Chamber Membership

The Chamber Ambassadors are an elite group of volunteer business men and women that support member attraction and retention through specific activities. The committee’s mission is “to represent the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau in welcoming new members to the Chamber, encouraging member involvement on committees and at events and, as they do so, to make themselves and their firms more visible.”

How can you become an Ambassador and what does it entail?

• Objective: Engage members through personal contact.
• Requirements: You must be a member in good standing with the Chamber.
• Time Commitment: We are relaxed but still have a guideline of 5 hours a month and 10 ribbon cuttings a year.
• Meetings: We meet every 3rd Thursday of the Month.
• Apply by: Submitting your application to Info@HudsonWI.org.

Annual Celebration Committee
Purpose: Annual event held in January to celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year, recognize new and outgoing board members, review the Plan of Action for the upcoming year, and present awards for Small & Large Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Community Volunteer, Manufacturer of the Year, and the Marie Blakeman Award

• Member criteria: Past award winners and those interested in planning this annual event
• Meetings: September - January

Golf Tournament Committee
Purpose: Assist in planning the annual June golf tournament, a networking opportunity for members, and a fundraiser for the Chamber

• Member criteria: Love the game of golf!
• Meetings: January - June

Hilltop Pumpkin Party & Rotary Halloween Parade Committee
Purpose: This annual October community event is a FREE family fun outdoor event featuring wagon rides, pumpkin patch, kid’s costume contest, bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, EMS and Fire Department vehicles; Chamber members can purchase booth space at the event to highlight their businesses

• Member criteria: Members of the Connections & Coffee Committee
• Meetings: July - October

Hudson Christmas Tour of Homes Committee
Purpose: The annual November tour showcases four privately-owned homes and the historic Octagon House to more than 1,500 tour attendees; this committee identifies homes to be showcased and assists homeowners as they prepare for the event;

• An additional sub-committee focuses on helping decorate the homes the week prior to the tour
• Member criteria: Interest in helping homeowners decorate their homes
• Meetings: June - November

Hudson Community Expo Committee
Purpose: Assist in planning the Hudson Community Expo, an annual opportunity for businesses and organizations to display and sell their products/services to attendees from the community.

• Member criteria: Chamber member with interest in community events
• Meetings: Every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. starting in late fall through May

Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival Committee
Purpose: Coordinates a fall festival each September for more than 9,000 attendees that features a large juried art fair, retail shops, businesses, community organizations, and restaurants as well as promotions, entertainment, and events for the entire family.

• Member criteria: Members who love the arts and entertainment
• Meetings: March - September

Ambassadors

Purpose: Supports member attraction and retention through new member visits, member retention calls, and hosting at Chamber events.

• Member criteria: Be a member of the Chamber and be a member in good standing.
• Meetings: Third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m.
• Chair: Amy Hauser, Leitch-McSorley Insurance Agency

Chamber Foundation

Purpose: The philanthropic branch of the Chamber of Commerce with a focus on advancing education and workforce development initiatives within the Hudson and surrounding area.

• Meetings: Monthly
• Chair, Kathy Ableidinger, Cardinal Health

Community Affairs Committee

Purpose: Focuses on issues that impact the business community and matters of public interest/importance. It also brings people and organizations together around issues that matter to our economic competitiveness including workforce development, education, transportation and workforce housing.

• Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 11 a.m.
• Chair, Chris Kost, YMCA in Hudson

Connections & Coffee

Purpose: Promote a healthy business climate by providing a venue for promotions and communication among business owners/managers to exchange ideas and issues unique to their business. A member business is highlighted each month.

• Member criteria: All members welcome!
• Meetings: First Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m.
• Chair, Tava Ellingson, Citizens State Bank

Drive for 5

Purpose: Helps to build the Chamber membership base and win prizes for recruiting members.

• Member criteria: Interest in helping to build the Chamber membership base and win prizes for recruiting new members
• Chair: Angel Duratti, Angel's Pet World

Leadership Hudson Steering Committee

Purpose: Leadership Hudson is the Chamber's premier community leadership program. This committee develops the content and speakers for this 9-month program, creating an opportunity for participants to connect, cultivate and contribute to the community.

• Member Criteria: Must have completed the Leadership Hudson program.
• Meetings: Monthly leading up to the start of the Leadership Hudson Program.
• Chair: Melissa Kraemer, WESTconsin Credit Union

Manufacturer’s Roundtable

Purpose: Provides forums for specific topics, along with exchanging information between member businesses concerning regulatory and operational issues and trends.

• Member criteria: Companies that design, manufacture, assemble, warehouse, or distribute goods and products in the greater Hudson area
• Meetings: Meets bi-monthly
• Co-Chairs: Phil Russo & Jacob Skramstad, Cardinal Glass

Non-Profit Roundtable

Purpose: Offers an opportunity for non-profits to share ideas and strategies as they work to grow their organizations.  Guest speakers present on a variety of topics including communication and fundraising, how to recruit volunteers, and how to increase donors. This committee meets quarterly.

• Chair: Tim Puffer, Operation HELP

Retail/Restaurant Committee

Purpose: Promote a healthy retail climate by providing a venue for promotions and communication among business owners to discuss and exchange ideas on issues unique to the retail/restaurant community.

• Member criteria: Downtown area businesses
• Meetings: Second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m.
• Chair: Rachel Renner, SEASONS Gallery

Service Committee

Purpose: To educate, train, and inspire companies and their employees to exceed the expectations of their clients by providing outstanding customer service.  This committee meets six times per year with three meetings being business tours and three meetings educational focused.

