Calendar of Events - White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce
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Event Type:

March 2023
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Events available for Registration...

Morning Networking with Special Focus on the BEAR'ly Open
1/7/2025
register for this event...

Lunchtime Connections & Networking
1/9/2025
register for this event...

Way Late Play Date - Golf Nerd
1/16/2025
register for this event...

Perk Up: Brewing Connections & Building Business
1/17/2025
register for this event...

Chamber Ambassador New Year Reception
1/22/2025
register for this event...

Women in Business with Special Guest Nora Slawik, Century College Foundation
1/23/2025
register for this event...

WBACC Annual Meeting
2/20/2025
register for this event...





Events in the month of March 2023
DateEvent
3/1/2023

Oreo Cookie and
Wine Pairing Class! 
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1st
6:30PM 
You read that correctly... Oreos and Wine!
 and yes... it DOES work.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Join us at 7 Vines Vineyard for this unique and FUN pairing class.  You will be guided through each wine, and respective Oreo, with one of our wine experts!

Need dinner beforehand?  Make a reservation in our wine bar before the class starts so you can finish with dessert!

more info...
3/2/2023

White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce
Making the Most of Your Chamber Membership
Thursday, March 2, 8:00am – 9:00am
Doors open at 7:45am for Networking and contiental Breakfast!
Mueller Memorial
4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake

Whether you just joined the White Bear Area Chamber, are new to your business team or a current member, this event is for you! Chamber 101 is a high energy, interactive meeting presented by Chamber volunteers and staff. This fun event is designed to bring new and existing members together to learn more about what your Chamber Membership can do for business growth and personal development.

Chamber 101 sessions will introduce you to all the opportunities available to you and your team members - including networking, member advocacy, workforce and education and much more! Learn how to maximize the benefits of your Chamber investment to reach new heights.

Join us for a free continental breakfast and a morning of learning more about what your Chamber Membership can do for you. There is no cost to attend, but please register as space is limited.
Strengthening Business through Advocacy, Networking and Education

more info...
3/2/2023
Workforce & Economic Development
Summit for Washington County

Thursday, March 2nd
10:00am - 1:00pm
Forest Lake City Center | 1408 Lake St. S | Forest Lake, 55025
Join us for this 'world cafe' method of table collaborations that will surely inspire you as you learn ways to optimize your business and dial in your efficiency in 2023. You will have the opportunity to explore the top five most critical topics from our recent business needs survey.
  • ​​Topics Include:
    • Marketing & Social Media
    • Managing Growth
    • Managing Workflow
    • Hiring & Retention
    • Finding New Customers
You will have the opportunity to attend a discussion table on all five topics to share and learn with other businesses.
 
 
 
  • Event Schedule:
    • 10:00 - 10:15am -  Welcome & event overview 
    • 10:15 - 11:30am - Three topic discussions
    • 11:30 - 1:45am - Quick Break & Refuel
    • 11:45am - 12:35 - Two topic discussions
    • 12:35 - 1:00pm - Group Recap & Additional Options, Close
Light food and beverage provided. No cost to attendees.
Register through your Chamber of Commerce
Event Provided by:
            

more info...
3/7/2023
  
Guest Speaker: Ken Velky, Dueling Grandma's Shortbread
Location: Key's Cafe | Upstairs: 2208 4th Street
Tuesday,  March 7th  | 7:30am - 9:00am
 
Join us as we hear from Ken Velky, Owner of Dueling Grandma's Shortbread. He has a great story to tell about the history behind his business and how he decided to open a new business. Come with your questions, as we will leave plenty of time for Ken to address them all! 

After the short presentation, we will continue on with our Chamber Networking Connections program where you will enjoy meeting our newest members, connecting with other business leaders, growing your area network, sharing ideas and promoting your business. This is a vibrant and welcoming group and we look forward to, enjoying a fabulous breakfast and engaging in great conversations!

Space is limited and the cost to attend it is only for your breakfast. Registration is required. 

more info...
3/7/2023
 

2023 Legislative Reception
Tuesday, March 7th | 4:30 - 7:00pm
Tria Restaurant | 5959 Centerville Road | North Oaks

Please join us for the White Bear Area Chamber's Annual Legislative Reception. Every business should take advantage of this opportunity to interact with our elected State, County and City officials and talk about regulations and policies that affect the way we work and live in the White Bear Area. 

