Detroit Lakes Chamber holds annual meeting at Soo Pass Ranch; promoting more than 3,000 events in 2023

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Dozens of area businesses and nonprofits met at the Soo Pass Ranch, south of Detroit Lakes, for the annual meeting of the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce on May 11.

Accord to the chamber’s 2022-2023 fact sheet, the organization logged 1,921 office walk-ins, nearly 3,200 phone calls, printed more than 17,000 maps of streets and nearby recreational trails, and also printed 37,000 visitors guides focusing on businesses and community events Becker County and the surrounding area.

According to the report, in 2022, the chamber generated nearly $473,000 in income through their events, programs, and membership dues and will finish the year with more than $21,000 of cash on hand after expenses.

During the meeting, Chamber President Carrie Johnston, said, in addition to promoting tourism and providing visitors with information about Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area, the chamber sponsors some pretty large events throughout the year.

One of which, is Detroit Lakes’ annual Fourth of July fireworks show on the shores of Detroit Lake.

“We always look forward to the Fourth of July,” she said. “What’s Detroit Lakes without the Fourth of July, right? We saw, unfortunately, in 2020, when we don’t have fireworks. So, we’re excited for that. Please help us support. It’s all by your donations and the community pitches in and we spend a lot of money to make sure that we are bringing people to town on the Fourth of July.”

Johnston also promoted upcoming chamber events which included the return of their Women’s Speaker Series. The event will feature three female public speakers throughout the summer with topics that will focus on messages of engagement, empowerment, and encouragement. 

The Women’s Speaker Series kicks-off with Renee Rongen on June 14 at 3 p.m. at the bandshell in Detroit Lakes’ City Park. The event is open to both men and women.

“There are so many great activities in Detroit Lakes,” she said. “I think we have over 3,000 events on our calander for 2023, so check out, visitdetroitlakes.com.”