WLACC Affiliations

Community Marketing Coalition:
2006 Chair - Bruce Peterson, City of Willmar
Mission - The purpose of the Community Marketing Coalition is to create an overall positive image of the Willmar Lakes Area by educating local residents, the trade area and the State of Minnesota on the strengths of the community by providing a consistent and cohesive message that the Willmar Lakes Area is a great place to live, work, play, learn and do business.
#1 Priority for the Committee - Finalize the Marketing plan and implement it.
Additional Goals for 2006 - 1. Continue to recruit additional partners;
2. Develop a timeline of implementing strategies;
3. Determine how to work along with the other marketing entities in the Willmar Lakes Area so we don't duplicate efforts.


Grow Minnesota!:
2006 Chair - Ken Warner, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber
Mission - To communicate with as many members/businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area telling them thanks for doing business in our community.
#1 Priority for the Committee - Continue setting up appointments making sure the purpose of the committee is known.
Additional Goals for 2006 - 1. Visit up to 30 businesses in a year;
2. Continue to assist businesses in expansion efforts;
3. To be a sounding board for area businesses.


New London Division
After four years of review, fine-tuning and many meetings, we are happy to announce that the New London Chamber of Commerce and the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce have joined forces. As of January 1, 2005, the New London Chamber will no longer be collecting dues as a Chamber. The former New London Chamber will be focusing on financially supporting New London Water Days and other community events through their raffle fundraiser as a special events group.

New London will become an operational division of the WLACC with a budget and quarterly membership meetings with a guest speaker and reports for the various special event groups such as New London Water Days, NLNB Car Run, Queens Committee, etc. Regular membership meetings will be held on the following: March 9th, May 11th, August 10th and November 9th at 12:30 p.m. at McKales Restaurant in New London.

President Ken Warner will be in New London one morning a month (4th Tuesday) from 9 a.m. – 12 noon. Office space has been provided by Lake Region Bank in New London.


Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau:
2006 Chair - David Mohs, Holiday Inn - Willmar
Mission - To enhance the economic vitality of the Willmar Lakes Area through the attractions of convention and overnight tourism to the Willmar Lakes Area lodging establishments.
#1 Priority for the Committee - Put Heads on Beds!
Additional Goals for 2006 - 1. Explore Sports Commission Development
2. Implement a three-year marketing plan
3. Increase coordination of promotable events
4. Become a CVB political voice on community issues

Other Chamber Afilliations
The Chamber is affiliated with many different organizations and entities in the community to assure the interests of the business community are represented as well as assuring a good quality of life for all of its residents. Many of the affiliations may be a result of a community project or event that the Chamber has played a significant role in its organization. Like with several initiatives that the Chamber becomes involved with, once it's met its purpose, it's either sunset or spun off to another organization or its own corporation or entity.

Economic Development Commission of Willmar/Kandiyohi County: A public sector led joint commission of the City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County. Their mission is to be a catalyst, facilitating opportunities for economic growth of Kandiyohi County by providing consulting, networking, leadership and financial assistance to new and existing businesses.

Main Street Willmar: An organization that coordinates and represents the interests of the businesses in the central business district as well as focusing on downtown redevelopment projects.

Mid-Minnesota Builders Exchange: Managed by the Chamber and specially serves the construction industry by providing plans and specifications on various building projects. Builders' Exchange rates are abased on a separate dues schedule.

Willmar Area Development Corporation: A private, volunteer driven economic development corporation to assist the EDC, City and County in their economic development efforts.

Willmar Area Community Foundation: A public charity established to attract and administer charitable funds for the benefit of the residents of the Willmar Lakes Area.

Willmar.com: The area wide electronic informational website that is managed by West Central Merchant Services, the Chamber and the CVB.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce: Our representative in state level government relations affecting business.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives: Our representative for staff and volunteer leader educational training.

United States Chamber of Commerce: Our representative in national affairs affecting business.