Whether an ad in eNews or a top-level sponsorship, we offer a variety of opportunities that fit all types and sizes of businesses.
Your investment not only helps advance your business, but supports our organization’s many facets of work, from hosting high-profile events to offering critical resources, information, and more.
A ribbon cutting is a ceremony marking the official opening of a new site, new leadership, recently remodeled or renovated business, or anniversary milestone. Ribbon cuttings can either serve as a grand opening on a business’s first day of operation, or it can be weeks after a business’s soft opening.
A business qualifies for a ribbon cutting with the Greater Mankato Growth Ambassadors if it has:
Or if it is celebrating:
A groundbreaking is a traditional ceremony to mark the first day of construction or renovation.
Visit from the Greater Mankato Ambassadors (committee of volunteers from over 40 local businesses)
Promotional post on Greater Mankato Growth social media
Feature in Minnesota Valley Business Magazine
Gold shovels (upon request)
Inviting local officials to your groundbreaking (upon request)
You qualify for a Groundbreaking with the Greater Mankato Growth Ambassadors if your business is planning to break ground on a new building, start expansion, or renovation.
Promote your business and special offers in the Member-2-Member section of our eNews, emailed every Tuesday to approximately 2,600 member business representatives. Our eNews average open rate is 42% which is higher than the industry average.
eNews Ad: $85*
There is a limit of three consecutive ads from the same business. Political advertisements, talent, membership, fundraising, or sponsorship solicitation are not allowed. GMG reserves the right to refuse any submissions.
To learn more, please reach out to Ines Wingert.
Sign up for a weekly Member Monday feature to get exposed to over 7,000 followers of the GMG Facebook page. Provide a short blurb about your business and we’ll share it along with a Member Monday graphic. The same week, we will share a post of your choice from your business’s Facebook page.
One Facebook Feature: $50
Political advertisements, talent, membership, fundraising, or sponsorship solicitation are not allowed. GMG reserves the right to refuse any submissions.
To learn more, please reach out to Ines Wingert.
A member mailing list includes an up-to-date list of mailing addresses (not emails) of all current member businesses or representatives (over 900 individuals). Good for one use only; prior approval of mailers is required. Mailers may include, but are not limited to, critical business or organization info, current events, hot marketplace topics. Political advertisements, talent, membership, fundraising, or sponsorship solicitation are not allowed. GMG reserves the right to refuse any submissions.
Primary Contact List: $150
To learn more, please reach out to Ines Wingert.
Greater Mankato Growth members receive a premium discount for advertising in the annual Guide to Visiting and Living in Greater Mankato, displayed at Minnesota travel information centers, Greater Mankato high-traffic kiosks, events, hotels, and universities, as well as distributed to visitors and relocating residents. To learn more and to sign up, please contact Jordan Greer at The Mankato Free Press.
Take advantage of the opportunity to share your business news on the Member News page on our website at no extra cost. By sharing business news stories, we lift up the visibility and awareness of a diverse scope of sectors and inform the public of the successes and advancements in our region. Business news may include, but are not limited to, press releases, company-wide news, and employee recognition.
Political advertisements, talent, membership, fundraising, or sponsorship solicitation are not allowed. GMG reserves the right to refuse any submissions.
Email us your Member News submissions.
Contribute as an author on the Greater Mankato Growth’s blog, which receives about 4,300 page views a month. Elaborate on current events or hot marketplace topics, send us your important messages for the local business community, and share your expertise for all to see.
Political advertisements, talent, membership, fundraising, or sponsorship solicitation are not allowed. GMG reserves the right to refuse any submissions.
Email us your Member Guest Blog content.
Share your electronic coupons and offers with a variety of audiences at no extra cost: just log into the member portal and add your offerings to our website.
Business After Hours, a series of monthly events, is a great opportunity for our members and their employees to connect and visit with one another in an informal atmosphere. These events are hosted by a different member business each month. Monthly hosts provide hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and entertainment, if desired. Projected attendance: 200
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,500
Monthly Host: $1,000
Registration closes on November 1, 2023.
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
The Advocacy Forum Series brings together compelling speakers and business leaders for a discussion of timely and relevant political and policy issues over breakfast or lunch. Sponsoring this event series puts your business in front of regional business leaders and elected officials. Projected attendance is 40-60 per forum.
2024 Schedule:
Series Sponsorship: $1,500
Food/beverage Sponsorship: $250/event or equivalent in food and/or beverages for 40-60 people
To learn more, please reach out to Andy Wilke.
