We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all Greater Mankato Growth members who recently took the time to complete our membership survey. Your input is invaluable in helping us understand the needs and priorities of our business community. By sharing your feedback, you help us shape programs, events, and initiatives that better support your growth and success. 

One of the key takeaways from the survey worth highlighting is that more than 90% of survey respondents said that it is extremely or somewhat important for GMG to be a “catalyst for business growth and strengthening the local economy.” This greatly reinforces our mission at GMG to promote and support the economic growth and vitality of our members and the regional marketplace. We are thankful for your trust and support as members, which helps drive growth for your business or organization and for our entire regional economy. 

The results of the survey reveal some additional insights, such as: 

Networking and Community Engagement are top priorities. The most frequently cited reasons for membership and valued benefits are networking opportunities, business exposure, and contributing to the success of the community or region. These themes consistently appear across multiple questions, indicating that members highly value connections and community impact. 

• More than 70% of survey respondents cited “Networking Opportunities” as their top reason for being a member of GMG. 

Events drive engagement. Business After Hours is the most attended event. Responses show strong interest in GMG events, professional development programs, and advocacy forums. This suggests that event-based activities are central to member engagement and satisfaction. 

• 80% of survey respondents said they were “very” or “somewhat” engaged. 

Workforce and Business Climate Are Major Challenges. The most significant challenges reported include workforce recruitment/retention and navigating business climate issues such as regulations and legislative policy. These concerns are echoed in the areas where members want GMG to focus its efforts, highlighting the need for continued support in workforce development and advocacy. 

• More than 30% of survey respondents rated “Advocacy and Legislative Support” as their top member benefit. 

These results reinforce much of the work that we are currently doing related to our marquee events like Business After Hours and Advocacy Forums, or programs, such as Leadership Institute, Young Professionals, and more. But there is more work to be done, and we must always be evaluating our programs and events to ensure they are delivering value to our members.  

Some of the changes we have made in the last year include: 

Ambassadors. Our new Ambassador program combines the previous Ambassadors and Cavaliers into one unified group that includes nearly 100 volunteers (thank you!). The Ambassadors are focused on celebrating GMG members with ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and more. They play a big role in our monthly Business After Hours and work hard behind the scenes recruiting and connecting with new members, supporting GMG events, and promoting the mission of GMG overall. GMG would not be what it is today without these incredible volunteers. 

Chamber Lunch. This new event series has been exciting to see grow. A blend of networking and “bite-sized” professional development, we have seen this four-part series sell out two of three months so far in 2025. In 2026, we are growing this into a bi-monthly, six-part series that gives GMG members the exclusive opportunity to network, stay in the know about our region, and grow as a professional.  

Young Professionals. GMG’s Young Professionals program is the largest YP program in the state of Minnesota. There are nearly 200 YPs who participate in two events monthly, one social and one professional development. As a cornerstone of our focus on talent, this program helps support the retention of talent in the greater Mankato region, a key part of our mission at GMG and a pillar of the Transforming Tomorrow Together regional plan.  

Opportunities. The survey also revealed some areas that we can continue to improve:  

• Support for small businesses is critical. The vast majority of our members are small businesses, and they represent the foundation of our organization’s work. We must ensure that the work we do is viewed through the lens of supporting small businesses. 

• ROI. Value is an important part of membership. Your investment in GMG is not a gift; it is a contract. You expect a return on that investment. Some member benefits will be tangible (business exposure, leads, talent development, etc.), while others may be harder to see. Supporting and promoting a healthy and thriving business environment is not always easy to see on the bottom line, but GMG is focused on ensuring that the entire business community thrives. 

• Connections. Helping people connect to build strong, productive relationships is important. Breaking up the usual pattern and creating space for new connections can bring greater success to more people. 

What’s next? 

In 2026, we will continue to provide value for our members through our programs, events, and other offerings. Some new items to highlight: 

Coffee & Connection. This bi-monthly networking event will take place on Fridays. It will give members another opportunity to connect and do business. According to the survey results, networking opportunities are a top priority for our members.  

GMG Business Excellence Series. This new series will give member businesses the opportunity to showcase their expertise through engaging presentations on topics they know best. These 90-minute workshops are designed to address the core functions of running a business. 

Chamber Board. Earlier this year, the GMG, Inc. board of directors adopted a “chamber charter” that would create a board of directors. This new board will be very valuable in providing renewed focus and clarity on the core functions of the chamber of commerce including membership, programs, events, and more, to ensure there is member value and a return on investment for members and the marketplace. 

We are grateful for your continued engagement. Member feedback helps us refine our offerings and ensure that GMG delivers a strong return on investment. As we move forward, we remain committed to serving our members, advocating for their success, and strengthening the Greater Mankato region. Thank you for your trust and support as we head into 2026.  

Andy Wilke
Executive Vice President
Greater Mankato Growth