Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber at the KCEO Trade Show located in the Sibley Auditorium at Life-Science Innovations (1800 Technology Drive NE, Willmar). Celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of these local high school students who have spent the year building their businesses. Explore their creative ventures, chat with the student entrepreneurs, and discover a wide range of innovative products and services. Don’t forget to bring your business card!

Congratulations to Avis Mikhail and his team at Metro by T-Mobile on their First Dollar and Ribbon Cutting with the Chamber Ambassadors! The Grand Opening took place Saturday at the new store located at 1709 1st St South in Willmar. The sun was shining as guests enjoyed bounce houses, a food truck, dunk tank, giveaways, and more - making it a day to remember! Metro by T-Mobile offers a wide range of affordable wireless plans, no annual contracts, the latest smartphones, and exceptional nationwide 5G coverage—keeping you connected wherever you go!

Pictured representing the Chamber: President/CEO James Miller, Vicki Davis (Fladeboe Land/City of Willmar), Fernando Alvarado, Jeff Jensen (West Central Technology), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Dustin Kotrba (Christianson PLLP), Doug Kuehnast, and Michelle Marotzke (Kandiyohi County Economic Development).

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Business After Hours! Special shoutout to New London Real Estate, Inc. for the good vibes, great conversations, and laughs. Don't miss our next Business After Hours at Quist Wealth Management on May 20th!

The Business Education Network and Willmar Public High School welcomed Duininck and CLUES to Zero Hour on April 9th. Students checked out these two awesome organizations while thinking about what they might want to do in the future. Zero Hour is the first hour every other Wednesday for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Those who do not have work to catch up on are in the commons area until classes start. This provides the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area. If you would like the opportunity to engage with students, email Program Coordinator Jennifer Lindquist at bencoordinator@willmarareachamber.com.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by Naomi Hinz. Naomi is the owner of The Main Pointe School of Dance, and is also a recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader 5 Under 45 Award.

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 1,500 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

• Bernick's Pepsi - CDL Route Driver - $5,000 Sign-on Bonus

• CentraCare - EMT, Paramedic

• Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Fuel Transport Driver

• Employment Plus - Rental Property Maintenance/Carpenter, Accounts Payable Distribution Specialist

• Haug Implement - Parts Counter Professional, Tire Specialist

• Haug Kubota - Service Technician

• Kandiyohi County Food Shelf - Inventory Specialist

• Northern Radiator - Purchasing Manager, IT Internship, Warehouse Associate

• Perkins Lumber Company - Delivery Driver

• Ridgewater College - Automative Services Technology Instructor

• Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Speech Pathologist (Virtual, Hybrid, or In-Person)

• United Way of West Central Minnesota - Growmobile Staff

• West Central Roofing - Foreman/Lead

• Willmar Electric - Electrical Drafter

Tuesday, May 6th at 12:00pm - Fifth Grade Ag Tours at Louriston Dairy

Wednesday, May 7th at 9:00am - Fifth Grade Ag Tours at Louriston Dairy

Wednesday, May 7th at 12:00pm - Fifth Grade Ag Tours at Loursiton Dairy

Thursday, May 8th at 9:00am - Fifth Grade Ag Tours at CoJo Dairy

Thursday, May 8th at 12:00pm - Fifth Grade Ag Tours at CoJo Dairy

Friday, May 9th at 7:30am - Chamber Connection & KCEO Trade Show

Tuesday, May 13th at 8:30am - neXt Leadership Meeting at the Chamber

Tuesday, May 13th at 11:30am - Minnesota Paid Leave Educational at Heritage Bank

Business After Hours at Quist Wealth Management

Tuesday, May 20th

Leadership Perspectives Graduation at Willmar Conference Center

Thursday, May 29th

Aggie Open at Little Crow

Monday, June 16th

Special Event at Zorbaz

Saturday, July 26th

Registration opening soon!

Golf Classic at Eagle Creek

Monday, August 18th

Registration is open for Advocate - Chairman's Circle Members