Approval of Business Network Meeting Agenda and 2027 Budget

Purpose:
Provide EDA with Proposed Business Network Meeting Agenda and revised 2027 Budget

Background:
Staff has prepared a 2027 Business Network Agenda and proposed budget without the utilization of a Keynote Speaker.  In February of this year, Staff asked the EDA for the flexibility to obtain a $2,500 Keynote Speaker or in-house house alternatives for the 2027 Event.  Up to this point, Staff has not found a good, inexpensive Keynote Speaker.   Staff has provided a draft City of Ramsey Presentation Agenda showcasing Public Safety and a City/Development Update. This budget proposal will result in a reduction in the EDA allocation of $2,000.  In the event that the EDA still wants Staff to find a $2,500 Keynote, the EDA allocation would need to increase by $2,500 based on the potential increased attendance.  Draft Budgets showing each option are attached to the case for review

EDA events are intended to be informative, provide networking and marketing opportunities, and strengthen relationships between the City and the business community. Overall feedback—both general and from post-event surveys—was extremely positive. Attendees particularly noted the value of Chief Bluml’s presentation and the Public Safety information shared and wanted more.  Staff has talked with Fire Chief Winkel and he is excited to provide information about Fire to add to the information to be provided by Police Chief Bluml. The City/Development Update is proposed to return in 2027 with the possibility of numerous City Staff members providing comments for this portion of the program. 

Staff is looking for approval by the EDA on proposed format, event date window flexibility and the 2027 budget.
 

N/A

Proposed 2027 Business Network Agenda
Staff is proposing to hold the 2027 Business Network Meeting at LaFontaine Event Center. Staff has received verbal commitments from Chief Bluml and Chief Winkel to speak at the event if the EDA desires.  Staff is still working on drilling down dates that will work for both Chief's, Dates being considered include:

• January 26, 27, 28
• February 2, 3, 4
• February 9, 10

In the event that the EDA still wants Staff to identify a paid Keynote Speaker a new Agenda and Speaker availability will need to be worked out.

Last year, there were 141 RSVP's with an estimated 100 attendees representing 53 businesses and 20 city, county staff and elected officials. A full breakfast buffet was provided for attendees. Police Chief Brad Bluml presented a public safety update and Dr. Theresa Glomb spoke about wellbeing and related performance in the workplace. A follow-up survey was conducted after the event which included 16 respondents. The feedback was overall very positive: 75% rated the overall event as "Excellent" and 94% of respondents (all but 1 person) indicated they would participate again next year. Based on the positive feedback on Chief Bluml's presentation, Staff is supportive of the more robust Public Safety theme for 2027 and to bring back the City Development/Update. Proposed Budget (2027 Event):
The EDA allocated $6,500 for the 2026 Business Network Breakfast based on a headcount of 130 with an allotment of $2,500 for a speaker. Expenses came in at $6,764.17, leaving a deficit of ($264.17). If the EDA elects to have a $2,500 Keynote Speaker for 2027 the EDA allocation would need to be increased from $6,500 to $7,000 to cash flow.  Staff has provided two draft budgets which include a $2,500 Paid Keynote Speaker and another that is strictly City Staff with the theme of Public Safety.   The proposed 2027 Budgets includes less food being ordered (reduced to 120) to reduce food waste and to stay within budget next year.

Alternatives Include:
1) Approve 2027 Business Network Meeting Budget/Agenda (Public Safety / City Update) with $4,500 EDA allocation to be held at LaFontaine Event Center; date subject to speaker availability.
2) Approve 2027 Business Network Meeting Budget/Agenda (Keynote Speaker-TBD) with $7,000 EDA allocation to be held at LaFontaine Event Center; date subject to speaker availability.
3) Something else
 

Funding for the 2027 Business Network Meeting will be from EDA budget line items 9230.6249 (Operations) and 9230.6246 (Marketing)

1. Motion to select La Fontaine Event Center as the venue with a date of late January/early February 2027

and 

2.  Approve 2027 Business Network Meeting Budget/Agenda (Public Safety / City Update) with $4,500 EDA allocation to be held at LaFontaine Event Center; date subject to speaker availability.

or-

3. Approve 2027 Business Network Meeting Budget/Agenda (Keynote Speaker-TBD) with $7,000 EDA allocation to be held at LaFontaine Event Center; date subject to speaker availability.