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Ambassador of the Year is nominated by the Waconia Chamber Ambassadors. The honoree is chosen based on overall commitment to the Chamber and the Ambassador program.

The Business Excellence Awards are nominated by Waconia Chamber members and the Waconia community.

Thank you for choosing to do business in the Waconia area...



by Christine Fenner

President, Waconia Chamber of Commerce

...part of the fastest growing county in the state of Minnesota! We’re grateful for your contribution to our local economy and the role you play in building connections within our community. Local businesses create job opportunities and are an integral part of growth and development. Your involvement in events, community initiatives, and strong commitment create a meaningful impact. Because of you, our business community continues to grow and thrive. We’d like to take this time to express our sincere appreciation for your membership. 

Click here to view Member Guide.

Minnesota Chamber News

Chamber report: Minnesota’s slow economic growth marred by an increasing cost of business

by Doug Loon

President & CEO, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Did you know that Minnesota is the 22nd dog-friendliest state in the nation? It is also the 9th “most fun” state in America and the 13th “weirdest.”

Research groups and news organizations rank states on everything, from the silly to the serious. The data they consider when comparing state-by-state performance is chosen to fit what they are trying to measure. These ranking reports are often over-simplified and used as a marketing tool for the organization promoting the study. They often include subjective analysis on which economic indicators are included, which can skew the results.

For nearly a decade, the Minnesota Chamber’s Business Benchmarks report has served as a compass through the maze of rankings that range from the whimsical, such as 'weirdest' or 'most fun,' to the more substantial, yet conflicting, business climate indices. Continue Reading...

Scaling Economic Peaks: A Summit Of Growth And Challenges

Each year, our Business Benchmarks report assembles data points into categories that make sense for business – taxes, costs, infrastructure, innovation, employment and growth. Measurements within each of these categories illustrate a clearer picture of their impact on businesses and how business leaders make decisions with ramifications on our state as a whole. Download the full 2024 Business Benchmarks report.

Download the full 2024 Business Benchmarks report.

Member Renewals

We appreciate your support!

Thank you to all our members who renewed their membership in January.

Ambassador Visits

Chamber Updates

2024 Calendar

Save the Dates

Member News & Happenings

Donate Blood Today

Friday, January 5 | 11AM-4PM

Ridgeview

Don’t miss the Memorial Blood Drive TODAY at the Waconia campus, main entrance. To schedule an appointment, click the button below or call Memorial Blood Centers at 1-888-448-3253.

Festive Friday Happy Hour

Friday, January 5 | 4-7PM

J. Carver Distillery

1320 Mill Lane, Waconia

Stop by J. Carver Distillery on Fridays between 4-7pm in January and February for extended festive holiday hours. Tonight's happy hour features a variety of Sazeracs and festive cocktails.

Have guests in town or want to gather with some friends? You can make a cocktail table reservation if you’d prefer and we will have your happy hour cocktail table ready for you to relax and enjoy a cocktail between 4:00-6:45pm.

Waconia Hockey Fights Cancer

Saturday, January 6 | 8AM-4PM

Waconia Ice Arena

1250 Oak Ave, Waconia

Join the Waconia High School Boys Hockey Team & Blue Line Club as we unite with teams across Minnesota in the Hockey Fights Cancer fundraising efforts. Your donations and all proceeds from the event will support Adam Masog, a 2023 WHS grad and Wildcat hockey player who is in the middle of his fight with Ewing Sarcoma. Click button below for the schedule of events. ** Wear Wildcat apparel & get in FREE!**

WYP Happy Hour

Monday, January 8 | 5-7PM

Lola's Lakehouse

318 E Lake St, Waconia

Join Waconia Young Professionals to network and connect with friends and colleagues. Drop in as your schedule allows. Purchase your own food and beverage.

Questions? Reach out to Stephanie and Kristin at waconiayoungprofessionals@gmail.com.

Waconia Chamber Retail Annual Marketing Meeting

Thursday, January 11 | 8-9:30AM

Mocha Monkey Downtown

115 S Olive St, Waconia

Join us for the Waconia Retail Committee's Annual Marketing Meeting as we plan for the 2024 retail events including Sister Saturday and D.E.A.R. Can't make it yourself? Send your staff! RSVP to Chelsey at ckoubsky@destinationwaconia.org.

Jingle Bar Extended

Open thru January 14

Lola's Lakehouse

318 E Lake St, Waconia

We’re extending our hours & the Jingle Bar will remain lit through January 14th, 2024!

