WLACC Committees

Agri-Business Committee:
2007 Chair – Don Mathews, Heritage Bank N.A.
Mission – To promote agri-business in theWillmar Lakes Area and establish a link in communication and education between the agriculture and non-agriculture business communities.
Why The Chamber: Business Connection/Represent Members Interests
#1 Priority for the Committee – Host the 2007 Aggie Open.
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. Sponsor the 5th Grade Ag Tours;
2. Build a Burger at West Central Dairy Days;
3. Willmar Ag Show;
4. Chamber Connection with an agricultural related business;
5. Education and communication on agri-business related issues;
6. Advocacy for Agriculture

Ambassadors Committee:
2007 Chair – Ken Quist, Edward Jones Investments
Mission – To create an atmosphere and spirit of goodwill as the official “Ambassadors” of the Chamber to our membership and community.
Why The Chamber: Business Connection/Serve as a Resource
#1 Priority for the Committee – Continue to be a positive and visible image of the Chamber through Ribbon Cuttings, First Dollars and networking events.
Additional Goals for 2007 -
1. Recruit volunteers and promote a positive and fun image;
2. Continue with grant/scholarship to new/existing members through golf mulligan sales;
3. Generate more interest and attendance at Chamber functions;
4. More responsibilities to create more “buy in” by the committee.

Membership Development Committee:
2007 Chair – Carla Vauk, Design West, Ltd.
Mission – To retain and strengthen the investment of our current membership, pursue real revenue growth and have fun doing it.
Why The Chamber: Business Retention Expansion & Recruitment
#1 Priority for the Committee – Increase our membership to 600..
Additional Goals for 2007 -
1. Develop a 10 point “Quick Reference” sheet or pocket card on the value of becoming a member;
2. 20/20/15 Goal Staff on 20 new members, Committee sign on 20 members and each Board members sign on 1 new member;
3. Reach the need and the cost of hiring a marketing and salesperson through a feasibility study.

Public Policy Committee:
2007 Chair – Russ Bennett, Bennett Office Technologies
Mission – To be a proactive voice for the business community on governmental issues, to facilitate communication between government and the business community. To inform the business community and make recommendations to the board regarding issues affecting Chamber members.
Why The Chamber: Represent Members Interests
#1 Priority for the Committee – Continue to work with local officials with local, state and federal policies.
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. Develop a local election score card;
2. Street Assessment Policies;
3. Highway 23 completed and the Highway 9 intersection

Special Events Committee:
2007 Chair – Jason Duininck, Duininck Brothers, Inc.
Mission – To create profitable and enjoyable projects to enhance the Chamber’s image and infrastructure, while keeping membership investments affordable.
Why The Chamber: Business Connections
#1 Priority for the Committee – The success of the Gala: To increase the profit brought into the Chamber by providing a fun and classy affair.
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. To improve attendance at the Spring Mixer and targeting members who are interested in networking;
2. Delegate responsibilities and make those individuals accountable for those responsible with having to form a multitude of sub committees;
3. Develop a task orientated committee with a specific timeline and goals to accomplish at each meeting.

Community Marketing Coalition:
2007 Chair – Sam Bowen, Ridgewater College
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 a great place to live, work, learn, play and do business.
Why The Chamber: Business Retention Expansion & Recruitment
#1 Priority for the Committee – Boost the image of the Willmar Lakes Area.
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. Continue the “See you in Willmar”;
2. Define our target audience;
3. Market the “unique” that make us different;
4. Identify our magnet - Why is theWillmar LakesArea so successful;
5. Develop 5-6 factoids;
6. Research how do others market their image.

Grow Minnesota!:
2007 Chair - Ken Warner, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Mission – To communicate with as many members/businesses in the Willmar Lakes Area telling them thanks for doing business in our community.
Why The Chamber: Business Retention Expansion & Recruitment
#1 Priority for the Committee – To expand Grow MN to include outlying communities.
Additional Goals for 2007 -
1. Make 30 visits for the year;
2. Increase the number of business involved;
3. Expand to other communities; Spicer, New London so present membership isn’t spread too thin;
4. Partner with the Business Retention Expansion and Recruitment to prevent duplication of efforts;
5. Recruit diversity within our volunteers.

Willmar Lakes Area Young Professionals: - Website
2007 Chair – Jon Kreps, JD Kreps Financial
Mission – To enhance the business community by encouraging and developing young professionals.
Why The Chamber: Business Connections
#1 Priority for the Committee – To develop a vibrant, passionate young professionals committee that can bring value to the business community.
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. To have a successful initial mentoring program in the first quarter of the year;
2. To create enthusiasm at this event which we can build on to grow this committee and its members;
3. Enhance the membership value for youngpeople;
4. Grow young member base within Chamber membership.

Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau:
2007 Chair – Paul Mikkelson, The Mikkelson Collection, Inc.
Mission – To enhance the economic vitality of the Willmar LakesArea through the attractions of convention and overnight tourism to theWillmar Lakes Area lodging establishments.
Why The Chamber: Business Connections/Serve as a Resource
#1 Priority for the Committee – Put Heads on Beds!
Additional Goals for 2007 –
1. Update website;
2. Increase communication/promotion with business community;
3. Develop a Sports Committee;
4. Implement a marketing plan;
5. Public Policy Advocacy.

Leadership Perspectives:
2007 Chair - Doug Allen, Ridgewater College
Mission - To develop leadership skills and knowledge in the Willmar region.
Why the Chamber: Education Access
#1 Priority for the Committee - To achieve maximum class enrollment for the Leadership Perspective course.
Additional Goals for 2007 -
1. Continue to evaluate and strengthen the program;
2. To develop a comprehensive list of participants and institute a deliberate attempt to communicate twice a year;
3. To do an alumni event.

Buy into the Lakes Area Campaign:
2007 Chairs - Clark Vollan, Lake Region Bank & Steve Wright, West Side Liquor
Mission - To Be Determined
#1 Priority for the Committee - To contact Des Moines, Iowa where the campaign is operating very successfully and proceed forward with the campaign in the Willmar Lakes Area.
Additional Goals for 2007 -
1. To establish a foundation for program to build upon;
2. To shift 5% of businesses purchases locally;
3. To have the Willmar Lakes Area members participate in the campaign.