You will gather with other Chamber members, Elected and City Officials to learn what delegates are focus on in the 2023 session and to show them that our business community is engaged in the political process. This event proves once again that the Chamber is actively engaged in being the voice of business by encouraging members to participate in the political process.  
 
You will make valuable business connections, have direct conversations with your local officials, enjoy fabulous appetizers and a cash bar. There is no charge to attend this important event, but registration is required.
Thank you to our Premier Sponsor:

Thank you to our Event Sponsor:

more info...
3/8/2023
Purple Line Corridor
Public Engagement Workshop
March 8th   City Council Review options, discuss recommendations.
All workshops will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Maplewood City Hall Council Chambers.

What is the Purple Line BRT Project?
The Purple Line is a proposed 14-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that would run from Union Depot serving the communities of Saint Paul, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, and possibly part of White Bear Lake

Purple Line BRT will:
  • Run seven days a week from early in the morning to late at night
  • Arrive every 10 minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes other times.
  • Connect people to jobs, education, healthcare and recreation destinations.
  • Provide fast and reliable transit service.
  • Have stations with amenities like shelter, light, heat, fare payment machines and real-time departure signs.
  • Support economic development.
  • Conveniently connect to METRO Green Line, METRO Gold Line, local and intercity buses and Amtrak® service at Union Depot.
Bus Rapid Transit
Bus rapid transit was selected in 2017 as a result of the Pre-Project Development Study. The preferred bus rapid transit route follows roadways and a dedicated guideway to be co-located with the Bruce Vento Regional Trail through the portion of the route that utilizes the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority right-of-way. The current phase of work includes:
  • Environmental review
  • Preliminary engineering
  • Station area planning
  • Communication and public engagement
For more information and the latest updates please visit Metro Transit Project Site.

more info...
3/8/2023
    
Wine Dinner at Acqua!
An experience from the land and sea!
 
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8th
THURSDAY, MARCH 9th
6:00 - 9:00 PM
RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE!

Located on White Bear Lake's western shore, Acqua offers a warm dining experience with gorgeous lakeside views and unique Italian dishes.

Acqua combines fresh, high quality, local ingredients, a contemporary culinary sensibility, and a caring, knowledgeable staff to create an elegant evening of dining.

We are so excited to partner with Acqua to bring you an incredible 7 course meal in a fine dining setting!


more info...
3/9/2023
Thursday, March 9th, 2023
Sak's Sports Bar
1460 East County Road E | Vadnais Heights

11:30am - 1:00pm
  
Join us on March 9th at Sak's Sports Bar for Lunchtime Networking! There will be many new members to meet, new contacts to make, friends to catch-up with and a fabulous lunch to enjoy! 

Space is limited and registration is required. Cost to attend is for your lunch only.

more info...
3/9/2023
    
Wine Dinner at Acqua!
An experience from the land and sea!
 
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8th
THURSDAY, MARCH 9th
6:00 - 9:00 PM
RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE!

Located on White Bear Lake's western shore, Acqua offers a warm dining experience with gorgeous lakeside views and unique Italian dishes.

Acqua combines fresh, high quality, local ingredients, a contemporary culinary sensibility, and a caring, knowledgeable staff to create an elegant evening of dining.

We are so excited to partner with Acqua to bring you an incredible 7 course meal in a fine dining setting!


more info...
3/10/2023

Young Professionals - Escape Room at the White Bear Area Historical Society!
White Bear Area Historical Society
2228 4th Street | White Bear Lake (Armory)
Friday, March 10th
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Register for the Escape from Alcatraz room!     
Armory Escape Rooms - Escape from Alcatraz Friday March 10th
Have an historic adventure with your friends at the Armory Escape Rooms!
Young Professionals Networking will be Escaping at the White Bear Area Historical Society! Are you ready to Escape from Alcatraz? This will be a great event and also it will support the Historical Society. This is a valuable group for young professionals looking to make connections with others in the Chamber, get involved with the community, and make a difference. The only cost will be for your participation! Invite your friends!

In its 29 years of operation, there were 14 attempts to escape from Alcatraz prison involving 36 inmates, and all of them were unsuccessful. Be one of the first to escape from the notorious prison!
 
