We are excited to announce that we are adding another Member Relations Director position to our staff for 2017. This person will help your Chamber to continue to grow which provides you with additional networking contacts as well as a stronger voice for business in our region.
The Member Relations Director is responsible for the sales of new memberships within the Chamber as well as retention of existing members. This position implements strategic direction for the organization's growth within the membership area. Our ideal candidate will be outgoing, energetic, organized and a "go-getter". Click here to read the full job description.
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Committed to Business... for YOU.
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Alert: New Overtime Rule Delayed
Last week a federal judge barred the Labor Department from implementing its new overtime rule set to go into effect on December 1, 2016. The rule was to raise the salary threshold for overtime exemptions to $47,476. An appeal is expected, however, businesses should continue to act as they have been until further notice. This is a major win for all businesses.
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This is an import time for the Twin Cities business community and one where your voice has never been more important.
Issues like paid sick and safe leave, mandated schedules, and wage rules are being acted on by individual cities yet we live in a metro area that is part of a larger region. As more cities look at these issues, the conversation about what is the right direction for Minnesota is incredibly important.
Metro Advocacy Coalition of Chambers was created to bring the voice of businesses across the Twin Cities together to manage these and other related issues, and your Chamber is a leader in this coalition.
To do this, we need your help. We need your voice and your stories and information to be part of the conversation about what kind of an economy is best for our region and the State of Minnesota. We have created a survey that will help us gather information from you and other businesses around the Twin Cities. The information will be used to help us advocate for your company and others around the metro area who care about making sure this continues to be a place where companies can grow and thrive.
Please take the time to complete this brief survey; and encourage others to do the same. The more who participate, the better the information is to make our voice stronger! Thank you.
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Good Day Dakota County: Chamber Holiday Luncheon
Join us every second Monday of the month to learn about the latest hot topics and events happening in the region at your Chamber's new General Membership Luncheon. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other Chamber members, enjoy a delicious lunch, and have the chance to win $100!
On December 12, we will come together to celebrate the holidays! Attendees will hear the amazing sounds of the season from the Rosemount High School Chamber Singers along with an update from Bruce Nustad, President of the Minnesota Retailers Association, on holiday retail trends and the retail boom in Dakota County. We are also once again partnering with Toys for Military Kids so attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to the event. Click here to register.
Want the chance to win $100 or more? All you have to do is register and show up! Each month we will be drawing the name of one of our member businesses. If there is at least one representative from that business in attendance, the $100 is theirs. If there isn't a representative in attendance, the $100 will be added to the pot for the next month! Guess what? The member drawn was not at the November event so the pot is up to $200 for December! Thank you to Home Federal for making this exciting addition possible.
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Events Calendar
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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28
8:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee
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29
8:00 a.m.
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30
8:30 a.m.
PAC Board of Directors
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1
8:00 a.m.
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2
7:30 a.m.
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5
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6
11:30 a.m.
Executive Committee
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7
4:30 p.m.
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8
8:00 a.m.
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9
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12
11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
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13
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14
8:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
Noon
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15
7:45 a.m.
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16
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19
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20
3:30 p.m.
Board of Directors
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21
7:30 a.m.
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22
8:00 a.m.
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23
Noon
Chamber Office Closed
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Did you Know?
Photos from this year's Business Excellence Awards have been posted to your Chamber's Facebook page. Check it out!
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Get Involved in Local Issues
 Your Chamber recently kicked off its new year and is now offering an array of exciting programs and events. One such program is our Business Councils, which provides business owners and community leaders an opportunity to gather together and engage in a roundtable discussion on local issues happening in each of our individual communities. Whether it's the latest economic development project proposal, road improvement plans, or a local ordinance affecting how you do business, Business Councils provide business owners and community leaders a chance to learn more, provide feedback and voice your opinion, meet with elected officials, city, county, and school district staff members, and network with your peers.
In December we have three Business Council meetings happening. Register today by clicking on the specific community link.
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Super Bowl LII: Business Connect Program
 At our Good Day Dakota County program earlier this month, Alex Tittle,
Vice President, Business Connect and Corporate Affairs, with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee, provided a great overview of Super Bowl LII which is coming to Minnesota in 2018. Here are a few of the highlights:
Alex also encouraged qualifying businesses to participate in the Business Connect program. The Business Connect program is a NFL supplier diversity initiative that serves as a conduit of opportunity for qualified diverse and underutilized businesses in Minnesota. Those interested in learning more are invited to attend the launch event on December 2. This event will be your formal introduction to the Super Bowl Host Committee's Business Connect program and an opportunity to learn how to compete for contracting
opportunities that will be generated by the Super Bowl in 2018.
Click here to learn more.
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Local Focus: Find Out What's Happening In Your Community
Rosemount Parks & Recreation Commission meets November 28 - see the agenda
Eagan Communications Committee meets November 30 - see the agenda
Farmington Economic Development Authority meets December 1 - see the agenda
West St. Paul Charter Commission meets December 1 - see the agenda
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Member Spotlight: Growing Personally and Professionally
Stacey Bartelson, Edward Jones
My passion in life is to help others and make a difference in people's lives. I feel fortunate that I get to fulfill my passion every day in the work that I do as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. We work together to develop a plan which we follow and adjust as their seasons in life change. Additionally, with my new role as the MN State Chair for Edward Jones Grass Roots Taskforce, we strive to make the voice of the individual investor heard on Capitol Hill.
I have been a member of the Chamber for almost 9 years and it has helped me to grow personally and professionally. I have enjoyed meeting new people at Coffee Breaks, sharing ideas and learning at the Business Owners Roundtable. Connecting with women at the Women's Circle and Women's Conference is another great benefit! Each event is organized, purposeful and provides valuable information and networking opportunities. The Chamber is very innovative and always looking for ways to support the local businesses in Dakota County. I look forward to many more years with the Chamber and all it has to offer!
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New Members
We welcome the following new members!
Arby's of Rosemount
Lisa Handley - Re/Max Advantage Plus
PQH Wireless
Speedpro Imaging
Kieser Kisting Logistics, LLC
Kurt Kieser Kisting
P.O. Box 439
Savage, MN 55378
(952) 374-8653
Visit website
here
Kieser Kisting Logistics, LLC is a Freight-Forwarder based in Savage, MN. With over twenty-eight years of logistics experience, we offer a wide array of global logistics solutions. Our focus on high quality service and communication sets us apart. We handle the important details required for imports, exports, air, surface and warehousing. We partner with you to move your products in our system. We take the old adage to heart "Treat others as you would want to be treated" and we do that in our business with superior communication and commitment while working together to support your logistics needs.
Watch for more information about these fine companies in upcoming Weekly Updates.
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Last week these awesome members renewed their Chamber membership. Thank you!!
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Celebrate Business Success
News on what's happening with our members and in the community!
 Scott Swenson, Market President for Home Federal, has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the Eagan July 4th FunFest. Earlier this year it appeared this amazing event was going to end after a 50 year run. With the leadership of key members of the board and community leaders, it has a fresh start. Congrats Scott! We are looking forward to FunFest in 2017.
 Dan Stoltz, CEO/President of SPIRE Credit Union, has been elected Chairman of the Board for the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Congratulations Dan!
Read more.
 An episode of
Into the Outdoors - an educational television series for elementary, middle and high school students - featuring Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award. Winners will be announced during a ceremony in Chicago on Saturday, December 3.
Click here to watch the episode, entitles "Decoding the Science of Crude Oil." Congratulations and good luck!
 Our Ambassadors helped celebrate the opening of Arby's in Rosemount with a ribbon cutting. Congratulations to Arby's and welcome to the community!
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