasses to the recipients of the area’s Small Business of the Year Award, Entrepreneurial Success Award and Athena Recognition. Join in on the special recognitions, Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites.

For more information about any of the events we’ve mentioned, visit our web site at www.StCloudAreaChamber.com or call Ginny at 251-2940, ext. 105.
Phone & Contact Numbers
Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff

All Chamber staff can be contacted by dialing 251-2940 and using the following extensions.

Teresa Bohnen
president
tbohnen@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 104

Gail Ivers
vice president
givers@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 109

Judy Zetterlund
director of administration
jzetterlund@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 106

Wendy Franzwa
membership sales specialist
wfranzwa@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 134

Ginny Kroll
special events coordinator
vkroll@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 105

Anna McCall
communications & workforce development coordinator
amccall@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 130

Vicki Lenneman
administration & network administrator
vlenneman@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 122

Cindy Swarthout
receptionist/administration
cswarthout@StCloudAreaChamber.com
ext. 100

Business Central
Wendy Hendricks
associate publisher
whendricks@StCloudAreaChamber.com
656-3808

Karen Franklin Almgren
advertising sales executive
kalmgren@StCloudAreaChamber.com
656-3813

The Chamber’s CVB staff can all be contacted by calling 251-4170 and dialing the following extensions.

Julie Lunning
executive director
julie@granitecountry.com
ext. 111

Judy Okerstrom
director of sales and marketing
judy@granitecountry.com
ext. 112

Lori Cates
sales manager
lori@granitecountry.com
ext. 113

Kristen Jacobs
director of sports and special events
kristen@granitecountry.com
ext. 128

Jean Robbins
director of visitor services
jean@granitecountry.com
ext. 129

Joni Hagstrom
administrative assistant
joni@granitecountry.com
ext. 110

Joy Gaarsland
travel counselor
Travel Center : 654-5548

By Definition

Chamber Spotlight
Every Monday at 1:30 p.m. the Chamber goes live on WJON. The 10-minute time slot allows us to detail Chamber events and spotlight member businesses.
Chamber Connection
Each Friday at 7:30 a.m. a member business welcomes other Chamber members for breakfast, networking and announcements. Host businesses also have the opportunity to share information about their company. Chamber Connection regularly draws over 100 people each week.
Business Central Magazine
Published bi-monthly, Business Central Magazine is a regional business magazine that includes profiles of area businesses, management tips, fun photos and a calendar of events. With a circulation of 6000, the magazine offers exceptional business-to-business advertising and promotion opportunities.
Business After Hours
Each month a different member business hosts an on-site evening of networking, tours and delicious food. The event is free of charge and open to all Chamber members, their employees and guests.
Chamber Friends
Quarterly social events, planned and executed by committee members, provide an opportunity for business professionals to meet and make new friends.

Featured Benefit

Dialogue Groups

Each year the Chamber coordinates a number of dialogue groups for business owners and executives. The purpose is to foster open and frank communication among small groups of business owners, principals, partners, etc., who are members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. The groups are intended to provide small business owners with a chance to network with their peers in a setting that affords on-going contacts and provides for a confidential relationship among the group’s members.
Business Owner/Executive Dialogue Groups are composed of 10-14 individuals from non-competing businesses and professional backgrounds who have the desire to interact with others in an informal, but informative setting.
Through discussion in a dialogue group, participants can gain new insight into a broad range of common and not so common problems. The pooled experience, expertise and talent of the group can often point to better answers to many everyday and long-range questions of individual businesses. Topics vary and may include increasing profitability, finding and keeping good employees, managing growth, compensation policies, writing a business plan, balancing family and work, and many others.
Dialogue groups meet from September through May. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in one of the Chamber’s dialogue groups, call Vicki at 251-2940, ext. 122.

Calendar of coming events

If you can only choose one . . . When you join the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce you suddenly receive invitations to what may seem like an unlimited number of events. These programs are all designed to help you promote your business. Most people can’t attend everything, even if they want to. If you can only attend one event per month, we recommend the following:

August 9
Business After Hours, Tuesday, August 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. hosted by Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors, Inc., 1200 39^th Avenue NE , Sauk Rapids. Tours, refreshments and networking are the highlight of every Business After Hours. Following an open house format, participants are encouraged to come when they can and leave when they must. Free to Chamber members. Business or business casual attire is appropriate.

September 6
Lunchtime Learning, Wednesday, September 6 from noon – 1 p.m. in the Harold Anderson Conference Room at the Chamber office, 110 S 6^th Avenue . The featured speaker is Melinda Sanders, Quinlivan & Hughes, discussing office romance and issues employers and co-workers have to face when love blooms in the workplace. The cost is $12, which includes lunch. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 251-2940, ext. 126.

October 13
Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet, Thursday, October 13, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites. The reception begins at 5 p.m. with dinner, a program and entertainment at 6:15 p.m. Individual tickets are $25 each; reservations are required. Dress or business dress attire is appropriate.

Remember, Chamber events and volunteer opportunities are open to all employees in your company. If you think an event or program is important, but you can’t attend, encourage others in your company to get involved. To make reservations for any event, call 320-251-2940, ext. 126.

For a complete list of Chamber events in the coming months, refer to Bottom Line or Business Central Magazine. Events are subject to change. For the most current information, call the Chamber hotline 24 hours a day at 320-251-2940, ext. 125, or visit our web site: www.StCloudAreaChamber.com