Business Connection!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the very first Chamber Business Connection a huge success! A special shout out goes to Ashley Homestore for hosting the event, thank you Deb & crew!

Business Connection is a morning networking event that take place at a Chamber business on the first Friday of each month from 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM . Chamber Members are invited to gather, enjoy coffee and a light breakfast, share a quick update or information on their business/organization, and learn more about the host business through a presentation. We will always have Chamber updates for you as well.

Door prizes will be given out, so make sure you bring your business card to be entered into the drawing. This new networking opportunity is a great way to get to know people in the community and keep in touch with Hutch!

If you are part of a Chamber business/organization and interested in hosting or have questions about Business Connection, call the Chamber or email Ashley.

REGISTER FOR APRIL BUSINESS CONNECTION

Maximize Your Membership!

Hot Deals for Chamber Members — Are you running any specials for your business? Maybe you are a retail store with a buy-one-get-one offer, or a service provider that’s offering discounted rates. Post these events on ExploreHutchinson.com to gain exposure to our wide audience. When you post a Hot Deal, an email is sent out to Chamber Members with details on the deal as well.

Click on the image below for instructions or call the Chamber with questions.

2019 Annual Hometown
Golf Challenge

There is “SNOW” better time to start thinking about the Annual  Hometown Golf Challenge!!!

On Monday, July 22, the Chamber will host a Tailgating Party at this year’s Annual Hometown Golf Challenge at the Oakdale Golf Course. The golf event is open to the public, for all levels of experience and fun for all!

Looking for a way to get the word out about your business/organization? Take advantage of one of our sponsorship packages. Event, Hole, Staffed Hole, Field Event Sponsorships are available now. Becoming a sponsor is easy… just complete the printable 2019 Golf Sponsorship Form (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber.

Table Tents for Qtr 3 (July, August & September) Deadline – June 1

The Chamber prints and delivers over 900 table tents around the community. Are you looking for a way to boost an upcoming Hutchinson event? Make sure you get your event added to the Chamber’s table tents. The cost is $30 per event listing for community members and $20 for Chamber Members, a $10 discount per event listing.

Also, if you submit an event to our table tents, make sure to add it to our Community Calendar. The Community Calendar averages about 100 views a day, so don’t forget to utilize it! Submitting an event to the  Community Calendar may be done through your Chamber Member Portal or directly on the Community Calendar page!

The deadline for Quarter 3 (July, August & September) is June 1.

If you want table tents delivered to your business, to submit an event for an upcoming table tent or if you have any questions. give Gina a call, send her an email or drop by the Chamber.

New & Returning Members

We would like to welcome our new member to the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce!

• Achieve TFC

We also want to thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!

• Adara Home Health
• Allina Health Home Care Services
• Bergmann Interiors
• Carly’s Shoes
• CenBank
• Country Kitchen
• Crow River Drumline Association
• Crow River Glass
• Edward Jones – Nick Pederson
• Gopher Campfire Conservation
• Hansen Gravel
• James Young & Associates
• Wetterling & Roepke Financial

Business of the Month

Our March Business of the Month is the McLeod Emergency Food Shelf! This month our local food shelf participating in the MN FoodShare March Campaign. All donations raised between now and April 8th at 1:00 PM are eligible for additional grant funds! Learn more about this campaign and the food shelf’s future plans for physical changes in the Business of the Month Article!

The Hutchinson Ambassadors serve as the welcoming and social arm of the Hutchinson Chamber by actively supporting and promoting Hutchinson and its surrounding business community.

The Ambassador’s Facebook page is a great place to see photos of all the visits and other special events hosted by the Ambassadors.

You may have seen our Ambassadors around town – you can recognize them by their blue shirts and friendly smiles. They welcome new business openings, as well as, celebrate business renovations and milestones with an Ambassador Business Visit.

February’s Ambassador Business Visits:

• PetSmart

Business After Hours is a great way to learn about businesses in Hutchinson and network with the fellow Chamber Members. This is a way to get behind the scenes on our local businesses… to see what they make, do or provide. This monthly event is by Chamber invitation only and is open to all Chamber Member business employees. Businesses interested in hosting a Business After Hours event or would like more information should email the Ambassadors.

