Blog
Oct
What’s Your “Why” When it Comes to the Chamber & Your Business?
Nicole Bengtson 0 comments Editorials, Marketing, Social Media
#WhyRiverHeights
The River Heights Chamber of Commerce has always been about being an organization built on values, connection, promotion, and being the voice of its business community, its stakeholders, its members – to advocate for their business’ needs, on issues that are important for them to thrive and succeed in our community. Over the years, the business members of the Chamber have expressed their reasons, their “why,” for being a member of this 117-year-old organization, and now, during a global pandemic, the Chamber is hearing and seeing these “Whys” playout and be cherished more than ever before.
“I joined the River Heights Chamber of Commerce to make local contacts and meet other business persons. As I got more involved in the chamber of commerce, I was learning from the experiences of my fellow chamber members and was able to incorporate that knowledge into my own business.” ~Kelton Glewwe, Roadware, Inc., South St. Paul
Relationships, connections and professional development have been shared at the forefront of why members of our community including our neighbors, our local businesses, our non-profits, our local and state elected officials, have participated, partnered and been involved in the initiatives of the River Heights Chamber.
While pillars of the Chamber’s initiatives of Networking, Advocacy, Business Development, Talent Attraction, Leadership Development, Buying Power may have had to take on a different look or approach during this year, they haven’t changed. The River Heights Chamber of Commerce still connects the needs of our members to decision-makers on every level. “Being a member of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce gives my business a unified voice with local, state and federal elected officials. Networking with other River Heights Chamber of Commerce members helps me find local suppliers. This saves costs and helps grow our local economy,” added Kelton Glewwe of Roadware, Inc. in South St. Paul.
So what is your “Why?” When you are thinking of your “Why” in the business decisions you make, we hope you are considering the River Heights Chamber of Commerce and how it can be a factor in your success.
“Belonging to the Chamber has helped me get to know many people and has provided me countless opportunities to interact with other chamber members to not only have fun, but to hear about their successes as well as struggles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources and online seminars have been an inexpensive way to gain knowledge and interact with others while at home.” ~Karen Hanson, The Coop Restaurant, South St. Paul
The River Heights Chamber would love to hear from you about your “Why,” too! We invite you to share your positive business “Why” with us on the Chamber’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and use the hashtag #WhyRiverHeights – the Chamber will feature these excerpts in its Weekly Update e-newsletters in the coming weeks. Thank you to the above Chamber members for sharing their “Why” with us! We can’t wait to hear from more of the community!
The River Heights Chamber is here for you and your business and we know we are stronger together.
The Chamber will continue to be a catalyst in advancing the business community’s economic prosperity, providing countless resources and connections to ignite new growth and inspire leadership to shape a business-friendly region.
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Apr
2018 Small Business of the Year Announced
Nicole Bengtson 0 comments Business Ideas, Editorials, Event News, Marketing
Roadware Incorporated Honored as 2018 Small Business of the Year
Inver Grove Heights/South Saint Paul – The River Heights Chamber of Commerce held it’s 29th Annual Small Business of the Year Award Luncheon & Trade Show on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. Community leaders learned about local businesses at the trade show, learned about The Art of Ship Building (how to build effective and long-lasting ships: friendships, relationships, partnerships, sponsorships) from keynote speaker, Bob Schlichte, of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, celebrated the small business award finalists and heard first-hand who was awarded the 2018 Small Business of the Year!
In the Chamber’s 115th year of business, the board of directors asked how we can continue to build ships in the community and embarked upon a rebranding effort. Many of you weighed in on what makes our Chamber unique and successful and we heard you loud and clear. The Chamber bridges relationships between every business in the community with our future workforce, our important nonprofits who fill a much-needed gap and with our elected officials and public servants that plan for responsible growth. With all the outstanding businesses in the community, the Recognition Committee decided to recognize all of the small business finalists for their accomplishments along with this year’s recipient. The four finalists, The Coop, Edward Jones, Steve Doody’s Office, Mississippi Pub and Roadware Incorporated were nominated by their peers – what an outstanding accomplishment! Following a video that highlighted of each of the nominees, the River Heights Chamber announced Roadware Incorporated as the recipient of the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award! The Small Business of the Year Award acknowledges an organization that encompasses 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 and operations. Brenda Dietrich, Chair of the Board, commented, “I am honored to serve the community with all of these talented businesses – our finalists and winner are all very well deserving!”
Roadware Incorporated is a family-owned business located in Bridgepoint in South St. Paul. They specialize in making and manufacturing polyurethanes for concrete repair for industrial and commercial purposes around the world. The Glewwe family started Roadware in 1994 in their garage, and now it’s an international business! Roadware enjoys taking an active role in groups they have a personal interest in throughout the community and the River Heights Chamber has been one constant since the beginning. Kelton Glewwe, VP of Marketing, stated in his acceptance speech, “when asked why we belong to the Chamber, I think it is all about the relationships we have… it’s about building the Chamber family we have, and it’s been really important to me. I’ve gotten so much out of the Chamber – The Chamber is a belief in commerce and business, and we all have a passion for business, so it’s really great to be a part of.” To learn more about the River Heights Chamber’s 2018 Small Business of the Year recipient, Roadware, Incorporated, please watch their video on the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com/riverheightschamber.
The River Heights Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award event was sponsored in-part by the event sponsor Town Square Television. Major sponsors included Waterous Company and Hardline Concrete & Masonry and LeVander, Gillen & Miller, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham and Mississippi Pub were contributing sponsors. Special thanks to the trade show sponsors Deerwood Bank, Doody Cleaning Service and Good Samaritan Society of Inver Grove Heights!
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!
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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!
