The Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce serves over 260 members and their employees.  We offer opportunities to volunteer, network, promote your business, get involved with your communities’ future, attend social events, and expand your interests and experiences. 

We sponsor a wide variety of programs and events each year and have numerous active committees and project committees to meet the needs of the community. 

Look at the opportunities waiting for you at the Chamber!

ADMIRALS

Chair:                  DeAnna Hodge
Board Liaison:    Brenda Bristle

The Admirals are the public relations arm of the Chamber. These dedicated volunteers assist with the yearly membership drive, provide liaison services to committees for events and coordinate monthly Business After Hours.  The Admirals are also responsible for presenting the following awards throughout our community: Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, Ground Breaking,  and First Dollar. 

AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

Chair:                  Kelly Lindeman
Board Liaison:    Sara Wohlers

To assure open communications between the business, agri-business, and agricultural communities and support any and all endeavors that will be beneficial to these groups as a whole.  The Agriculture Committee will also strive to recruit agricultural related entities to become active members of the Chamber, as we are a community rich in agriculture based assets.  

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Chair:                  Kevin TeBeest
Board Liaison:    Scott Marquardt

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is a division of the Chamber of Commerce and was formed to promote the City of Montevideo as a tourism, convention and meeting center.  The CVB actively pursues new avenues to bring Montevideo to the attention of tourists, conventioneers, and our own community members as a beautiful place full of historic treasures and traditions, outdoor recreation and local artists.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Chair:                  Marv Garbe
Board Liaison:    Mark Paulson

Determine and assess legislative priorities; work closely with city, county, state and national public officials to inform them of our objectives and to obtain their assistance in meeting our legislative goals, and provide education opportunities for Chamber members on issues that affect their business.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COALITION/WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

Chair:                  Dr. Wanique Peterson
Board Liaison:    Sara Wohlers
                           
An information resource group which networks to promote health and wellness in all age groups, identifies community health care needs and is a visionary for health care in the community. 

RETAIL SERVICE AND BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Chair:                  Glen Herfurth
Board Liaison:    Scott Marquardt
                            Dan Dolan

The Retail Service and Business Development Committee is the core group focused on keeping our retail and commercial businesses strong and recruiting additional businesses to our community.  They keep a current comprehensive inventory of vacant commercial buildings with information on rent or purchase prices available for potential new or expanding  businesses. The committee has a group rich in experience and expertise and can serve as a resource to area businesses. The committee continues to promote and expand the Chamber Incentive Program for new and expanding businesses. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

Chair:                  DeAnna Hodge
Board Liaison:    Mike Dupere                           

Coordinates and/or assists in all Chamber events and retail promotions on various levels. Aids in the development of new sources of non-dues income.


CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Advertising:  Chamber offers numerous advertising packages in different media forms to help promote all our member businesses.

Annual Meeting: Opportunity to meet new Board members, learn about the new goals set by the Board and hear community leaders discuss the close relationship we have formed to build a better community foundation.

Ag Scholarship:  Scholarships given in various amounts to students pursuing careers in ag related fields or careers that will bring them back to our rural areas.

Ag Golf and Aggie Golf Tournaments:  To encourage a continued growth in our relationships between community businesses and our area agricultural businesses and families.

Business After Hours:  Held once each month to promote one of our local member businesses and to create a social setting to network with fellow Chamber members.

Car Show:  People from miles around bring their cars from years gone past for the enjoyment of all to see in Smith Park.

Crazy Days Events:  Various fun-filled events and sales throughout the community.

Gala: Annual dinner, entertainment and auction event; see the 2006 Gala.

Holiday Events: Annual Lighted Holiday Parade and Santa’s Arrival are just a few of the events you'll find in Montevideo during the holidays, as well as excellent shopping.

Internet Website:  Chamber hosts the Montevideo Website with a community wide calendar and an opportunity for members to advertise.

Legislative Forum:  Forum for legislators and/or candidates to inform our community about issues facing our community, followed by questions from our audience. 

Mailing Labels:  Members receive our membership directory in mailing label format.

Membership Directory:  The membership directory is categorized by business types and also alphabetized by business names.  Updated every three months to guarantee the most current information is inserted and to give all new members the ability to utilize this benefit immediately.

Motorcycle Run for Food and Fun:  Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the area gather to collect food for the local food shelf and have a fun ride.

Newsletter:  Produce a monthly newsletter to keep members updated on a host of issues and events. 

Rock the Park :  A summer event to bring people of all ages together to enjoy a full day of music, excellent food, Rock N' Roll, and beverages, all in the open-air atmosphere of Lagoon Park.

Seminars: Seminars on pertinent topics and issues that our members and their employees face.

Special Events Raffle:  Raffle conducted bi-annually to raise funds to be donated to the City of Montevideo to enhance the community holiday decorations.

Travel Information: Chamber provides a vast variety of information on Montevideo as well as every major community in Minnesota and each state in the nation.

Women's Conference and Seminars:  Designed to educate women on their mental, emotional, physical, and financial health, as well as learn hands-on crafts and enjoy the company of other women in the area.