BUSINESS BRIEFJ A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM

Celebrate the

ConnectionHWY

14 2019ANNUAL DINNER

Friday, January 18, 2019OWATONNA COUNTRY CLUB: 1991 Lemond Road | Owatonna, MN

Social Hour 5:30pm | Dinner 6:30pm | Program 7:00pm

$60 PER PERSON limited seats available

PROGRAM

Headline sponsor:

Celebrate Business Community AccomplishmentsLook Ahead-2019

Celebrate the Connection: Highway 14

Recognition of Outgoing & Incoming BoardSpecial Recognitions

1 JANUARY 2019 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

CHAMBER Leaders EVENTS Update | Rhonda Guthier, Director of Operations

Pat McDermott, Chair JC Press

Andy Cowell, Vice Chair Profinium, Inc.

Julie Rethemeier, Past Chair Federated Insurance Company

Todd Trout, Treasurer US Bank

Jennifer Martin, Tourism Rep Baymont Inn & Suites–Owatonna

Kim Schaufenbuel, At-Large United Way of Steele County

John Champa, At-Large Cybex

Wayne Starman, Ex-Officio Cash Wise Foods

Nathan Dotson Dotson Woodworking

Randy Doyal Al-Corn Clean Fuel

Graham Frie Mayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna

Brian Speas Fareway Stores, Inc.

Brandon Wayne Ameriprise Financial –Dufresne, Wayne & Associates

Stacy Wilson Old Town Bagels

2018BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2 JANUARY 2019 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Business After Hours

JANUARYTuesday, January 29, 2019 **Note Date Change**5:30 – 7:00 pmSponsors: Horizon EyeCare Professionals - a Vision Source Premier Practice,Fernbrook Family CenterLocation: Horizon EyeCare Professionals 2560 Harvest LN NW, Owatonna

2018

MEET IN OWATONNAVisit Owatonna had the opportunity to attend the National Speaker Showcase Vendor Expo as the featured lunch sponsor last month.

It’s an annual event for meeting planners who choose speakers, entertainers and meeting space for their upcoming events and conferences.

The Showcase & Expo offered a one stop shopping experience for event planners to select their upcoming locations and venues. The full day event showcased speakers like Amy Roloff from “Little People, BIG World” and many others with a wide range of topics like leadership,

adversity, empowerment, personal & professional growth.

Karen Pehrson took to the stage during lunch and presented a video she created of why they would want to meet in Owatonna.

Check out the video by taking a picture of the QR code with your smartphone.

TOURISM Update | Karen Pehrson, Director of Conventions and Tourism

FEBRUARYTuesday, February 265:30 – 7:00 pmSponsor: Minnesota Secured TitleLocation: Minnesota Secured Title245 SE 18th ST, STE 101, Owatonna

MAINSTREET Update | Shirley Schultz, MainStreet Director

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism www.owatonna .org | 32 JANUARY 2019 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

2018 OACCT MembersThe OACCT is pleased to recognize the following businesses who have renewed their Chamber Membership between November 19, 2018 and December 15, 2018. We appreciate their continued support!

NEW Members

Ecumen Home Care & Hospice Libbie Vicktora

634 W Bridge ST, STE B Owatonna (507) 774-3221

Associates in Psychiatry & PsychologyHoliday Inn & Suites/43rd Street Pub and Grill/The Great Serengeti Indoor Water Park

Pinnacle GroupPrime Garage Door and MoreReptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo (RADZOO)

Schultz Homes, IncSette Sports CenterSpare Time EntertainmentSteele County Clothesline, Inc

MEMBERSHIP Update | Craig Thompson, Membership Director

Retail Challenge Winner Announced You’ll hear the drumbeats coming out of downtown as people gather for concerts and to buy records at the newest retail challenge winner, The Music Space of Owatonna! Mark Woodrich is the man behind the idea.

Mark is a local realtor with a passion for music.

His business model will be to host 4 small concerts each month and sell records-an old product that has renewed popularity!

As the winner, Mark will receive a $20,000 forgivable loan from the City

of Owatonna EDA as well as discounted marketing and legal services to help get his business off the ground.

