Blog
Apr
River Heights Chamber Celebrates 30 Years of Small Business Success
Nicole Bengtson 0 comments Editorials, Event News, Marketing
Inver Grove Heights/South St. Paul (4/4/19) – The River Heights Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate with the business community at the Small Business of the Year Award Luncheon & Trade Show on Thursday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at Mendakota Country Club in Mendota Heights.
The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 30th Anniversary of the Small Business Award and it promises to be a great event! Do you know a past recipient? We ask that you encourage them to attend and be recognized! See the history of Small Business Award winners here – if you don’t see your favorite small business, nominate them for next year!
Jake Sedlacek, Chairman of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce noted, “Small business drives our economy – locally and nationally. The Small Business Awards are an opportunity to recognize, celebrate and connect with outstanding small businesses right here in our community.”
How you can participate and benefit from attending:
- Showcase your company in the Trade Show (and be entered to win a prize in the “Favorite Booth” Contest – NEW this year!)
- Network with area business and community representatives
- Meet & support the finalists for the 2019 Small Business of the Year Award and watch LIVE as the 2019 recipient is announced and recognized – Finalists include: Allrounder Remodeling, Point North Networks and Yours Truly Marketing Incentives!
- Hear from our exceptional keynote speaker, Phil Gwoke, BridgeWorks – be entertained and informed on “When Generations Connect” – Watch a video to get a glimpse of Phil’s presentation here
With all of the outstanding businesses in the community, the River Heights Chamber is excited to honor the following finalists: Allrounder Remodeling, Inc., Point North Networks, Inc., and Yours Truly Marketing Incentives, Inc., each one deserving of the 2019 title! Finalists were nominated their peers, the community participated in an online voting poll and the River Heights Chamber’s Recognition Committee selected the winner. RSVP to attend to find out LIVE who will win the Small Business of the Year Award! The Small Business of the Year Award acknowledges an organization that has been in business for five years or more, has 20 or fewer employees, has at least two years of membership in the River Heights Chamber, and encompasses a business that has a commitment to the community through its involvement and assistance to community organizations, to its employees, suppliers and customer relationships, in addition to, a commitment to excellence in service, business ethics, friendliness and business operations.
Thank you to our event sponsors, Deerwood Bank, Town Square Television and Velocity Public Affairs. The event is also sponsored in-part by Trade Show sponsor Good Samaritan Society – Inver Grove Heights and contributing sponsors LeVander, Gillen & Miller PA, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham (Inver Grove Heights), Mississippi Pub and Ultimate Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning.
For more details about the Small Business Award Luncheon & Trade Show, visit and register at www.riverheights.com/smallbusiness. To learn more about the finalists and this year’s award recipient announced at the event, please watch for their videos on the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page @RiverHeightsChamber and on their YouTube channel at YouTube.com/riverheightschamber following the event on April 25th.
About River Heights Chamber of Commerce
The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is committed to its mission to aggressively promote the interests of the business communities of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. The organization is volunteer-driven and strives to attract and retain businesses to keep the business community thriving. Driving economic progress and business development is its focus. The River Heights Chamber continues to provide value-added opportunities for all members and is dedicated to making connections and delivering resources that benefit local businesses. Visit www.riverheights.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn about the benefits of membership and events.
Apr
2018 Small Business of the Year Award Luncheon & Trade Show
Nicole Bengtson 0 comments Editorials, Event News, Marketing
River Heights Chamber of Commerce Recognizing Small Business Success
Inver Grove Heights/South St. Paul – The River Heights Chamber of Commerce would like to invite the business community to set sail with us and our Keynote Speaker, Bob Schlichte, from Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, on The Art of Ship Building on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Small Business Award Luncheon & Trade Show at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. Network with community businesses at the trade show at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon program to see who will be recognized with the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award!
This year, we’re changing it up! The 2018 Small Business of the Year Award recipient will be announced at the luncheon – don’t miss it! With all of the outstanding businesses in the community, the Chamber wanted to showcase more than one business at the luncheon. The Small Business of the Year Award acknowledges an organization that has been in business for five years or more, has 20 or fewer employees, has at least two years of membership in the River Heights Chamber, and encompasses a business that has a commitment to the community through its involvement and assistance to community organizations, to its employees, suppliers and customer relationships, in addition to a commitment to excellence in service, business ethics, friendliness and business operations. Chamber members nominated their peers and the Chamber’s Recognition Committee selected the winner. We are proud to announce the River Heights Chamber 2018 Small Business Award Finalists: The Coop, Edward Jones – Steve Doody, Mississippi Pub and Roadware Incorporated. Brenda Dietrich, Chair of the Board, commented, “I am honored to serve the community with all of these talented businesses – our finalists are all very well deserving!”
