nexus january 2010

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Invest in the Chamber on Your Terms 5 8CALENDAR

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9 NEWS + AWARDS

People in the news

12 NEW MEMBERS

Who’s new at the Chamber

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A monthly newsletter from the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

January 2010

NEXUS | Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce�

As we round the corner into 2010, many of you remain uncertain about the future. The recession has tested the entrepreneurial spirit of our local business community like never before, and our ability to regain ground in 2010 will indicate how successfully we’ve weathered the storm.

Despite 2009 being a historically difficult year for business, your involvement gave the Saint Paul

Area Chamber of Commerce a substantial list of accomplishments to acknowledge. Whether it was launching a formidable effort to bring high speed rail to

Saint Paul or defeating policies that would stifle business, your efforts contributed to a better business climate for the East Metro.

Membership: While Chambers across the country saw triple-digit losses in membership, your Chamber retained 80 percent of its members and attracted more than 200 new members in the midst of the recession. In addition, we’ve prepared to launch a new investment structure that enables members to customize their benefits package and membership dues.

Communications: One of the most significant accomplishments we saw this year was the launch of the Chamber’s updated brand. After a year of member feedback

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President’s Perspective2009: Year in Review

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

by Kris Johnson


and planning, we unveiled an updated logo, website, mission statement and programs. The new brand celebrates our rich history with a focus on enriching the member experience.

Programs: A hallmark of the new brand, celebrating member success, culminated in this year’s inaugural Chamber Honors event. This sold-out gala recognized small business award winners in a fun, elegant setting and set the stage for an even bigger event next year. And there’s more to come: stay tuned for details on the Chamber’s new monthly membership meeting, beginning in January. These gatherings will feature a notable speaker, ample time for networking and new member recognition.

Public Affairs & Economic Development: Thanks to significant member participation, the Chamber successfully defeated/mitigated several local proposals that threatened business. In Maplewood, the Chamber helped defeat a proposal for government-run cable and internet. In Saint Paul, we worked closely with the hospitality industry and the Council to craft a food allergen policy that didn’t create

additional liability for members. We also teamed up with the Saint Paul Saints to advance a proposal to bring a new stadium to Lowertown.

Charitable Foundation: The Foundation awarded local high school seniors with a record amount of college scholarship money this year. Thirty-nine $1,000 scholarships and one $10,000 gift from Larson-King — the largest in the Foundation’s history — were distributed through the Career Investment Program.

Transportation: In less than a year, the Chamber took the notion of high speed rail from fantasy to reality. By establishing On Board Midwest, a public/private coalition dedicated to bringing high speed rail from Chicago to Saint Paul’s Union Depot, Minnesota became a serious contender for federal rail funding. The coalition brought together elected officials and business leaders along the proposed rail route, including an event featuring U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood.


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I encourage you to take some time this year to get reacquainted with the Chamber. You’ll be pleased to discover a variety of new resources, programs and member benefits. With your involvement, the SPACC will quickly become your best business partner and promoter.

We have much to be thankful for as an organization and a community. We are sincerely grateful to you and your employees for your continued involvement, and we’re looking forward to a prosperous 2010!


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Transition and change can be challenging, overwhelming and time consuming. But as leaders from two member businesses have discovered, adopting the Chamber’s new benefit-based membership system is an investment sure to be worth your time and money.

Whether your organization has 10 employees or more than 10,000, you now have the opportunity to select a membership package from the Chamber’s new investment system that suits your company’s unique needs. Developed by a task force of your peers, the new system allows you to customize your membership investment based on features and benefits packaged into six levels of membership. This gives you more control over your investment and makes understanding your Chamber benefits easier than ever. While your company has the entire year to learn more about the new system and make the transition, discover

how Saint Paul-based Ideal Printers and Oakdale’s Platinum Bank are already realizing the benefits.

www.idealprint.com

Open since 1979, Ideal Printers offers high quality, multi-color, sheet-fed commercial printing services. Since Ideal Printers opened their doors, they have shown support for their community and invested in the Chamber. Not only has their support of the Chamber helped broaden their business exposure, it has enabled the business to stay on top of issues that affect small

FEATURE STORY

Invest in the Chamber on Your TermsFor some, a new year brings a new Chamber


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Joan Siewert Cardona


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businesses — and their customers — here in Minnesota. While busy running their printing business, Ideal has valued the Chamber to keep them informed and provide the opportunity to network and connect with the local business community.