Alcatraz Prison Break

While touring Alcatraz, the guard has locked you in a cell but was called away and forgot about you! Get out quick or you will miss the last boat to San Francisco and have to spend a cold, scary night on The Rock! (Not scary) Each Escape Room Game starts at the top of the hour and will last 50 minutes. Each party can include up to 10 people (with a minimum of 6 people) so gather your group and book your slot now! 

For the Young Professionals event, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, please register HERE and  Tickets are $20/person


more info...
3/16/2023

more info...
3/17/2023
$5.00 Off Coupon for the Up-In Smoke Food Truck Provided below!



more info...
3/18/2023
Success Fitness has been operating in Maplewood with 2001... this year we are excited to announce the opening of our 2nd location in Coon Rapids!

Join us for a soft opening on March 18th, 2023 from 1-3pm!

Come see the new space, meet the team and other local practitioners, enjoy light refreshments, and of course network!

more info...
3/18/2023

The spring equinox marks another turn on the seasonal wheel and the initiation of the spring season. Please join us for a celebration of beginnings and endings: at this event, we will welcome the arrival of the bear sculpture Ursula Major by artist Robin Tost, and celebrate the end of the 2022–23 activity period for NEA Big Read: White Bear Lake. This event will include a variety of family-friendly activities to welcome the spring season.

Robin Tost is a renowned artist and sculptor. While she currently resides in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, she grew up in White Bear Lake. Her work reuses found objects and pieces of metal, giving new life to these discarded pieces.

Activities include:

-Spring Make and Take Art experiences – Draw/Paint a Garden Spider
-Planting a flower seed to take home
-Walk the labyrinth
-Art demos with WBCA teaching artists
-Northern Lights gallery scavenger hunt
-Equinox labyrinth ceremony at 1:30 PM


more info...
3/21/2023

Century College
3300 Century Ave. N
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-779-3300
March 21st, 2023
11:15am - 1:00pm

Join President Angelia Millender and members of the Century College Foundation Board for a lunch and learn about the educational advancements made this past year at Century College. Guests will receive a complimentary lunch and tour. Don’t miss your chance to hear about Century’s cutting-edge programs and the connections we’re forging with local industry partners. Lunch & Learns will be held at Century College from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.

more info...
3/22/2023

Girl Scout Cookie
Pairing Classes!
Back by popular demand this year!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22nd
THURSDAY, MARCH 23rd
6:15 PM 
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

It’s here! Girl Scout season is here!
Samoas, tagalongs, thin mints oh my!

Join us in celebrating Girl Scout Cookie Season as we indulge ourselves by pairing these delicious treats with amazing wines from 7 Vines! This one-of-a-kind class will be taught by one of our wine experts and the cookies will be provided to us by one of our very own wine educators’ daughters!
And to answer your question… YES, you will be able to buy boxes of cookies after the class.
Along with some bottles of wine of course ;) 

 

 

more info...
3/23/2023
  

Guest Presenter - Lindy Crawford, City Manager, White Bear Lake
Manitou Grill | March 23rd | 11:30am - 1:00pm
We will have the pleasure of hearing from Lindy Crawford, the City Manager for White Bear Lake. Lindy will give an update and overview on the City of White Bear Lake and share her background and her road to her position. 

We are kicking it into full gear collecting items and purses for the Solid Ground Purse Drive. We need to get to 40 purses! Remember - we're looking for larger MOM SIZE bags, as each of the women at Solid Ground have 1 - 3 children. We're also looking for items to put in the bags, so if your company has something to donate, we'll gladly accept. we've also found some great deals when shopping the clearance aisle. 

more info...
3/23/2023

Young Professionals Networking Happy Hour!
Alchemist | 2222 4th Street | White Bear Lake
March 23rd |  4:30pm - 6:30pm


Join the Young Professionals Networking group for our March Networking Happy Hour at the Alchemist in White Bear Lake on Thursday, March 23th from 4:30pm - 6:30pm! ALL are welcome to attend and the only cost to attend is your food/beverage ticket (purchase required). This event has a limit of 25 so be sure to register early! We look forward to seeing you there!

 

more info...
3/23/2023

Join us for our March Networking Happy Hour at the Alchemist!

4:30pm - 6:30pm... come when you can, stay as long as you like!  Casual opportunity to enjoy a fabulous local business and network with other local professionals!

