BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260519T163000Z DTEND:20260519T180000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:2026 Chamber Lunch~ May 19th ~ MN Chamber of Commerce DESCRIPTION:The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce\, alongside our local chamber partners\, is launching a major new initiative called economic imperative for growth. The Minnesota Chamber Foundation's 2026 Business Benchmarks require a hard look at our state's economy and challenge us to lead an urgent\, statewide effort to spark an economic turnaround for Minnesota.\n\n \n\nThis initiative recognizes a critical truth: Minnesota's competitive edge is slipping. Rising costs\, heavy regulations\, and workplace challenges are making it harder for businesses to grow and compete. Our goal is to reverse that trend and restore Minnesota's reputation as a leader in economic performance\, innovation and opportunity. Through the economic imperative\, we're putting the private sector at the forefront of driving solutions. This isn't just a conversation about what's wrong it's a call to action for business leaders\, innovators and policymakers to work together and reignite our state's economic momentum. Learn how you can be a part of this conversation. \nSpeaker: Doug Loon\n\n\n\nDoug Loon is President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce\, a position he has held since 2015. The Minnesota Chamber has 6\,300 member companies\, and represents 130 local chambers and 65 business trade associations at the Minnesota Legislature on a variety of issues affecting Minnesota's economy. \n\n\n\nPrior to assuming leadership of the Minnesota Chamber\, he spent 20 years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce\, 17 in Minnesota. He has also served as director of congressional and public affairs at U.S. Chamber headquarters in Washington\, D.C. Before joining the U.S. Chamber staff in 1995\, Mr. Loon was legislative director to Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. \n\n\n\nMr. Loon received his bachelor's degree in government and international affairs from Augustana College in Sioux Falls\, S.D. He is a graduate of the Congressional Research Service's Institute for Legislative Staff as well as the Federal Election Commission's program on campaign finance laws for incorporated trade associations and membership organizations. Mr. Loon is the past chair of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation Board of Directors. He also graduated from Leadership Minnesota\, an exclusive program of the Minnesota Chamber addressing the economic and public policy issues of Minnesota businesses. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce\, alongside our local chamber partners\, is launching a major new initiative called economic imperative for growth. The Minnesota Chamber Foundation&rsquo\;s 2026 Business Benchmarks require a hard look at our state&rsquo\;s economy and challenge us to lead an urgent\, statewide effort to spark an economic turnaround for Minnesota.
\n \;
\nThis initiative recognizes a critical truth: Minnesota&rsquo\;s competitive edge is slipping. Rising costs\, heavy regulations\, and workplace challenges are making it harder for businesses to grow and compete. Our goal is to reverse that trend and restore Minnesota&rsquo\;s reputation as a leader in economic performance\, innovation and opportunity. Through the economic imperative\, we&rsquo\;re putting the private sector at the forefront of driving solutions. This isn&rsquo\;t just a conversation about what&rsquo\;s wrong &ndash\; it&rsquo\;s a call to action for business leaders\, innovators and policymakers to work together and reignite our state&rsquo\;s economic momentum. Learn how you can be a part of this conversation. \; \; \; \;

\nSpeaker: \;Doug Loon
\n
\nDoug Loon is President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce\, a position he has held since 2015. The Minnesota Chamber has 6\,300 member companies\, and represents 130 local chambers and 65 business trade associations at the Minnesota Legislature on a variety of issues affecting Minnesota&rsquo\;s economy. \; \;
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\nPrior to assuming leadership of the Minnesota Chamber\, he spent 20 years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce\, 17 in Minnesota. He has also served as director of congressional and public affairs at U.S. Chamber headquarters in Washington\, D.C. Before joining the U.S. Chamber staff in 1995\, Mr. Loon was legislative director to Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. \; \;
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\nMr. Loon received his bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in government and international affairs from Augustana College in Sioux Falls\, S.D. He is a graduate of the Congressional Research Service&rsquo\;s Institute for Legislative Staff as well as the Federal Election Commission&rsquo\;s program on campaign finance laws for incorporated trade associations and membership organizations. Mr. Loon is the past chair of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation Board of Directors. He also graduated from Leadership Minnesota\, an exclusive program of the Minnesota Chamber addressing the economic and public policy issues of Minnesota businesses.
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\nSee related image detail. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Careers and Employment | Minnesota ... LOCATION:Monticello Community Center UID:e.1243.9245 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260504T214545Z URL:https://business.monticellocci.com/events/details/2026-chamber-lunch-may-19th-tbd-9245 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR