“The Eden Prairie Chamber is wrapping up yet another successful year.,” said Pat MulQueeny, president. “We welcomed more members. We started more programs. We provided more leadership, advocacy and growth opportunities, too. And as always, our annual events fostered stronger connections between the Chamber and the community it has proudly served since 1969.
“We’re still feeling triumphant after this year’s Eatin’ Prairie Burger Battle, which had a direct economic impact to the tune of $20,000. Along with First Western Bank & Trust and many great local restaurants, we look forward to bringing the Burger Battle back again this September.
“In the meantime, I hope you’ll join us at the State of the City Luncheon this January, where prominent representatives of the city, school district and business community will share their visions for what’s next in Eden Prairie. And if you’ve already got home projects on your mind, then you’ll be happy to hear the Everything Spring Expo is returning to Grace Church this March. Come to the expo to meet awesome local vendors – or just to pet the awesome baby goats.
The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Foundation
“Moving into 2025, the Chamber will intensify our focus on cultivating a strong workforce. That’s why we’re pleased to announce Leadership Eden Prairie. Participants in the new program will receive professional leadership and management coaching over the course of nine months, and also become more familiar with Eden Prairie’s major industry sectors. This will be a real, hands-on experience that will help local workers and their employers both excel.
“Everything we do is in service of creating better opportunities for local businesses. Unfortunately, the Chamber’s 501(c)(6) status makes it ineligible to receive many government and private grants that would greatly benefit our community. After studying the success of other chambers’ 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, we decided to start our own: the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which will begin funding additional employee training and education programs in 2025. These programs will help counteract the ongoing shortage of skilled workers affecting local and national industry alike. The Foundation will also give our members the option of making tax-deductible contributions to initiatives which directly benefit our local economy.
New Membership Model
“We’ve just begun moving forward with a new membership model, which we expect to fully implement within three years. It will offer five tiers that let members maximize the benefits and services they receive from the Chamber. These tiers are Classic, which essentially functions as a base membership; Market, which is a great fit for members who don’t have time to attend our programs; Growth, which will reward larger, more influential businesses for engaging with our mission; Leader, which comes with an invitation to join our board of advisors, and is available to companies with multiple locations throughout Eden Prairie; and Stakeholder, which entitles the member to gift a Chamber membership to any charity of their choosing, play a special role in our Leadership Eden Prairie program, display special signage indicating their commitment to hiring locally, and many other perks befitting of a major player in our local economy.
“Some of our efforts are small, like hosting one-off events that are as much about networking as they are about making real connections. Others have far-reaching effects on our community, like our round table industry focus discussions which help elected officials understand what local businesses really need to succeed. But regardless of its scope, each effort is geared toward the same goal: building a city the next generation will be fortunate to inherit.
“Our members, whose dues and participation are central to propelling our agenda forward. Our board of directors and volunteers, who have taken community involvement to the next level. The school district and the city, whose enthusiastic support is so immensely valuable. Our own staff, including the inestimably talented Kirsten Barott, Lori Brown and Grace Leapaldt. I thank them all for paving the way to a better tomorrow. Let’s make 2025 one for the record books, together!”
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