4.2.
| Economic Development Authority (EDA) |
| Meeting Date: | 10/09/2025 |
| Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: | {ud_pd8} |
Title:
Consider Speakers and Budget for 2026 Business Network Breakfast
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
Provide EDA with Options for 2026 Business Network Breakfast and to have EDA provide Direction to Staff on Event Planning
Background:
In March, the EDA reviewed the 2025 Business Network Breakfast Summary. Ben Utecht was a reasonably priced paid speaker ($2,500) but the EDA also directed Staff to bring back some inexpensive/or free speaker options for 2026. There were suggestions to have Police provide a brief presentation as part of the 2026 and staff thinks this would be a good addition to the program in 2026. Staff has contacted Chief Kohner and Chief Bluml and both are willing to provide presentations to our business community. The rest of the 'free' program could include City and Anoka County Staff. Staff has also reached out to Professor, Theresa Glomb to be a keynote and to talk about strategies to improve your work and life for a cost of $2,500. She has received good reviews and Staff is also supportive of having another paid Keynote Speaker. Staff is asking the EDA to consider presented options and provide direction.
Provide EDA with Options for 2026 Business Network Breakfast and to have EDA provide Direction to Staff on Event Planning
Background:
In March, the EDA reviewed the 2025 Business Network Breakfast Summary. Ben Utecht was a reasonably priced paid speaker ($2,500) but the EDA also directed Staff to bring back some inexpensive/or free speaker options for 2026. There were suggestions to have Police provide a brief presentation as part of the 2026 and staff thinks this would be a good addition to the program in 2026. Staff has contacted Chief Kohner and Chief Bluml and both are willing to provide presentations to our business community. The rest of the 'free' program could include City and Anoka County Staff. Staff has also reached out to Professor, Theresa Glomb to be a keynote and to talk about strategies to improve your work and life for a cost of $2,500. She has received good reviews and Staff is also supportive of having another paid Keynote Speaker. Staff is asking the EDA to consider presented options and provide direction.
Notification:
N/A
Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives:
2025 Business Network Breakfast Summary
The 2025 Business Network Breakfast took place on January 29, 2025 at LaFontaine Event Center. There were 157 RSVP's (the most responses for any EDA networking event) with an estimated 115 attendees representing 49 businesses, including 7 elected officials. A full breakfast buffet was provided for attendees. City and Highway 10 project updates were presented. Keynote speaker, Ben Utecht, spoke about having a strong culture in organizations and businesses. A follow-up survey was conducted after the event which included 20 respondents. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 90% rated the overall event as "Excellent" and 100% of respondents indicated they would participate again next year. Comments and suggestions for future event topics were solicited and are attached to this case.
Budget (2025 Event):
The EDA allocated $6,500.00 for the 2025 Business Network Breakfast based on a headcount of 130 with an allotment of $2,500 for a speaker. We were about $400 over budget for the event.
2026 Staff Suggested Speakers / Topics:
Emcee: EDA Chair Wiyninger (3-5 Minutes) (Both Options 1 and 2)
Option 1- City/County Event ($4500 EDA allocation for food and hall rental)
City Development Update - ED Manager Sullivan (10-15 Minutes)
Public Safety (Site Visits, BRC, Food Trucks, Inspections, Alarms, Calls) - Chief Kohner, Fire Marshal Weiss, Chief Bluml (15-20)
County Economic Development Update (ACRED)/Workforce Center - Economic Development Director, Gregory Frahm Gilles, Workforce Center (20-30)
Option 2- Keynote ($4,500 for room rental and food - $2,500 for Keynote Speaker)
City Development Update - ED Manager Sullivan (10 Minutes)
-OR-
Public Safety (Site Visits, BRC, Food Trucks, Inspections, Alarms, Calls) - Chief Kohner, Fire Marshal Weiss, Chief Bluml (10 Minutes)
Keynote: Theresa Glomb - Improving Workplace Wellbeing (1 hour)
Other future event topics suggested by attendees include:
The 2025 Business Network Breakfast took place on January 29, 2025 at LaFontaine Event Center. There were 157 RSVP's (the most responses for any EDA networking event) with an estimated 115 attendees representing 49 businesses, including 7 elected officials. A full breakfast buffet was provided for attendees. City and Highway 10 project updates were presented. Keynote speaker, Ben Utecht, spoke about having a strong culture in organizations and businesses. A follow-up survey was conducted after the event which included 20 respondents. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 90% rated the overall event as "Excellent" and 100% of respondents indicated they would participate again next year. Comments and suggestions for future event topics were solicited and are attached to this case.
