Chamber keeps busy with packed calendar

With a business expo, a Minnesota Senate candidate forum and a manufacturing luncheon behind them, it’s safe to say the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce has had a busy couple of weeks.

“Oh my goodness, yes,” said Tammy Wadley, who manages member services for the chamber. “(They’ve) been great activities, great turn-out.”

Last week started with the camber partnering with the Red Wing Manufacturers Association to sponsor the Manufacturers Appreciation Luncheon on Monday. Speakers included Department of Employment and Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Paul Moe and Mayor Dennis Egan.

“That was the first time they’ve had that,” Wadley said. “That was a very big success.”

On Tuesday, the fifth annual Chamber Business Expo gave local businesses a chance to network with clients and other businesses.

The week ended with a Minnesota Senate candidate debate between John Howe and Matt Schmit on Thursday. The event was co-sponsored by Noontime Kiwanis and Rotary Club.

In between those events, chamber officials and members have been greeting the paddle boats as they come to dock in Levee Park (the last boats of the season will arrive Nov. 4 and 6) and preparing for their business of the year awards and annual meeting (which will be Jan. 21).

But staff won’t get a chance to rest just yet. The organization has a number of events coming up as well.

“It’s definitely good,” Wadley said of the packed calendar. “It means things are going well.”

Here’s a rundown of a few of the upcoming activities:

• AM Expresso at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park will be 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday Nov. 2. St. Brigid’s staff will feature Christmas entertainment and food as they kick off their Festival of Trees celebration leading to Holiday Stroll. Expresso will include tours.

• Ribbon-cutting at Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Wing Home Care and Hospice will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The organization will celebrate its new location at 1407 W. Fourth St. The event will include a short program at 4:30 p.m.

• Lunch and Learn: Evaluating Your Online Presence will be noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Red Wing Republican Eagle. This is a chance for chamber members to network and learn information to help run businesses.

Roger Sievers and Greg Strauss from Rivertown Multimedia present on topics including: measuring online presence, analyzing website effectiveness, keeping websites up to date, using social media including videos and YouTube and utilizing Google analytics.

• Ribbon-cutting at Body Kneads Massage & Wellness Center will be 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 15. Body Kneads is opening a satellite location in the Deer Crest Senior Housing facility, 470 Fairview Blvd. The event will feature a short program at 5 p.m.

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