Special hours to note:

Jingle Bar: Lights up at 11AM and follows the same open and closed dates as the restaurant

Jingle Bar Drink Menu is available all day, non-themed lunch menu is available 11AM – 4PM, themed Dinner Menu is available 4PM to close.

Chamber 101

Wednesday, January 17 | 9:00-10:30AM

Waconia Chamber Office

209 S Vine St, Waconia

Learn about the programs, benefits and services that are available to chamber members. Whether you are a new member, a longtime member, or a prospective member and want to learn more about membership this is an event for you.

Free! Register to reserve your spot. 

Workplace Wellness Collaborative

Wednesday, January 17 | 10-11AM

Virtual Meeting

The Carver County SHIP Workplace Wellness Collaborative is a free opportunity for businesses to network and share ideas and resources to create or strengthen their employee wellness programs.

The group meets quarterly via Zoom or in person to learn about best practices and to develop strategies to improve healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco cessation, breastfeeding support and mental wellbeing at the workplace. To join this group, or to learn more, contact Kris Keykal, Carver County SHIP Workplace Wellness Consultant at kkeykal@advantagehealth.com or 612.823.4470 (ext 1).

3rd Annual Frozen Fairway Open

Saturday, February 3

Lake Waconia Regional Park

8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia

Join the Waconia DandyLions for the 3rd Annual Frozen Fairway Open! This year we are supporting Southern Valley Alliance. Their mission is to support those affected by domestic violence in Carver and Scott counties.  

The event will be held at the Lake Waconia Regional Park. Come and check out the brand new Paradise Commons. Put together a team and register now!

Winter Wine Lodge

Saturdays thru February 17

Schram Vineyards

8785 Airport Rd, Waconia

Escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary winter at Schram Vineyards' Winter Wine Lodge as we make the most of our winter season! Every Saturday through Feb. 17th features a different theme. This Saturday's theme is Cuddle Up-with baby goat cuddling. Enjoy wine tastings, specialty wine or beer features, and food specials. Click the button for each week's theme and to make reservations.

Dating App Photo Sessions



A dating app photo session is designed to create photos for your dating profile. These photos can really improve your presence on dating apps. Give Lynn a call at (952)-210-2688 or Email: lynnlaumann@gmail.com for pricing and to schedule.

Lifeguard Input Needed



The County's previous provider of lifeguard services no longer supplies the necessary services for our Lake Minnewashta and Lake Waconia beaches. 

Help us understand how this may impact your beach use. Please take one minute to fill out our Lifeguard Services Input Form. Your input will help guide our future decisions on County lifeguard services. Thank you for your time!

SVA has a new address!



103 3rd Ave E, Shakopee

Southern Valley Alliance has officially moved into the new Domestic Abuse Advocacy Center in downtown Shakopee and began operating out of the new space January 2, 2024. SVA advocates are always available by contacting their 24/7 confidential crisis line at 952-873-4214. 

Friday Facts Submissions

Have an exciting announcement, an event, or deal to submit to Friday Facts? Email 50-75 words and any attachments to Laura by noon on Wednesday the week you'd like it to run. Your submission will appear in the Friday Facts for two weeks. As part of your 2024 membership investment, you have the opportunity to submit announcements to the Friday Facts up to 10 times a year (20 appearances).

Holiday Social

Thanks for coming to the Holiday Social!

Chamber members had a roaring good time at the December 11th Waconia Chamber Holiday Social! Thanks to Bode Gray’s / The Brass Hat Dive Shop for serving up the tasty hors d’oeuvres and refreshing drinks.

Chamber Calendar - January 2024

JANUARY 8 Waconia Young Professionals 5:00-7:00PM@Lola's Lakehouse

JANUARY 11 Retail Marketing Meeting, 8:00-9:00AM @Mocha Monkey Downtown

JANUARY 16 Business Education Network 7:00-8:00AM@Waconia High School

JANUARY 17 Chamber 101 9:00-10:30AM @Waconia City Hall

JANUARY 18 Ambassadors, 8:45AM @Waconia City Hall

JANUARY 24 Experience the Trades, 7:30-8:30AM @ Waconia High School

JANUARY 25 Annual Meeting Luncheon, 11:30AM-1:00PM@Freshwater Church

STAY CONNECTED

@DestinationWaconia