Next Wednesday!

Sip, snack, and socialize! Join all six Dakota County chambers for a cozy fall evening of connections, fun, and seasonal surprises. Click image to register and set a reminder.

What’s in it for YOU!

What’s in it for Me is a way for new members, or new employees of current members, to meet the Chamber team and tell us what they want from their membership. They also get to make a half a dozen or so brand new connections on the spot! If you have someone new on your team that would benefit, email Shanen to see when our next one will be. Thank you to two of our Chamber Ambassadors - RJ Cetnarowski (New Market Bank) and Dusty Brown (Laker Promotions) for helping us make the group feel welcome this week!

Photo Dump

Our Cosmic Gala earlier this month was truly out of this world! From shimmering stars to stellar smiles, the night was filled with laughter, connection, and celebration. Here’s a little photo dump to relive the magic — proof that our community really knows how to shine bright! Thank you to Elizabeth Day, Day by Day Photography, for capturing the magic of the evening!

One more shout out to Lakeview Bank for being our presenting sponsor each year. It is almost time to start nominating individuals for their annual Legacy Awards. Lakeview Bank’s Annual Legacy Awards celebrate community members who reflect the bank’s core values of integrity, respect, service, attitude, and professionalism. The program recognizes four categories: the Academic Scholarship for a high school senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree; the Alyssa Ettl Scholarship, honoring a Lakeville North High School senior in memory of former employee Alyssa Ettl; the Vocational/Trade School Scholarship for students entering technical or trade careers; and the Citizen/Volunteer Award for adults who give back through leadership or service. Each recipient receives $1,500 to support educational goals or charitable causes. Awardees are honored at a special April reception at Lakeview Bank. Put it on your calendar to check back in November to nominate an outstanding member of our community!

Thank you for 20 Years!

A couple times a year we head out to celebrate the businesses who have invested in the Chamber, and our Lakeville community, for 20+ years. We would not be where we are, or do what we do, without the longtime support of members like you all!

Help us celebrate Jamie

on November 12!

Jamie Dahlen: 2025 Lakeville Chamber of Commerce Businesswoman of the Year

Jamie Dahlen has built a career defined by dedication, family, and a passion for hospitality. As the owner of the Holiday Inn and Suites Lakeville and Holiday Inn and Suites Lakeville and Candlewood Suites Lakeville, Jamie has spent decades creating environments where guests feel cared for, employees thrive, and family is at the heart of every decision.

Jamie’s roots in hospitality trace back to her childhood, growing up in Bloomington. Born the only girl and middle child in her family, she grew up watching her father work as a truck driver for Bachman’s for 50 years, while her mother dedicated herself to raising the family. Hospitality, however, runs in her blood: her grandparents owned restaurants and a resort in Alexandria, Minnesota. Every summer, Jamie would spend weeks at the resort, helping out in whatever capacity she could. Some of her fondest memories come from those summers, especially the time spent with her grandmother, who taught her the ins and outs of the hospitality industry, including the importance of cleaning a room thoroughly and making guests feel at home. Those lessons left a lasting impression, sparking a lifelong passion for creating welcoming spaces and unforgettable experiences.

Jamie’s professional journey began early. At just 16, she worked as a housekeeper at the Ramada Inn in Bloomington, where she not only honed her skills but also met her future husband. By the time she graduated high school, she had already been promoted to supervisor. At 18, she followed her husband to Montana, where she served as Executive Housekeeper at the hotel where they both worked. Returning to Minnesota, she resumed her work in hotels, demonstrating a commitment to growth, excellence, and teamwork.

While raising her three children, Jamie balanced family life with work in restaurants and a 12-year part-time position in the private club for the North Stars. Her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities reflected her natural leadership and adaptability, qualities that would define her later business success. When her children reached high school, Jamie returned to hotels full-time, working at the Burnsville Holiday Inn for 14 years in a variety of roles. She loved the work so much that her children also contributed, mirroring the sense of family and community she had experienced at her grandparents’ resort.

