Visibility is important to every business and organization, but not always for the same reasons. Retail and service businesses need to be visible to people so they can sell their products and services.  Businesses such as manufacturers may not rely on local visibility for that reason because many of their consumers are out of state or even out of the country. However, there are many reasons they would want to be visible and well-known at the local level, the most obvious of which is workforce. Being visible in a community helps them be top-of-mind for potential employees.

The Chamber offers many benefits that can increase your visibility. Marketing through the Chamber’s Visitor and Resource Center, website, social media, and events increases exposure and awareness for your business at the local level.

Membership gives you an online directory listing that you can enhance with logos, photos, coupons, video, a hyperlink, and more.
You may upload job postings to the Chamber’s online job board at no charge and can tag, link, and share your news via the Chamber’s social media presence on a variety of platforms.

You can gain visibility by hosting, sponsoring, or participating in Chamber events such as luncheons, Duffers Delight, member webinars, Listen & Learn, Wake Up Alexandria, or Off the Clock.

You have access to marketing through the Chamber eblast system, newsletter, membership directory, and a variety of other publications and opportunities.

And – our favorite – if you are our member, we talk about you! Our Ambassadors and Membership Teams learn about our members and tell others about you. Our staff talks about our members when we get inquiries from people seeking certain products or services. We talk about our members when we get calls about relocating to the area or inquiries from people seeking employment. We talk about you when other members need partners or collaborative opportunities. We love to talk about our members, because they are what makes the Alexandria Lakes Area the ultimate destination to live, work, play and prosper!

We can all do better.
We can be more positive.
We can show more kindness toward others.

We shouldn’t need tips on how to do that, but fortunately, there are people out there who can help us.

Nicole Phillips is one of those people. She will be speaking in Alexandria on Wednesday, April 27 for the Spring Luncheon sponsored by Winning Edge Graphics. This luncheon, presented by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Alexandria Public Schools Community Education, is open to everyone! Bring a friend, coworker, spouse, son or daughter, mom or dad. Enjoy lunch and a great message from someone who has learned the hard way what it takes to be nice.

Phillips is a national speaker, podcast host, columnist, and author of The Negativity Remedy: Unlocking More Joy, Less Stress, and Better Relationships Through Kindness. Using humor, compassion, and encouragement, she draws on scientific research and real-life examples to help people recognize unhelpful negative thought patterns, show kindness toward others even when we don’t feel like it, and discover how one little change can change everything. Phillips’ goal is to inspire you with tools and tips that really work to change each day.

The event will be held at Holiday Inn of Alexandria. Lunch serving begins at 11:15 am with the presentation taking place from 11:45 am to 1 pm. Tickets are $25 per person, or you can reserve a table of 8 for $200.
For tickets or for more information, visit alexandriamn.org or call 320-763-3161. The ticket deadline is Monday, April 18.

Jon Cullen is one of the owners of Cullen's Home Center located in Alexandria. Cullen’s Home Center is a complete home store that offers furniture, accents, floor coverings, appliances, electronics, fireplaces, and more. Cullen’s Home Center also has a Builders
Team that can assist with building projects of all kinds. It has a website where customers can view their productions.