Chamber Champions
St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
"The Voice of Business in Central Minnesota"
When it comes to marketing your brand, it's smart to have a good mix of traditional and digital advertising to maximize your esposure to your target audience. Using demographics, we can get pretty specific about who we are marketing to, what we are saying, and where we are saying it.?
Nothing, however, is as specific and effective as word-of-mouth marketing. According to Nielson, 83% of people trust word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family while 92% of consumers trust word-of-mouth referrals more than all other forms of advertising. It is undoubtedly the most effective way to gain new customers - or in our case, Chamber members.?
Referrals are a huge part of our Chamber membership process, and the reason our Chamber continues to grow with new businesses and connections. As a Chamber member, you play a valuable part in that process. Any time you interact with a business who is not currently a member, think about sharing the benefits they could be receiving by joining. Just planting the seed with them can go a long way! And when they're ready to take action send them to Antoinette ([email protected]).
PLUS: Make sure they mention you if they join the Chamber, because you can get rewarded through our Chamber Champions (formerly Each One, Reach One) Program. Earn recognition for you and your business plus the chance to win gift cards!
It pays to make referrals, both literally and by supporting the growth and success of businesses in our great community through Chamber membership.?
Connect, learn, grow!
Lunchtime Learning?is on?Wednesday, June 5th. We'll be talking all about the marketing design tool Canva and how to use it to up your? marketing game. You won't want to miss it!
Rock the River Expo is hosted at The Clearing in Sauk Rapids during the Rock the Riverside Concert on?Thursday June 6th. Come visit booths, network, and have fun!
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.
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
Awarding initiative! The Initiative Foundation is hosting the 2024 Emerging Entrepreneur Showcase & Awards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, at The Clearing in Sauk Rapids. This event will celebrate early-stage entrepreneurs who have launched or grown businesses with support from Initiative Foundation programming and partners in the St. Cloud area. Register now to attend!
Run for mayor! Would you like to see your name on the ballot this November for mayor or city council? Depending on where you live, there are multiple seats available. Here's what you need to know about running for office in area cities:
Who are the biggest in the biz??There are thousands of great businesses in the St. Cloud Area, but these are the top 20 largest by employee count. Check out the updated 2024 list here.
Community Choice Awards: Celebrate the best businesses and organizations in the area with the Central MN Community’s Choice Awards!?Learn more
STATE & NATIONAL
MN Liveability Research:?Explore Minnesota Tourism, along with a 2022 Longwoods Halo study, has released information on the livibility of MN, and how tourism plays its part in that. You can read the report here.?
Airport Survey: Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport is participating in a new program to survey stakeholders on how well MSP aligns with various groups within its airport community and region. Please take a moment to fill out the survey here.
Workforce training funding is available for MN Employers. The state of Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program offers grants to help train or retrain your workforce.?Learn more & apply
Your input needed. The Minnesota Department Employment and Economic Development and Office of Cannabis Management are now seeking public input on the development of four new state programs for the legal cannabis industry: CanGrow, CanNavigate, CanStartup and CanTrain. Submit your feedback
?- Sponsored Content -?
Evenson Decker, P.A.
For 50 years Evenson Decker, P.A., has aided our Minnesota neighbors with their legal issues. We are ready to assist you in:
Welcome New Members!
Welcome to these new members who joined the Chamber in April 2024. We are so happy you're here! ?
Business Central Magazine
The May/June 2024 issue of Business Central Magazine is now available! Read on below for a glimpe at the issue, or check out the full magazine online or at the Chamber office.
领英推荐
Emily and Jeremy Salzbrun, owners of H&S Heating, have dedicated their careers to saving the day - in more ways than one.?
There's still room in the corporate world for conferences and events - they just don't look like they used to.?
The key to effectively using business software lies in understanding your organization's needs.
Plus so much more!
Rock the River Expo
Rock the River Expo is a chance to showcase your business to the Sauk Rapids community. This vendor expo takes place during the Rock the Riverside concert on Thursday, June 6th both inside The Clearing building and outside.
BOOTHS STILL AVAILABLE!
Thursday, June 6th | 4:30 - 7:30pm | The Clearing, 195 River Ave S, Sauk Rapids
St. Cloud Area Leadership Program
St. Cloud Area Leadership helps current and emerging leaders understand the dynamics of the community and the role leadership has in building healthy communities. This program brings together men and women of diverse backgrounds who share a common commitment to the?future of the St. Cloud area.
This nine month program runs from September 2024 through May 2025 with one full-day class per month and an overnight retreat in October.
PLUS: Save $50 on registration if you apply by May 22nd!
Chamber Open Golf Tournament
Despite the snow, we are thinking summer and getting ready for the?78th Annual Chamber Open on July 15th at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club!
St. Cloud Community Map
?The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be working with the cartographic and marketing firm of Town Square Publications to produce a new, up-to-date, full-color St. Cloud Area Map and Resource Guide.?This publication will be the only official map endorsed and distributed by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.
Showcase your business by advertising in the Business and Professional Resource Guide of Members on the new map.
This is a prime opportunity to promote your business to newcomers and visitors
to the St. Cloud Area. According to 2020 U.S. Census data and reasearch from
Explore Minnesota Tourism:
The Resource Guide section will classify participating businesses by category, including a brief description of their products and/or services. Advertising space on the back cover and a limited number of interior display panel ads are also available. Participating advertisers will receive a complimentary supply of the folded maps.
Act now by sending an email to [email protected]. Remember, the limited space is allocated on a first-response basis. Town Square may also be reached at 612-230-9131.
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