2022 Annual Meeting Recap
We celebrated 2022 and looked forward to the 2023 initiatives and goals during the Waconia Chamber Annual Meeting on January 26 at Freshwater Church.
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Everson's Hardware Hank was honored with the Business Legacy Award. Everson's Hardware Hank was founded in 1966 and has been a chamber member for 56 years.
Everson's was recognized for being a pillar business in Waconia. The Everson family continues to be strong community supporters and leaders.
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The Board of Directors gavel was passed from Outgoing Chair Todd Hann (HomeTown Bank) to 2023 Board Chair Kelly Dohm (Melchert Hubert Sjodin).
Outgoing Directors Andy Strong (Waconia Dodge), Laura Falk (Smothers and Falk Realty Group), and Matt Bergmann (Laketown Electric) were recognized for their years of service on the Board of Directors.
Jennifer Kaeding (Kaeding Architecture) and Khuzana DeVaan (Waconia Public Schools) were installed as Board Directors.
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Matt Bergmann, Laketown Electric
Chamber Board Director
2020-2022
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Laura Falk, Smothers & Falk Realty Group
Chamber Board Director
2020-2022
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Andy Strong, Waconia Dodge
Chamber Board Director
2017-2022
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Click to view the 2022 Year in Review Video. |
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Click to view the 2022 Year in Review Dashboard. |
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We appreciate your support!
Thank you to all our members who renewed their membership investment for 2023.
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Never Bored Adventures
Audra Lawson
(612) 306-2834
Recreation
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A Message from the Board Chair |
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Welcome to the Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce!
by Kelly Dohm, Melchert Hubert Sjodin
Board Chair, Waconia Chamber of Commerce
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As the Board Chair for 2023, I am excited to be a leader and business representative of the Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce (“Waconia Chamber”). I have been blessed to be a part of this growing and thriving business community since 1998 and have witnessed first-hand what makes our business community so unique and special. We as a group of business leaders are an innovative and collaborative group striving towards the same goal; we work together to continuously improve our quality of life and prosperity through our community. Continue reading...
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Ambassador Visits & Ribbon Cuttings |
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Primary contact: Andy Mohn
235 West Main St, Waconia
(952) 442-5340
Andy Mohn State Farm recently moved his office from Victoria to 235 West Main Street in Waconia. Andy is expanding his team and needed more space in a new office. Andy Mohn State Farm provides home, auto, life, and health insurance, licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota.
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Primary contact: Will Meyerhoff
(952) 843-8282
Will Meyerhoff of Meyerhoff Design works with clients to provide graphic design, videography, photography, and more in a creative director role. Will has worked with the chamber to provide photos of Nickle Dickle Day, the 4th of July Fireworks, and Scarecrow Tour. He also created the 2022 Year in Review video.
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Primary contact: Brooke Struck
17 W 1st St, Waconia
(612) 590-4039
Waconia's newest retail spot, Nice Shirt Co. features Waconia Wildcat apparel, other local apparel, locally made pottery, and a variety of gift items. Owner Brooke Struck designs all the graphics seen on the apparel. Nice Shirt Co. is currently open Thursday-Saturday. Check the Nice Shirt Co. Facebook or Instagram for current hours.
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Store Manager: Aly Stoeckman
100 Sparrow Road, Waconia
(952) 442-4373
Kwik Trip CEO Scott Zietlow, along with Kwik Trip representatives from around the state, opened the newest Kwik Trip in Waconia this week with a ribbon cutting. Store Managers, Zietlow, Chamber President Christine Fenner, Waconia Mayor Nicole Waldron, and Miss Minnesota spoke during the event. Story Manager Aly Stoeckman cut the ribbon to officially open the store.
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Member News and Happenings |
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Name the Waterfront Service Center at Lk Waconia Regional Park
The title of the waterfront service center was created with the application for state bond funds. It was meant to help describe that the building would be more than a picnic pavilion, offering additional services and be near the shoreline. It was not meant to be the actual name of the building.
Members of the Carver County Parks Commission are in the process of coming up with a new name.
Suggested criteria:
• Historical significance
• Environmental feature
• Cultural significance
If you have a name/story that you’d like to submit for consideration, please email ideas to cfenner@destinationwaconia.org. Deadline to submit is February 7.
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Ridgeview Receives the 2023 Women's Choice Award
Ridgeview has been named as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that Ridgeview is in the top 4 percent of 4,729 U.S. hospitals offering obstetrics.
The Women’s Choice Award educates all women on where to receive the best care and focuses its research on hospitals that provide the highest quality patient experience, especially important for potential labor complications.
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Pulled Pork and Bingo at Legion this Weekend
Saturday, January 28
11:00AM-1:00PM
4 E Main St, Waconia
The Waconia American Legion Auxiliary will be serving pulled pork sandwiches with chips on Saturday, January 28, from 11AM-1PM. Bingo starts at noon.
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Upcoming Library Programs
Movie Musicals: Unwrapping Music with MacPhail
Monday, January 30 | 7:00PM
Waconia Public Library
217 S Vine St, Waconia
The movie musical is a highly stylized, emotionally expansive way to tell a story. This class examines the trends in movie musicals over the last century- covering classics like The Wizard of Oz and Singin’ in the Rain to modern takes on the movie musical like Moulin Rouge and The Greatest Showman.
This project was funded (in part or in whole) with money from Minnesota’s Art and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Ransomware: What it is and how to avoid it
Tuesday, February 7
7:00PM
Virtual
While ransomware has crippled hospitals, police and fire departments, municipalities, pipelines and other critical infrastructure, it can attack individuals as well as organizations. We need to be aware of the threat to ourselves and our computing networks, able to recognize the techniques, and alert to the risks ransomware poses to us as employees and individuals. In this session, we’ll discuss what ransomware is, what to do if it happens to you, and tips for avoiding it in the first place. Not able to make the date and still want to view the class? Register anyway, we'll send out a link to a video of the class when available.
