Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Events Newswire

The Duluth Blueprint: Building the City We Imagine 4/28/2026 7:30 AM - 4/28/2026 4:30 PM

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:13:51 GMT

**Registration closed on 4/21 - Email Aubrey Hagen at ahagen@duluthchamber.com to check on remaining availability**

The Duluth Blueprint: Building the City We Imagine
In Partnership with Northspan

After years of success with the Zenith Digital Marketing Conference, Fuse Duluth is elevating its vision with a next-generation event: The Duluth Blueprint. This new chapter amplifies the Fuse mission—developing young leaders to strengthen our community—by bringing together the voices shaping Duluth’s future.

Picture a city with thriving businesses, vibrant communities, and leaders driving meaningful change. Now imagine yourself at the center of it. The Duluth Blueprint is more than a conference; it’s a full-day experience where for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, and young professionals come together to turn ideas into action.

Explore three immersive breakout tracks:

Blueprint for Growth – For small businesses, entrepreneurs, and corporate teams. Unlock strategies to strengthen operations, scale effectively, and fuel long-term success.
Blueprint for Impact – For nonprofits, mission-driven organizations, and civic leaders. Learn how to build sustainable funding, measure what matters, and drive meaningful change.
Blueprint for Leadership – For young professionals and emerging leaders. Gain clarity, confidence, and connections to chart your career path and expand your influence.

Discover the Duluth Expo: Following the event, visit the Expo to meet local businesses, innovative startups, and community organizations shaping the future of the city. Network, explore new tools and resources, and connect with potential partners who can help bring your ideas to life.

Introducing the Morning Keynote

Collaboration Unlocked: Six Characteristics of Leaders Who Shape Cities
Dan Collison, Senior Director of Business Development and Public Affairs at Sherman Associates

Dan Collison is the Senior Director of Business Development and Public Affairs for Sherman Associates. In his role Collison assists the development team in advancing new project proposals and originations as well as connecting the company with the communities where development projects are built, owned and operated.

As a business and civic leader Collison has been instrumental in catalyzing affordable housing, safety-net social services, new inclusive business growth and forging strategic collaborations between diverse business, non-profit and civic leaders alongside the emerging residential communities of downtown Minneapolis. Collison serves on several community organizational boards in the markets where Sherman Associates is active leveraging Collison’ holistic and inclusive leadership style developed over 35 years of professional work in the business, fine arts, non-profit and religious sectors.

Collison is a Humphrey School of Public Policy Fellow, the 2022 AIA Minnesota Collaborative Achievement Award winner, and a 2015 recipient of Minnesota Business magazine’s (Real) Power 50 awards, an annual list of 50 remarkable business leaders. In 2010 Metro Magazine listed him in the “Top 100” List of people, places, and things making a positive impact in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region. Additionally, in 2020, Collison was named one of the Twin Cities’ Unsung Heroes by City Pages.

Duluth Blueprint Conference Agenda

Time

Blueprint for Growth – Supported by ImOn Communications

for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and corporate teams

Blueprint for Impact – Supported by Boreal Waters Community Foundation

for nonprofits, mission-driven organizations, and civic leaders

Blueprint for Leadership

for young professionals and emerging leaders

7:30 – 8:15 AM

8:15 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

8:30 – 9:15 AM

Opening Keynote
Collaboration Unlocked: Six Characteristics of Leaders Who Shape Cities

Dan Collison, Sherman Associates

9:30 – 10:15 AM

The State of Digital Marketing: Trends Shaping Growth in 2026

Lawrence Trujillo, ThinkBIG Digital Marketing

Community Engagement Lab: Volunteer Strategies That Work

Erin Grabinger & Sara Niemi, Head of the Lakes United Way

Networking & Mentorship for Career Growth

Zack Filipovich, Northspan

10:30 – 11:15 AM

AI for Operations: Streamlining Complex Workflows

Vicki Hagberg, Northland SBDC

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Partnerships That Scale Impact

Elissa Hansen, Northspan & Janie Dunckley Moore, Brico Works

Career Roadmap Lab: Define Your Path & Own Your Growth

Betsy Hill, Duluth Workforce Development

11:30 AM –

12:15 PM

Creative Finance Strategies for Sustainable Growth

Sandi Larson, Entrepreneur Fund

Data & Measurement: Proving Your Impact

Carson Gorecki, MN DEED

Own Your Brand: Strategic Personal Branding & Career Visibility

Shelly Peterson, Promoting Me, Inc.

