Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Events Newswire

2026 Let's Do Lunch & Connect at Clyde - Series Holder 12/10/2025 - 2/1/2026

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:10:02 GMT

Register Now for the 2026 Luncheon Series

This is your opportunity to ensure that you have a ticket for each of our luncheons in 2026. Avoid the need to register for each luncheon by becoming a series ticket holder. Plan to join us for the following:

Let’s Do Lunch

7 Luncheons at $40 Each - $280 for the Series

Greysolon Ballroom - 11:45am -1pm

Tuesday, January 13^th - Mayor Roger Reinert, City of Duluth

Tuesday, April 14^th - Dr. Linda Kingston, President, Lake Superior College

Tuesday, May 12^th - Dr. David Herman, CEO Essentia Health

Tuesday, June 9^th - Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director, Visit Duluth

Tuesday, August 11^th - Thomas Abraham-James, Pulsar Helium Inc.

Tuesday, October 13^th - Partner TBD, Landmark Development

Tuesday, December 8^th - Al Johnson, BotCrew

Connect at Clyde

3 Luncheons at $40 Each - $120 for the Series

Clyde Iron Works Restaurant, Brewery & Event Center - 11:45am-1pm

Tuesday, February 10^th - Carrie Clement, Executive Director, Resource Renew

Tuesday, July 14^th - Dr. Rolf Weberg, Executive Director, UMD NRRI

Tuesday, September 8^th - Kevin Beardsley, Executive Director, Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Series registration is nonrefundable; however, it is transferable. To become a series holder, register at duluthchamber.com or contact Kathleen Privette at kprivette@duluthchamber.com.

*Registration is now open unitl February 1, 2026.

Fuse Spark Exchange - Lead Generation Group 2/3/2026 4:30 PM - 2/3/2026 6:00 PM

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:53:45 GMT

Fuse Spark Exchange is a new monthly lead generation group designed for businesses, nonprofits, young professionals, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their networks in a welcoming, action-driven space. Bring a lead, share a connection, and spark new opportunities — no rigid rules, just real results. Give a lead. Get a lead. Grow together.

Wild Rose Company at Norway Hall Event Center is our 2026 meeting location host; they will kick off each meeting with a welcome and information about their new event space!

Fuse Spark Exchange is open to current Chamber members and costs $5 at the door. Non-Chamber members may attend one meeting to try out the group. If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring, reach out to ahagen@duluthchamber.com.

If you would like to be added to the email list for future Fuse Spark Exchange events, please sign up here.

2026 Equity & Inclusion Summit 2/5/2026 9:00 AM - 2/5/2026 3:00 PM

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:53:45 GMT

2026 Equity & Inclusion Summit
The Power of Being Seen: Belonging in Every Experience

The Duluth Chamber, in partnership with Lake Superior College, is proud to present the second annual Equity & Inclusion Summit focused on enhancing inclusion in both the workplace and the greater Duluth community.

Belonging begins with being seen—fully, authentically, and without assumption. This year's Summit explores what it means to recognize the humanity, strengths, and stories in every person we encounter.

This event invites us to deepen our understanding of visibility: how we notice others, how we listen, and how we create spaces where people feel recognized and valued for who they are—not just for the roles they play or the labels society gives them.

Through storytelling, research, and practical tools, we’ll examine the quiet but powerful ways people become overlooked in our workplaces, communities, and daily lives—and how intentional connection can restore a sense of belonging. Attendees will leave with renewed perspective and actionable strategies to build cultures where everyone feels seen, respected, and included.

We understand that cost may currently be a barrier for nonprofits and other organizations who have been impacted by changes to federal funding - Therefore, scholarships for this event are available; please contact Aubrey Hagen at ahagen@duluthchamber.com to arrange. If you do this work, we want you in the room!

Local university students with a valid student ID are welcome and encouraged to attend for free.

Summit Agenda

8:30 | Registration
Breakfast & Coffee, Open Networking

9:00 | Opening Remarks
Lake Superior College & Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

9:15 | Poverty Informed Practice: We All Do Better When We All Do Better
Chad Dull, Principal Consultant/CEO at Poverty Informed Practice LLC

10:30 | Break

10:45 | Community for All Panel
Moderated by Sarah Lyons, Executive Diversity Officer of Lake Superior College

What does it truly mean to belong? This panel brings together voices shaped by lived experience to explore how inclusive community is built—and sustained—when we look beyond labels. Through personal stories and thoughtful conversation, panelists will reflect on connection across age, background, circumstance, and culture, challenging assumptions about who gets included and how. Attendees will be invited to consider new ways of fostering belonging, strengthening relationships, and creating spaces where everyone is seen, valued, and welcomed.

Panelists:

Georgia Lane, Director of Aging Initiatives at Ecolibrium3
Ivy Vainio, Vainio CommUNITY Blanket
Hadrian DeMaioribus, Community Host at Dovetail Café
Representative from FPC Duluth

11:45 | Buffet Lunch by Oasis del Norte

12:15 | A Different Mirror
Carl Crawford, Senior Accessibility & Engagement Coordinator at St. Louis County

12:45 | 1000 Miles to Nome: How One Invitation Creates Equity For All
Emily Ford, Winter Adventurer & Thru-Hiker @emilyontrail

1:30 | A New Perspective: Fireside Chat with Mason Branstrator
Moderated by Aubrey Hagen, Director of Membership Development & DEI at the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

2:15 | The Work Behind the Welcome
Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director of Visit Duluth

2:45 | Closing Remarks
Matt Baumgartner, President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

Summit Sponsorships Now Available

Showcase your commitment to building a more inclusive community by sponsoring the Summit. Sponsorship levels and benefits include:

