February 2017
Chamber News St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Friday, March 17th 1-8 p.m. Downtown
Mission
Our
The River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau works together to connect, promote, and support its members to further enhance the local economy and cultivate a sense of community.
POT O’ GOLD MEDALLION HUNT - 1 p.m. Try your Irish luck and hunt for the Pot O’ Gold. Clues will be posted every half hour starting at 1 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The winner of the medallion hunt will receive a $50 Chamber Check! POTATO SOUP COOK-OFF - 1-5 p.m. Be a part of deciding the title of best potato soup this side of Ireland. Sample potato soup from over 15 participating businesses. POKER WALK - 1-5 p.m. Grab a poker card at any participating location, and continue drawing a card at each participating business to form the best poker hand. 8th ANNUAL BED RACES - 6 p.m. Teams of five will race makeshift beds down Main Street! Create a team of your own or cheer on your friends for this year’s Bed Races. Registration information at rfchamber.com.
2016 - Year in Review
E-Mail Blast Sponsor: Promote your business or event by sponsoring an e-mail blast. Includes your logo and a brief message about your company. $50 Event Sponsorship: Each year the Chamber organizes numerous Chamber and community events. These events include: River Falls Days, Bacon Bash, Business After Hours, Chamber Coffees and much more. Sponsoring one of these events is a great way to get your business noticed. Prices vary. Membership Mailing Labels: Advertise special events or promotions to your fellow Chamber members by purchasing preprinted member mailing labels. $50 Newsletter Inserts: Promote your business or event with a newsletter insert. Email an 8.5x11 pdf to be included. $100/insert Website Links: Connect your website to the Chamber website. Upgrade your membership to include a web link. $35 link, $60 enhanced listing with link. To take advantage of any of these great marketing opportunities, please contact the Chamber at 715-425-2533.
At the Chamber, our mission is to work together to connect, promote, and support YOU – our members – to further enhance the local economy and cultivate a sense of community. At this year’s Annual Dinner and Award Banquet we shared the following 2016 highlights: • The Leadership River Falls Youth program was implemented and has provided an outstanding opportunity for twelve 8th grade Chris Blasius students to enhance their knowledge and develop leadership skills that will empower and motivate them to become involved and committed to their community. Building tomorrows leaders…today. This program would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of this year’s Chamber Champion: Leadership River Falls, Class of 2015-16. • In a continuing effort to welcome visitors to River Falls and assist them in navigating their way through our community, marketing kiosks (with a direct link to the Chamber website) were rebranded and installed at six premiere venue locations throughout the community. These informational kiosks allow visitors to search for things to do, places to shop, dine and more as they “Experience Rive Falls”. • Although they aren’t the Clio awards, many River Falls’ business owners have had a “starring” role in a new segment entitled “Experience Rive Falls” as local businesses were showcased in these one-minute video segments. These segments are receiving rave reviews as individuals like and share comments such as “We love this place!” Indeed, they do. In this short amount of time, 13 local businesses have been highlighted on the Cham ber’s Facebook page and, collectively, these videos have reached over 41,000 people and have had over 14,000 views. • The three “biggie” tourism events of River Falls Roots & Bluegrass Festival (3,000 estimated attendance), River Falls Days (12,000), and Bacon Bash (11,000) provided a combined economic impact of over $1.1 million dollars in visitor spending during these three weekends. • Over 30 new teachers were welcomed to the River Falls School District at our 2nd annual new teacher meet and greet. • Continued to collaborate with the Work River Falls initiative to raise awareness of outstanding local workforce resources to create a stronger, healthier community. As we look forward to 2017, we continue to be committed to helping our members grow and prosper. We understand that different businesses have different needs and expectations from their Chamber Membership. That’s why we are excited to share that opportunities continue to be developed to further recognize the diversity of our membership and provide increased tangible benefits. Starting this year, our membership will be given the opportunity to invest in a level that best suits their needs and further aligns with the chamber’s mission.
Kellie Burrows Chair American Cancer Society Danielle Campeau UWRF
Greg Peters Greg Peters State Farm Agency Bill Rasmussen Hammarback Law Offices, S. C
Jamie Benson Matt Russell River Falls School District First National Bank Janet Burns UWRF Foundation Toni Hinz Pairfection Catering Craig Hofland is it 2B Marketing Jen Loesch River Falls Hospital Katy Melstrom Turnkey Corrections & Three Square Market
Kevin Westhuis River Falls Municipal Utilities
In addition, as part of our commitment to best serve our members, we will focus on the following four key areas throughout next year: • Improved communication • Financial stability • Enhanced programs and activities • Visionary leadership Thank YOU for investing in the Chamber. Collectively we can do together what no individual or business can achieve simply on its own.
Meet our Chamber Intern
Angel Zimmerman Belle Vinez Winery Scot Simpson Ex-Officio City of River Falls
Amanda Hanson
My name is Amanda Hanson and I am currently finishing up my Senior year at UW-River Falls. When I’m not studying hard, I enjoy throwing darts in the local dart league and spending time with my husband. We are big sports fans, especially the Minnesota Vikings. We even had a Vikings themed wedding! I’m excited to bring my event planning experience to the Chamber to help showcase all the great things River Falls has to offer!
Chamber Events Chamber Coffee
Event Sponsor
Friday, February 17th 8:30-9:30 a.m. City Hall Training Room Join the Chamber for fresh coffee and treats. Share what is new with your business and learn what is new with other members. This is a perfect event to promote your business to the community for free.
Business After Hours
Event Sponsor & Host
Thursday, February 28th 5-6:30 p.m. *Note new time! Swinging Bridge Brewing Company Don’t miss the first Business After Hours event of the year featuring River Falls’ newest brewery, Swinging Bridge Brewing Company. This is your opportunity to meet Chamber members and community leaders and potentially generate new businesses, all while sharing business information and ideas in a social atmosphere. Bring a co-worker and client and enjoy a complimentary beverage and check out offerings from their menu.
St. Croix Valley Young Professionals Group Wednesday, February 8th 4:30-6:00 p.m. Rush River Brewery
Connect with other young professionals in the St. Croix Valley at this free networking event. The St. Croix Young Professionals is a free networking group for area professionals 35 and younger. Email
[email protected] for future event updates.
Community Events
Complete Women’s Care Open House Saturday, February 18th 10-1 p.m. River Falls Area Hospital - Allina Health
Learn why River Falls Area Hospital is the best choice in Western Wisconsin for complete women’s care. The hospital and new clinic (opening summer 2017) offers complete OB/GYN services for women of all ages. Their personalized care covers pregnancy and child birth, breast health, gynecological surgery, pain, menopause and more. Stop by their open house for family fun activities including: women’s health presentations, guided birth center tours, baby bump/newborn photography, scavenger hunt and much more. Visit allinahealth.org/riverfalls for details.
Free Tax Filing
February 23, March 2, March 9th 5:30-8 p.m. WESTconsin Credit Union - River Falls UW-River Falls Accounting students and the Accounting Society are offering free tax filing assistance for low income individuals. No appointments necessary. Contact Steve DeWald for additional information at
[email protected].
Bowls for Hope
Tuesday, March 7 th, 5-7 p.m. UWRF-University Center Each year, UW-River Falls works with the community to raise funds for a local non-profit. This year, The Hunger Prevention Council of Pierce County - Moolah for Milk program was selected as this year’s recipient. Buy your tickets today to sample soups from local restaurants and receive a bowl handmade by local artists. Tickets are available at the Chamber office, UWRF Chancellor’s office and the Information Desk at the UW-River Falls University Center. Adults tickets are $25, children 12 and under $5.
Ambassador Visit
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
From L-R Monica Robey, Steiner Plumbing, Electric & Heating; Jeff Schwab, B Wireless; Toni Hinz, Pairfection Catering; Jeremy Knospe, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving; Brian Manion, WESTconsin Credit Union; Monica Wright, Express Employment Professionals; Jodi Pechacek ,CPR Wealth Advisors; Joe Fischer, Royal Credit Union
Jeremy Knospe recently opened a chapter of the College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving franchise in the St. Croix Valley. College Hunks is dedicated to providing their customers with quality, stress-free service so they are able to spend less time worrying and more time thinking about what’s really important. In addition to their full-service moving and junk removal services, they also offer donation pick up and are able to help you with other general labor projects. “For our team at College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, the most rewarding part of working in the River Falls community is getting to know the people that live here and the stories they have to share and knowing that we were able to relieve some of their stress during what is often one of the most stressful experiences of a person’s life,” commented President Knospe. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving works closely with local organizations including; Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Savers, and Home to Sweet Home, a local move management service that helps seniors and their families through the downsizing and/or moving process by organizing, sorting, packing, moving, unpacking, and helping their clients to resettle into their new home. Contact Jeremy Knospe for your moving and hauling needs at 715-716-0408 or
[email protected].