12:15 – 1:15 PM

Lunch and Networking – Table Discussions Led by the DAWN Advisory Committee

1:30 – 2:15 PM

Story Infrastructure: Building the Systems that Scale Revenue

Annie Harala & Kevin Jacobsen, Story North

Beyond One-Time Grants: How Charitable Funds Support Nonprofits

Jessica Peterson & Amber Burns, Boreal Waters Community Foundation

Leadership Starts on the Inside: Skills Every Emerging Leader Needs for Clarity, Boundaries, and Impact

Elsie Storm, Turning Life Gold

2:30 – 3:15 PM

Marketing Hack Lab: DIY Tools for Teams of Any Size

Molly Solberg, MAS Marketing

Driving Community Outcomes: Lessons Learned

Zane Bail, Northland Foundation

Young Leaders Roundtable: Lessons from the Field

Matt Lunde, Chair of the Fuse Duluth Leadership Council

3:30 – 4:30 PM

Collaboration That Moves Duluth Forward Panel
Moderated by Elissa Hansen, Northspan

Panelists:
ChaQuana Carter, Family Rise Together
Andrea Crouse, Zeitgeist
Hadrian DeMaioribus, Dovetail Café & Marketplace
James Gittemeier, City of Duluth
Breanne Tepler, Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund

4:30 PM

Duluth Blueprint Expo & Networking Reception Opens

Duluth Blueprint Conference Sponsorships Now Available

Community Builder $450

Includes:

Exhibitor table at the Duluth Blueprint Expo
One full-day conference + Expo pass ($199 value)
Clickable logo on Duluth Blueprint event page
Logo included on promotional materials and sponsor signage at the Expo
Inclusion in printed event materials

Blueprint Partner $900 (Limited Availability - Blueprint for Leadership Still Available)

Includes everything in Community Builder, plus:

Alignment with one event track: Blueprint for Growth, Impact, or Leadership
Track Supported by ____________
Two full-day conference + Expo passes ($398 value)
Verbal sponsor recognition during the track welcome and opening remarks
Priority Expo booth placement
Logo recognition on track signage

Impact Champion $1500

Includes everything in Blueprint Partner, plus:

Four full-day conference + Expo passes ($796 value)
Premier Expo booth placement
Elevated logo placement on key event marketing materials
Opportunity to provide brief welcome remarks
Dedicated recognition in one pre-event communication and post-event recap

To secure your sponsorship, reach out to ahagen@duluthchamber.com

Commitment to Change DEI Workshop: The Urgency of Awareness 5/5/2026 9:00 AM - 5/5/2026 12:00 Noon

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:48:51 GMT

Commitment to Change Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workshop:
The Urgency of Awareness with Jodi Pfarr

This engaging and enlightening training gives participants deeper awareness and concrete skills to more successfully manage, teach, supervise, support and engage with people of all identities.

Based on the principles in her book The Urgency of Awareness, presenter Jodi Pfarr engages participants to identify the various identities that they hold (such as male, female, people with and without disabilities, different skin colors, etc.) and examines how these identities impact their daily experiences at work and personal life.

Participants then explore how people who hold different identities may have very different experiences at work and in life – and how vital it is to acknowledge these valuable, different perspectives.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

Define the Societal System and the normalization that occurs within it.
Identify where they have been part of a normalized group and where they have not – and then reflect on how those experiences impacted their perspective and interactions at their job.
Review the complexities that occur within a Societal System geared toward normalized dominant identities. As these complexities are defined and better understood, participants will comprehend how these complexities impact individual and organizational interactions and success.
Learn practical tools applicable for use at the individual, organizational and community level.

Trainings offer participants keys to improve individual interactions as well as concrete tools to improve policies and practices in organizations. Organizations who incorporate these learnings into their workplace and continue with this work long-term will begin to make changes that allow the work culture to increase its collective belonging for employees. When employees feel and live out of a place of collective belonging, there will be an increase in creativity, retention and workplace satisfaction.

Commitment to Change is a collaborative effort between Lake Superior College and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce to build a more inclusive and diverse community through education, resources, opportunities, and partnerships. All workshops are free to attend.

Chamber 101 5/7/2026 4:00 PM - 5/7/2026 5:00 PM

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:51:18 GMT

This Chamber 101 informational happy hour will offer attendees a chance to learn about all the Duluth Chamber has to offer, including information about Chamber events, marketing opportunities, membership benefits, and programming. Attendees will receive a detailed orientation of all things Duluth Chamber-related at this free informational event.

A cash bar will be available. We hope to see you there!

