Official Publication of Grand Forks - East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Vol 6 Issue 1 January/February 2010

Page 2 Chamber Update

Team GF: Going D1 Page 4 Jan/Feb New Members

Page 6 & 7 8th Annual A Month In Pictures Grand Forks State of the Page 8 City Address & Luncheon Business Briefs Page 9 By Mayor Michael R. Brown February Brown Bag Seminar

Page 11 February Business After Hours Page 12 Mayor Brown will talk about the past year and the opportunities that ATHENA Nominations 2010 holds for our community to position itself as the best of the best. Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - $15/person (includes lunch) Alerus Center - 11:30am - 1:00pm

To register: Contact The Chamber at 772-7271, [email protected] or online at www.gochamber.org Mission Statement Limited seating, sign up soon. Registration deadline is 2/12/10 “The Chamber of Commerce creates an environment Corporate Sponsors that encourages business success while enhancing the quality of life in our region.”

202 N. 3rd Street Grand Forks, ND 58203 PO Box 315 East Grand Forks, MN 56721 (701)772-7271 (701)772-9238 Fax [email protected] www.gochamber.org

Business Partners City of Thompson Nodak Electric HB Sound & Light President’s Message Chamber Update NW MN Intergovern- Much of what Congress has done has Officers mental Retreat set for been needed. However, doing too much Chair: Barb Schultz February 12th too fast; like tackling cap and trade, the Ideal Aerosmith, Inc. The Chamber is spon- employee free choice act, an immediate Chair-Elect: Jim Galloway soring an intergovern- additional stimulus package will almost JLG Architects mental retreat on certainly seriously affect fundamental cost th Past Chair: Rick Duquette February 12 aimed at factors and add to uncertainty. Both are City of Grand Forks sharing information bad things for business. Secretary: Chris Semrau between various Ralph Engelstad Arena government and business entities in NW At this point in time it would seem Kent Hanson MN. prudent to take more of a Red River Valley NCTC The event will be held at Shooting Star conservative approach and let some of the Bryan Lee Casino in Mahnomen from 11:30 a.m. to many “fixes” that have been made really Gateway Storage 4:30 p.m. Business people are encouraged take effect before making even more Barry Wilfahrt to attend. changes. Message to Congress is slow The Chamber - GF/EGF down and give business some time to Representatives from Polk County, the adjust. Directors City of East Grand Forks, the EGF School Thane Bergh - American Federal Bank District, EGF EDHA, and The Chamber will MN Business Day at the Capitol March th Andy Byron - United Valley Bank all give reports. State Senator 10 Join an East Grand Forks Business Day Torrie Enget - Best Buy LeRoy Stumpf, Representative Bernie Lieder and the Minnesota Congressional delegation in St. Paul on March 10th. Scott Huizenga- City of EGF Delegation have also been invited to Chamber President, Barry Wilfahrt will be Brian Johnson - Choice Financial participate. Leon Heath from the North- leading the East Grand Forks group to St. Phyllis Johnson- UND west Regional Development Commission Paul where they will meet with local will facilitate the event. With so many legislators LeRoy Stump and Bernie Curt Kreun - GF City Council budget issues facing Minnesota we Leider. The group will also participate in a Linda Pierce -Crary Homes & Real Estate expect some very good discussion. business briefing and meet with business Jim Richter - EGF EDHA people from across Minnesota. Contact Please let us know if you are planning to the Chamber office to find out more about Jim Satrom - PS Doors attend. Contact he chamber office at 701- participating. Tim Sayler - Altru Health System 772-7271 or [email protected]. Re- Steve Swanson - AE2S freshments are provided; buffet lunch is Barry Willfahrt Klaus Thiessen - GF Regional EDC on your own. Jeff Westrem - Hugo’s Business Needs Stability to Thrive Chamber Announces 2010 Plan of Jeff Wilson - Vilandre Heating & AC Business tends to thrive in a stable Action Matt Winjum - Rhombus Guys environment. As business people, we are used to dealing with changes in the Chamber Board Chair Barb Schultz market place, competition and traditional Sr. Military Advisor to the Board presented the the 2010 Chamber Colonel Donald Shaffer - GFAFB economic cycles. What is hard to adjust to and even harder to predict, are the Plan of Action at The Chamber’s Staff regulatory changes that have been made Annual Meeting in January. and are on the horizon in Washington. Barry Wilfahrt Connecting with the membership President/CEO In a meeting with Congressman Pomeroy [email protected] through involvement and doing what recently, we talked about how the many is relevant and of value to them will Lisa Swanson pieces of the stimulus package, financial Vice President of Operations be the theme for 2010. Please look [email protected] regulatory changes and the new health care bill will impact what he called the for your copy in the February Jennifer Walsh “fundamental cost factors of doing Chamber Express. Membership Relations Director [email protected] business.” I was impressed that he was very sensitive to this. Each time Congress Corrina Sachno All members are encouraged to take Program Coordinator makes a change these cost factors are a few minutes to see what The [email protected] affected, often times without a clear Chamber is planning for 2010. Carla Younce indication of how dramatic the change will be. The result is business uncertainty. Members are encouraged to contact Finance Director the staff about getting more involved [email protected] Uncertainty leads to caution and risk or with any questions they have Kimberly Strom aversion which tends to slow investment Administrative Assistant and economic growth. about the planned programs for 2010. [email protected] It is going to be a great year!