• Co-Chair: AJ Hein, Integrity Cleaners, LLC
• Mark Hein, Integrity Cleaners, LLC - Co-Chair & Board Liaison

Tourism Committee

Purpose: Increase the economic benefits of tourism to the community by marketing the Hudson area to encourage tourists to make Hudson their vacation destination.

• Member criteria: Members who are interested in helping to determine how best to promote the Hudson area and all we have to offer
• Chair: Mark Gherty

Welcome to the Hudson Chamber New Member Orientation

Welcome to the Hudson Chamber is a comprehensive membership orientation. In this session you will learn about the Chamber mission, Member benefits, meetings and networking events, committees, and how to maximize the benefits of your Chamber investment. Attend this orientation to meet the staff and get the facts about how we can serve you and your business.

Leadership Hudson

Leadership Hudson is the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s premier community leadership program. This bi-annual program takes a full day each month, September to June, to bring together emerging leaders from all sectors of the Hudson area. Leadership Hudson is dedicated to providing a comprehensive learning experience that cultivates community leadership while participants explore key community issues and avenues of involvement. To learn more about Leadership Hudson, check out our brochure.

Good Morning Hudson

Join other Chamber members to hear “what’s hot” in the local business community. Program features include special introductions, a business card/networking exchange, updates and a guest speaker.

Sponsorships show your support and raise the visibility of your organization.

The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau views sponsorship as a joint marketing activity involving both the Chamber and a corporate partner. Through sponsorships, the Chamber aims to create and maintain win-win partnerships with our partners. By helping businesses in the area and greater St. Croix Valley area to achieve their marketing objectives through sponsored events, publications and web pages, the Chamber fosters the growth of businesses in our region.

 

Annual Celebration

Annual event held in January to celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year, recognize new and outgoing board members, review the Plan of Action for the upcoming year and present awards for Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Community Volunteer and the Marie Blakeman Award.

Hudson Community Expo 

Opportunity to purchase a booth to display and sell your product/services to attendees from the community and surrounding areas.

Golf Tournament

Chamber members can enjoy a day full of networking with fellow business lead­ers while playing golf at a Chamber Member golf course.

Simply Connect AM/PM

Before-hours or After-hours networking event designed to connect you with member businesses. Hosted at various member locations.

Monthly Newsletter

Got News? Promote your business by submitting a business brief in the members news section of the monthly newsletter. FREE. Have more to say? Purchase advertising in the newsletter sent to the Chamber’s entire distribution list that includes members and key area business leaders.

Membership Directory

Get listed online and in print in the MEMBERS ONLY business directory; included in your membership. Expand your reach by purchasing additional category listings or an ad.  The online directory is available 24/7 for the public to access. Have a website? We’ll link to it directly from our online directory. The printed directory is distributed to your peer Chamber members representatives and key community business leaders.

Relocation Packet

Reach potential customers through this relocation kit, featuring information about housing, businesses, schools and attractions in the Hudson area. This packet is mailed to individuals and families from all over the United States who may relocate to the Hudson area – a great way to tap this market at the very beginning of their relocation process! No fee to participate. Only available to Chamber members.

Rack Cards

Bring in your advertising flyers and business cards for the display racks in the Chamber office; included in your membership.

Ribbon Cuttings

We offer free ribbon-cutting ceremonies for our members! We celebrate Chamber member grand openings, reopenings, remodels, and new ownership.  Celebrations are held during normal business hours and are a great way to network with Chamber staff and representatives from the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee.  We’ll bring the ribbon and BIG scissors and publish the photo of your celebration in a variety of local media and Chamber promotional avenues as well.

Sponsorships

The Chamber sponsors many monthly and annual business/social events aimed at increasing member contacts and fostering involvement in the Chamber.  Sponsoring these events increases your organization’s visibility and promotes your business. Sponsorship opportunities are available in the following program areas: Good Morning Hudson membership meeting, Annual Celebration, Golf Tournament, Have a Hudson Holiday, Hudson Community Expo, Simply Connect AM/PM, Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, and the Chamber Newsletter and Website.

Committees and Task Forces

Make your voice heard by shaping policy, identifying solutions and implementing new programs.  There are volunteer committees in the following areas: Ambassadors, Annual Celebration, Community Affairs, Connections & Coffee, Events & Programs, Hudson Christmas Tour of Homes, Hudson Community Expo, Golf Tournament, Hilltop Pumpkin Party & Rotary Halloween Parade, Manufacturers Roundtable, Membership, Non-Profit Roundtable, Retail/Restaurant, Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, and Tourism.

Tourism Bureau

The Hudson Chamber of Commerce is also the local Tourism Bureau for the Hudson area. We strive to attract tourists to the area through advertising, events, “Stay & Play” packages and itinerary ideas. Countless inquiries about our local activities, schools, businesses, and attractions are answered daily through our office. We send out dining, lodging, and shopping guides, tourism information, county and city maps, relocation packets, brochures, demographic information and special event information that result with more visitors to our area.

Website Advertising

Market your business on the Chamber’s dual purpose websites! You will find a host of marketing opportunities ranging from high traffic/high exposure to market- specific targeted web pages, and everything in-between. If driving consumers to your business is a priority, download the Website Advertising Rate Sheet & Contract and find ways to utilize the marketing opportunities on the Chamber’s business and tourism websites!

Additional Member Services

These services are offered to Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau members exclusively (Please contact the Chamber for more information):

• Business Referrals
• Chamber Checks
• Ambassador Visits
• Social Media
• Member Mailing Labels
• Job Postings
• Online Deals/Coupons