Let us introduce our 2017 Board of Directors From L-R Dan Nistler, Riverwalk Square; Danielle Campeau, UW-River Falls; Kellie Burrows, American Cancer Society - Relay for Life; Angel Zimmerman, Belle Vinez Winery; Bill Ramussen, Hammarback Law Offices; Toni Hinz, Pairfection Catering; Jen Loesch, River Falls Area Hospital; Janet Burns, UW-River Falls Foundation; Katy Melstrom, Turnkey Corrections & Three Square Market; Jamie Benson, School District of River Falls; Greg Peters, State Farm Insurance Agency; Kevin Westhuis, River Falls Municipal Utilities; Scott Morrissette, Bremer Bank; Matt Russell, First National Bank; Scot Simpson, City of River Falls; Craig Hofland, is it 2B Marketing
Best Maid
Cookie Company 2016 Chamber Annual Award Winners 2016 Business of the Year
BUSINESS Briefs
Fox Den Books 2016 Small Business of the Year
Forward: The Carole Mottaz Monica Wright, River Falls Public Express 2016 Citizen of the Year Schools Education Employment Foundation Professionals 2016 Non-Profit of the Year
2016 Ambassador of the Year
During the month of February, WESTconsin Credit Union will host the Chain of Hearts fundraiser in support of its local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals—Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and CMN Hospitals at Gundersen Health System. Members are invited to show their support of CMN Hospitals by purchasing a paper chain link for $1, small paper heart for $5 or Wall of Fame paper heart for $25 at their local WESTconsin office, where the links and hearts will be proudly displayed. WESTconsin’s goal is to raise $7,500. In 2016, WESTconsin raised over $16,000 for CMN Hospitals. Every charitable donation received directly assists children and their families, and supports pediatric programs, state-of-the-art medical equipment and services that help kids battle diseases and injuries of every kind. In 2015, over 1,000 children from western Wisconsin received treatment from Gillette. Funds are additionally used to meet the individual healthcare needs of local children and their families. Supported items include transportation assistance, medical equipment, specialty camps and many more patient specific needs. In 2015, 96 families within WESTconsin’s field of membership were helped with more than $27,000 in funding from CMN Hospitals. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be offering an Entrepreneurial Training Program beginning Monday, March 20 to prepare potential entrepreneurs to start their own business and owners of existing businesses to improve or grow their business. The ten-week program will be held Monday evenings at the UW-River Falls Hudson Center, 2501 Hanley Road, Hudson. Topics will include: the Lean Start Up method, business plans, finances, record keeping, legal issues, marketing, social media and human resource topics. Sessions will last from 6-8:30 p.m. and will include subject specialist guest speakers, instruction and coaching. At the end of the ten weeks, students will be prepared to write a comprehensive business plan. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is offering qualified applicants a grant to cover 75 percent of the cost of the course, reducing the cost to $250 for those that meet the grant requirements. To register for the course and begin the grant application process, visit http://www.wisconsinsbdc.org/riverfalls/attend/etp. Applications must be completed at least two weeks prior to the first class session. For more information, email SBDC Consultant Katherine Fossler at katherine.
[email protected] or call 715-425-0620. Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Board of Trustees. The open positions include two Additional members, and one Elected Official member. Successful candidates will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2017. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, February 27. Send applications to Lauren Sullivan, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701. There are a number of requirements all candidates must meet in order to be eligible for Wisconsin Technical College System district board membership. Candidates must be residents of the technical college district, must submit an application/affidavit with a completed questionnaire and at least two written references, and must attend a district board appointment committee public hearing in person to be interviewed. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at the CVTC Business Education Center. For more information or to request an application, contact Sullivan at 715-833-6500,
[email protected], or go to www.cvtc.edu/boardappointment. Greenwood Elementary School is seeking volunteers for their annual school carnival. If you are interested in helping with booth set up (2/24) or with the carnival (2/25) please check out our openings, and sign up, by clicking on the following link: http://signup.com/go/affFoy. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Greenwood office at 715-425-1810. Wei Zheng is leading a team of UW-River Falls researchers to create a research-based one-stop shop to help organizations design high-impact practices to advance women’s leadership and entrepreneurship in Wisconsin. In preparation for the project, they are interested in your input. In this project,they plan to target: 1) Establish an on-line dashboard to track women’s entrepreneurship and organizational leadership in various industries in Wisconsin 2) Identify specific barriers to women’s entrepreneurs and leaders in Wisconsin, through a survey study. 3) Identify high-impact organizational practices to develop women entrepreneurs and leaders in Wisconsin, through a survey study and follow-up interviews. 4) Create a website to disseminate all the information above to individuals, educators, organizations, and governments in Wisconsin. Compared with similar projects, their project’s unique value propositions are 1) We focus on organizational design and practices to be gender inclusive rather than on changing individual women to fit the existing organizational environments 2) We provide a one-stop shop that allows organizations to access information related to barriers and high-impact practices in one place 3) Our project generates knowledge specific to the Wisconsin’s context. Project Manager Zheng, is seeking input from business leaders as they further design this project. They’d greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the following questions: 1) Do you see value added from such a project to your organization or your community? If so, in what way? 2) What specific findings would benefit you and your work? 3) What other ideas would you like us to consider to address your business needs? Please email
[email protected] with your input.
Non-Profit of the Year - Forward Foundation
Citizen of the Year - Carole Mottaz
Large Business of the Year - Best Maid Cookie Company
Small Business of the Year - Fox Den Books
Planning Committee: Kristin Jepson, State Farm Insurance Agency; Jodi Pechacek, CPR Wealth Advisors; Cory Hart, Junior’s Bar & Restaurant; Terry McKay, RE/MAX Synergy; Maranda Mahr, River Falls Chamber Not Pictured: Mary Jo Sutton, Primerica; Rachel Paulus, Reverie Photography
Ambassador of the Year - Monica Wright
Chamber Champion - Leadership River Falls Class of 2015-16
