Elk River Chamber of Commerce | Welcome to the Herd

Welcome back for another installment in our Welcome to the Herd Series. Last time we highlighted our joint offices with Construction2Style, as well as some of the history and things to do in Elk River.

Today we talk to Debbie Rydberg who is the Executive Director of the Elk River Chamber of Commerce about what the Chamber does and how they not only help businesses in Elk River thrive but the community as a whole.

We visited the Chamber’s offices at 509 Highway 10 and sat down with Debbie to learn more about the role they play in Elk River.

Energizing the PACE of Business

The role the Chamber of Commerce plays in Elk River can be broken down by the acronym P.A.C.E.

“We exist to energize the P.A.C.E. of business,” says Debbie, “P.A.C.E. is an acronym that means Promote, Advocate, Connect, and Educate.”

According to Debbie, one of the areas that business owners in Elk River who are part of the Chamber enjoy is the ‘connecting’ portion.

Through the Chamber’s Connection program, which is a lead-generation meeting that takes place weekly and is included in the membership fee, is a great way for businesses to learn more about one another and to help each other service the community better.

The Chamber and the Community

The local community here in Elk River can also tap into the resources that the chamber provides.

Local business who are a part of the Chamber shows that they are passionate about the community and want to help it grow, as well as provide great services and products to the residents.

“People can find all of the members on the website,” Debbie says, “which is a good benefit for a lot of members…it’s that third-party endorsement that is critical for a lot of businesses.”

How to Become a Member

Whether you’re an older business or a newer one, there is no time like the present to become a member of the Elk River Chamber of Commerce.

To get started, just reach out to the Chamber and fill out a simple application on their website. If the application is accepted, then you’ll pay your first annual fee and you’re good to go from there.

They’ll help kicks things off with an ambassadors meeting where you’ll immediately gain some brand awareness and recognition for your business. In addition, the Chamber Connections program allows you to share your business and message with other business members who can help refer customers your way.

How Committees Help the Community

Many members of the Chamber also join committees to help organize events in the community.

Getting involved in the various committees that are part of the Chamber is a great way to show yourself off as someone who isn’t only an expert in their field, but also is helping grow the community.

For example, the Shiver Elk River festival has been going on for nine years, and with the help of various committees and subcommittees — as well as the community members — the event has raised over $135,000 for nonprofits in the area.

This is just one of many examples of how the Chamber of Commerce and its members have helped the community thrive.

Next Steps For Learning More

If you’re interested in learning more about the Elk River Chamber of Commerce, then make sure to visit their informative website. In addition, make sure you stop by their office sometime.

Whether you’re looking to become a member or are looking for a local service provider, the Elk River Chamber of Commerce has you covered.