Friday Five: Coolest thing, elections update and the upcoming Gubernatorial Forum

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Coming to you today from the wonderful Moorhead Fargo area with the Minnesota Chamber Executives Association. These are the professionals that run local chambers of commerce and fight every day on behalf of their communities and their business community to ensure success all across the state.

We’re meeting to share best practices, do some networking, learn from each other and overall do a better job to fight on behalf of the business community here in Minnesota. So, a great program, and I always enjoy spending time with fellow chamber professionals.

But today I have some important updates to share with you.

First of all, the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest is down to the top 16 this week, and next week we’ll be down to the top eight. One thing I’ve learned and enjoyed throughout this is seeing how many of these products are coming from smaller and local manufacturers, true innovators at the community level making great products.

It’s a terrific reminder that manufacturing is happening in communities all across Minnesota. The competition is getting closer to the finish line, and the Manufacturers Summit on October 6 is coming up quickly. That’s where we will announce this year’s winner. It’s going to be a great day of celebrating Minnesota manufacturing through our Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest.

We also released the Chamber’s legislative voting record this week. The Chamber tracks hundreds of bills and amendments during each legislative session in St. Paul and scores votes from those bills that have a meaningful impact on Minnesota’s economy and our ability to make the state a more affordable and successful place to live, work and grow a business.

We also announced some of our Leadership Fund PAC endorsements, and we are thrilled to make sure that we are supporting those that support us at the Capitol.

You know, a common thread is always amongst elected leaders. That is their willingness to work with the business community and understand the issues that are affecting Minnesota’s economy.

If you have questions about the voting record or endorsements, feel free to reach out to the policy team at the Chamber. We’re always available as a resource to you.

Speaking of the elections, it’s important to point out that early voting, getting your ballot early, is available today, September 18. So if you’re not available on November 3, check your calendar. Be sure to vote early, because it matters. Your vote can make an important difference in the outcome of the elections this year.

Finally, we opened registration this week for our Gubernatorial Forum. We will have both major candidates with us on October 19 at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake.

So, join us in the Brainerd area as we bring together the business community from across the state to hear firsthand from the two candidates. This is an invitation only event for members of the Minnesota Chamber or their Brainerd Lakes Chamber.

If you would like to attend, be looking for an email from us with the details on how you can register. If you’re a member and interested in hearing directly from the candidates, we encourage you to make sure to register for the October 19 event at Madden’s.

As always, we have a lot going on here at the Chamber. Be sure to check our website always for all the latest updates, and we look forward to the next round of the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest.

Thanks for being with us. Those are some quick updates from me to you about what’s going on at the Minnesota Chamber. I wish you a safe and enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to catching up with you on next week’s episode of the Minnesota Business Podcast. Have a great weekend!