Attend next month's Rochester on Tour at the Capitol! Growing Minnesota's Future. Today!

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring you the 8th annual Rochester on Tour at the Capitol, Rochester’s largest advocacy and networking event of the year. With a new governor and state legislature, the stakes are higher than ever to make our voice heard. We need to ensure that the Rochester area is well represented and receives fair treatment in the upcoming competitive legislative environment. More than 3,000 business and community leaders have taken advantage of this day to rally, promote Rochester, meet their legislators and enjoy a day full of networking.

Location: Rochester/St. Paul, Minn.
Cost: Lunch, Dinner & Entertainment: $40/person
Transportation: $10/person (free for seniors 62+ and students)
History Center & Supreme Court Tours: Free!
Register (deadline to register: Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011)

"The state is faced with significant fiscal challenges, and how they are dealt with will impact our area," says Julie Fiesel, director of government affairs at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. "You can make a difference by joining us at the Capitol and voicing your concerns to show our state legislators we care."

Rochester on Tour allows business leaders and community members to show the more than 85 legislators from across the state how important Rochester is to the economic vitality of the state. When attending this event, you have the opportunity to network with legislative, business and community leaders while highlighting many of Rochester’s prominent legislative priorities.

In 2004, the Chamber organized its first Rochester on Tour at the Capitol, drawing just over 200 attendees to fight for Rochester in the approaching legislative session. In the past seven years, this event has grown considerably, and is now widely known among legislators at the Capitol as the largest gathering of its kind. Last year, over 500 business leaders and community members arrived at the Capitol to show more than 85 legislators from across the state how important Rochester is to the economic vitality of the state.

"In addition to showing the state legislature how important our community is to the economic vitality of the state, Rochester on Tour doubles as a premier networking opportunity for the business community," says Kristine Ihrke of Best Western Soldiers Field in Rochester and this year’s Rochester on Tour committee chair. "It’s a great time to meet other community members and interact with a group of concerned citizens."

This year’s tour will again kick off at Galaxy 14 Cine with a breakfast compliments of Hy-Vee and a greeting and send-off from Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede. Attendees then load the buses and the tour begins. The day continues with lunch at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront in downtown St. Paul. Here, newly elected Governor Mark Dayton and our area legislators are invited to say a few words. The fun continues as attendees are then bused to the Capitol Rotunda where Rochester makes its voice heard during a rally which includes music, fun and prizes.

Following the rally, attendees are invited to watch legislature in action, tour the Capitol complex, visit with area legislators and participate in various local issues discussions. New in 2011, a tour of the Supreme Court is available. The tour then moves down the road to the site of our Grand Reception at the National Guard Armory. Here, local businesses and community members continue to promote our city to state legislators while enjoying live music, a taste of Rochester compliments of area restaurants and a small trade show of Rochester area exhibitors. All Minnesota state legislators are invited to attend.

The evening winds down around 7 p.m., with buses arriving back in Rochester at 9 p.m.

Regardless of our viewpoints, we can all be sure of one fact: Whatever happens at the 2011 state of Minnesota legislative session will affect the Rochester area. It’s your city, county, business and home. Be there to have a say in how they will be affected. Whether you know a little or a lot when it comes to government affairs, you’ll find this event worth your while. Please consider joining us. Together we can grow Minnesota’s future, today.

Click here to download event flier.
Click here for a full schedule of events and/or to register.