This business fits the ‘Night Market’ strategy of the MainStreet program and fills a vacancy downtown next to Reggie’s Brewhouse.

FEBRUARYTuesday, February 265:30 – 7:00 pmSponsor: Minnesota Secured TitleLocation: Minnesota Secured Title245 SE 18th ST, STE 101, Owatonna

THANK YOUThank you to outgoing board members Julie Rethemeier, Federated Insurance and Jennifer Martin, Baymont Inn & Suites-Owatonna. Your leadership over the past

three plus years has guided the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism towards strategic direction now and in the future. We wish you all the best in your personal and professional endeavors.

Cedar Valley Services announces the SMART (Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit) transit service changes for 2019. SMART Transit is owned and operated by Cedar Valley Services and is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. For a complete listing of changes go to smartbusmn.org.

Einhaus, Mattison, Carver & Haberman, P.A. honors Attorney David L. Einhaus on 40 years of employment with the firm. Congratulations!

Marco receives HPE Platinum Status which is the highest level of designation. The recognition signified that Marco is well-qualified

to dramatically increase business innovation while reducing costs for an organization.

Noble RV has been named among Top 50 in North America at the annual RV Dealers Association International Convention/Expo for their outstanding customer service, community involvement and general excellence in overall operations at the Champagne Ballroom at the Paris Las Vegas on November 7, 2018.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) approved four Economic Development grants totaling $33,900 to organizations that participated in a ‘Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”

event earlier this year. The goal of the grant is to fund projects that support the development of entrepreneurial culture in communities that are in SMIF’s 20-county region.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking applications for a new grant program called Communities Addressing the Child Care Shortage. These grants are designed to assist communities in developing action plans to address local child care needs. Grant applications are due January 22, 2019 at 4 pm.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY Events

MINNESOTA CHAMBER SESSIONS PRIORITIES

January 9 | 4– 7 PM Location: St. Paul RiverCentre 8 Chamber representatives attending event

BUSINESS BOOT CAMP January 17 | 12–1 PM Location: Owatonna Public Library-Gainey Rm,

105 N. Elm, Owatonna Speaker: Erik Therwanger, author and speaker. Topic: 3 Pillars of Business Greatness Sponsor: RE/MAX Venture

CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER January 18 | 5:30 – 8:00 PM Location: Owatonna County Club 1991 Lemond Road, Owatonna Cost: $60 for individual ticket Title Sponsor: Profinium, Inc.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS January 29, 2019 **Note date change** 5:30 pm – 7:00 PM Sponsor(s): Horizon EyeCare Professionals - a Vision Source Premier Practice and

Fernbrook Family Center Location: 2560 Harvest LN NW, Owatonna

CHAMBER PACK INSERT DEADLINE Supply 550 copies of your promotional insert by January 23 for February’s mailing; $150

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS – Educational Lunch & Learn February 19 | 12–1 PM Topic: Saving and Investing to Build Wealth in

your 20’s and 30’s

BUSINESS BOOT CAMP February 21 | 12–1 PM Location: Owatonna Public Library-Gainey Rm,

105 N. Elm, Owatonna Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD Sponsor: TBD 12:00 – 1:00 pm

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS February 26 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm Sponsor: Minnesota Secured Title Location: 245 SE 18th ST, STE 101, Owatonna

CHAMBER PACK INSERT DEADLINE Supply 550 copies of your promotional insert by

February 20 for March’s mailing; $150

4 JANUARY 2019 Business Brief Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

BUSINESS BREAK Member Announcements | Please submit by the 15th of the month

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM320 Hoffman Dr | Owatonna, MN | owatonna.orgP: 507.451.7970| E: oacct@owatonna.org | F: 507.451.7972Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM

Business Brief is published by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

Friday, January 18, 2019

OWATONNA COUNTRY CLUB1991 Lemond Road | Owatonna, MN

Social Hour 5:30pmDinner 6:30pm

Program 7:00pm

Celebrate the

ConnectionHWY

14

2019ANNUAL DINNER

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM