MARCH MEMBERSHIP MEETING
STATE OF THE CITY
Tuesday, March 18
Rockwoods Banquet Center
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Cost for lunch: $18

You are invited to attend the "State of the City", hosted by Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. As Elk River continues to grow, so does the planning and development at the local government level. This annual luncheon has traditionally been a chance for the mayor to offer businesses a snapshot of the city's health.

Mayor Stephanie Klinzing will highlight the accomplishments and noteworthy events of the past year, as well as the city’s future goals and projects, sharing a vision for Elk River’s future. You will hear from city staff on how economic development, downtown redevelopment, and the upcoming Energy Expo will impact our community.

Your questions and comments will be welcome at the end of the program. Advance reservations are required by calling 441-3110 by Wednesday, March 12.

VIEW FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Jeff Knollenberg, Riverview Community Bank
Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair 2007-2008

Most of you probably did not know that I paid my way through college by selling educational books door-to-door during the summers. I did this for five summers. I learned A LOT about people and selling during this time and was influenced by a variety of things.

One significant book that affected me during this time is entitled The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. It is one of the best books I have ever read to help maintain a positive attitude. It is also one of the most read books with over 2 million copies in print. It is a very simple read but it is meant to be more of a daily check up book where you read one of the three or four page key chapters each day. The key chapters are entitled:
1. Today I begin a new life
2. I will greet this day with love in my heart
3. I will persist until I succeed
4. I am nature’s greatest miracle
5. I will live this day as if it is my last
6. Today I will be master of my emotions
7. I will laugh at the world
8. Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold
9. I will act now
10. I will pray for guidance

I encourage you to get this book and read it daily to keep your mind focused on those things that you can control and off those things you can’t which detract from the quality of each day.

March is again an excellent month to network. Our monthly membership meeting is our annual State of the City, which will give us an update on the goings on in Elk River. Also, the Business-After-Hours is hosted by American National Bank. Both are excellent opportunities to meet and greet with other business leaders in the community.

Another excellent way to interact with the entire community is our 22^nd Annual Business Expo being held on April 6^th at Elk River High School. This is one of the best attended events of the entire year and we encourage you to participate. Contact Victoria in the Chamber office to reserve your booth space today.

By participating you will be following the eighth chapter of The Greatest Salesman in the World – Multiply your value a hundredfold.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS AT ANNUAL EXPO
Sunday, April 6, 2008
10 am - 3 pm
Elk River High School
Do you think the hundreds of new residents that have moved into our area know about your business or your service? You can raise that awareness significantly by exhibiting at our annual Business Expo.

This is your chance to show your product or service to over 3,000 people in one day. Expo will sell out, so register today to guarantee that your business will have a space!

To help our exhibitors make the most of their Expo experience, he Chamber is hosting a two hour training session on March 11. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, come and learn some valuable tips for successful marketing. (See related article, page ?)

If you need a registration form or need more information, call the Chamber office, 441-3110

Get the Most Out of Your BUSINESS EXPO Marketing Experience
"Effective Exhibiting Solutions" will be held on Tuesday, March 11 at Holiday Inn in Otsego, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch is included. The cost is $20 per person. Business Expo 2008 is April 6 at Elk River High School, and this two-hour seminar is designed to help you prepare for a successful show.

Customers, potential clients, competitors, and people off the street roam the aisles at shows and demonstrate the necessity for exhibits that call out, "stop here." These shows are people events. People meet, network, and connect. Businesses need to maximize their exposure and get the greatest return on their investment in exhibition time and materials.

Our speaker, Jean Holewa, Exhibitor Value Advantage, teaches what it takes to make a lasting and positive impression. Focusing on elements of effective exhibiting, Jean can help your business stand out at the show. Learn how to:

Create attention-getting displays
Prepare your staff
Qualify leads
Establish effective follow-up

Deadline to register is March 6, 2008. Call 763-441-3110, fax 763-441-3409 or email eracc@elkriverchamber.org.

NEW RESIDENTS COULD BE YOUR NEW CUSTOMERS
"Discover Elk River" is a welcome package that we present to new residents. A letter from the Mayor welcomes them to the community and invites them to stop by the Chamber office for their free kit.

New residents receive a gift bag filled with information, including a Chamber directory, area map, brochures, coupons and promotional items from member businesses.

We will include your promotional piece in 200 Discover Elk River bags for only $10. Be creative. Past items have included pens, note pads, ice scrapers, key chains and coupons for free desserts!

To be included in the program, we need your materials by March 28. If you have any questions about the Discover Elk River program, call Andrea at 441-3110.

NEW MEMBERS
All Pets Veterinary Hospital & Equine Service
26233 2nd Street E. #300
Zimmerman MN 55398
Dr. Joel Ihnen 763-856-8387

Buffalo Wild Wings
778 Freeport Avenue
Elk River MN 55330
Caryn Kocher 763-241-9464

Cellular Experts
7962 Sunwood Drive Suite 800
Ramsey MN 55303
Dan Zachrison 763-576-9599

Freedom Installation Services Inc.
25687 108th Street NW
Zimmerman MN 55398
Mike Crawley 763-213-6317

WHO’S IN THE NEWS
Joyce Mickelson of the Elk River Edina Realty Office recently presented a $1500 check to the area CAER Director as part of the Edina Realty Foundation program of which Elk River is a member.

Lisa Ash, an agent with Coldwell Banker Vision of Elk River, was given an award for the most home warranties provided to her clients for the state of Minnesota in 2007. The home warranties are thru American Home Shield Home Warranty Company and are offered to her buyers and sellers as a benefit to working with her

In conjunction with National Red Cross Month, Elk RiverCulver’s® is donating 10 percent of their sales on Wednesday, March 5 to the local American Red Cross for annual "Day of Giving" Funds will be used within the local community. Guests can enhance the total contribution by giving personal donations in canisters throughout the week. Culver’s goal for the one-day event is $175,000. Culver’s was recently recognized with the Red Cross Circle of Humanitarian Award for substantial financial support.

FREE ELK RIVER MAPS
Our new, 4 color city street map has arrived. Stop by the Chamber office to pick up a copy, or if your business would benefit by having multiple copies available, call 763-441-3110 to order. The maps are free, thanks to our Chamber members that placed ads.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS HOSTING
BUSINESS FACT #1: People do business with people they know and Business After Hours makes networking truly easy. It’s an excellent way to help your business grow by meeting new people, getting the latest news, and relaxing in a fun and informal setting. Plan on attending this free monthly event.

Over the past 3 years, the Chamber has offered a successful "Business After Hours" each month. This has been and will continue to be an excellent means for a business to be showcased.

We are gearing up for another season of these events, and are taking reservations for the upcoming months. Potential host business are encouraged to team up with another business(es) when scheduling. By doing this, some businesses that do not have an appropriate space to host on site may be able to partner with a business that has a facility that can accommodate this activity. Contact the Chamber office to check available dates.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Thursday, March 20, 2008
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by American National Bank
17267 Yale Street NW

MINNESOTA BUSINESS DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Business Day at the Capitol gives you the chance to share your views and concerns directly with state policy-makers. Join us March 5 in St. Paul as we represent companies from our community alongside businesses from across the state. We also will have an opportunity to personally visit with our local legislators.

Upward of 600 people come together as one statewide business voice at this event which has become the largest lobbying day in Minnesota. In its 15^th year, it is an excellent venue for the business community to speak with a single voice on common priorities including quality and affordable health care, minimizing the state tax burden, and passing long-term funding for transportation needs across the state.

Headquarters for this event is the Crowne Plaza St. Paul-Riverfront, 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Two sessions are offered to accommodate schedules. Session I runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Session II runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Both sessions will begin with opening remarks addressing the legislative session followed by the chance to attend briefings by Minnesota Chamber staff on the business community’s top priorities. Personal meetings with two or three legislators also are prearranged for interested participants. Both sessions join together at noon for a lunch program where the Governor traditionally gives an address. Cost for the day, including a continental breakfast, lunch, meeting materials and transportation to and from the Capitol, is $50.

The event also is an opportunity for local media to observe the legislative process and report on where local lawmakers stand on issues important to their local businesses.

Let’s demonstrate our commitment to protecting the priorities of Minnesota’s business community – and thus the state’s economic vitality – by joining with the Minnesota Chamber and local chambers statewide for this event. It’s imperative that the business community speak with one voice if we are to achieve results at the Capitol.

Elk River Area Business Gives is an excellent way for businesses to receive recognition from their peers and their community for the many contributions they make to their local community.

Businesses are recognized for giving cash and/or in-kind contributions to charitable organizations amounting to 2 percent or more of their pretax earnings. The program is based on the Minnesota Keystone Program^SM Standard, criteria established in 1976 by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Elk River Area Business Gives is designed to help businesses and communities share, recognize and appreciate the contributions of businesses. Businesses demonstrate their impact on communities and motivate other businesses to start or strengthen their commitment. Businesses help make the link between business giving and overall community vitality. Businesses give their communities an opportunity to show their appreciation.

Most businesses are modest at best in promoting their community giving. Elk River Area Business Gives is an excellent way for businesses to share their stories and be recognized with their peers. Best of all, because recognition is based on the percent of income given in cash and in-kind donations, a small business that gives $1,000 each year can receive the same recognition as one that contributes $10,000.

Any business or professional association (corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship) that are members of the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce is welcome to participate.

Your business can participate by obtaining and completing the Participation Form and submitting it to the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. On the form, you certify that during your business’ most recent completed fiscal year it gave at least 2 percent of its pretax earnings in cash and/or in-kind contributions to charitable organizations. A calculation worksheet is included to help with calculating the 2 percent.

The only information about participants that is publicly released is the name, type of business and location. Elk River Area Business Gives does not report contributed amounts, nor does it audit for compliance. The honor system prevails.

In addition to being recognized in the community, each business receives a letter of thanks and congratulations from the Governor of Minnesota.

* The Minnesota Keystone Program service mark is owned by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Elk River Area Business Gives is associated with Minnesota Business Gives, created in 2004 by Building Business Investment in Community, a project of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and 12 Minnesota business and philanthropic organizations. Minnesota Business Gives is managed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce with support from Marquette Financial Companies.