2019 in rearview

State of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce

Happy New Year!

What we've been up to in 2019? For a start, we've hit the road running, under new leadership -- "We've made our best decision hiring our Executive Director" said Hal Cropp, Chamber President during annual meeting on January 22, 2020 at Commonweal Theatre (I humbly concur -- and have the numbers to support it 🤣 👏 👍 -- and Thank You, Hal!). We also hired a full-time Administrative Assistant, Bailey Otto, whose skills and energy helped the year the great success it was.

The key to a successful, thriving organization is to streamline operations and oversee day-to-day activities in an orderly, transparent and organized environment - we invested energy to that process and are strategically continuing the work in 2020. We ended 2019 in a strong financial state, reporting 8K (6%) operating revenue.

Lanesboro's Sesquicentennial Anniversary proved itself as a great opportunity to promote the town and tell its story throughout the year. We introduced the power of advertorial (a portmanteau of "advertisement" and "editorial") in our print promotions, such as the Minnesota Monthly editorial co-op ad, with an overwhelming support and participation from Chamber Business Members (thank you and please continue to do so! 👍)

Through the Power of Video Storytelling, we've shared the important moments with you, our members and guests - and together we had fun with it!

Early in June we hosted an Italian Journalist and his wife; and later in the summer, the famous #OnlyInMN Monument, just in time for Buffalo Days. We had the rare privilege of speaking with the 2019 King of the Can and documenting it - and - guess what? He and his wife are opening new restaurant in Lanesboro!

We've expanded on CoOp Advertising Opportunities for members; returned to Rochester Skyways, this time with an unprecedented big-screen-digital opportunity to literally take over and to infiltrate the minds of Skyway/Subway by-passers (to be continued in 2020!).

Storytelling has earned its place as the most important tradition humans possess. You could see it on the streets of Lanesboro, listen when taking the interactive tour in summer or read in your beloved Fillmore County Journal or Bluff Country Reader (I'm shouting out those two, but not just because they have become our Chamber Members 😁).

We are continuing in that tradition, taking our Lanesboro Visitor Guide to the next level with LOCAL TALENT of writers, photographers, designers, editors; and residents, who inspire us with their shared stories.

Special thanks to the City of Lanesboro, Lanesboro Public Schools and Lanesboro EDA for sponsoring three pages of our newly added Business Directory in 2020 Visitor Guide. You will find all known and operating businesses within our city ZIP Code limits, sorted by standardized categories (LACC Members stand out in bold and with expanded listing).

Promoting Lanesboro and its neighboring Whalan is ingrained in Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce mission; but the buck doesn't stop there. We have, and are cultivating and strengthening our interpersonal relationship with the cities of Lanesboro and Whalan, our local, regional and state government institutions, and paving the road to stronger and meaningful partnerships. That also includes the work we do with the future generations: in September we hosted a seminar for Geography & Anthropology Students of University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. We'll let you know when their Geography Field Seminar website is completed and launched.

We thank all of our member businesses for continuing to make Lanesboro a nationally known success story: a small town with a strong entrepreneurial base attracting visitors and residents with shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, arts activities, historic interest, and beautiful scenery.

With Gratitude

Andrzej (ahn-jay) Zalasinski, Jr.

Executive Director | Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce

Welcome 17 New Members & Potential Growth

LACC has now 143 Members and potential to expand 33% in the future.

🎉 New In Town:

  • Eye Prize Marketing

  • Filthy Promotions

  • Revival House Therapeutic Massage & Wellness

  • Root River Unwined

🎉 New Members:

  • Julia Borgen

  • Historic Forestville

  • Lanesboro Arts Gallery

  • Pamela Ristau CPA

  • David Shaffer

  • Sister Luv

🎉 Returning Members:

  • Bluff Country Newspaper Group

  • Fillmore County Journal

  • Harmony - Preston -Rushford Foods

  • Preston Specialties

  • VIS Plumbing & Heating

Thank You!!