Wednesday, July 17, 2013
July 2013 News
August Networking Event
Tuesday, August 6 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Hosted by:
2290 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN
www.peapods.com
We will be drawing the names of the two winners of our Celebrate Your Independents promotion.
Networking Events are held the first Tuesday of the month at member businesses around the cities.
Please check buylocaltwincities.com for upcoming times and locations.
No RSVP required. Guests welcome.
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Enjoy the benefits of Membership!
Business memberships start at just $150.
Go to buylocaltwincities.com and click on the JOIN button. You can renew your membership there too!
Receive a packet with discounts to other member businesses
Be listed on our member directory
Join our members-only listserv discussion group
Expand your online presence through Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest
Attend free monthly networking events
….and much more!
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Letter From The President
Our month-long Celebrate Your Independents promotion got off to a great start on June 27 when over 40 people gathered for our kickoff event at Magers and Quinn Booksellers in uptown Minneapolis.
Members, media and others gathered heard from Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue Myron Frans about the importance of locally owned businesses in the Minnesota economy, and the Governor’s and the Administration’s commitment to stay in an active dialogue with MetroIBA and small businesses throughout the state.
Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see a list of our member businesses participating in the promotion this year. Their commitment to this event gives us the opportunity to advance the “buy local” message throughout the month of July.
In addition, those attending the kickoff donated several cases of cereal for clients of Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit member of MetroIBA that provides food for people with chronic diseases, their families, and their caretakers.
Special thanks go out to:
Marketing Chair, Loren Schirber of Castle Building and Remodeling and our Marketing Committee for making our 2013 Celebrate Your Independents campaign possible,
Mary Magers and the staff at Magers and Quinn for hosting this event,
Our media partners Minnesota Women's Press and AM 950, and Harvest PR who promoted this event on our behalf, and
Park Bugle and The Art Farm Advertising for donating their creative talents.
Enjoy the rest of July. I hope to see you all at our August 6 networking event at Peapods when we will draw the two lucky winners of our $1250 Celebrate Your Independents gift certificates.
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July Webinar
Conversions: The website ROI businesses are looking for in 2013
This FREE Webinar is brought to you by the MetroIBA
Education Committee and Monkey Island.
Presented by Josh Becerra, Co-founder Monkey Island Inc.
Tuesday, July 16 9:00
-10:00 a..m.
~
This FREE webinar focuses on the most important aspect of any website - conversions. Yes, design is important - as is page rank. But getting website visitors to take that tangible action you want (i.e., fill out a contact form, pick up the phone, buy something, download a file, start a free trial, watch a video) is the ROI businesses are looking for in 2013. Conversions are completely trackable and directly correlate to revenue and ROI.
Registration is FREE but is required. Visit BuyLocalTwinCities.com/events to register.
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Celebrate Your Independents 2013 Is On -
Shop local, save, and win!
CYI2013 has kicked off for the fourth year, and it runs through the month of July.
Go to buylocaltwincities.com/cyi and register to win $1250 in gift cards to cool, indie shops. Then download your shopping guide to see the deals 25 of our member retailers are offering throughout the month. Each time you visit one of these participants, you will be given a code that you can enter on our site and increase your chances of winning!
Participating retailers this year are:
Bay Street Shoes and Accessories
The Bibelot Shops
Castle Building & Remodeling
Computer Revolution
Corset Styling & Boutique
Creative Lighting
The Electric Fetus
FirstTech
Ginkgo Coffeehouse
The Golden Fig
Ingebretsen’s
Key North Boutique
Kitchen Window
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
Micawber’s Bookstore
Mosaic On A Stick
Moss Envy
Peapods Natural Toys
Smitten Kitten
St. Paul Corner Drug
Strauss Skates & Bikes
Trotter’s Café
Warners’ Stellian
The Wedge Co-op
Wet Paint Art
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MetroIBA and Hamline Health Law Institute and Business Law Institute present:
MNSURE: Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange – You Need To Know
Tuesday, July 23 5:30
-7:30 p.m.
Hamline University School of Law
1536 Hewitt Avenue
St. Paul, MN
April Todd-Malmlov, the executive director of Minnesota's health insurance exchange (MNsure) will share what you need to know to prepare for the January 1, 2014 implementation.
As required by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), states have established health insurance exchanges which small businesses will begin accessing this year. Come and get clear, accurate and timely information straight from the source.
$10 Members and Hamline Law affiliates
$15 Non-Members
Light refreshments will be served.
Register now at BuyLocalTwinCities.com/events
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MetroIBA Awarded Opportunity to Host the 2013 National
AMIBA Conference
We are excited to announce that the Twin Cities were awarded the opportunity to host the 2014 National American Independent Business Alliance Conference to be held next spring. This will be a great chance to show off our independent businesses, engage with local officials, and garner media attention for the buy local movement. Stay tuned for details and ways to get involved.
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Small Business Conference
You took the pledge, now Let’s Get Growing!
Be a part of the Second Annual AccelerateMN Small Business Conference designed to take you and your business or non-profit to the next level! Bring your team and join forces with other small businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs for a full day of workshops, collaboration, and networking. Our mission is to spark innovation and creativity that leads to action and growth for every small business in Minnesota. When you grow by hiring, you become instrumental in re-igniting our economy and significantly improving our unemployment rate. Together we can make an impact and inspire others to do the same.
MetroIBA Members receive a 15% discount on tickets. Group rates also available.
Register now at www.acceleratemn.com/lets-get-growing and use discount code BUYLOCAL to get your discount.
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Community Bank News
There’s a lot happening at Sunrise Banks, formerly Park Midway Bank. Sunrise has been recognized for overall social and environmental impact and was named to B Corp’s global list of “Best For The World” companies. Sunrise scored in the top 10 for all B Corps, receiving a “Best Of The Best” honor for working to help urban communities and underserved people thrive by empowering them to achieve their aspirations.
Sunrise is among 700 certified B Corporations unified by the common goal to redefine success in business through social and environmental performance. Learn more about B Corps at bestfortheworld.bcorporation.net. Another MetroIBA member, The Data Bank, also is a certified B Corp.
Congratulations also to Sunrise’s EVP for Corporate Development, Rick Beeson, for being elected to the Chairmanship of The University Of MN’s Board Of Regents:
http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2013/07/02/new-regents-chair-brings-passion-community
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Thank you Volunteers
Nicki Jones ~ Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul
Mary Jo Koplos ~ Postal Dispatch Business Center
Holly Larsen ~ Emerge Community Development
Michele Slifer ~ Directory Content Editor
Mark Sommerfield ~ Computer Revolution
Ruth Weleczki ~ Park Bugle
In addition to our regular volunteers, there are so many members who contribute to the success of our alliance through donations, board or committee service, and recruiting help. Thank you all!
Welcome New Members
Black Twin Cities
Doman Networking Services
Studio Same
Thank You Sustaining Members
Key Insurance
Thank You Renewing Members
AM 950
Bargain Upholstery
Ben Quie & Sons
Building & Remodeling
BuxBack
Grand Ave. Software
Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul
Linden Hills Co-op
Lottsa Financial
Midwest Mountaineering
Nexus Direct IRA
Rainbow Tree Care
Sanctuary Restaurant
Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation
Saint Paul Almanac
Sunrise Banks
Thank You Citizen Members
Susan Diekrager
John Manillo
Gabe Skelly
©2013 MetroIBA, 2190 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.
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