The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomes you to live, work, do business, and explore Minnesota’s Hometown.

Promoting all that Hutchinson has to offer for locals and visitors has been one of the prime directives of the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau since it was incorporated in 1948.

Today, the organization has almost 350 members ranging from retired business people and home-based businesses to such international corporations as 3M and Hutchinson Technology Inc.

Members join the organization from communities beyond Hutchinson’s borders as well, including Mankato, Willmar and St. Cloud. The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization that exists separate from the city of Hutchinson and is funded primarily through membership investments and program income.

The Chamber CVB provides a variety of services to its members, including promotional opportunities, networking events, training and educational seminars and business information.

It also conducts several special events and programs each year including the Arts and Crafts Festival, the Hutchinson Leadership Institute, professional development seminars, Business After Hours, Holiday Sampler, Passport to Hutchinson, Ladies Escape Weekend, Take the Trail Home Bike Event, Dairy Day Celebration and the annual meeting and awards banquet.

Membership is the focus in 2008 with strategic efforts to attain new members as well as retain and maintain current members.

A new membership booklet is available which outlines membership benefits and services as well as provides helpful information on community services and ways to get involved.

One important benefit of membership is a business listing on the Chamber CVB Web site at www.explorehutchinson.com. Members may also list special offers to the public using the “Hot Deals” function as well as post job openings and events for free.

The Chamber CVB works to make Hutchinson a destination for visitors through community events, visitor information resources, tour planning services and participation with Explore Minnesota Tourism. Valuable visitor resources, such as the visitor guide, dining, lodging, shopping and recreation information are also available at the organization’s Web site.

For more information, call (320) 587-5252.