Celebrating business at the State Fair and preparing for upcoming events

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

 It’s been a great week. I spent much of it in Northern Minnesota meeting with chamber members and other business leaders to talk about our state’s economic direction and the political outlook heading into next year’s elections. With all constitutional offices, the full Senate, and the House on the ballot, we’re closely monitoring developments and engaging on behalf of the Chamber to ensure balance at the Legislature and a strong foundation for Minnesota’s economic future.

This week also marked the kickoff of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The State Fair is not only a time to enjoy food, entertainment and community, but also a celebration of the businesses that make it all possible. From small vendors to larger enterprises, the private sector plays a huge role in making the fair a success.

Looking ahead, public voting for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest begins September 2 – the Tuesday after Labor Day. This contest highlights the innovation and products that drive Minnesota’s economy, with the winner announced at the 2025 Manufacturers’ Summit on October 7. Head to coolestthingmn.com for the latest updates. We’re thrilled to share that Hormel Foods President John Ghingo will keynote this year’s summit. Click here to learn more and register. 

We also announced the newest Leadership Minnesota class this week, a diverse group of leaders from businesses across the state. They’ll spend the year touring and learning about Minnesota’s private-sector economy, and I look forward to joining them at several stops, maybe even recording a podcast along the way.

That’s it for now. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend, and we’ll catch up again next week on the Minnesota Business Podcast. 

*Photo courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair