With the holiday break behind us, the Chamber office is gearing up for an exciting and productive 2025. Here's a quick look at what's coming up:
Chamber Coffees
We have a full schedule of Chamber Coffees lined up for the first Friday of each month, except during the summer months. This Friday, January 10th, join us at The Sycamore of River Falls, co-sponsored by Travel Leaders. The Sycamore is known for its delicious food, so don’t miss this great networking opportunity! Looking ahead, our February 7th Coffee will be held at River Falls High School, showcasing the student-led Wiley’s Common Grounds Coffee Shop. We can't wait to see you there!
Annual Awards Banquet
Mark your calendar for the Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, February 6th, at Kilkarney Golf Course. This year, we’ll celebrate the Chamber’s 70th anniversary of promoting, supporting, and advocating for our member businesses and the economic vitality of the River Falls area. We’ll also honor our Citizen of the Year, Mary Waters, and recognize our Nonprofit & Businesses of the Year winners. See below for more details and to register.
St. Croix Legislative Days
One of our signature government relations events, St. Croix Legislative Days, will take place on Thursday, March 6th. This initiative brings together chambers, economic development corporations, educational leaders, and other stakeholders from Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties to advocate in Madison on issues that matter to our region.
2025 Community Events
Here’s a preview of this year’s community events:
- Bluegrass, Bourbon and Brews: April 25–26
- River Falls Days: July 10–13
- Bacon Bash: September 19–21
- River Dazzle: November 28
Mark your calendars and get ready for another year of incredible events!
New Website Features
If you haven’t already, check out our newly redesigned website at rfchamber.com. The fresh, modern interface is more user-friendly, making it easier than ever to access valuable resources. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share tips on how to maximize your membership using the website.
For now, we encourage you to explore the News Release section. The Chamber posts articles and updates here, and invites you to submit promotions or news about your business as well! To see what it’s all about, visit: https://tourism.rfchamber.com/news/.
AI in the Workplace
The Chamber staff frequently uses ChatGPT in our daily work, but we’ve recently discovered Google’s Notebook LM, and it’s a game-changer. Notebook LM allows you to upload documents—like PowerPoints and PDFs—to generate briefing notes, FAQs, and outlines. Its standout feature? The ability to create audio recaps with AI-generated voices that are incredibly realistic and engaging. We’re committed to keeping you informed about AI and its practical applications; and Notebook LM is worth exploring for its innovative tools that could benefit your business.
Looking Ahead to 2025
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Megan, Rillie, and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your support. We’re excited to continue working with you in 2025 and beyond. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, connection, and success.