2 www.gochamber.org 2010 Chamber Leadership

2011 2012 2010 2011 2012 Barb Schultz Jim Galloway Rick Duquette Chris Semrau Bryan Lee Ideal Aerosmith JLG Architects City of GF REA Gateway Storage Chair Chair Elect/Treasurer Past Chair Vice Chair/Secretary Vice Chair

2010 2010 20112010 2010 Kent Hanson Barry Wilfahrt Thane Bergh Andy Byron Torrie Enget NCTC The Chamber - GF/EGF American Federal Bank United Valley Bank Best Buy Vice Chair President/CEO

2010 2012 2011 2010 2011 Scott Huizenga Brian Johnson Phyllis Johnson Curt Kreun Linda Pierce City of EGF Choice Financial UND GF City Council Prudential-Crary Real Estate

2010 2010 2011 2010 2010 Jim Richter Jim Satrom Tim Sayler Steve Swanson Klaus Thiessen EGF Ec. Dev. Housing PS Doors Altru Health System AE2S GF Region EDC Authority

* Dates represent board retirement year 2012 2010 2012 Jeff Westrem Jeff Wilson Matt Winjum Col. Donald Shaffer Hugo’s Vilandre Heating & Air Rhombus Guys GFAFB Commander Conditioning Sr. Military Advisor to the Board www.gochamber.org 3 Chamber News Welcome New Members

Jeff Jensen National Property Inspections – AT & T Individual Membership Tim Brown 1410 Telford Dr 3589 Norkota Ct Liberty, MO 64068 Davis Landscaping LLC Grand Forks, ND 58201 816-781-9955 Chris Davis 218-791-7150 [email protected] 5515 University Ave [email protected] www.att.com Grand Forks, ND 58203 www.npiweb.com/tbrown AT&T is a premier communications 701-741-6484 National Property Inspections will company offering the world’s most [email protected] provide you with a thorough unbiased, advanced IP-based business commu- www.davislandscapellc.com detailed, confidential and professional nications services; the nation’s fastest Davis Landscaping is a full service inspection of your property, weather wireless 3G network and leading high landscape construction and mainte- that is your home or a commercial speed Internet access and voice nance company. We specialize in building, weather you’re buying or services. In 2009, AT&T again ranked residential design and installation of selling property, an inspection provides No. 1 in the telecommunications irrigation systems and custom land- peace of mind as you make purchas- industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s scaping. In addition, we provide lawn ing decisions. NPI offers a full menu of list of the World’s Most Admired care and maintenance services to the inspection services to both residential Companies. greater Grand Forks region. and commercial clients. Our most popular inspections include new JC Penney Keller Williams – Linda Bunde construction, existing residential and Kevin Flynn 1604 S Washington St Suite 101 commercial buildings, multi-units, 2800 S Columbia Rd Grand Forks, ND 58201 condos, manufactured homes, pre- Grand Forks, ND 58201 701-740-7417 listing inspections and 11 month 701-746-4521 [email protected] inspections where new home warran- www.jcp.com www.lindabunde.com ties are about to expire. JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers, operating throughout the Merrill Lynch Boldmethod, LLC United States and Puerto Rico. We Rick Mercil Aleks Udris have the largest apparel and home nd 2650 32 Ave S Suite O 667 DeMers Ave Suite 1001 furnishing sites on the Internet, Grand Forks, ND 58201 Grand Forks, ND 58201 jcp.com, and the nation’s largest 701-775-5804 701-775-8608 general merchandise catalog busi- www.ml.com [email protected] ness. Across our integrated enterprise, Merrill Lynch is a premier wealth www.boldmethod.com JCPenney offers a wide array of management service provider in Grand BoldMethod, LLC supplies interactive national, private and exclusive brands Forks. The office of Merrill Lynch has courseware and software development which reflect the Company’s commit- five Financial Advisors and two Client for a variety of industries, withSpringHill empha- Suitesment toHotel providing customers with style Associates. Two of the Advisors: Rick sis on aviation and procedural sys- and quality at smart prices. Mercil and Chad Detienne have been tems. Their products are used for recognized by Barron’s as the Top internal and external training, as well Nodak Mutual – Deb Kolling Financial Advisors in the State for as product marketing. BoldMethod is Deb Kolling 2009. Mike Elsberry holds a CFP based in Grand Forks, . 1123 N 42nd St (certified financial planner) and all Grand Forks, ND 58201 employees hold a Chartered Retire- A-Pink Enterprises 701-772-7285 ment Planning Counselor designations Folake Olumide 701-740-1195 from the College of Financial Planning. 817 Duke Dr [email protected] The local office has been recognized Grand Forks, ND 58201 www.debkolling.com consistently for its continued growth, 701-213-6836 www.nodakmutual.com exceptional service and clean compli- [email protected] Deb has been in the insurance ance record. The Advisors provide www.apinkenterprises.com industry for the past 6 years and is solutions for; small business owners, A-Pink Enterprises is a promotional new with Nodak Mutual. She sells and families, individual investors and non- products specialty company offering services home, auto, farm, business, profit organizations. The office man- personalized items for businesses and life, disability, health ect insurance. ager is Rick Mercil. individuals. We also offer a wide ensemble of social stationery for your corporate and social events.