In 2005, Jamie took a major step in her career when she partnered with Joe Miller of Country Joe Homes to purchase and revitalize a rundown Super 8 in Lakeville. Jamie fondly recalls sharing pizza with construction workers from Minnesota Teen Challenge while sitting on the concrete floors of what would become the hotel’s ballroom. Those moments reinforced her love for people and her natural caregiving instincts.

Jamie purchased the Burnsville Holiday Inn with her family in 2010 and opened Candlewood Suites Lakeville in 2015. Although selling the Burnsville property in 2023 was bittersweet, her family remains deeply involved in the business, including her daughters, sons-in-law, and even grandchildren. This family-centered approach is something Jamie has cherished from her earliest experiences in hospitality.

Beyond her hotels, Jamie has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Premier Owner’s Association, Minnesota Lodging Board, Minnesota Hospitality Board, Lakeville Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board, where she continues to provide guidance. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and rarely misses a grandchild’s sporting event.

Jamie’s advice to young female entrepreneurs is candid and heartfelt: embrace change, accept unpredictability, and most importantly, love what you do. For Jamie, hospitality isn’t just a career—it’s a calling, a family legacy, and a way to touch lives, one guest at a time. Her journey reflects that when passion, hard work, and family intertwine, success is measured not only in accolades, but in the joy and memories created for those around you.

Looking ahead, Jamie shows no signs of slowing down. While she has delegated more day-to-day responsibilities to her trusted leadership team, she remains deeply involved in the growth and future of her properties. She is exploring ways to enhance guest experiences, mentor the next generation of hospitality professionals, and continue her family’s legacy in the industry. Despite her many accomplishments and the recognition she has received, Jamie remains remarkably humble, often crediting her team, family, and the community for her success rather than herself. For her, the next chapter is about quietly building on what she’s started, supporting others, and continuing to make her hotels welcoming places where people feel valued and cared for.

Jamie will be honored as the fifth Businesswoman of the Year at the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women’s Symposium & Expo on November 12, 2025. She joins past recipients – Laurie Bolin (360 Communities), Patty McDonald (McDonald Eye Care Associates), Karen Wentworth (HOBO, Chemquest, Triton) and Amy Povroznik (Flora Etcetera). The Symposium is open to the public and the agenda and ticket information can be found at LakevilleChamber.org/events or by contacting the Chamber at 952-469-2020.

I could totally be the

Mayor… for ONE day!

The League of Minnesota Cities is hosting their “Mayor for a Day” Essay Contest! Students are invited to share how they would make their city an even better place to live. Learn more and submit entries here.

Now Hiring

Know anyone looking? We have some great companies hiring! If you are currently hiring for any positions, email Kim so we highlight you!

PMFL - webinar November 13

If you are still needing information or guidance on the MN Paid Leave program that goes into effect January 1, there is one more public webinar being held on November 13. REGISTER HERE

Here are some key dates:

December 1, 2025 – Employers need to notify employees about their benefits
January 1, 2026 – Payroll deduction starts, benefits and leave are available to Minnesotans, small business assistance funding will be available
April 30, 2026 – First quarterly premium is due

You can see the slide deck HERE. You can sign up to receive email notifications and updates for both leadership and employees, as well as submit questions and comments, HERE.

Last Chance to nominate

The Businesspersons of the Year alumni will be selecting our 2025 recipient in November. If you know of someone deserving, please email me a short paragraph of their accomplishments, community involvement and philanthropy and I will submit to the group!

Visionary Donor Highlight

The Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize QA1 as a Visionary Donor. Their generous support not only helps the Chamber advance local business initiatives and strengthen community connections but also plays a key role in supporting Lakeville Works, our career exploration and workforce development program. Through their commitment, QA1 helps create opportunities for students and young professionals to explore in-demand careers, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for the workforce in the Lakeville area. We sincerely thank QA1 for their dedication to our community and for making a meaningful impact on both the local business community and the next generation of talent.