The Bottom Line

Soak it up.

As summer draws nearer and the sun shines brighter, it can be a little unmotivating to spend time indoors. But, there is always work to be done! So how can you still soak up the sun while also being productive? We have a few ideas for your next meeting.

• Plan a walking meeting.?Look at your calendar. Do you have any upcoming meetings that don't require a lot of technology? Consider moving to a walking meeting! Take a stroll around?Lake George,?wander through?Munsinger Clemens Gardens, or even put on a few miles at?Quarry Park and Nature Preserve?with your meeting companion instead of sitting indoors. Exercise, productivity, and sunshine - a win for sure!
• Patio anyone??Whether you're getting together with someone for coffee or lunch, plan to do so on a local patio. That way you can utilize the table space, enjoy some great refreshments, and also bask in the springtime breezes.?
• Outdoor events!?Trying to woo a potential client? Instead of treating them to a boxed lunch in a boardroom, take your meetings to the next level this summer by getting together at an outdoor event. Get some tickets for a?St. Cloud ROX?game. Browse local art downtown at an?Art Crawl.?Enjoy great local music at?Woodfired Wednesdays.?Get the whole family together to enjoy music at?Summertime by George?or?Rock the Riverside.?Check out Visit Greater St. Cloud's?event calendar?for even more!

If anything, at least make sure you roll down your windows while you cruise around town. This is just the beginning of a beautiful summer - we can't wait to share it with you!?

Check out Visit Greater St. Cloud's website for even more local inspiration.

Business After Hours?is hosted by?Falcon National Bank?on?Wednesday,?May 24th?from?4:30-6:30pm?at?The Ledge Amphitheater.?

Here are a few more important dates to put on your calendar, but don't forget to check out our?full?events calendar?for even more.

• Government Affairs Meeting?(5/17/2023)
• Waite Park Chamber Meeting?(5/17/2023)
• Chamber Connection: St. Cloud Rox Baseball?(5/19/2023)
• Business After Hours hosted by Falcon National Bank?(5/24/2023)
• Sauk Rapids Chamber Meeting?(5/25/2023)
• Chamber Connection: No Chamber Connection - Memorial Day?(5/26/2023)
• Business After Hours?hosted by Quinlivan & Hughes, PA?(6/6/2023)
• Lunchtime Learning: Create A Culture of Giving?(6/7/2023)
• Chamber Connection: Pineview Park BMX?(6/9/2023)

With the goal of keeping you informed and up to date, these news bites feature local, regional and national news items that relate to the business community in Central Minnesota.?

LOCAL

New GSDC CEO named:?The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) has hired NeTia Bauman, an experienced economic development leader familiar with the region, to succeed Patti Gartland, who retires June 1 after 10 years as the GSDC’s President and CEO.?Read more

Celebrate Entrepreneurs:?You are invited to attend the Initiative Foundation's 2023 Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase and Awards on May 20th.?Register now.

Innovators in action:?Attend InnovatorsCONNECT on May 18th to learn more about innovation taking place in St. Cloud.?Register here

SAVE THE DATE!

Legislative Session Wrap-Up:?The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 2023 Legislative Session Wrap-Up breakfast on June 7th from 8am to 9:30am at CentraCare South Point. Registration will open on May 17th.?

STATE & NATIONAL

U.S. Chamber Debt Limit Memo:?This memo from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce addresses the latest attempts to raise the statutory debt limit.?Read it here

Minnesota 2030 - 2023 Edition:?Updated annually by the Minnesota Chamber, Minnesota: 2030 provides a guidepost on the economy and recommended a framework for growth in Minnesota. Read the latest edition?here.

MN DEED Workforce Grants:?Starting on May 12 in Rochester, MN DEED will begin a statewide tour inviting Minnesotans to join them at community gatherings to hear details about DEED's Workforce Development competitive grant process. You can attend the engagement session in?St. Cloud?on?May 24th?at?CareerForce.?Register now

A warm welcome to all of these members who joined the Chamber in April, 2023. We are so happy you're here!

• 2B Painting LLC
• Aragorn Industries, Inc.
• Bolton & Menk, Inc.
• Northway Eye Clinic
• Oak Tree Law Firm
• St. Cloud Live
• Stay Clean Detailing LLC
• Terra Construction

St. Cloud Area Leadership is designed to help current and emerging leaders understand the dynamics of the community and the role leadership shares in building healthy communities. This program brings together professionals of diverse backgrounds to share a common?commitment to the future of the St. Cloud area.

St. Cloud Area Leadership is a nine month program that runs from September 2023 through May 2024 with one full-day class per month and an overnight retreat in October.

Apply now to be a part of the program!

Are YOU the Chamber Open Champion Sponsor?!

How does this sound:?

Two teams of 4 golfers at the Chamber Open, top billing on all signage, your logo on website, social media posts, banners and signage, opportunity to address the golfers at the start of the Chamber Open and at the awards ceremony and opportunity to provide sponsor gift to all golfers.

You in? Contact?Laura?for more information.

The Midwest Agriculture Summit is on June 6 and is available to you for FREE via?Livestream. Experts, businesses, and policymakers from across the region and nation will be taking an in-depth look at the dynamic facets of the Ag sector, including critical policies and pressing issues. The Midwest Ag Summit will also feature two panels of experts with the first being heavily focused on policies, regulation, and the paramount Farm Bill of 2023, and the second uncovering and discussing leading efficiencies, development, innovation, sustainability, and the landscape of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evolution and impacts.

The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting this event with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday Jun 6, 2023

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

Click below to register to attend the Livestream of this event for FREE! After you click on "Register," navigate to "Not a member?" and click the link provided.

REGISTER NOW