If you are the only primary representative with your business receiving emails from the Chamber, please invite all your employees to join us! Preregistration is strongly encouraged, so our business hosts may plan accordingly.

March’s Business After Hours will be will be hosted by Ridgewater College on Thursday, March 14 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 2 Century Avenue SE.

Click here to register online for March’s Business After Hours or call the Chamber at 320-587-5252.

Professionals Under 40 Leading Socializing and Educating

PULSE meets for Lunch & Learn events on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at Squeaky’s Grill and Bar. The events are free to attend, a $10 lunch option is available.

The group also gets together at quarterly social events  (green dates listed in calendar below). Like the PULSE Facebook page to get the latest event information and registration links. Register for the March 13th Lunch & Learn by Friday, March 8th to be entered into a $25 gift card drawing! March 13th Lunch & Learn Registration

Something from Mary!

Connections

When we publish this article, we will have just hosted the first Business Connection at Ashley HomeStore. As I write this almost 60 people have rsvp’d!

Humans need human connection.

The rest of Mary’s article can be found on March’s Something from Mary blog.

Save the Date!

• MARCH
  1       Business Connection
  13     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  14     Business After Hours
• APRIL
  5        Business Connection
  10     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  11     Business After Hours
• MAY
  3        Business Connection – Vivid Image
  8        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  9        Business After Hours
  15      Leadership Institute 2018-2019 Graduation
• JUNE
  7        Business Connection
  7        Dairy Day
  12     PULSE Lunch & Learn
• JULY
  10       PULSE Lunch & Learn
  18-20  Crazy Days
  22       Chamber Golf Event – Oakdale
• AUGUST
  2          Business Connection
  14        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  14-18  Made in McLeod @ County Fair
• SEPTEMBER
  11          PULSE Lunch & Learn
  13/14    45^th Arts & Crafts Festival
  13/14    Taste of Hutchinson
  19/20    Leadership Institute 2019-2020 Begins
• OCTOBER
  Farm Fatigue Buckets Delivered
  9        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  10      Business After Hour
• NOVEMBER
  13     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  21     Taste of the Holidays
  30     Small Business Saturday
• DECEMBER
  Crop Management Input Seminar
  12     Holiday Business After Hours

More for Your Business to Grow!

The Chamber would like to introduce our newest program

These are morning networking events that take place from 7:00 am – 8:00 am on the first Friday of each month at a Chamber business. Chamber Members are invited to gather, enjoy coffee and a light breakfast, share a quick update or information on their business/organization, and learn more about the host business through a presentation. We will always have Chamber updates for you as well.

Door prizes will be given out, so make sure you bring your business card to be entered into the drawing. This new networking opportunity is a great way to get to know people in the community and keep in touch with Hutch!

If you are part of a Chamber business/organization and interested in attending, please register online in the link provided below. Multiple guests per organization are welcome, just remember to register!

Please join us for the Chamber’s very first Business Connection at Ashley Homestore on Friday, March 1 from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.

Registration Link for March’s Business Connection

Passing of the Gavel – Chamber Board Chair

The Chamber takes this opportunity to thank 2018 Chamber Board Chair Keith Heikes for his service to the Board and to each of us in the past year; and we welcome the 2019 Chamber Board Chair Roman Bloemke into that position.

The Chamber would also like to thank the outgoing Chamber Board Member for their committed service.
2018 and 2019 Chamber Board Chairs Keith Heikes and Roman Bloemke are pictured below awarding those outgoing members: Renee Hantge, Scott Ziegler, Corey Stearns and Nate Johnson.

Passing of the Gavel – Hutchinson Ambassadors

The Chamber takes this opportunity to thank 2018 Ambassador President Christine Ruppert for her service to the Ambassadors and to each of us in the past year; and we welcome the 2019 Ambassador President Leah Watzke into that position.

Thank you for your support at the Chamber Annual Event and congratulations to the 2018 Community Award Winners!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2019 Chamber Annual Event – 80’s Prom – A Night Under the Stars a huge success! A special thanks to our event supporters – Compass Occasions, Crow River Floral & Gifts, Crow River Winery, Innovative Foam, The Paint Factory and Walmart; to our event sponsors – Citizens Bank and Trust Co, Hutchinson Health, MidCountry Bank, MITGI and Uponor; and finally to the event music sponsor – Woodstone Senior Living. Our deepest gratitude to them for supporting our event.

We would also like to thank our Visionary Sponsor: Citizens Bank and Trust Co. and our Champion Sponsors: 3M, Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, Hutchinson Health, MidCountry Bank, MITGI, SouthPoint Financial Credit Union and Uponor.

The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Hutchinson Jaycees are excited to announce the Community Award Winners. The winners are (from left to right) Business Person of the Year – William “Bo” Young, Teacher of the Year – Mackenzie Boeckers, Volunteer of the Year – Jackie Backen, Young Leader of the Year – Andrew Broll and Ag Person of the Year – Ted Matthews!

2019 Tourism Marketing Grant – Reminder – Deadline March 1!

The March 1st deadline is quickly approaching for the Hutchinson Tourism & Marketing Grant. Grants are available for no-for-profit events and events and for-profit events that are marketing outside a 30-mile radius of Hutchinson.

More information about the Tourism Marketing Grant program, grant criteria and grant application can be found on our Tourism Marketing Grant blog.

2019 Tourism Marketing Grant Criteria, Deadlines and Application (pdf)

Maximize Your Membership!

Job Postings for Chamber Members — Are you looking for qualified applicants to fill open positions at your business? Post you job openings on ExploreHutchinson.com through your Chamber Membership. Use us a a trustworthy resource to get the word out about your available positions. We reference these job postings and share on our Facebook page! Click on the image below for instructions or call the Chamber with questions.

Table Tent – Quarter 2 (April, May & June) Deadline – March 1st

Are you looking for a way to boost an upcoming Hutchinson event? The  Chamber prints and delivers 900 table tents around the community. Make sure you get your event added to the table tents! The cost is $30 per event listing for community members and Chamber Members receive a $10 discount per event listing.

Submitting an event is easy… just complete the printable Table Tent Entry Form (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber by the quarterly deadline.

The deadline for Quarter 2 (April, May & June events) is March 1, 2019.

Also, make sure to add it to the Chamber’s online Community Calendar. The Community Calendar averages about 100 views a day, so don’t forget to utilize it. Submitting an event to the Community Calendar may be done through your Chamber Member Portal or you can go directly to the Community Calendar page.

If you want table tents delivered to your business, to submit an event for an upcoming table tent or if you have any questions, give Gina a call,  send her an email or drop by the Chamber.

New & Returning Members

We would like to welcome our new members to the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce!

• Standard Printing ‘n’ Mailing

We also want to thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!

• Ace Hardware
• Albers Insurance
• American Family Insurance
• Chef Craig’s Catering
• Disable American Veterans
• Dobratz Hantge Chapel
• E.G. Rudd & Sons, Inc.
• Family Rexall Drug
• Hager Jewelry Inc.
• Holiday
• Hutchinson Area Dollars for Scholars
• Hutchinson Co-op
• Hutchinson Countryside Retreats
• Hutchinson Downtown Association
• Hutchinson Family Dentistry
• Hutchinson Leader
• Hutchinson Lions
• Kock’s Jewelry, Inc.
• L & P Supply Co.
• Laraway Roofing, Inc.
• McDonalds of Hutchinson
• McLeod County Abstract and Title
• Melchert Hubert Sjodin
• MidCountry Bank
• Redline Systems
• Runnings
• Skyview Dairy, Inc.
• Southwest Initiative Foundation
• Today’s Women of Hutchinson
• Viking Coca Cola
• Walgreens
• West Central Industries
• Zellas

Business of the Month

Our February Business of the Month is Adara Home Health! You may formerly know this business as Prairie River Home Care – find out more about their new brand and what Adara Home Health has to offer residents in the Hutchinson Community on the Business of the Month Profile Page.

