After years with chamber, Menne retires
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FAIRMONT-- Aug. 31 marks the last day at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for Kandi Menne. She's been with the chamber for 11 years, the last four as president.
Originally from Fairmont, she moved soon after graduating high school and spent several decades away before returning to Fairmont in 2014. She started with the chamber as office manager in August of 2015.
"I had been self employed and I loved it, but I missed the interaction with people," Menne explained.
After being encouraged to apply for the open chamber job, she did and was hired by Margaret Dillard, who was president at the time.
"That position was kind of the voice of the chamber, communicating with all the members. I got to reconnect with a lot of people I knew. A lot of my classmates owned or worked at businesses in Fairmont so that was fun, along with meeting new people," Menne said.
She also got to learn a lot about the community that she previously didn't know.
"We're involved in every aspect. Education, government, business, everything," Menne said.
After Dillard, Ned Koppen served as president for four years and Menne kept her role. Then when he moved on, Menne threw her name in and started as president in the fall of 2022.
"I wanted to do more. Being in that position (office manager) for seven years really did prepare me for the president position, knowing the inner-workings of the chamber and things I thought would be neat to change or try," she said.
She explained that the chamber serves as a connector in the community and that its job is to advocate for businesses. While it is not responsible for bringing in new businesses, once they're here, the chamber works to support them by supplying local, state and national information and offering seminars and opportunities for networking. While the chamber focuses on members businesses first, it can assist all businesses in times of need.
As president, Menne brought about a few changes and added some new events to the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce.
"One of the good things that helped me be a better chamber executive was doing the executive leadership program through the Minnesota Chamber. That helped me learn more about what other chambers did," she explained.
One of these was a tired due system, which rolled out during her time as president.
"We navigated through the ESST and paid family leave laws. We gave our Fairmont Area Life visitors guide a fresh new look and we rebranded with a new logo, website and everything that goes with it," Menne said.
Sip and Shop, which will take place for the 4th consecutive year this September, is a new event that she added, along with the Fourth of July boat parade, which took place for the 3rd consecutive year in July.
"Both of them are gaining momentum every year," Menne said.
The first serves as a fundraiser for the holiday street lights, which the chamber owns and maintains. It also helps bring people into local retail stores.
"It's a fun thing. There's plenty of places to shop and things to do, we just have to remember, because we live here, we have to think Fairmont first," Menne said.
The boat parade is free to participate in as Menne said it's just a fun way for community engagement.
"The boaters love it. The spectators love it," she said. "You have to start something and give it a few years and if it takes off, great, and if it doesn't, it doesn't. At least you tried."
She said all staff at the chamber have been supportive of trying new things and helpful when thinking of ideas.
Despite a good run, Menne is at retirement age and as her partner, Tom Donnelly, is also retiring from managing the liquor store, she thought now was time. The two plan to stay in the area.
"We're both from Fairmont and love the opportunities here. We love to travel other places and we'll get our fill of that and come back to where it's familiar and comfortable," she said.
Menne is confident in the future of the chamber as current board member Miranda Tulowetzke will assume the role of president.
"I really am excited that Miranda will be the next president of the chamber. She's been on the chamber board for three years. She's been active in the community personally and through chamber events. She's a local person who knows our area and our community and will have some fresh ideas and potential changes. I'm anxious to see what she does," Menne said.