What’s Brewing? is a relaxed, interactive event that brings together people who are kind of a big deal to discuss topics that impact our daily lives. Special guests include local government officials, industry experts, and other movers and shakers throughout the region. You won’t want to miss the chance to grab a brew (locally brewed beer in the evenings and favorite caffeinated beverages in the morning) and join us for these events. Topics may include What’s Brewing in Our Schools, What’s Brewing in Our Cities, or What’s Brewing in Healthcare. Projected attendance: 100 per event.
Event Sponsorship: $500
Please reach out to Andy Wilke if you have any questions about this sponsorship opportunity.
The Annual Meeting brings together the business community as Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. shares the previous year’s accomplishments and celebrates our vision for the future. At this event, Greater Mankato Growth, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership, and GreenSeam recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership through service and contributed to the betterment of our community. Expected attendance is 400, including area business leaders, dignitaries, and members of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. boards of directors.
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,000
Lunch Sponsorship: $1,500
Event Sponsorship: $1,000
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Greater Mankato on the Green is an annual fundraiser golf tournament that provides a first-class opportunity for GMG members to network and socialize with other golfers, sponsors, and spectators while enjoying 18 holes of golf.
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,000
(2-year commitment at $3,000/year)
Flag Sponsorship: $2,000
(2-year commitment at $2,000/year)
Golf Cart Sponsorship: $2,000
Beverage Cart Sponsorship: $2,000
(2-year commitment at $2,000/year)
After Golf Social Sponsorship: $2,000
(2-year commitment at $2,000/year)
Post-tournament social, located indoors and on Clubhouse deck and seating area, near the 18th green. Sponsorship includes a live musician on the patio after the tournament.
Snack Cart Sponsorship: $1,500
R&R Station Sponsorship: $1,000
Brunch Sponsorship: $750
Leaderboard and bar Sponsorship: $500
Hole Sponsorship: $375
One Team of Four Golfers: $780
Individual Golfer: $195
Additional Spectator Passes: $40 ($20 for sponsors)
All spectators granted entry at 1 pm. Dinner included with the pass.
Each sponsor receives first right of refusal for the next year’s tournament.
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
The Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame is a premier business event and a time when Greater Mankato Growth, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership, and GreenSeam honor outstanding businesses, professionals, and organizations within the Greater Mankato community. Event sponsors support the growth of area businesses and receive exposure to more than 400 event attendees and thousands more via extensive pre and post-event promotion.
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,000/member or $4,000/non-member
Dinner Sponsorship: $2,000/member or $3,000/non-member
Event Sponsorship: $1,500/member or $2,000/non-members
Video Sponsorship: $3,000 in-kind value for video production
Table Sponsorship: $850/members or $950/non-members
Single ticket to the event: $85
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Put your business in front of area’s current and emerging leaders by sponsoring Greater Mankato Leadership Institute, which has been offering a comprehensive leadership training with a personal, professional, and community focus for over 40 years.
Program Sponsorship: $1,500
To learn more, please reach out to Shannon Gullickson.
The Member Showcase Online Auction returns for its second year, presenting a wonderful opportunity for all Greater Mankato Growth members to promote their business or organization while supporting GMG programs. In 2023, the Auction featured nearly 100 member businesses. Previously part of our golf tournament, the auction was expanded to include more members and a larger audience of bidders.
Participation Rules
Business Logo on Main Auction Page: $50
(10 available)
Featured items: $50
(10 available)
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp or Shannon Gullickson.
This program provides networking opportunities to professionals age 21-40 through a series of social, professional development, and community engagement events. Sponsoring Young Professionals put your business in front of 180 emerging community leaders, as well as thousands of individuals interested in developing, retaining, and connecting talent in our community.
Program Sponsorship: $1,500
Event Sponsorship: $400/event or equivalent in food or beverages for 30 – 60 people
YP Annual Meeting Sponsorship: $600 or equivalent in food, beverages, or space for 70-100 people
Holiday Party Sponsorship: $600 or equivalent in food, beverages, or space for 70-100 people
To learn more, please reach out to Crystal Olson.
The DEI Collaborative supports area leaders in developing the skills, mindsets, and networks needed to drive inclusive change for greater equity within their organizations.