Although Ideal was faced with the choice of when to convert their existing membership to one of the benefit-based membership packages, the company saw it as an opportunity to continue their commitment to the community. As Joan Siewert-Cardona, CFO of Ideal Printers states, they wanted to show they value their membership and the future opportunities they could leverage with their new benefits package. The transition “allowed us to take a look at what our involvement has been and what it could be in 2010. We can take advantage of more opportunities now that we know what membership and benefits we are paying for.” In

today’s world of choice, companies want to customize and make decisions that best meet the needs of their organization. And while freedom, choice and change “may look to be a challenging road, it would be well worth the efforts of those making the transition. It is a big undertaking but it really comes back to benefiting your organization,” Joan states.

www.platinumbankmn.com

Located in Oakdale, Platinum Bank opened its doors in 2006 on a business proposition based on trust, competence, discretion and authentic hospitality-focused customer service. As a community bank that supports many small businesses, Platinum’s

David Rom


FEATURE STORY


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leadership wanted to align themselves with the Chamber because of its commitment to supporting local businesses. Membership with the Chamber, according to Platinum’s CEO and President David Rom, “has allowed us to gain exposure to other small business owners on the east side of the Twin Cities and helped build our network.” When David first heard of the new membership system, his initial reaction was positive, “the previous system was more ambiguous. With the new membership system, membership benefits are more clearly defined.” With more flexibility and transparency, organizations can now choose their level of support and involvement with the Chamber. In today’s business environment, not only are flexibility and transparency becoming more important, David states “businesses are more discerning in spending their marketing and networking dollars. The new membership system provides a more clear cost and benefits analysis to businesses who want to

understand the value of their membership.”

To learn more about the Chamber’s new membership investment plan or to enroll your company today, call 651.265.2778.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 2010Event Date/Time Location Description Sponsor

Member OrientationFREE

Friday, January 87:45 - 9 a.m.

Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce401 North Robert Street, Suite 150, Saint Paul

Are you a new member of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce or just interested in discovering how to get the most out of your membership invest-ment? Attend Member Orientation and learn about the variety of opportunities available to you as a Chamber member. The presentation includes an overview of services, committees, events, advertising, marketing, sponsorships, and additional value-added programs available to Chamber members only.

Register online at www.saintpaulchamber.com/events

Young Professionals Meet UpFREE

Tuesday, January 194:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Salut Bar Americain917 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN

Come join the Saint Paul Young Professionals group for an informal happy hour at Salut Bar Americain! The Champagne Room will be reserved for our group and happy hour prices will be from 4:30 – 6:30. Meet and mingle with other young professionals in the East Metro area

Free to attend, but please RSVP so we can give Salut an accurate head count.

Business Connection Breakfast$15 / $18 after January 18 at 12 noon.

Non-members: $30

Wednesday, January 207:30 - 9 a.m.

Joseph’s Grill140 South Wabasha Saint Paul, MN

With three structured networking rounds over breakfast held at a different Chamber member’s business each month - you’re guaranteed to expand your network!

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Ribbon Cutting

HealthEast, Grand Avenue, Saint Paul

NEXUS | Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce10

NEWS + AWARDS


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• Principal Financial Group, Lake Elmo, hired J. Pitonyak as a financial adviser.

• St. Paul’s Convention and Visitors Authority Vice President of Marketing and Public Affairs, Ted Davis, has received the first-ever National Guard Civilian Excellence award for his work as co-founder of Serving Our Troops.

• Barb Iverson, president of Weber Shandwick’s financial-services industry practice, was appointed by the University of St. Thomas to serve on the Opus College of

Business Executive Education Advisory Board.

• The Better Business Bureau of St. Paul promoted Maili Frison to Director of Conciliation Services.

• Thomson Reuters, Eagan, will be cutting 240 jobs including 120 in Eagan from its legal-information businesses.

• Maplewood-based manufacturer 3M anticipates profit and revenue growth in 2010 including sales between $24.5 billion and $25.5 billion in sales, share earnings

between $4.85 and $5 per share, and a 5 to 7 percent increase in organic sales growth.

• Bremer Financial Corp., St. Paul, is a 2009 Jefferson Awards Winner for their partnership with Second Harvest Hartland. Now in their fourth year of support, the organization has helped to end hunger by raising over $500,000 in donations and 90,000 hours of combined volunteer time.

• Pawn American Corp. is a 2009 Jefferson Awards Winner for their philanthropic efforts including their

People in the News

NEXUS | Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce11

NEWS + AWARDS


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support of Kids Feeding Kids, a program that was reinstated by Brad Rixmann, President and Owner of Pawn America, Burnsville, to provide nutritious meals to children in the Twin Cities.

• Thomson Reuters is a 2009 Jefferson Awards Winner for their “Basic Need Campaign” that was developed to address homelessness, hunger, and emergency services in the Twin Cities. The company has also contributed $125,000 to Second Harvest Heartland to feed those in need.

• Ecolab Inc. is a 2009 Jefferson Awards Winner for their work with students including their support of Advancement

Via Individual Determination (AVID), e-mentoring and the E3 program. All programs are designed to assist students of St. Paul’s Humboldt junior and senior high schools prepare for college and their future careers.

People in the News

NEXUS | Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce1�

Welcome New Members!

new MeMbers


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B W B R ArchitectsArchitects, Architectural ServicesMr. Greg Fenton380 Saint Peter Street, Suite 600 Saint Paul, MN 55102www.bwbr.com

Everest on GrandRestaurantsMr. Padam Sharma1278 Grand AvenueSaint Paul, MN 55105www.everestongrand.com

Lincoln CommonsProperty ManagementMr. Ross Fefercorn1221 West Lake Street, Suite 209Minneapolis, MN 55408

Oxford SquareProperty ManagementMr. Ross Fefercorn1221 West Lake Street, Suite 209Minneapolis, MN 55408

Write HistoryWriterMr. Nick Dyer1023 Avon Street NorthSaint Paul, MN 55103www.writeahistory.com

J W Hulme CompanyRetail-SpecialtyMs. Jennifer Guarino678 West Seventh StreetSaint Paul, MN 55102www.jwhulmeco.com

Cherokee TavernRestaurantsMs. Tracey Casper McIntyre886 South Smith Avenue West Saint Paul, MN 55118www.cherokeetavern.com

Rocket 55MarketingMr. Steven Ayres1280 Grand Avenue, Suite 106Saint Paul, MN 55105www.rocket55.com

Nanoscapes & Other Visions LLCMs. Susan Gainen1390 Carling Drive, Suite 207Saint Paul, MN 55108

M Group, a Creative & Digital AgencyAdvertising SpecialtiesMs. Janessa Meyer100 South Fifth Street, Suite 1900Minneapolis, MN 55402www.themgroupcreative.com

Lafarge CorporationConstruction MaterialsMr. Ron Ricker1363 Red Rock RoadSaint Paul, MN 55119www.lafarge-na.com

Jason Ahlgren - Thrivent FinancialFinancial ServicesMr. Jason AhlgrenMinneapolis, MN 55415 www.thrivent.com

New Members for November

NEXUS | Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce1�

new MeMbers


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WellAdvised LLCAccountants-CPAs & LPAsMr. David Welliver360 North Robert Street, Suite 711 Saint Paul, MN 55101www.welladvised.com

Spectrum Sign Systems, IncSignsMr. Rick Ferraro2025 Gateway Circle, Suite 2 Centerville, MN 55038www.spectrum-signs.com

Daniel Scott Chair of the Board Larson•King, LLP

Kristofer Johnson Secretary Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

Alex Cirillo, Jr. �M

Bill Foussard White Bear Country Inn

Bill Wright Comcast

Bonnie Holub Adventium Labs

Diane Thormodsgard U.S. Bank

Paula Howard Goff & Howard, Inc.

Sanjay Kuba GCI Systems

Susan G. Kratz Moore, Costello & Hart, LLP

Guy Gilmore St. Paul Pioneer Press

Mark Mishek Hazelden Foundation

Shane Boyd Travelers

Sara Criger Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Healtheast Care System

Mark Dienhart University of Saint Thomas

Mark Ellson Ergotron, Inc.

Lori Fritts Midway Chamber of Commerce

Sherry Hastings Frauenshuh, Inc.

Bill Kaphing Xcel Energy, Inc.

Tammy Lee Stanoch Delta Air Lines

Craig Leipold Minnesota Wild

Mike Logan Target Corporation– Community Relations

Tammy Mencel Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Jaci Meyer State Farm Insurance–Jaci Meyer

Mark Moeller RF Moeller Jeweler, Inc.

Altin R. Paulson Marketplace Productions, LLC

Joan Pennington HealthEast Foundation

Gino Pitera Gertens

John Regal Securion Financial Group

Joe Richburg Keystone Computer Solutions, Inc.

Tony Schwartz Beacon Properties

Bruce Shay Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Joan Siewert Cardona Ideal Printers, Inc.

Steve Snelling Sand Companies, Inc.

Mark Stutrud Summit Brewing Company

Kris Taylor Ecolab

Kyle Thomas Home Services of America

Susan Wenz KSTC Channel ��

Pam Wheelock The Bush Foundation

2009 BoARD oF DiRECToRS2009 EXECUTivE CoMMiTTEE

Nexus is a monthly publication for the members of the Saint Paul Area

Chamber of Commerce. The objective of Nexus is to inform and educate

members of news and events in the Chamber and the Saint Paul/East Metro

area. For more information about the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

or to comment on Nexus, please call ��1.��.�000 or visit our website at

saintpaulchamber.com. We value your input, feedback and questions.

Editor: Liz Bogut Designed/Produced by: Concept Group inc.

© Copyright �00� Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.Chamber of Commerce Center, �01 North Robert Street, Suite 1�0, Saint Paul, Minnesota ��101Phone: ��1.��.�000 Fax: ��1.��.�11�


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neXus

nexus january 2010

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