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Workforce Wednesday
Wednesday, February 1
11:00AM-12:00PM
Workforce Wednesday virtual meetings are a lively monthly discussion of current workforce challenges and solutions – that provide practical, real-life steps you can take now. These Workforce Strategy Consultant-led webinars are held the first Wednesday of each month and host employers and practitioners who are experts in the given topic.
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February Coffee Connection
Thursday, February 2 | 7:30AM-9:00AM
Dojo Karate
546 S Elm St, Waconia
Network and connect! We'd love to hear what's new with you and your business. Coffee and a light snack will be served. No need to register. Stop in for as long as your schedule allows. FREE! Hope to see you there!
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Drink One Down for the Edina Realty Foundation
Tuesday, February 7
2-9:00PM
Waconia Brewing Company
Drink One Down for the Edina Realty Foundation! $1 per pint and $.50 per root beer sold will be donated to the cause. Proceeds will go to the Edina Realty Foundation to raise funds to support local organization, The Hope House. The Hope House is located in Chanhassen and serves homeless teens ages 14-19 in our area as an emergency 24/7/365 shelter providing shelter, food, clothing, support, counseling and medical care. Stop by February 7th, 2-9pm, for a pint or two and help "Drink One Down"!
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Pre-order Valentine's Day Arrangements from Bloom Studio
Pre-order through February 8
Are you looking to brighten someone's day this Valentines Day...? Pre-orders Only TODAY - 2/8! We are offering bright, vibrant blooms this year! If we can't get the natural sun, we will bring the sunshine via blooms! Petite Arrangement: $45. Lux Arrangement: $75. In-studio pick up: 2/14 9am-6pm. Deliveries within 20 miles of Waconia available for $8: 2/13.
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Waconia Young Professionals
Thursday, February 9
4-7:00PM
Waconia Brewing Company
Join Waconia professionals to sip beer, connect with friends & colleagues. Purchase your own food and beverage.
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Waconia Patriot SCENE Magazine Ads
March issue deadline: February 10
The first of four SCENE Magazines of 2023 is publishing March 9. The SCENE Magazine is inserted into the Waconia Patriot and the LakerPioneer four times a year (March, May, August, and November). This is delivered to all our subscribers, requesters and readers, reaching over 9,000 homes in the area. The circulation numbers and distribution locations are known and straight forward when working with us. Tap into our loyal community of readers! Contact Mike to reserve your space.
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Ken Norman Memorial Radar Snowmobile Run
Saturday, February 11
10:00AM-4:00PM
Lake Waconia
Lola’s Lakehouse is hosting the Ken Norman Memorial Radar Run. “Kenny” was a beloved father, husband, and friend who loved to be on the ice racing snowmobiles or at the Gun Club shooting Trap. Above all, he loved to be with his family and friends. Join Lola’s Lakehouse in honoring Ken, who passed away last year, with family fun activities, food, and awards for race winners out on Lake Waconia.
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Waconia Polar Plunge
Saturday, February 11 | 12:00PM
Lake Waconia Regional Park
8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia
The Waconia Polar Plunge is February 11 and several chamber members are taking the plunge. The Waconia Plunge has raised over $326,251 in its 2-year history. In 2022, 461 Plungers raised $173,832. Click below to see a full list of plungers and donate today!
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Shape It Up Dance Camp 9.0
Starts Thursday, March 30
Almost sold out! Dance Camp 9.0 Mamacita Tour will practice Thursday, March 30- May 4, 6:15-7:30 p.m. The Performance Tour is Friday, May 5 (Cinco De Mayo). Dance Camp includes six weeks of practice, a costume, and party bus for $129.99. To register, call or email Megan (952-215-7431).
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Warm up at Waconia Barbers
Every hair cut ends with a complimentary hot towel neck shave. Our hot towel straight razor shaves are literally one of a kind in Carver County. Book an appointment online now!
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Chamber Luncheon & Calendar |
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February Chamber Luncheon
Thursday, February 23
11:30AM-1:00PM
Island View Golf Club
7795 Laketown Pkwy, Waconia
Resources & Grants to Help Your Business Grow
Speakers:
Shane Fineran, City of Waconia | City Administrator
Topic: Grants and resources available for businesses in the City of Waconia
Lee Hall, NextStage | CEO
Topic: Carver County Small Business Support
Deadline to register: Monday, February 20
Here's what Chamber member Lynn Laumann Photography has to say about Lee Hall, Next Stage: "Lee has a vast knowledge of business from finance and taxes to marketing and staffing and everything in between. No matter if you are small or large, brand new or well-seasoned, Lee can help any business with any struggle or problem. His insight and creativity and access to resources is invaluable! I highly recommend him."
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Chamber Calendar - February 2023 |
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FEBRUARY 2 Coffee Connection, 7:30AM-9:00AM @Dojo Karate
FEBRUARY 8 Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30AM-1:00PM @Waconia City Hall
FEBRUARY 9 Retail Meeting, 8-9:00AM @Waconia City Hall
FEBRUARY 9 Waconia Young Professionals, 4-7:00PM @Waconia Brewing Company
FEBRUARY 14 Tourism Meeting, 9-10:00AM @J. Carver Distillery
FEBRUARY16 Ambassadors, 8:45AM @Waconia City Hall
FEBRUARY 23 Chamber Luncheon, 11:30AM-1:00PM @Island View Golf Club
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Friday Facts is a publication of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce
952-442-5812
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