Limit of 25 attendees so register early!

Cost to attend is your food/beverage ticket (purchase required; please support our host/local small business!)

more info...
3/26/2023
Getting Married? Join us for our 38th Annual Wedding Show, featuring over 30 local vendors. Brides are Free; additional guests are only $5! 

more info...
3/28/2023
Come one come all!
Annual client appreciation open house!
REGISTER HERE! (NO COST)
TUESDAY, MARCH 28th
4:30 - 7:30PM
Come enjoy the best of 7 Vines Vineyard preferred caterers at this FREE event! 

The evening includes:
-Complimentary light bites
-Photo Booth
-Entertainment
-Wine Bar open for purchases until 9:00PM
 

REGISTER HERE! (NO COST)

more info...
3/29/2023

Forge HR
Woodbury Community Service Conference Room
2150 Radio Drive | Woodbury, MN 55125
March 29th | 10:00am - 12:00pm

Labor challenges have never been more difficult for small business owners. With so many employers competing for a shrinking pool of workers, attracting and retaining good employees has become a nightmare.

That’s why the Washington County Office of Workforce Development is partnering with Optima HR Solutions to bring an innovative new program to area small businesses to help them be more competitive in the labor marketplace.

Introducing Forge HR -- a cohort program for business owners to learn and deploy best practices that are proven to drive attraction, engagement, and retention of employees. Large companies have sophisticated HR departments to do this. We’re leveling the playing field to help you do the same.

The cohort will meet each month to go deep on an HR best practice. A seasoned corporate HR executive will teach the how-to, with step-by-step instructions, and provide a “kit” of practical tools to help you bring it to life in your business. In between sessions you’ll have help from an HR specialist to implement.

The cohort experience will deliver other benefits, as well. We’ll keep you current on the evolving labor landscape – trends, legal and regulatory changes, and other “hot” issues. As a confidential setting, we’ll be able to dig in and solve your thorny people challenges. And, as a group of peers, you’ll learn from each other.

Included in your membership…
• Monthly deep dive review and explanation of an HR best practice area. Examples include recruiting, performance management, compensation, benefits, training, developing leaders, etc.
• A take-home, ready-to-implement toolkit for each best practice area
• Implementation support from an HR specialist
• Any-time access to your group leader for ad hoc advice and support
• Access to an employment attorney consultation on emergent HR matters
• Peer group forum and expert advice for HR problem solving
• Regular updates on legal and regulatory changes

Gain confidence and peace of mind knowing that you’re not missing something or that you’ve done all you can to create a “special place to work.”

Cost to participate is only $450 per month, which will be invoiced at the time of each session. And, to encourage Washington County-based businesses to take advantage of this special opportunity, we are offering reimbursement for up to the first two-months for any who have been impacted by COVID. That’s a $900 value! Act now – seating is limited.

Registration and networking start at 9:30 with the program starting at 10:00. The room is available from 12-1 for networking or further discussion.
P ARKING: Please park and enter at the lower level parking lot.
R OOM: Woodbury Community Service Conference Room

more info...
3/30/2023
 

Quara Educational Center
70 County Road B2 W
Little Canada,MN 55117
March 30, 2023
Main Room for informal browsing and 7 smaller spaces for breakout sessions

Schedule
• 9:00: Arrival and set up
• 9:30-10:20: A larger group of students from the 3 alternative high schools in our district will be browsing in the main room
• 10:25-11:30: 2 smaller groups of students from our special education programs will be browsing in the main room

Our goal is to have a space where students can meet, explore career interests, connect with local colleges, and gain insight into postsecondary possibilities they had not previously considered. A large portion of our students are interested in starting careers right away after graduation. 

Last year, we had around 90 students at the event and with our programs growing we expect that number increase this year. Each student participating will have completed a series of career exploration activities prior to attending the event. 
 

more info...
3/31/2023

TICKETS HERE

Haskell's at 7 Vines!
VIW (Very important wine tasting)!
FRIDAY, MARCH 31st
6:00 - 9:00PM

An evening of exclusive vintages from all around the world along with delicious bites!
Tickets are $60 for Bacchus Rewards Members & $65 for General Admission. 
All ticketing is done through Haskell's.
 
 
Tickets Here!
 

more info...