Hutchinson Leadership Institute
Congratulations to the 2018 – 2019 Hutchinson Leadership Institute Graduates!
Heidi Arndt Becky Boll Steven Broll
Cole Coubrough Alice Davenport Stoltz Dan Fischer
Dillon Forcier Ashley Gabbert Brad Hemling
Joshua Koehnen Kim Kruse Tasha Lambert
Steve Lamecker Mark Lansink Kelly Magnuson
Payton Eastman Jay Malone Erin Petty
John Sanken Tyler Schmeling Jill Springer
Jenelle Stiras Tera Thomas Paul Wesley
Participants, sponsors, alumni and guests are invited to join us on May 15 at the Crow River Winery to celebrate the graduation and community service projects of the 2018 – 2019 Hutchinson Leadership Institute Class. Students in the Hutchinson Leadership Institute have the rare opportunity to turn knowledge into action by creating community projects as part of the program.
Hutchinson Leadership Institute Banquet
The 30th graduating class of the Hutchinson Leadership Institute (HLI) will present their community projects at the HLI Banquet on Wednesday, May 15 at 5:30 PM at the Crow River Winery. Current participants, sponsors and a guest have no fee to attend. Alumni and additional guest can purchase a ticket for $25 per person.
If you would like to attend the graduation and banquet or would like more information about registering for the 2019 – 2020 class, please call the Chamber or email Mary.
Leadership 2.0
Congratulations to the 2018 – 2019 Leadership 2.0 Graduates!
Hope Hagert Dave Wollan Melissa Straka
Dean Bertram Nikki Willemssen Mark Corbin
Don Martinez Mary Hodson Beth Gasser
Tom Lambert Shannon Brice Jackie Borka
Bo Young Andrea Moore Adam Smith
Every leader plays a significant role in making a community the best it can be. Leadership 2.0 takes a deeper dive into personal leadership and how it can impact the future of the entire community.
If you would like information about registering for the 2019 – 2020 class, please call the Chamber or email Mary.
2019 Tourism Marketing Grant – Reminder – Deadline June 1!
The June 1st deadline is quickly approaching for the Hutchinson Tourism & Marketing Grant. Grants are available for not-for-profit 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)
Business Connection – May 3
Please join us for May’s Business Connection hosted by Vivid Image on Friday, May 3 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM at 897 Hwy 15 S. See how Vivid Image can help your business navigate through websites, social media, reputation management, search engines and the list goes on.
Business Connection is a morning networking event that takes place at a Chamber business on the first Friday of each month from 7:00 AM to 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. We will always have a Chamber update for you as well.
Door prizes will be given out, so make sure you bring your business card to be entered into the drawing. The new networking opportunity is a great way 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.
Online registration for May Business Connection
Business After Hours – May 8
May’s Business After Hours will be hosted by Goebel Fixture Company on Wednesday, May 8 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 528 Dale St SW.
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.
Online registration for May’s Business After Hours.
Maximize Your Membership!
Does your business or organization have an special announcement? You may want to consider sending a news release – a written communication directed at community members for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy.
Chamber members can post their News Releases on ExploreHutchinson.com. When your news release is posted it will receive community exposure on our website.
Click on the image on the right for instructions or call the Chamber with questions.
Dairy Day – Friday, June 7 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM – Library Square Park
Every year over 1,000+ supporters come to Library Square in celebration of Dairy Day, the annual official start of summer in Hutchinson. The Agri-Business Committee hosts Day Day honoring our vibrant farming community. Plan to stop down for a $5 lunch and learn more about our local agriculture in Hutchinson and the surrounding communities.
This year’s activities include:
- 12:00 PM – Cow Milking Contest – featuring celebrity milkers including Hutchinson Water Carnival Royalty, McLeod County Dairy Ambassadors and manufacturing leaders – Jack Daggett, Matt Field and Brett Haugen!
- 12:30 PM – Fro-Yo Eating Contest – sponsored by Below Zero Frozen Yogurt
- Meet Princess Kay of the Milky Way
- $5.00 Lunch
- Children’s’ activities
- Live Music by Josie Sanken
If you are interested in in sponsoring this community event, just complete the printable Dairy Day Sponsor Registration form (pdf) and mail, email to drop it off at the Chamber.
For more information, please see our printable Dairy Day poster (pdf) or call the Chamber.
CrAzY DaYs – Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for July 18 – 20.
The Chamber advertises in publications locally and in surrounding communities to share the great deals offered during Hutchinson’s Crazy Days!
More information to come!
Hometown Golf Challenge
This year the Chamber is hosting a Tailgating Party at the Annual Hometown Golf Challenge on Monday, July 22 at Oakdale Golf Club. Wear your favorite team or game apparel. We are excited to have some fun and want to let you in on it too! This is a fun and easy event as well as a great way to highlight your business. This event is open to the public.
