MEDIA RELEASE
October 14, 2022
CONTACTS:
Phyllis O’Brien, Chamber Board President
Carrie Schalinske, Executive Director
St. Germain Area Chamber of Commerce
(715) 477-2205
CHAMBER REMAINS FOCUSED ON
MEMBERS AND OUR COMMUNITY
FALL ELECTORS MEETING ON
OCTOBER 19, 2022
As with the seasons, the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce is adapting to change and remains focused on prioritizing our commitment to our Members and our community.
“We are pleased to have welcomed Carrie Schalinske as our new Executive Director. Carrie is a St. Germain native. She attended the Little Red Brick School House and graduated from Northland Pines High School. Her parents met and married in St. Germain, her son attended the St. Germain Elementary School, and her husband has served our community on the St. Germain Fire Department for 20 years,” said Phyllis O’Brien, President of the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
“Carrie’s marketing, tourism and retail background bring a wealth of experience to our organization. Her love of our community, her diverse skills and years of business experience, and her maturity and professionalism will serve our Members and continue the many efforts our organization has prioritized for the benefit of our membership and our community,” Phyllis continued.
Through personnel and Board changes, Carrie remains focused on the mission of the Chamber and her responsibilities as Executive Director. “Our mission is the promotion of the business and civic community in our area. Our primary goal is to bring visitors to the community. Our welcome center is ready to greet our visitors, and work is proceeding on our fall, winter and 2023 promotions,” Carrie shared.
“Our Board of Directors are volunteers who are business owners and key staff members from local businesses. They are focused on continuing our growth in bringing visitors to our community and maintaining the increases in room tax revenues that we’ve experienced over the past several years. Our Members expect our efforts to benefit their businesses and the St. Germain community, and we take that responsibility seriously,” Carrie said.
“Our Board’s vision is my work plan. Tourism marketing, events that attract and engage visitors, and sound business practices that sustain our organization are the focus of my work. Together we collaborate and cooperatively work on the organization’s goals,” Carrie continued.
The Chamber Board has appointed three new Board Members to fill current vacancies and advance these objectives: Jimmy Vogel, Bill Humphrey and Rob Manthei.
In addition, two new directors will be elected at the Fall Electors Dinner Meeting. The Chamber has nominated Ron Rhodes of St. Germain Bed & Breakfast and St. Germain Rentals, and Larry Chamberlain of Chamberlain’s Eagle View Resort. These two nominations will be presented to the Chamber Members for approval. Floor nominations will also be accepted from the membership to fill two Director positions.
The Fall Electors Dinner Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Spang’s on Hwy 70 in St. Germain. Social hour begins at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm, and elections will be held at 7:15 pm. Members will vote on the slate of candidates presented.
“While I have not been in this position very long, it’s clear to me that we have a dedicated group of Board Members. While not everyone may agree on everything, the passion and commitment I’ve seen shows how much our organization means to our community. I look forward to welcoming our new Board Members and continuing the growth and success our Chamber has established.”
The Chamber’s next event is the Holiday Marketplace that will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Festivities include the Arts and Crafts Show, the Jingle Bell 5K and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
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