Season’s Greetings
A fresh snowfall and the holiday season are here! We’re gathering with friends and family, practicing a little extra gratitude, and soaking up everything the season has to offer. It’s the best time of the year for traditions, togetherness, and maybe an extra gingerbread cookie or two! While supporting our
Waconia Welcomes the Holiday Season
Waconia Welcomes the Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting & Small Business Saturday The Waconia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Waconia, invites the community to kick off the holiday season at the Annual Tree Lighting event on Friday, November 28 from 6:00-6:30PM in City Square Park.
The Power of Curiosity: Why Authentic Conversations Matter
A few years ago, I attended a conference where the facilitator gave us an interesting assignment: reach out to someone who knows you well and ask them to describe you in one word. I texted my cousin (who’s like a sister to me) and quickly received a response, “curious.” That
Winners Named in 18th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour
Hoxie Homes and HomeTown Bank Named Winners in 18th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour The votes are in, and the scarecrows of Waconia were better than ever! The 18th Annual Waconia Scarecrow Tour showcased imaginative entries from over 40 businesses, bringing fall vibes to the streets. The People’s Choice Award went
Waconia Named Retail Community of the Year
Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce the community of Waconia as the recipient of the Retail Community of the Year award, part of the 2025-2026 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program. This award celebrates Waconia’s extraordinary collaboration and innovative spirit in creating a vibrant, thriving retail landscape that serves as a model
Fresh & New This Spring
After a long winter comes the excitement of “fresh and new.” Our local boutiques are filled with colorful prints and new spring fashion! We are gearing up for a packed season of outdoor events. This time of year is all about celebration, growth, and looking ahead to what’s next at
Building a Strong Workforce
The strength of Waconia and our surrounding community comes from the talent and dedication of YOU. Workforce development is the foundation for growth, stability, and success in Waconia, Carver County, and across Minnesota. As business leaders, educators, and elected officials collaboratively address workforce challenges, we’re striving to build and advocate
The Value of Professional Development
Learning, Growing, & Strengthening Our Community “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin. Investing in professional development isn’t just about gaining new skills—it’s about staying ahead, strengthening our businesses, and boosting our entire community. Recently, we had the opportunity to attend the MCCE Annual Meeting in
Building Stronger Community Partnerships through Emotional Intelligence
It was lovely to see so many people at last week’s Annual Meeting! We were able to highlight last year, celebrate accomplishments of our peers, and discuss strategies for 2025 that reflect on connecting, supporting, and growing. At the heart of our business community are strong relationships, and using emotional
Strengthening Our Community: A Message from the 2025 Board Chair
Dear Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce members: It is with great pride that I welcome you to another amazing year with our Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce. As the 2025 Board Chair, I am honored to serve alongside a dedicated team of local leaders and volunteers who share a collective
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods: A Legacy of Giving and Growing Together
The ingredients for a magical holiday season are a heaping spoonful of amazing people, a dash of delicious food and drink, and a generous helping of heartwarming charm. Add a hearty dose of goodwill and the giving spirit and you’ve got yourself a pretty joyful celebration. As you set out
Coming Together: The Heart of the Holidays in Waconia
As the twinkling lights shine bright in City Square Park after the Old-Fashioned Tree Lighting, we’re reminded of what makes the Waconia area special: our shared traditions, connections, and the care we show one another. This season, we were inspired by keynote Joe Schmit’s message of choosing a word to
Chamber Advocacy: Working with Elected Leaders to Champion Local Business
At the Chamber, advocating for our members is a key initiative. Through close connections with city, county, and state elected leaders, we work diligently to stay informed and support business-friendly initiatives, economic growth, and a thriving community. Whether it be working locally to champion efforts to make it easier and
Harvesting Connections
Strategic networking is essential for business growth! Many of our members see the chamber events as a way to meet local business owners, prospective clients, and community leaders. At our September Strategic Networking luncheon, participants had the opportunity to begin to build valuable relationships that can open doors to new
Origins of Nickle Dickle Day
In a recent interview with one of the original founders of Nickle Dickle Day, Paul Melchert, I had the privilege of diving into the history of how this beloved Waconia tradition came to be. The concept for Nickle Dickle Day was born from a simple question: How do we get
Summer in Destination Waconia: Activities to Enjoy the Season
Summer is in full swing (enough with the rain), and there’s no better time to enjoy all that the Waconia area has to offer. Outdoor adventures, family-friendly activities, relaxing, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few suggestions to make the most of summer: Fireworks at Lake Waconia July 4th
Balancing Work and Life
Balancing work and life can feel like trying to stay upright on a paddleboard through the wake of a passing speedboat on the lake. However, incorporating a few key strategies can make it more like a leisure walk through charming downtown Waconia (minus the construction). FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO 40s
YOU’RE INVITED: Waconia Community Expo
YOU’RE INVITED: Waconia Community ExpoWHEN: Saturday, April 11th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pmWHERE: Waconia High School If we gathered a group of Waconia residents and asked them to describe the city in one word, we would no doubt hear terms like inviting, beautiful, vibrant, and home. There are a million reasons
Opening Doors to Opportunity at Experience the Trades
Waconia has undoubtedly changed throughout the years; schools have been built, new families have moved in, and businesses now fill the space where grass once grew, but one thing that’s remained the same is Waconia’s unwavering commitment to, and support of, the community, especially its youth. We see it in