Presenting Sponsorship: $5,000
Small Business and Nonprofit Scholarship Sponsorship: $3,000*
*supports 50% scholarships for up to 10 small business/nonprofit participants
Supporting Sponsorship: $2,000
Hospitality and Facility Sponsorship: in-kind
Video Production Sponsorship: in-kind
To learn more, please reach out to Shannon Gullickson.
To learn more, please reach out to Shannon Gullickson.
Put your business in front of a diverse audience at this family-friendly music series featuring local food and live music. Engage with over 700 attendees every week in the City Center, including business professionals, families, and area residents.
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,000
(2-year commitment at $3,000/year)
Event Sponsorship: $1,000/members or $1,500/non-members
Supporting Sponsorship: $500/members or $800/non-members
Food Vendor (Member-Exclusive): $400
General Booth: $350/member or $500 non/member
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Put your business in front of thousands of attendees at this family-friendly social gathering featuring bold music selections and local food. Alive After 5 attracts business professionals, families, and area residents to the City Center on a weekly basis every August.
Presenting Sponsorship: $4,000
(2-year commitment at $4,000/year)
Event Sponsorship: $1,000/member or $1,500/non-member
Supporting Sponsorship: $500/members or $800/non-members
Food Vendor (Member-Exclusive): $400
General Booth: $350/member or $500/non-member
To learn more, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, a program of City Center Partnership and Twin Rivers Council for the Arts, provides a year-round professional sculpture exhibit, featuring various styles, types, and sizes of sculptures, from a broad range of local, regional, national, and international artists.
Platinum Sponsorship: $2,500
Bronze Sponsorship: $1,250
3-year sponsorship commitment: 10% discount on selected sponsorship rate.
For questions and to sign up for sponsorship, email Crystal Olson.
The Bonus Gift Card program provides an incentive for the community to show love and support for our local businesses in City Center Mankato and North Mankato.
Let It Glow, Kato! helps promote City Center Mankato and North Mankato by encouraging businesses to decorate for the holiday season.
To learn more about these City Center Partnership initiatives, please contact us at this email.
The Mankato Marathon tradition started in 2010 with an amazing 2,200 runners. The ten-year anniversary was celebrated with 4,100 runners and more than 8.000 spectators in 2019. This year, the Marathon will celebrate its 15th year.
In 2022, runners from 30 states participated in the Mankato Marathon, with 78% of them residing in Minnesota. There were more women (61%) then men in the races and the average age of runners was 30-49.
The Mankato Marathon offers a la carte sponsorship options, Expo booth options, and volunteers opportunities for the weekend.
Sponsor Benefits, Based on Level:
To find out how your business can get involved or to learn more about the Mankato Marathon, email Joy Leafblad.
Celebration of Ag is an annual event that celebrates the success of agriculture and GreenSeam’s accomplishments of the year, all while offering a networking opportunity with key ag leaders in an informal atmosphere. Your sponsorship puts your business in front of leaders in the GreenSeam, as well as the general public, and supports GreenSeam’s mission to elevate our region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter.
Signature Sponsorship: $3,500
Food and Beverage Sponsorship: $1,500
Gate Sponsorship: $1,000
Program/Table Sponsorship: $750
Ag is Everywhere Sponsorship: $500
Activity Sponsorship: $500*
* Must provide an activity
Complimentary Booth Setup for GreenSeam Investors:
To take advantage of these opportunities, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Rural forum is GreenSeam’s premier annual reception and dinner event connecting public leaders and a wide range of attendees from the agricultural sector, such as producers, manufacturers, educators, researchers, and more. Your sponsorship puts your business in front of leaders in the GreenSeam and other attendees, and supports GreenSeam’s mission to elevate our region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter.
Presenting Sponsorship: $6,000
Dinner Sponsorship: $4,000
Reception Sponsorship: $3,500
Student Sponsorship: $2,000
Name Badge/Lanyard Sponsorship: $1,500
Program Sponsorship: $1,000
Table Sponsorship: $600
Door Prize Sponsorship: $500*
* Must provide door prize (value $500+)
To take advantage of these opportunities, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
As a member of Greater Mankato Growth, you are joining nearly 1,000 other businesses to accomplish what no business could ever do alone.
Whether you are a small business owner, representative of a large firm, or entrepreneur starting your own company, we offer targeted benefits, valuable resources, and unparalleled support that will help you grow your business. Our regional chamber represents Mankato, North Mankato, and surrounding areas.
To register for marketing opportunities, login to your membership portal account.
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