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 the Waconia Chamber.
Celebrations & Growth
As the school year is coming to a close, we’re proud to honor the accomplishments of local students. One of the highlights is our upcoming 5th Annual Work Works Signing Day, where we recognize and celebrate students’ decision to enter the workforce post-graduation with a local company in the area of manufacturing and trades. We’re also proud to present scholarships in a couple weeks to high school students with outstanding accomplishments and attributes.
We’re also celebrating growth within our own team at the Chamber. With new staff and members joining us, we’re increasing our ability to serve our community and members, enhance programming, and strengthen these connections.
Looking Ahead
In the days and months ahead, there is a full calendar of Chamber and community events to experience.
Signature Chamber Events
Sister Saturday is coming up on May 10. Other signature events like our annual Golf Tournament (July 14), and Nickle Dickle Day (September 13) are also in the works. These events bring connection, community and vibrancy to our community. Golf and Nickle Dickle Day are our two fundraisers of the year that help to support our nonprofit organization.
Tourism and Agritourism
We continue to promote “Destination Waconia” as a place to shop, play, dine, and stay. During our recent Tourism Committee meetings, we’ve placed an emphasis on agritourism. We’re geographically centered in Carver County at the crossroads where urban meets rural and invite visitors to experience the agricultural heritage. Watch our website and social for local stories.
Leadership and Communications
Behind the scenes, we’re working on events and programming to support the business community. We continue to communicate weekly through our Friday Facts email and monthly through our newsletter, which includes valuable updates and business resources. Also, watch for leadership opportunities to serve on a committee, volunteer, and grow our programming options.
Advocacy and Resources
At the Capitol, we are monitoring proposals like Paid Leave that will impact our business community. Advocacy is a part of our program of work and we are committed to sharing the voice of our businesses and organizations. At the local level, we’ve been hearing from many of our members on their views of a possible future social district, and also on the current impacts of construction downtown. We encourage businesses to check out some of the resources found on both the Chamber page and City website on grants and financial resources available.
Building Connections
This month is filled with educational and networking opportunities. The Women’s Connect group will meet on Monday, May 12 for round-table hot topic discussions; and our next luncheon on Mental Health will be held on Thursday, May 29. You won’t want to miss this important discussion. And the monthly Coffee Connection is a great way to stay connected and meet a lot of new people.
Note of Gratitude
On a personal note, this week marked my five-year anniversary as President of the Waconia Chamber and next month is my twentieth year as a resident of this amazing community. There’s something special here and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together and also grateful for the path that was paved before me. The people of this community, our members, and volunteers make the Waconia community truly remarkable.
A special thank you to the Chamber team and our Board of Directors for their partnership, leadership, and dedication. We’ve accomplished so much and I’m excited for what’s ahead!
-Christine
President, Waconia Chamber of Commerce