The Hutchinson Ambassadors serve as the welcoming and social arm of the Hutchinson Chamber by actively supporting and promoting Hutchinson and its surrounding business community.

The Ambassador’s Facebook page is a great place to see photos of all the visits and other special events hosted by the Ambassadors.

You may have seen our Ambassadors around town – you can recognize them by their blue shirts and friendly smiles. They welcome new business openings, as well as, celebrate business renovations and milestones with an Ambassador Business Visit.

January’s Ambassador Business Visits:

• Lifelong Veterinary Clinic
• Jrr. Yoga
• ForTykes

Business After Hours is a great way to learn about businesses in Hutchinson and network with the fellow Chamber Members. This is a way to get behind the scenes on our local businesses… to see what they make, do or provide. This monthly event is by Chamber invitation only and is open to all Chamber Member business employees. Businesses interested in hosting a Business After Hours event or would like more information should email the Ambassadors.

If you are the only primary representative with your business receiving emails from the Chamber, please invite all your employees to join us! Preregistration is strongly encouraged, so our business hosts may plan accordingly.

February Business After Hours has been cancelled. The Chamber and Hutchinson Ambassadors encourage everyone to enjoy the Valentine’s holiday by thinking local. Support your local businesses by shopping, dining and playing local this Valentine’s Day!

Professionals Under 40 Leading Socializing and Educating

PULSE meets for Lunch & Learn events on the second Wednesday of each month from 12pm-1pm at Squeaky’s Grill and Bar. The events are free to attend, a $10 lunch option is available.

The group also gets together at quarterly social events  (green dates listed in calendar below). Like the PULSE Facebook page to get the latest event information and registration links. Register for the February 13th Lunch & Learn by Friday, February 8th to be entered into a $25 gift card drawing! February 13th Lunch & Learn Registration

Something from Mary!

What if there was no chamber in Hutchinson?

Sometimes people ask “what does the chamber actually do?”

The rest of Mary’s article can be found on February’s Something from Mary blog.

Save the Date!

• FEBRUARY
  5        PULSE Social Event
  13     PULSE Lunch & Learn
• MARCH
  1       Business Connection
  13     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  14     Business After Hours
• APRIL
  5        Business Connection
  10     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  11     Business After Hours
• MAY
  3        Business Connection
  8        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  9        Business After Hours
  15      Leadership Institute 2018-2019 Graduation
• JUNE
  7        Dairy Day
  12     PULSE Lunch & Learn
• JULY
  10       PULSE Lunch & Learn
  18-20  Crazy Days
  22       Chamber Golf Event – Oakdale
• AUGUST
  14        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  14-18  Made in McLeod @ County Fair
• SEPTEMBER
  11          PULSE Lunch & Learn
  13/14    45^th Arts & Crafts Festival
  13/14    Taste of Hutchinson
  19/20    Leadership Institute 2019-2020 Begins
• OCTOBER
  Farm Fatigue Buckets Delivered
  9        PULSE Lunch & Learn
  10      Business After Hours
   
• NOVEMBER
  13     PULSE Lunch & Learn
  21     Taste of the Holidays
  30     Small Business Saturday
• DECEMBER
  Crop Management Input Seminar
  12     Holiday Business After Hours

More For Your Business To Grow…

Annual Chamber Event & Community Awards – January 18

Moonwalk,  Running Man, Thriller, breakdancing, Snake, Electric Slide,  Worm, Dirty Dancing Lift, Walk Like an Egyptian, Right Stuff, Roger Rabbit, Voguing, Cabbage Patch, Pop ‘n Lock, Safety Dance, Sprinkler, and last but not least Everybody Footloose!

Come out to the Crow River Winery on Friday, January 18 for the Chamber’s Annual Event – 80’s Prom “A Night Under the Stars” and you will be guaranteed to see some of the best dance moves from the 80s!

Registration is open until Friday, January 11. To register for the 2019 Annual Chamber Event, 80’s Prom – A Night Under the Stars, use the online Annual Event Registration Form or by mailing/emailing a printable Annual Event Registration Form (pdf) to the Chamber.

