Board of Directors
Policy-making body for the organization. Board members establish direction for the Chamber, overseeing the administration and financial management, directing the general activities, participating as liaisons to committees, and approving committee reports and recommendations.
Staff Liaison: Lisa Paxton, CEO
lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets on the third Thursday
Brainerd Main Street Advisory Committee
Responsible for the direction and oversight of the Brainerd Main Street program and lends sustainability to the viability of the Central Business District (CBD as defined by the 2002 Master Plan).
Staff Liaison: Emily Northey, Brainerd Main Street Coordinator
enorthey@explobrainerdlakes.com
Meets the first Thursday at 2 p.m. Chamber meeting room
Brainerd Main Street website
Brainerd Main Street Design
Work to create an attractive, coordinated, and quality image of the Central Business District; incorporating streetscapes that capitalize on its unique assets and heritage. This will in turn influence the overall architectural design of the Main Street project area.
Staff Liaison: Emily Northey, Brainerd Main Street Coordinator
enorthey@explobrainerdlakes.com
Meets the second and fourth Thursdays at 9 a.m. Chamber meeting room
Brainerd Main Street website
Brainerd Main Street Business Improvement
Working to create and implement a shared vision and strategy to optimize the Central Business District's contributions to the local economy.
Staff Liaison: Emily Northey, Brainerd Main Street Coordinator
enorthey@explobrainerdlakes.com
Meets the third Wednesday at 2 p.m. Chamber meeting room
Brainerd Main Street website
Brainerd Main Street Promotion
This sub-committee will focus on promoting the Brainerd Central Business District as a unique experience that is also a thriving destination with diverse year-round activity. They will also work to create programming that welcomes a variety of culture and reinforces the image of the CBD as the heart of the area. The Open for Business Taskforce and the Downtown Events committees go through them for approval of budgets, projects, etc.
Staff Liaison: Emily Northey, Brainerd Main Street Coordinator
enorthey@explobrainerdlakes.com
Meets the fourth Tuesday at 8 a.m. Sawmill Inn backroom
Brainerd Main Street website
Open for Business Taskforce - Brainerd
Temporary (1 year) group focused on making the 2009 street reconstruction project in downtown Brainerd as smooth as possible and also working to keep people coming to the area before, during, and right after construction.
Staff Liaison: Emily Northey, Brainerd Main Street Coordinator
enorthey@explobrainerdlakes.com
Brainerd Main Street website
Brainerd Baxter Business Council
This council improves communication between the business community, government and education by monitoring and reviewing issues impacting the business community and identify the Chamber's role regarding that issue.
Staff Liaison: Lisa Paxton, CEO
lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets the fourth Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. Chamber meeting room
Crosslake Advisory Board
Establishes the overall goals and direction for the Chamber in the Crosslake area and supports other Chamber committees. Volunteer recruitment and enhancing communication to members are integral to their program of work.
Staff Liaison: Ruth Ann Hanson, Area Director
rhanson@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets for lunch on the last Thursday
Explore Crosslake Committee
The Crosslake community is bound by a traditional up north atmosphere. This committee draws on that unique asset to create and support programs which foster retail sales for the entire Crosslake area.
Staff Liaison: Ruth Ann Hanson, Area Director
rhanson@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets the first Tuesday at 8 a.m at Pine Peaks Lodge.
Pequot-Breezy Advisory Committee
This committee establishes the overall goals and direction for the Chamber in the Pequot Lakes/Breezy Point area and supports other Chamber committees. Volunteer recruitment and enhancing communication to members are integral to their program of work.
Staff Liaison: Ruth Ann Hanson, Area Director
rhanson@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets the second Thursday at 8 a.m.
Pequot Lakes Business Connect Committee
Develops ways to bring shoppers into member stores and restaurants by partnering with special events committees.
Staff Liaison: Sue Galligan, Pequot Lakes Area Coordinator
sgalligan@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets first Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Lonesome Cottage Furniture
Regional Business Council
This council improves communication between the business community and Cass and Crow Wing County. They monitor and review issues impacting the business community and identify the Chamber's role regarding that issue. The council has very active in advocating for regional transportation planning.
Staff Liaison: Lisa Paxton, CEO
lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Meets the first Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. in Brainerd
Tourism Advisory Committee
Comprised of representatives from all types of Chamber member tourism businesses, this advisory group reviews and identifies strategies for destination marketing of the Lakes Area.
Staff Liaison: Gretchen Ennis, Tourism Director
Meets four times a year
Tourism Summit
Workforce Committee
Serves as a communication link between organizations involved with workforce development and training. They facilitate an area-wide job fair and work with area schools to incorporate career awareness and training into their curriculum. The Manufacturing Alliance Taskforce is part of the Workforce Committee.
Staff Liaison: Mary Gottsch, Project Director
Meets four times a year
Workforce