4 www.gochamber.org Chamber News Thank You for Renewing Your Membership The following businesses know the value of their Chamber Membership and have renewed their membership in The Chamber - GF/EGF. Please visit them for your Humana purchasing needs. 1611 Alderson Ave Billings, MT 59105 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union Deaton’s Mailing Systems, Inc 406-238-7130 1st Realty-Jerry Youngberg Denny’s [email protected] 5-Star Collision & Glass Center Dex Media www.humana.com A & L Siding & Home Improvement East Grand Inn Humana’s unique approach – from plan designs to consumer guidance – Center Economic Development Housing changes the way consumers choose Achieve Therapy LLC Authority and use healthcare. Throughout our AFLAC Economy Plumbing, Inc. organization, Humana associates and Alltel Business Solutions - 32nd Ave. EGF Blue Line Club leaders are dedicated to delivering S El Roco Nightclub & Bottle Shop value to customers, members, and Altru Health System - Fert-L-Lawn shareholders. Humana offers a range of products and services in addition to American Cancer Society/Relaty for Forks Lath & Plaster group health insurance. Our business Life Forum Communications Printing units serve the military, individuals, American Federal Bank - GF Frandsen Bank & Trust (EGF) seniors, and many others. We also AmericInn Motels & Suites G.W. & Sons Construction, Inc. offer specialty products, including Anderson Brothers Auto Body Shop Gaffaney’s dental coverage. Applebee’s Gerrells Sports Center/Hockey World Dakota Software Inc Aurora Clinic GF Board of Realtors Brian Wurzbacher BNSF Railway Company GF Country club 2303 S Washington C&R Cleaners & Laundry GF County Agencies Grand Forks, ND 58201 Cabela’s GF Public Schools 701-402-2280 [email protected] Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson GGF Senior Citizens Assoc., Inc www.daksales.com Ltd Girl Scouts - Dakota Horizons Computer sales, software develop- Candle Bin, The Global Safety Network ment, IT services, free email hosting, Cariveau, George A Business Consult- Grand Forks Center for Sleep and web development/hosting ant Greenberg Realty - Tammy Howard CD Communications Greenberg Realty - Rita Schuster Mr Sandless North Dakota Brian Opdahl Choice Financial - S. Washington GuestHouse International 609 Plain Hills Dr Citizens Community Credit Union Hardware Hank Grand Forks, ND 58201 Citizens Communtiy Credit Union- Harmon Glass Doctor 701-757-2040 WalMart Heyer Engineering P.C. [email protected] City of East Grand Forks Hugo’s #3 www.mrsandless.com Mr. Sandless Grand Forks is now Mr. Columbia Liquors Hugo’s Wine & Spirits Sandless North Dakota serving all of Comfort Inn Independent School District #595 ND and NW MN. Mr. Sandless is a Community Contractors, Inc. Ink Doctor franchise business based out of Community Foundation of GF, EGF & Integra Telecom Philadelphia and the local franchise is Region J&G Landscaping independently owned by Brian Opdahl. Conlin’s Furniture J.R. Simplot Mr. Sandless is the “Green, non toxic, kid and pet safe” floor refinishing Crary Homes & Real Estate - Linda Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centre system that uses its own water based Pierce Joe Black’s solutions and finish products to clean Culver’s of GF Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc. and refinish all kinds of floors from Dakota Fire Protection Keith’s Security World real wood to laminate, manufactured Dakota Sales/Budweiser Kingsbury Applied Economics flooring, tile, terrazzo, marble, etc. There is no dust released into the air Dakota Supply Group Kochever, Ron because there is no sanding involved. Daydreams Specialities Lakeview Inn & Suites To see some of our results go to Dean Foods NC, Inc./Land O’Lakes Continued on pg. 10 mrsandless.com. www.gochamber.org 5 A Month in Pictures