Let's Do Lunch - Dr. David Herman, CEO Essentia Health 5/12/2026 11:30 AM - 5/12/2026 1:00 PM

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:07:56 GMT

Navigating Challenges in Today’s Health Care Environment

Join us at Let’s Do Lunch on Tuesday, May 12^th to hear from Essentia Health’s CEO David Herman, MD, for a timely conversation about the challenges confronting today’s health care environment. He will review the current pressures affecting health care locally and nationwide, including reimbursement shortfalls, regulatory changes, and the rising cost of insurance. Dr. Herman will highlight Essentia’s innovative approach to these issues and discuss ways to work together to support healthier, more vibrant communities. Thank you to our friends at Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. for sponsoring the luncheon.

Duluth Chamber New Member Mixer: Presented by ImOn Communications 5/13/2026 4:30 PM - 5/13/2026 6:30 PM

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:58:03 GMT

Each year the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes over 100 new members to its network of 1,000 member businesses and non-profits. This special event, hosted at the St. Louis County Depot Great Hall, will bring together the Chamber’s newest and long-time Chamber members for a wonderful networking-filled spring evening. The New Member Mixer will offer attendees a chance to network with other business professionals, sample delicious cuisine from local restaurants and caterers, enjoy DJ music, visit sponsor booths, and win prizes.

About the Presenting Sponsor

Headquartered in Iowa, ImOn Communications is a leading regional broadband provider, delivering fiber Internet, TV, and phone services to homes and businesses throughout the Midwest. www.imon.net

Exclusive sponsorships for this event are now available. Contact Aubrey Hagen, Director of Membership Development, at ahagen@duluthchamber.com to secure your sponsorship.

Full Booth Sponsor $300

Name/logo on all printed and electronic promotional materials | 6’ table at event to showcase business | Signage at event | Complimentary tickets to event for employees

Half Booth Sponsor $150

Name/logo on all printed and electronic promotional materials | Share 6’ table with another organization at event to showcase business (3’ space) | Signage at event | Complimentary tickets to event for employees

Restaurant/Food Truck/Beverage Sponsor – In-Kind

Market restaurant by serving appetizers or desserts | Provide non-alcoholic beverage or coffee samples | Name listed in printed and electronic material | 6' table at event to showcase business and serve | Signage at event | Complimentary tickets to event for employees

Member Marquee – In-Kind

Donate a prize for the New Member Mixer and your business name & logo will be displayed on the exclusive “Member Marquee” wall. Attendees pay $20 to receive a mystery prize.

*The New Member Mixer networking event is $5 at the door for members, $10 at the door for non-members.*

Ignite Your Fuse Experiential Luncheon - The Bridge Cocktail Room 5/21/2026 12:00 Noon - 5/21/2026 1:00 PM

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:51:47 GMT

Duluth professionals love experience-based learning; that is why the Ignite Your Fuse series is anything but a typical sit-down luncheon. On May 21st, join Fuse Duluth at The Bridge Cocktail Room to learn the story behind one of Canal Park's most iconic cocktail bars.

The Bridge Cocktail Room is the collaboration of Jeffrey Zervas and Cullin Johns, two friends with a shared dream and a dash of imagination. Born from late-night conversations and "what if" moments, our little corner of Canal Park is where their vision of the perfect night out came to life.

With years of experience in food and beverage between them, Jeffrey and Cullin wanted to create something truly special. They imagined a place where craft cocktails flow freely, where the food is as adventurous as the drinks, and where everyone feels like they've just walked into their favorite living room (albeit a pretty cool one with a fully stocked bar).

The result? A space that's as eclectic as it is inviting. At The Bridge, we believe in quality, experience, and being approachable - because great nights out should be for everyone. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or just looking for a good time, you'll find your place here.

And about that name? Well, we're not just inspired by Duluth's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge (though it's a pretty awesome neighbor). We like to think we're building bridges too - between old school and new cool, between craft and comfort, between you and your next favorite drink.

So come on in and let Jeffrey, Cullin, and the whole Bridge crew show you what happens when passion, creativity, and a whole lot of personality walk into a bar.

Your admission also includes a delicious box lunch and time to network with fellow attendees following the program. We hope to see you there!

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

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 20:12:12 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.

2025-2026 Leadership Duluth Graduation 6/3/2026 3:00 PM - 6/3/2026 5:00 PM

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:29:29 GMT

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to the Leadership Duluth Class of 2026 Graduation Celebration.

3:00pm Social with Beverages & Appetizers

4:00pm Program

5:00pm Conclusion

Free for Graduates

$20 per Guest

Let's Do Lunch - Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director, Visit Duluth 6/9/2026 11:30 AM - 6/9/2026 1:00 PM

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:18:07 GMT

Join us for Let's Do Lunch featuring Haley Hedstrom, Executive Director, Visit Duluth.