August 2025 Board Member Newsletter Article

Laura Stein

Oct 14 2025

The Power of Connections:
A Superpower and Secret Weapon

Derek Ricke
President/CEO
Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

In an era seemingly defined by division and selfies, chambers of commerce have never been more critical. While each chamber takes on unique roles for their community, our most enduring value lies in something less flashy but far more powerful: We connect people.

When a business needs help navigating red tape, we know who to call. When a nonprofit seeks a sponsor, we make the introduction. When leaders don’t yet know they need each other — we put them in the same room. These relationships strengthen community resilience and long-term economic success.

Convening Creates Solutions

Whether it’s addressing workforce housing, revitalizing Main Street, advocating for public policy changes, or enhancing tourism and resident recruitment, complex issues require collaboration. Chambers sit at the crossroads of public, private, and nonprofit sectors, giving us a unique opportunity — and responsibility — to foster conversations that others can’t.

Examples of chamber-led convening in Minnesota include:

  • Coordinating cross-sector participation in strategic planning efforts for community development
  • Facilitating policy discussions between businesses and local, state, and national legislators
  • Partnering with foundations, economic development, and city staff to assist businesses when disasters strike
  • Bringing providers, private entities, and public officials together to pursue child care and housing solutions.

A Secret Weapon

This work is rewarding — but it can also be daunting. That’s why it’s essential for us to tap into our secret weapon: each other. No one understands the unique challenges of balancing board dynamics, approaching public officials with disconnected views and the weight of community expectations like a fellow chamber professional.

So whether you’re forming an agenda for a local roundtable, trying to elevate your networking events, or spearheading a major initiative, the first place to connect is within our chamber community. Connect with your mentor. Attend the MCCE conferences. Reach out to another executive because the knowledge in our group and willingness to share is truly special.

Be the Difference

Being a connector isn’t a soft skill; it’s a superpower. Chambers don’t simply bring people together (which can feel like an accomplishment on its own sometimes!). We do something much greater. We connect the right people at the right time to spark real change for our members and our communities.