Weekly Networking Event

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. The event will take place on Friday, December 12th 7:30-8:30am at Christianson CPAs and Consultants (302 5th St SW, Willmar). Don't forget to bring your business card for a chance at door prizes. $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: Salvation Army.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Celebrates 20 Years

Congratulations and thank you to Public Affairs Consultant Sarah Caflisch and Director of Community Health Sarah Senseman of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota on 20 years of membership and support of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber!

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is a Minnesota-based health insurance company that offers coverage to individuals, families, employers, and Medicare members across the state. It also invests in community health initiatives through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, supporting efforts that improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

Representing the Chamber: President/CEO James Miller, Jan Ruby (Little Crow Ski Team), Jessica Hanson (Willmar Hypnosis), Amy Evink (Mick Quinn- State Farm), Shelly Bormann (Goodwill Easter-Seals), and Jeff Martinka (United Prairie).

Let's Celebrate Local Leaders Together

A New Chapter Begins

Exciting changes are on the horizon — the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber and Explore Willmar Lakes Area are relocating to the MinnWest Technology Campus! Our new home will be a modern hub designed for collaboration, training, and community connection. The expanded space will feature enhanced technology and larger meeting areas, allowing us to better serve local businesses, partners, and visitors in fresh and innovative ways. To bring this vision to life, we’ve launched a $100,000 capital campaign to support the build-out of the new space. If you’d like to be part of this exciting next chapter, we’d love to connect with you.

Ridgewater Seeks Public Input on President Search

Ridgewater College invites members of the public to participate in community listening sessions as part of the search for the College’s next president. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson will host listening sessions on Thursday, December 11 at both the Willmar and Hutchinson campuses. Listening sessions are open to the public, and all community members are encouraged to attend. Each session is forty-five minutes in length.

Listening sessions are an opportunity for community members to share their perspectives on the qualities and priorities they believe are important for Ridgewater’s next leader. Feedback will help guide the presidential search process. Interested community members are encourage to RSVP to debbie.ardoff@ridgewater.edu

Dr. Craig Johnson, President of Ridgewater College, will retire May 19, 2026, culminating eight years of dedicated service to the institution. To learn more about Ridgewater College and the presidential search process please visit www.ridgewater.edu.

Community Listening Sessions

Willmar Campus (2101 15th Ave NW – Willmar, MN)

Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Time: 8:00 – 8:45 am

Location: Willmar Campus, Student Center Building, second floor Dining Center

Hutchinson Campus (2 Century Ave SE – Hutchinson, MN)

Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Time: 5:30-6:15 pm

Location: Hutchinson Campus, Commons Area

Business Education Network

The Business Education Network and the Willmar High School recently welcomed Christianson CPAs and Consultants, Duininck, and Healthy Fusion to Zero Hour. Students had a chance to learn more about each of these businesses and sample drinks from Healthy Fusion.

Zero Hour takes place during the first hour on Wednesdays at the Willmar Senior High. It’s a designated time for students to catch up on tests or missing work. Students who are all caught up gather in the commons until classes begin which provides a great opportunity to showcase the amazing businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area.

If you’d like to engage with Willmar High School students and share what your organization offers, please contact Jennifer Lindquist, BEN Program Coordinator, at BENCoordinator@willmarareachamber.com to reserve your spot for upcoming openings in January and February with a few additional dates. Let’s inspire the next generation—one Zero Hour at a time!

neXt Friends + Family WarHawks Game

neXt members enjoyed a fun Saturday night with friends and family, cheering on the Willmar WarHawks from the VIP deck.

Chamber Chat

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by local mental health experts Caroline Chan with Kandiyohi County, Kim Madsen and Dr. Ashley Kjos with Woodland Centers.

Chamber Job Board

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.

Central Minnesota Christian School - Director of Finance and Human Resources

Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Field Service Technician, Fuel Transport Driver

Employment Plus - Part-Time Delivery Driver, Poultry Farm Laborer, Bank Teller

ESS - Substitute Teacher, Substitute SpEd Paraprofessional

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

Lake Region Bank - Full-Time Teller

Life-Science Innovations - Chief Financial Officer

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment - Advance Dental Therapist, Special Care Dentist, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Northern Radiator - Administrative Assistant, Purchasing Agent

The Crossings - Director of Health Services RN, Sales and Marketing Director

West Central Sanitation - Driver Trainer / Operations Supervisor