Say Yes To Your Future

Chamber Edc Staff

Nate Brown......................................................Sales Coordinator

Maggie Byrd ...................................................Event Coordinator

Ross Frohlich ............................................Membership Director

Mary Kempenich........................Workforce Marketing Specialist

Christine Nelson ..........................Vice President Sales & Events

Rebecca Pelkey .................................Communications Specialist

Brian Ritter .......................................................President & CEO

Elliot Rust ................................................Chief Financial Officer

Julianne Sauvage .............................................................. Intern

Lyndsey Scheurer .........................Creative Marketing Specialist

Nathan Schneider ................................................Vice President

Cathryn Sprynczynatyk .....................Communications Specialist

Kelsey Wirt .......................Small Business Outreach Coordinator

1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-223-5660 • www.bismarckmandan.com

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I’m sure you saw the cover of this month’s Connection and asked yourself, “What is that?” Although it may not be the most obvious to come to mind, the short answer is that graphic has been developed to help illustrate the five foundations of the Chamber EDC. The long answer is a bit more complicated, but here’s some additional context.

In 2019, the Chamber EDC was born from the merger between the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association (BMDA). While many of you have had a front row seat to the evolution of our organization over the past four years, you may not have had a chance to bear witness to the strategic plan that has guided this success. Shortly after the merger, we developed a strategic plan to guide a cohesive vision as one entity leading our community’s economic development and policy development activities. It was done in the hopes that it would lead to even greater success than before… and it did!

We’ve seen our organization grow on the heels of two consecutive record-setting years. Our events are growing to the point that not only are we selling them out, but we’re having to move them to larger venues. Additionally, we’ve adopted new approaches to our business advocacy and economic development efforts that have led to continued growth for not only the Chamber EDC, but Bismarck-Mandan as a whole.

However,

there’s always room to grow in bigger and better ways.

Last year, with support from staff, our Board of Directors, and Executive Committee, we went to work developing our 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan. What resulted is a roadmap that represents the next evolution of the Chamber EDC that not only leads in economic development and policy development, but also provides an expanded role in supporting our members’ network development, professional development, and leadership development. More so, this plan and the accompanying five foundations are the answer to the question of why a business joins the Chamber EDC.

In this issue of the Connection, you’ll have the chance to read more about the process that led us to not only this Strategic Plan, but also laid the groundwork for our economic development strategic efforts—which you can also read about in this issue. I do hope you’ll take the time to learn more about both initiatives because they’re incredibly important the Chamber EDC and Bismarck-Mandan’s future.

Strategic planning isn’t always easy, but it’s always worthwhile. I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come and remain grateful for your continued support of this organization.