This year is the 29th Anniversary of the River Heights Chamber Small Business of the Year Award. It is sponsored in-part by the event sponsor Town Square Television. Major sponsors include Waterous Company and Hardline Concrete & Masonry, and LeVander Gillen & Miller, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham and Mississippi Pub are contributing sponsors. Special thanks to the trade show sponsors Deerwood Bank, Doody Cleaning Service and Good Samaritan Society of Inver Grove Heights!
For more details about attending the Small Business Award Luncheon & Trade Show, visit www.riverheights.com/smallbusiness. To learn more about the Chamber’s award winner announced at the event, please watch their video on the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/riverheightschamber following the event on April 12th.
About River Heights Chamber of Commerce
The River Heights Chamber of Commerce aggressively promotes the interests of the business communities of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. The organization is volunteer-driven and strives to attract and retain businesses to keep the business community thriving. The River Heights Chamber continues to provide value-added opportunities for all members. Visit our website www.riverheights.com to learn more!
Stay Connected with the River Heights Chamber on our social media sites!
Apr
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham: 2016 Small Business of the Year
Nicole Bengtson 0 comments Event News
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Receives 2016 Small Business of the Year Award from River Heights Chamber of Commerce
27th Anniversary of Small Business Award in Local Business Community
Inver Grove Heights/South Saint Paul – The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham received the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Small Business of the Year Award! Don Heikkila, General Manager, humbly accepted the award at the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Small Business Award Luncheon & Trade Show on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul.
This year marked the 27th Anniversary of the River Heights Chamber celebrating this award with the business community and was sponsored in-part by Town Square Television, Waterous Company, Hometown Meats (2015 Small Business of the Year) and Antonsen Construction. Community businesses exhibited in the trade show sponsored by Wakota Federal Credit Union and FASTSIGNS of Inver Grove Heights. Chamber member businesses nominated local small businesses and the Chamber’s Recognition Committee selected the award recipient from many deserving applicants.
Click below to watch Microtel’s Award Video
The Small Business of the Year Award acknowledges an organization that has been in business for five years or more, has 20 or fewer employees, has at least two years of membership in the River Heights Chamber, and encompasses a business that has a commitment to the community through its involvement and assistance to community organizations, to its employees, suppliers and customer relationships, in addition to a commitment to excellence in service, business ethics, friendliness and business operations.
The Microtel recently celebrated their fifteenth year anniversary. They began with several local people as partners in the business, and still have two local partners. The ownership group and management is still basically the same as when they opened. The Microtel recently underwent a complete remodel of the lobby area. They are fortunate to have owners who realize that investment in the business pays dividends in the long run.
The Microtel’s customer relationships continue to thrive on repeat business. Don Heikkila, general manager stated, “we are very fortunate to have the support of many local businesses as clients.” “We have been a Top Twenty Microtel for the last four consecutive years, as well as a Circle of Excellence winner from TripAdvisor. Our Quality Assurance inspections have been excellent as have our AAA inspections. Our guests expect to find a clean comfortable place to sleep at night, and that is what we provide. We are proud to be the extra bedroom for many people who visit their families in the area, attend a graduation or wedding, or a number of other reasons,” Heikkila added.
Don shared, “Our front desk staff is the heart of the hotel and the housekeepers are the backbone of the hotel. Our employees are second to none. We have several employees who have been with us for years. Four employees have been here for ten years or more. This is pretty much unheard of in our business. At a recent event, we counted about 14 children who have all been born during the time their mothers have worked here and I consider them all my grandchildren.”
The Microtel is unique and has filled a niche as the local economy hotel. Economy does not mean that we are any less than any hotel. Many of their guests are searching for a clean, comfortable bed, and they provide that. Many companies in the area are small businesses and they realize that the Microtel Inn & Suites provides a great value for them as their clients and business associates visit them, and they are happy to have their support.
For more information on the award recipient, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, please contact the River Heights Chamber of Commerce at 651.451.2266 or visit us online at www.riverheights.com.
About River Heights Chamber of Commerce
The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is a business organization who aggressively promotes the interests of the business communities of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. The organization is volunteer driven and strives to attract and retain businesses to keep the business community thriving. The River Heights Chamber continues to provide value-added opportunities for all members. Visit our website www.riverheights.com to learn more!
Stay Connected with the River Heights Chamber on our social media sites!
###