This year’s events and information:
- Early Bird Pricing ($100 before June 28) includes cart, green fee, lunch & dinner
Regular Pricing ($125 after June 28) includes cart, green fee, lunch & dinner - 18 Holes, Scramble Format
- 11:00 – 11:45 AM Registration & Lunch
- 12:00 PM Shotgun Start
- Prizes, three cash prizes for golf teams, best costume, best decorated cart and best of both
- Event packages available day of event
- $500 guaranteed shootout winner
Want to take advantage of being an event sponsor, just complete the printable Hometown Golf Sponsorship Form (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber.
To register for the event, complete the printable Hometown Golf Registration form (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber.
45th Annual Hutchinson Arts & Crafts Festival September 13 – 14, 2019
Are you looking for a unique piece of jewelry, collar for your canine or gourmet olive oil? Look no longer, the 45th Annual Hutchinson Arts & Crafts Festival will be here before you know it!
Conversely, if you are an artisan and interested in vending at the Arts & Crafts Festival, applying is easy! Just complete the printable Hutchinson Arts & Crafts Festival Exhibitor Application & Guidelines (pdf)and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber! An online Hutchinson Arts & Crafts Festival Exhibitor Application & Guidelines is also available.
For any questions, please contact the Chamber at 320-587-5252 or email us.
Taste of Hutchinson
The Hutchinson Ambassadors host the Taste of Hutchinson on September 13 & 14 along side the Arts & Crafts Festival. Delectable food options and live music awaits all patrons!
Interested in being a food vendor? Just complete the printable Hutchinson Ambassador 45th Annual Taste of Hutchinson Food Vendor Application (pdf) and mail, email or drop it off at the Chamber.
Table Tents Quarter 3 (July, August & September) Deadline – June 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 $20 for Chamber member 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 3 (July, August & September events) is June 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 & Renewing Members
We would like to welcome our new members the the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce!
- Custom Stay Residence & Suites
- Bobbing Bobber Brewing Company
We also want to thank the following members for renewing their partnership with us!
- AKI
- Arvig Media
- Crow River Youth for Christ
- Edina Realty, Inc.
- Faith Lutheran Church
- Five Star Financial Resources
- Hutchinson Elks & Lodge 2427
- Hutchinson Financial
- Hutchinson Manufacturing
- Keller Williams – The Broll Team
- McLeod Emergency Food Shelf
- Minnesota Garlic Festival
- Nuvera
- SouthPoint Financial Credit Union
- The Hair Lounge
- The Lamb Shoppe & Wellness
- Walmart Supercenter
- West Central Sanitation
Business of the Month
May Business of the Month is Hantge Funeral Chapels. This family-owned funeral home supports, participates, and believes in our hometown causes, events and organizations. The staff and owners are your local friends and neighbors, and their goal is to provide sensitive and caring assistance during life’s most difficult times and create meaningful celebrations that honor your family and friends. Read the Business of the Month article to learn more.
The Hutchinson Ambassadors serve as the welcoming and social area 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 host Business After Hours, welcome new business openings, as well as, celebrate business renovations and milestones with an Ambassador Business Visit.
April’s Ambassador Business Visits:
- Cancelled due to bad weather
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 May 8th Lunch & Learn by Friday, May 3rd to be entered into a $25 gift card drawing! May 8th Lunch & Learn Registration.
Something from Mary!
Why does the Chamber have a golf tournament?
I am so glad you asked! …
The rest of Mary’s article can be found on May’s Something from Mary Blog.
Save the Date!
- MAY
3 Business Connection – Vivid Image
8 PULSE Lunch & Learn
8 Business After Hours – Goebel Fixture Company
15 Leadership Institute 2018-2019 Graduation - JUNE
7 Business Connection – Equul Access
7 Dairy Day
12 PULSE Lunch & Learn - JULY
10 PULSE Lunch & Learn
18-20 Crazy Days
22 Chamber Golf Event – Oakdale Golf Course - AUGUST
2 Business Connection – Buffalo Wild Wings
14 PULSE Lunch & Learn
14-18 Made in McLeod @ County Fair - SEPTEMBER
6 Business Connection – New Discoveries Montesorri Academy
11 PULSE Lunch & Learn
13-14 45th Arts & Crafts Festival
13-14 Taste of Hutchinson
19-20 Leadership Institute 2019-2020 Begins - OCTOBER
Farm Fatigue Buckets Delivered
4 Business Connection – Adult Training & Habilitation Center Inc
9 PULSE Lunch & Learn
10 Business After Hour – Stamp N Storage - NOVEMBER
1 Business Connection – Ecumen Oaks & Pines
13 PULSE Lunch & Learn
14 Taste of the Holidays
30 Small Business Saturday - DECEMBER
Crop Management Input Seminar
6 Business Connection – Jay Malone Motors
12 Holiday Business After Hours
More Information For Your Business To Grow…