$1,500 Presenting Sponsor (one available)

Opportunity to provide welcome remarks at 9:00 to kick off event
Business logo displayed prominently on event materials and in slideshow
Company stand-up banner displayed by stage
Opportunity to have a table at the event to showcase organization
10 complimentary Summit tickets for your team

$1,000 Belonging Sponsor

Business logo displayed prominently on event materials and in slideshow
Company stand-up banner displayed by stage
Verbal sponsorship recognition at event
Opportunity to have a table at the event to showcase organization
8 complimentary Summit tickets for your team

$750 Lunchtime Learning Sponsor (one available)

Opportunity to provide brief remarks over the lunch hour
Business logo displayed on event materials and prominently on lunch tables
Company stand-up banner displayed by stage
6 complimentary Summit tickets for your team

$500 Coffee & Conversation Sponsor - Thank you, Visit Duluth!

Business logo displayed on event materials and by breakfast items
Company stand-up banner displayed at registration
4 complimentary Summit tickets for your team

$400 Equity Sponsor

Business logo displayed on event materials and in slideshow
2 complimentary Summit tickets for your team

If you are interested in sponsoring the Summit, please reach out to ahagen@duluthchamber.com.

Connect @ Clyde - Carrie Clement, Executive Director, Resource Renew 2/10/2026 11:45 AM - 2/10/2026 1:00 PM

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:48:39 GMT

Join us for the first Connect @ Clyde of the year on Tuesday, February 10^th to hear from Carrie Clement, Executive Director of Resource Renew.

Clean water is the foundation of our community— from families and businesses to education and economic growth. Since 1978, we have transformed a once-polluted river into a pristine resource, protecting public health and supporting growth across our 500-square-mile service area. That success, however, has also made our work less visible. Public funding and support for clean water continues to diminish even as our infrastructure ages and critical assets reach the end of their useful life. While we maintain a strategic capital improvement plan, the scale of need continues to grow. Without continued investment, communities face rising rates or the risk of costly emergency repairs and service limitations. This moment calls for renewed attention to the vital, ongoing work required to protect clean water for generations to come.

Don’t miss out on an update from a vital organization in our region. Sponsored by our friends at LHB, Inc.

Fuse Duluth Presents: The "Ready for the Real World" Series 2/11/2026 4:30 PM - 2/11/2026 7:00 PM

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:53:36 GMT

Fuse Duluth & UMD Career Center Present: The "Ready for the Real World" Series

As the Duluth Chamber’s young professionals initiative, Fuse Duluth has spent the past 21 years dedicated to connecting and empowering emerging leaders in the community. Committed to professional development, networking, and community involvement, Fuse aims to recruit and retain young talent as well as cultivate the next generation of business leaders in Duluth.

With this mission in mind, Fuse Duluth and the UMD Career Center are excited to bring back the second annual “Ready for the Real World Series", continuing our commitment to preparing local university students for professional success. During this special preparatory workshop before local university career fairs begin, students will learn real-life career skills such as interviewing tactics, personal branding, professional email verbiage, negotiation skills, and how to effectively network. The event will feature short skills presentations, mock interviews, résumé/online profiles review, and roundtable discussions with industry professionals.

This event is FREE for any local university students to attend - including UMD, Lake Superior College, College of St. Scholastica, UWS, Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, and Northwood Technical College.

Sponsorships Now Available

$1,000 Presenting Sponsor (one available)
Opportunity to provide a 10 minute skills-centered presentation during the event
Logo displayed prominently on event webpage & materials
Company marketing collateral displayed prominently at event
Roundtable sponsorship included
Access to attendee list at end of event

$500 Roundtable Sponsor
Lead a roundtable discussion for students based on select industry or career skills
Company marketing collateral available at table
Opportunity to share open job positions with students at the roundtable

If you are a local employer and are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to ahagen@duluthchamber.com for more information.

Fuse Duluth Presents The "Ready for the Real World" Series - Student Registration 2/11/2026 4:30 PM - 2/11/2026 7:00 PM

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:01:43 GMT

Fuse Duluth & UMD Career Center Present: The "Ready for the Real World" Series

Schedule of Events
4:30-5:00 Networking/Student Arrival/Refreshments
5:00 Presentation by Presenting Sponsor
5:15 Roundtables Begin
7:00 Departure

Finally Fridays Networking Event - Brightwater Health 2/27/2026 7:30 AM - 2/27/2026 9:00 AM

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:22:31 GMT

Finally Fridays: Morning Networking Events to Elevate Your Profile

Finally Fridays is the Chamber’s morning social series which provides guests the opportunity to start their day with professional accompaniment, breakfast beverages, and snacks. Join us at this special Finally Fridays hosted by Brightwater Health to learn more about the critical work they do for mental health in our community.

In lieu of a registration fee, the Duluth Chamber team will collect cash donations at the door that will go directly to support Brightwater's local Outreach Centers, providing services, meals, social activities, free-stores & more to our community members in need. Credit card donations will also be accepted. A $5 minimum donation is encouraged.

About the Host
We are the Northland’s largest mental health and recovery services provider for the last 85+ years.

Formerly the Human Development Center (HDC), Brightwater Health was established in 1938 as a nonprofit community mental health center, created to support individuals and families across the Northland facing mental health challenges. More than 80 years later, our mission remains clear: to foster hope, resilience, and recovery by providing integrated, culturally respectful mental health and addiction services—every single day.

Today, Brightwater Health is the largest community mental health provider in Northern Minnesota, delivering coordinated care for people of all ages across Carlton, Lake, and St. Louis counties in Minnesota, and Douglas County in Wisconsin. Our services have grown to meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve—while keeping accessibility at the heart of everything we do.