Delano Area Chamber of Commerce
Submitted by the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce
The Delano Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC) is a member-driven, non-profit organization formed to support the business community.
It is governed by a board of directors made up of nine volunteer business people and staffed by an executive director.
Chamber members range from small, one person, home based businesses to the largest businesses and employers in Delano.
The chamber’s long-term members include those who were involved at the DACC’s inception in the early 1970s. With a total membership of 140 as of mid March 2011, the DACC continues to be a strong business organization. At least 10 new members have joined this year.
The chamber has five committees – business development, economic development, membership, government affairs, and ambassadors – plus a task force which evolved from focusing on the 2008-09 Highway 12 reconstruction to focusing on the promotion and marketing of Delano as a whole.
Within these committees, there are sub-committees that assist in executing our annual initiatives.
Highlights of 2010 included the highest vendor registration at the DACC’s 21st Annual Spring Expo, the second successful “Taste of Delano” and second impressive year staffing the Fourth of July pork chop and corn stand.
In 2011, these events are expected to be as successful or more so. At the time this article is being written, the 2011 expo is nearly booked, one month before the event. We have also just had two very successful “flood benefits” to help our business and residential communities deal with the impending spring thaw and potential near record flooding of the Crow River.
Chamber benefits include a red-highlighted entry in this directory, listing on the chamber’s web site directory, referrals from the chamber office, networking events, advertising through the chamber’s web site, newsletter, and at any chamber-sponsored community event, and more.
The chamber doesn’t want just membership fees – it wants its members’ input as to what the chamber can do to help its businesses thrive, and provide resources. It encourages members to make this organization what they want it to be.
The Delano Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Minnesota Better Business Bureau, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Metropolitan Council of Chambers of Commerce, all of which provide members with even more benefits and training opportunities for chamber staff and volunteers.
Check out the DACC web site at www.delanochamber.com as it is evolving weekly. Members have access to their own directory information and can post “Hot Deals” and job postings for a nominal charge or can enhance their directory listing to have unlimited access to these items.
Anyone in the community has the ability to post events on the event calendar for free. Also, check out the chamber’s new Facebook page.
The chamber office is staffed 30 hours a week by one employee, but through the website and Facebook, the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce is open 24/7.
Regular general membership meetings are the third Thursday of each month at noon. For the location of the next meeting, contact Executive Director Jean Kopp at (763) 972-6756, or info@delanochamber.com. The Delano Chamber of Commerce is located at 265 River St. N, Suite 109. Other events and meetings are posted on the web site and communicated to members through e-mail.
The 2011 Board of Directors members are Adam Kleve of Flower Farm by Otten Bros, president; Ryan Gueningsman of the Delano Herald Journal, vice president; Jeanne Matter of Matter-Reuter CPAs Ltd, treasurer; Amy Johnson of Maratona Communication, secretary; Kristin Nelson of Body and Soul Wellness Workshop; Will Haack of Sparrow Properties, LLC; Rayme Bernick of Stahlke Bus Service; Dr. Kelly Thompson of Thompson Chiropractic Clinic, PA; and Joe Tipka of Coborn’s, DACC past president 2010.
