Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber at Glacial Ridge Curling for Business After Hours toda, January 27th 4:30-6:00pm. This is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with local business professionals, expand your network, and enjoy a casual, fun evening out at the new curling facility! All are welcome. Come and go as you are able. No RSVP required. Glacial Ridge Curling is located in Uptown Willmar in the former Herberger's location (1410 5th St SE, Suite C, Willmar).

Here's what you can expect:

4:30 PM Ribbon cutting, networking, appetizers, and beverages

5:20 PM Introductions

5:30 PM Host interview

5:50 PM Drawing for door prizes (must be present to win!)

Congratulations and thank you to Haug Implement on 50 years of continuous membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area business community!

Since 1918, Haug Implement has proudly served West Central Minnesota as a John Deere dealership, delivering excellence built on decades of experience, hometown hard work, and integrity. While agriculture has changed significantly over the years, Haug Implement has continually evolved alongside it—adapting, innovating, and growing to meet the needs of today’s farmers.

Family-owned and operated for generations, Haug Implement continues to earn trust through strong relationships and dependable service. With locations in Willmar and Litchfield, their legacy of commitment to the community remains strong.

Members of the Chamber Board, Diplomats, and Agri-Business Committee recently had the opportunity to tour Haug Implement’s impressive expansion, a reflection of their ongoing investment in the future of agriculture and our region.

Pictured: Lindsey Peters (MinnWest Technology Campus), Tracy Lundy (Lake Region Bank), Lindsay Ampe (Ridgewater College), Christina Williams (R&J Tours), Blair Aasen (Service Manager), Amy Evink (Mick Quinn - State Farm), Chris Gadient (Parts Manager), Lexi Kopacek (Christianson CPAs and Consultants), Wade Roemeling (Sales Manager), Kami Anez (Anez Consulting), James Miller (Chamber President/CEO), Cate Krieger (Merchandising Manager), Butch Haug (Owner), Charlie Haug (Technician), Paal Haug (Owner/General Manager), Holly Haug, Terri Wood (Woody's Trucking), Kody Aasen (Precision Ag/IT Manager), Jean Geselius (CDS), Dan Jenkins (Controller), Jena Tollefson (HR Director), Jeff Newberg (Duininck Inc), Larry Stulen (CDS), Brittany VanDerBill (B.VanDerBill Consulting), Dan Jacobs (Marcus Construction), Andy VanDerBill (VanDerBill Farms), and Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis).

Join local business and HR experts for an interactive session that explores how to stay compliant, strengthen your workforce, and turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantage. Whether you’re a business owner, HR professional, manager, or front-line supervisor, this session will provide practical solutions and tools to help you lead confidently through the workforce and compliance challenges of the year ahead! 

Plus, buckle up for these exciting mini presentations:

• Tackling Toxicity and Promoting Positivity
• Why Do Employees Leave? It’s Because of You! Being the Nice Guy Can Backfire
• How to Put Butts in Seats: Using Technology to Set the Hook When Fishing for Candidates
• The Real Root of People Issues

Award recipients will be announced soon. Thank you for all the fantastic nominations!

As we begin the new year, the Business Education Network would like to invite local businesses to participate in upcoming Zero Hours at the Willmar High School on Wednesday mornings from 8:00-9:00am. While some students use this time to catch up on tests or missing work, others wait in the commons for class to start. BEN has been given the opportunity to invite one or two businesses to set up tables in the commons area to interact with these students. This time is meant for your business to promote itself as an option for students to consider as they move towards the workforce. It is not meant as a hiring fair. The goal is to build relationships between students and businesses to help them understand the variety of career paths available in our community. Available dates include March 4 or 18; April 1, 8, 15, or 29; and May 6 or 13. If this sounds like an opportunity your business is interested in, please email bencoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,600 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

Citizens Alliance Bank - Core Application Specialist, Teller/Personal Banker, Credit Control Specialist, VP - Branch Manager and Lender, Mortgage Department Manager, VP - Loan Officer, Loan Officer, Credit Analyst

Employment Plus - Steel Fabricator, Administrative Specialist, Temporary General Laborer/Fabricator, Part-Time Accountant

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional, Food and Nutrition Service

Haug Implement - Parts Counter Professional - Willmar, Professional Truck Driver, Cleaning and Customer Service Assistant, Ag Equipment Sales

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment - Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Northern Radiator - Willmar Warehouse Associate

Old National - Business Banking Relationship Manager - Marshall

January 27 at 12:00pm - Projects, Priorities, and Progress at Life-Science Innovations

January 27 at 4:30pm - Business After Hours at Glacial Ridge Curling

January 29 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat on KWLM

January 29 at at 11:00am - Ribbon Cutting at Magnolia Accounting Services

February 2 at 4:00pm - Ribbon Cutting for MHI Consulting at the Chamber

February 3 at 8:00am - New Year, New Challenges at Life-Science Innovations

January 29 - KCEO Gala at Willmar Conference Center

February 12 - Community Leadership Celebration at Willmar Conference Center

February 26 - Partners in Ag Innovation Conference at MinnWest Technology Campus

April 23 - Student Job Fair & Career Expo at the Willmar High School

April 28 - Business After Hours at Quist Wealth Management

May 14 - Business After Hours at Max's on the Green hosted by SDN Communications

May 21 - Leadership Perspectives Graduation

June 22 - Aggie Open at Island Pine Golf Club

July 25 - Rock the Dock at Zorbaz on Green Lake

August 3 - Golf Classic at Eagle Creek Golf Club