The EDA allocated $6,500.00 for the 2025 Business Network Breakfast based on a headcount of 130 with an allotment of $2,500 for a speaker. We were about $400 over budget for the event.
2026 Staff Suggested Speakers / Topics:
Emcee: EDA Chair Wiyninger (3-5 Minutes) (Both Options 1 and 2)
Option 1- City/County Event ($4500 EDA allocation for food and hall rental)
City Development Update - ED Manager Sullivan (10-15 Minutes)
Public Safety (Site Visits, BRC, Food Trucks, Inspections, Alarms, Calls) - Chief Kohner, Fire Marshal Weiss, Chief Bluml (15-20)
County Economic Development Update (ACRED)/Workforce Center - Economic Development Director, Gregory Frahm Gilles, Workforce Center (20-30)
Option 2- Keynote ($4,500 for room rental and food - $2,500 for Keynote Speaker)
City Development Update - ED Manager Sullivan (10 Minutes)
-OR-
Public Safety (Site Visits, BRC, Food Trucks, Inspections, Alarms, Calls) - Chief Kohner, Fire Marshal Weiss, Chief Bluml (10 Minutes)
Keynote: Theresa Glomb - Improving Workplace Wellbeing (1 hour)
Other future event topics suggested by attendees include:
- Leadership
- Enhance management skills/strategy
- Panel with City Boards and Commissions (Parks/PC/EDA/EPB)
- Team building and improving your organization
- Community and law enforcement response to the drug epidemic. Recovery/addiction services, overdose prevention.
- Environmental stewardship/responsibilities of businesses
Other Options for Speakers/Topics
- Company Culture
- Rags to Riches Story
- Business Climate / Market
- Banking / Economic Forecast
- Business Succession Planning
- Famous Sports People / Business Development
- Local Celebrities
Alternatives:
1) Option 1 - City and County Speakers - $4,500 EDA Allocation for Venue Rental and Food
2) Option 2 - Keynote Speaker - $7,000 allocation for Keynote, Venue Rental and Food
3) Something else
1) Option 1 - City and County Speakers - $4,500 EDA Allocation for Venue Rental and Food
2) Option 2 - Keynote Speaker - $7,000 allocation for Keynote, Venue Rental and Food
3) Something else
Funding Source:
Funding for the 2026 Business Network Meeting will be from EDA budget line items 9230.6249 (Operations) and 9230.6246 (Marketing)
Funding will vary from $4,500 to $7,000 depending on the format and utilization of a Speaker for the Event.
Funding will vary from $4,500 to $7,000 depending on the format and utilization of a Speaker for the Event.
Recommendation:
1. Motion to select LaFontaine Event Center as the venue with a date of late January/early February 2026.
and
2. Motion to Adopt 2026 Business Network Meeting Format / Budget (Option 1 or Option 2) (Based on discussion)
Outcome/Action:
1. Motion to select La Fontaine Event Center as the venue with a date of late January/early February 2026. (Staff to lock in date based on speakers/venue availability)
and
2. Motion to Adopt 2026 Business Network Meeting Budget (Option 1 ($4,500), Option 2 ($7,000). (Based on discussion)
and
2. Motion to Adopt 2026 Business Network Meeting Budget (Option 1 ($4,500), Option 2 ($7,000). (Based on discussion)
Attachments
- Possible ACTION - Option 2 - Theresa Glomb
- Reference- 2025 BNB Survey Details
- Reference- 2025 BNB Summary
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Brian Hagen | 10/02/2025 01:16 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Sean Sullivan
- Started On:
- 09/23/2025 09:37 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/02/2025