Holiday Inn Express Business After Hours

Silent Auction at Annual Dinner

Annual Dinner at Alerus Center Eggstravaganza Annual Dinner

Gorden Caldis - Henry Havig Award Recipient Annual Dinner A Month in Pictures

Holiday Inn Express Business After Hours

Annual Dinner - Gov. Hoeven, Guest Speaker

Gerry Joyce - Henry Havig Award Recipient

Annual Dinner at Alerus Center Annual Dinner at Alerus Center Business Briefs Peabody Joins REA School & University. An annual competi- A native of Crystal, N.D., Laxdal is a tion honoring education design excel- graduate of North Dakota State University Board of Directors lence, the Architectural Portfolio spot- in Fargo, with a B.S. degree in public Bob Peabody has joined the Ralph lights projects representing some of the relations and advertising and a minor in Engelstad Arena Board of Directors. most effective learning environments in journalism. While at NDSU, Laxdal Peabody is the owner of America. managed the advertising department of Lumber Mart which he the campus newspaper and completed a has operated since 1983. The National Energy Center of Excellence non-profit event planning internship. He spent eight years on is a $3 million new facility that houses the the East Grand Fork City college’s energy programs. The NECE She and her husband, Kelby, live in Grand Council, six as President. enhances training and education opportu- Forks Peabody served as nities in key areas directly related to the President of the East energy industry and serves as a ‘one-stop Winjum Named Entrepreneur Grand Forks and Grand training and education shop.’ The in Residence Forks Chamber of Commerce, been a past building has a variety of purposes The Entrepreneurship Department at the board chair of United Hospital and Altru including classrooms, learning labs and University of North Dakota is pleased to Health Systems and is currently a board administrative offices. The NECE is welcome Matt Winjum member of U.S. Bank, Grand Forks. designed to meet the requirements of back as “Entrepreneur- Peabody was also a member of the 1959 Silver-level LEED Certification. UND men’s ice hockey NCAA national in-Residence” for a championship team.” second semester. Issendorf Joins Flint Winjum also co-owns EAPC Hires Todd Group Rhombus Guys in Grand Libby Issendorf has joined the Flint Group Forks and was named Jelinski as a digital strategist and will work with 2009 SBA Young Todd Jelinski, AIA, has been hired as clients in all Flint locations to develop and Entrepreneur of the Year senior project architect at EAPC Archi- implement social media strategy across all along with fellow Rhombus co-owner, tects & Engineers. His current role at brands. Arron Hendricks. Using his experience as EAPC is to provide production manage- a successful, local business owner, Matt ment for the firm. He is a 1992 graduate of Specializing in paid teaches a class called “Imagination, NDSU and most recently online media strategy Creativity & Entrepreneurial Thinking” on worked for Opus and tactical executions, campus this semester. Architects and Engi- Issendorf has experience neers out of Minneapo- in blending traditional Spring Career Fair lis. Todd is a member of media planning and new The University of North Dakota Career the American Institute of media strategy. She has Services would like to invite you to our Architects and National worked extensively with 2010 Spring Career Fair Council of Architectural the most popular social Registration Boards. He platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and We believe UND’s Spring Fair is an comes to EAPC with over 16 years of others. excellent opportunity for employers to design experience, including work in connect with students for Full-time educational, governmental and commercial Before joining Flint, Issendorf was a degreed positions or Cooperative Educa- projects as well as corporate and religious media analyst at Campbell Mithun, where tion/Internship opportunities. Students facilities. His prior experience also she led the development of the agency’s from all Majors and Grade Levels are includes work for DLR Group (Minneapo- social media team, working with a variety invited to attend. lis), Shoen Associates and Hunter Grobe of clients including Hamburger Helper, Architects/Planners. He has a profes- Famous Footwear, H&R Block and the Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 sional license in North Dakota and Greater Twin Cities United Way. Time: Noon - 5:00pm Minnesota. Place: UND Wellness Center She is a graduate of the University of Cost: Booth space, lunch for two and EAPC Project Selected Minnesota in the Twin Cites and has a afternoon snacks/beverages is $200.00 B.A. degree in both English and strategic as Outstanding Design communication. On-line registration is now available at An EAPC project has been selected to www.career.und.edu Contact: Lynn Lee at appear as an Outstanding Design in the Angie Laxdal has been 777-3905 for more information 2009 American School & University hired as an account Architectural Portfolio, the premier coordinator. She will Johnson Named COO of showcase celebrating the best in educa- assist with planning, tion design. Bismarck State College’s coordinating and Choice Financial National Energy Center of Excellence executing a variety of The board of directors of Choice Financial (NECE) was selected as one of the 178 projects for the Grand Group named Brian Johnson as chief projects to be profiled in the November Forks office. operations officer at its December meet- Architectural Portfolio issue of American ing.