Additionally, the Chamber and the Jaycees will be announcing the Community Awards for Business Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Young Leader of the Year. You wouldn’t want to miss this event!

Please help us congratulate the Chamber’s Ag Person of the Year – Ted Matthews. Ted was presented with the award at the 2019 Crop Management Input Seminar on Thursday, December 6 at the Hutchinson Event Center. Your congratulations go out to him for all his hard work and dedication!

New & Renewing Chamber Members

We  want to thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!

• Animal Medical Center on Crow River
• Bernick’s Pepsi
• Compton-Anderson Construction
• Edward Jones – Pat Chapman
• Farm Bureau Financial – Ryan Elbert
• Hassan Valley Lodge #109
• Hometown Ralty
• Hutch Café
• Hutchinson Health
• Hutchinson Toastmasters II
• Juul Contracting
• Kraft Walser Law Office
• Matthews & Vasek Construction
• MITGI
• Oakdale Golf Club
• Peace Lutheran Church
• Prince of Peace Retirement Living
• Regional Eye Specialists, PA
• Richard Larson Builders, Inc.
• Southwest Eye Care
• Title Mark

January Business of the Month

Our January Business of the Month is B&B Sports & RV. Read more about this great local company in the Business of the Month article.

The Hutchinson Ambassadors serve as the welcoming and social arm of the Hutchinson Chamber by actively supporting and promoting Hutchinson and its surrounding business community.

The Ambassador’s Facebook page is a great place to see photos of all the visits and other special events hosted by the Ambassadors.

You may have seen our Ambassadors around town – you can recognize them by their blue shirts and friendly smiles. They welcome new business openings, as well as, celebrate business renovations and milestones with an Ambassador Business Visit.

December’s Ambassador Business Visits:

• Branded Solutions
• Dana’s Dog Spa

Business After Hours is a great way to learn about businesses in Hutchinson and network with with fellow Chamber Members. This is a way to get behind the scenes on our local businesses… to see what they make, do or provide. This monthly event is Chamber invitation only and is open to all Chamber Member business employees. Businesses interested in hosting a Business After Hours event or would like more information should email the Ambassadors.

If you are the only primary representative with your business receiving emails from the Chamber, please invite all your employees to join us! Preregistration is strongly encouraged, so our business hosts may plan accordingly.

January’s Business After Hours will be will be hosted by Melchert Hubert Sjodin at the Crow River Country Club on Thursday, January 10 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at  at 22 Main St N.

Click here to register online for January’s Business After Hours or call the Chamber at 320-587-5252.

Something from Mary

Most of use have benefits through our employers.

We try to utilize those employee benefits to make our life better, healthier, balanced and maybe just a little easier. It’s what we do; use those benefits for maximum advantage for ourselves.

Your Chamber Membership comes with benefits also.

The rest of Mary’s article can be found on January’s Something from Mary blog.

Quarter 1 Table Tents are Here!

Are you looking for a way to boost an upcoming Hutchinson event? The Chamber printers and delivers over 900 table tents around the community. Make sure you get your event added to the Chamber’s table tents. The cost is $30 per event listing for community members and Chamber Members receive a $10 discount per event listing. Submitting an event is easy… just complete the printable Table Tent Entry Form and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber.

Also, if you submit an event to our table tents, make sure to add it to our Community Calendar. The Community Calendar averages about 100 views a day, so don’t forget to utilize it! Submitting an event to the Community Calendar may be done through your Chamber Member Portal or directly on the Community Calendar page!

The deadline for Quarter 2 (April, May & June) is March 1.

If you want table tents delivered to your business or if you want to submit an event for an upcoming table tent, please contact Gina by phone 320-234-0786 or by email gina@explorehutchinson.com.

Save the Date!

January 10 = BAH Melchert Hubert Sjodin
January 18 = Annual Chamber Event & Community Awards
June 7 = Dairy Days
July 18 – 20 = Crazy Days
July 22 = Hometown Golf Challenge
September 13 – 14 = Arts & Crafts Festival
November 30 = Small Business Saturday

More Information for Your Business to Grow!