Advocacy Events

The 2024 Greater Mankato Advocacy Forum Series sponsor:

Greater Mankato Growth is committed to providing opportunities for meaningful interaction between the business community, public policy makers, and leading business executives.

Our events bring together compelling speakers and business leaders to discuss timely and relevant political, policy, and leadership issues.  

Advocacy Forum Series typically consists of two forums a year (January and June), one forum with state/regional experts, and GreenSeam’s Rural Forum Legislative Panel (in December).

What’s Brewing? is a relaxed, interactive event series 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. 

UPCOMING advocacy EVENTS

Greater Mankato Leadership Institute

Effective Advocacy & Civic Engagement Session

Each year, the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute class engages in learning about our local government, Minnesota legislators, and legislative priorities at Greater Mankato Growth, as we advocate for our members and the regional marketplace. Over the course of two days, the Leadership Institute class will connect with local public servants, and take a trip to the State Capitol to better understand its environment and how Minnesota Legislators work while in session. Learn more about Leadership Institute here.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Chamber Day at the Capitol
Thursday, April 11, 2024   |   10 am – 12 pm

Greater Mankato Growth is happy to, once again, join with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and dozens of chambers across the state for Chamber Day at the Capitol. Participants will get a chance to hear from influential legislators who write the laws that impact your business. Employer voices are needed at the Capitol now more than ever! If you are interested in participating, reach out to Andy Wilke. Learn more about the event here.

PAST EVENTS
Greater Mankato at the Capitol

Business and community leaders took a trip to the State Capitol at the end of February to advocate for their industry and the Greater Mankato marketplace. Our group had an opportunity to speak directly with several legislators and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and discuss issues that matter the most to Greater Mankato Growth members. Our elected officials have the power to make decisions about critical issues impacting the vitality of your business and our regional marketplace. Strong participation from the community is always absolutely critical to the success of this event.

Neel Kashkari, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and one of the nation’s most influential economic policy makers, joined us for a luncheon at Sky One Eleven in February of 2024. President Kashkari shared his thoughts on the current state of our economy and what it means for the greater Mankato region. Time was reserved for Q&A. This luncheon was presented by Gislason & Hunter LLP.

Watch the recording of the Luncheon here.

Greater Mankato Growth hosted a preview of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session on Thursday, January 25. The forum featured Senator Rich Draheim, Senator Nick Frentz, Representative Luke Frederick, and Representative Jeff Brand as we discussed the upcoming legislative session and the impact of the “trifecta” on Greater Mankato area businesses. The Greater Mankato Growth Advocacy Forum Series brings together compelling speakers and business leaders to discuss timely and relevant political and policy issues.

Greater Mankato Growth is partnered with Shannon Watson of Majority in the Middle for a discussion of bipartisanship in Minnesota. As political polarization has increasingly become a factor in our communities, schools, civic organizations, and businesses, we’re all learning how to navigate divides. Attendees learned about (sometimes surprising) origins of division, as well as actual steps you they can take to bring down the temperature.

Policy Roundtable with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

On November 7, Greater Mankato Growth and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce hosted a conversation about legislative impacts on businesses. The decisions made by Minnesota legislators have a direct impact on businesses. Chambers need input to frame their agenda for the upcoming year. The roundtable presented an opportunity to share perspectives, help establish priorities, and look ahead to the critically-important 2024 elections. This feedback will help GMG and the MN Chamber carry the voice of business at the Capitol and support pro-business policies that help grow the economy, while defending against onerous anti-employer measures.

Hospitality Legislative Panel

A roundtable discussion with Mankato legislators was held on Thursday, October 26, at Sky One Eleven, 111 South Second Street (7th Floor) in Mankato. The discussion, hosted by Hospitality Minnesota and Greater Mankato Growth, focused on recent legislative changes, challenges facing the hospitality industry, and what to expect next year. The event presented a valuable opportunity to gain insights, engage in meaningful dialogue, and understand what the future has in store for this industry. The featured panelists were Senator Rich Draheim (District 20), Representative Luke Frederick (District 18B), and Representative Bjorn Olson (District 22A).

2023 Minnesota Legislative Updates Webinar - Impact on Employers​

In August of 2023, Greater Mankato Growth partnered with Gislason & Hunter LLP to deliver a webinar that dove deep into the 2023 Minnesota legislative updates. The webinar was presented by attorney Brittany King-Asamoa, partner at Gislason & Hunter LLP, with focuses on labor and employment law, and civil litigation. Attendees received information on sick & safe leave, paid family medical leave, pregnancy and nursing accommodations, wage disclosure protection, legalization of cannabis and changes to drug testing, bans of non-competes, and bans of employer-sponsored meetings. Learn more.

Learn more about Advocacy within the Greater Mankato community.

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