8 www.gochamber.org Chamber News

Johnson has been with the September of 1984 as a Teller. She has company since 1999, and held a number of positions within the was named president of the bank including Branch Manager, Loan bank’s Walhalla, N.D. and Operations Officer. location in 2001. He has also held the position of 20 years chief credit officer, and most Corey Cleveland is a Senior Vice Jody Strande Lynne Heffernan Nadine Rood recently served as market President in Commercial Loans with president for the bank’s two Frandsen Bank & Trust’s Grand Forks locations in Grand Forks, N.D. Johnson is office. Cleveland began his career with also a member of the company’s board of Frandsen (then Community National directors, senior credit committee, and Bank) in September of 1989. executive management team. 15 years Amber Helt Jacquelyn Lamberson Shana Halstad “Mr. Johnson has played a key role in the on- Cindy Korynta is a Loan Processor in going growth and success of our company,” the Grand Forks office. states Lynn Paulson, Choice Financial chief executive officer. “With his energy, passion Cheryl Fugleberg is a Loan Processor in and unmatched commitment to his customers, the Grand Forks office. we have experienced significant growth and kept our Midwestern roots at the core of our 10 years business.” Jody Strande is a Loan Processor in the Ron Kuznia East Grand Forks office. Johnson, a native of Walhalla, N.D., gradu- ated from Jamestown College with a business Lynne Heffernan is a Customer Service Grasser Joins AE2S management and economics degree. He was Representative in the East Grand Forks AE2S (Advanced Engineering and recently named to the Grand Forks-East Grand office. Environmental Services, Inc.) has hired Jordan Grasser as a Design Engineer in Forks Chamber of Commerce board of 5 years directors and was named a Rising Star by its Grand Forks, ND Nadine Rood is a Loan Officer in Real office. Jordan is a Northwestern Financial Review in 2006. He Estate Loans in the Grand Forks office. and his family reside in Grand Forks. native of Grand Forks, ND and earned his Amber Helt is a Financial Services Frandsen Bank & Trust Coordinator; she is located in the East Master of Science and Bachelor of Science Grand Forks South Point office. Milestone Anniversaries Degrees in Chemical Frandsen Bank & Trust, a leading provider of Jacquelyn Lamberson is a Universal Engineering from the banking products and services though out University of North the Red River Valley, is happy to announce Teller in the East Grand Forks South Point office. Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Prior to the 2009 milestone anniversaries of its most joining AE2S, Jordan worked for important resource: employees. Shana Halstad is a Universal Teller in SUNSRISE Renewables, Inc. as a Process Design Engineer where he 35 years the Grand Forks University Village office. performed process vessel sizing, process Audrey Thompson is an Assistant Vice design, and process optimization. President in Consumer Loans with Frandsen Ron Kuznia is an Assistant Vice Bank & Trust in East Grand Forks. Thompson President in Commercial Loans in the At AE2S, Jordan will initially be part of joined Frandsen (then Community National East Grand Forks office. the design team working on the $14.6 Bank) in 1974 as a Teller. She has held a million Water Treatment Plant Improve- number of positions within the bank including ments Project for the City of Valley City, Loan Support and Consumer Loan Officer. ND. His role in the project will include the development of a hydraulic profile 30 years for the new plant configuration, process John E. (Jack) Robertson is the Market piping layout for the raw water and President of Frandsen Bank & Trust’s East membrane drain systems, and chemical Grand Forks office. Robertson began his feed systems and finished water piping career with Frandsen (then Citizen’s State Audrey Thompson Jack Robertson layout. Bank), in September of 1979 as a Loan Officer. Nan Larson He was promoted to Vice President and later to Senior Vice President. 25 years Nan Larson is a Vice President in Real Estate and Consumer Loans with Frandsen Bank & Trust in the East Grand Forks office. Larson joined Frandsen (then Citizen’s State Bank) in Corey Cleveland Cindy Korynta Cheryl Fugleberg

www.gochamber.org 9 Chamber News

A Chamber & SCORE Brown Bag Seminar Renewals Continued from pg. 5

Liberty Business Systems, Inc. TopTop 1010 KillerKiller McDonald’s Columbia Mall McDonald’s Gateway Drive McFarlane SalesSales MistakesMistakes MeritCare Clinic PLUS - 5 Sure Fire Prospecting Tips/Tools Midcontinent Communications Midwesst Coca-Cola of GF You know your products and/or services are wonderful, Modern Information Systems, Inc. but.… Nissan Honda of GF You know you are targeting the right audience, but…. Norby’s Work Perks You know your advertising is effective, but…. North Dakota University System WHY ARE SALES SO LOW???? Northern Bag and Box Company Northland Community & Technical College Attend this session to learn how you and your sales P D Sproule staff can avoid common mistakes made every day by Pepsi Americas, Inc. new and yes, even seasoned sales people. You can do Peterson Veterinary Clinic everything right to get that customer to your door but Philadelphia Macaroni Company if you can’t close the deal, you have wasted your effort. Polk County DAC Too often we overlook common sense applications in Praxis Strategy Group how we approach selling. PS Doors RSVP - Your Invitation to Serve Register today to learn about the Top Ten Killer Sales Ramada Inn Mistakes and start increasing your sales immediately! Riddle’s Jewelry PLUS 5 Sure Fire Techniques That Work! Right Choice Electric, Inc. Ryan Potato Company Sacred Heart Catholic Schools Sam’s Club Sanders 1907 Wednesday, February 24, 2010 SCORE - Service Corp of Retired Executives Shooting Star Casino 11:30am – 1pm Simplex Grinnell LP The Chamber Stay & Play Pet Resort Lunch is provided Stennes Funeral Home $20/members Stone’s Mobile Radio, Inc. $30/ non-members Strata Corporation Swingen Construction Company This brown bag is presented by: Taco John’s Tanabe, Curtis DDS Linn Hodgson The Exponent Account Manager - Ad Monkeys Top Quality Motors 09 ND SBA Journalist/Business Advocate of UND Athletic Department the Year Valley Oral & Facial Surgery Vreeland Remodeling, Inc. To register, contact The Chamber at 772-7271 or Waste Management [email protected]. Webster, Foster, and Weston Reservation deadline is February 23rd. Workwrite Seating is limited, sign up soon. Xcel Energy YMCA Family Center Reservations not cancelled 3 business days prior to the Zimney, Foster, P.C. event will be billed.

10 www.gochamber.org Chamberhamber NeNewsws

Hosted by NorthStar Telcom (2100 S. Columbia Rd) Thursday, February 18, 2010 Hosted by: 4:45pm - 7:00pm

Free Admission Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres and beverages ~ Great Door Prizes ~ Progressive cash drawing is at $800! ~ NO RSVP Needed NorthStar Telcom invite all Chamber Members and employees to their exciting Business After Hours. Stop by and enjoy the great food and fun. Take advantage of great networking opportunities while you are there. You might even win $800 in our progressive cash drawing! We’ll draw the name of one Chamber Member business. If someone from that business is present, they win!

Business After Hours is a great time to network, catch up with friends, coworkers and clients in a fun and casual way. Spread the word and plan to attend the next Business After Hours.

Member Referrals Made By 32,350+ Webpage The Chamber In 2010: Views in One Month!

www.gochamber.org lists all our Chamber 82 members and people are finding you there! Total for January: 82 Some of the categories visited and number of views received from January 1st to February Certificates of Origin Signed 2nd were: By The Chamber In 2010: Abstractor/Architects/Engineers 2742 Hotels & Motels 2164 0 Contractors & Construction 1963 Total for January: 0 Financial Institutions 1746 Restaurants 1725 Realtors 1587 New Resident Packets Insurance Agencies 1074 Distributed By The Chamber Attorneys 908 In 2010: Automotive Supplies & Service 612 Non Profit Organizations 511 40 Total for January: 40

www.gochamber.org 11 Chamber Calendar February 2010

February 2 February 12 7:30 a.m. Small Business Committee Meeting 11:30 a.m. EGF Intergovernmental Retreat (Shooting (Aaltos) Star Casino) February 3 February 15 12:00 p.m. Athena (Blue Moose) 11:30 a.m. Ambassadors (Italian Moon) February 4 February 17 7:30 a.m. MAC Executive Meeting (COC) 7:30 a.m. Finance Committee Meeting (COC) February 9 11:30 a.m. Mayor’s State of the City (Alerus) 7:30 a.m. Agribusiness Meeting (Aaltos) February 18 12:00 p.m. Adult Leadership (Tavern United) 7:30 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting (COC) 4:30 p.m. CATS Meeting (COC) 4:30 p.m. Business After Hours (NorthStar Telcom) February 10 February 24 7:30 a.m. BGEA (COC) 11:30 a.m. Brown Bag Seminar February 11 February 25 8:00 a.m. MAC (COC) 7:30 a.m. BOD Meeting (COC)

ATHENA Nominations Now Being Accepted Nominations are currently being accepted for the 6th Annual This Space available for your Grand Forks Regional ATHENA Award that is presented Advertisement annually by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities around the world. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with ATHENA International’s national underwriters, local businesses and Reach a targeted audience of individual sponsors. The Grand Forks Regional ATHENA Award is brought to the Grand Forks area by The Chamber- the area’s business community. Grand Forks/East Grand Forks and Rydell GM Auto Center.

ATHENA Award Recipients are individuals who: ~A man or woman who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. ~Provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. ~Actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Past ATHENA Award recipient are: 2009- Debbie Swanson 2008- Bonnie Peterson 2007- Lillian Elsinga 2006- Melanie Popejoy 2005- Kris Compton Contact Lisa at [email protected] or 772- 7271 to find out how easy and affordable it is to The application is available online at www.gochamber.org. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 9, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. place your ad in The Voice - The Chamber’s delivered or mailed to The Chamber. official monthly publication.

12