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Chamber of commerce keeps PACE of the community going

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The 2018 Prairie du Chien Area Chamber Board includes (from left) Chamber President/CEO Bob Moses, Nate Gilberts, Board President Curt Zinkle, Kiel Fritz, Mary Antoine, Brandon Thies, Sheri Bowar, Vice-President Steve Kleist, Owen Vincent and Jacob Kanis. Missing are Chris Meyer, Tanya Kangas, Rick Powell, Drew Hagar and Tiffany Pettera. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Mission is to promote, advocate, communicate and educate

By Correne Martin

Prior to the world of Google, chambers of commerce were the main “search engines” of their communities. They were the best place people could contact to find out information about businesses, residency and schools, events, activities and more. 

Since then, chambers have had to cultivate their niche in the community to provide more than just a knowledgeable welcome. 

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce’s vision is to “enhance the quality of life, promote and preserve local resources and foster business growth in Prairie du Chien and the surrounding area.” If you ask some of the board members, who represent not only the chamber entity but also the business place where they work, they have a strong belief in the good the chamber does for the region. Generally, these men and women tout the chamber’s ability to offer the following values for member businesses and the community:

•The power of many representing, promoting and advocating for the business sector and all membership commerce and industry in the area. 

•A focus on bringing in not only tourists but also people, families and entrepreneurs who wish to call Prairie du Chien and the beautiful surrounding area their home.

•Resources to attract and retain a skilled workforce.

•Educational opportunities for professional growth.

•Networking opportunities.

•Promotion of the community’s identity and offerings.

•A first point of contact for visitors, travelers, political and public relations officials and entrepreneurs looking to start or relocate their business.

“The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber has been a membership organization for the past 68 years, with fine leadership throughout that time,” CEO Bob Moses stated. “Through our PACE (Promote, Advocate, Communicate, Education) programs, we engage business professionals to do business with one another, and we continually strive to give our members the return on their investment. The chamber is the largest advocate for our community that you may or may not see. We strengthen the community through the collective strength of our members.”

Lori Bekkum, past board president, said she did not understand everything the chamber did for the community when she was first asked to serve on the board. 

She said, “I moved around a lot as a child and also as an adult. I remember my mom calling the chamber of commerce in communities where we were moving so, as an adult, I too would do that as I relocated to a new community. It was always the first step and actually the first bit of comfort in the feeling of belonging to a community.”

So when she joined the chamber, she only knew it had always made her feel welcome. But, the development of the PACE program has helped her and other chamber members explain what the organization does for the community. 

“I believe that the educate component, in particular, is to educate not only our board members but also our members on all aspects of our community. The more knowledge we have about our community, the more we can share with people we meet along the way. The more excitement we have about our own community, the more that excitement grows and gets people in our community to shop, eat, play and, of course, spend money locally.”

Jacob Kanis, co-owner of Nelson True Value and a second-term chamber board member, feels strongly that the chamber is a great “unifying force for both the business community and the public community.”

“The chamber does the leg work in bringing people together,” Chris Meyer, the general manager of AmericInn and a three-year chamber board member, shared proudly.

“Our board is passionate about helping the business community stay strong,” she said. “When you give back to your community, you’re helping others, and that helps the business community become stronger.”

Steve Kleist, 3M Company plant manager and chamber vice president, added his solid support of the chamber’s purpose.

“As an Executive Leadership member for the Chamber Board of Directors, I feel confident the Chamber is working on the right things to advertise all the good that we have to offer: services, stores, restaurants, hotels, and secure job opportunities,” Kleist insisted. “[From my perspective at a] large manufacturing operation in a smaller community (compared to Dubuque or La Crosse), I see huge benefit in any efforts that attract and retain a skilled workforce. Unemployment rates at or below 3 percent make it a challenge to hire and replace the high number of retiring team members now and for the next several years, a problem faced by most business owners.”

He further noted that Moses’ role as the newly-elected president of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives” is important because Moses can bring back innovative ideas and new perspectives from across the state and continue to promote Prairie du Chien’s value to a broader audience. 

Kanis is a self-described “outsider” who has lived in other communities before moving to Prairie du Chien with his young family. He’s most appreciative of the opportunity the chamber’s provided him to network through Business After Five and ribbon-cutting events. 

“It’s really helped build me a network of good friends, acquaintances and supporters,” he said. “After living in a couple different communities, I’m probably most excited about living her and the future Prairie du Chien has coming.”

He invites curious business administrators and associates to “come check out” the chamber. “Talk to us; see what we do,” he encouraged.

Current board officers are Board President Curt Zinkle, Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly; Board Vice-President Steve Kleist, 3M; Board VP Elect Dr. Owen Vincent, Crossing Rivers Health; Bob Moses, president/CEO; Brenda Ready, executive assistant.

The 13 voting members include Chris Meyer, AmericInn, hospitality; Drew Hagar, The Barn, hospitality; Brandon Thies, Mediacom, service; Tanya Kangas, who shares the seat with Rick Powell, both of Walmart, retail; Curt Zinkle, Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly, retail; Jacob Kanis, Nelson True Value, retail; Steve Kleist, 3M, manufacturing; Tiffany Pettera, Kwik Trip, automotive; Sheri Bowar, Old National Bank, at-large; Kiel Fritz, Peoples State Bank, at-large; Nate Gilberts, Design Homes, at-large; and Mary Antoine, tourism council representative.

Non-voting liaisons include the city administrator and/or mayor and a Jaycees representative.

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