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4. EDA BUSINESS 4.01: Annual Fall Networking Event Assistant to the City Administrator Brama presented two alternatives for the annual networking event including the EDA's traditional networking event (alternative 1) or an event utilizing the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce manufacturers' cohort program (alternative 2). He stated the EDA's traditional networking event has averaged 45 attendees with a target market of Ramsey general business owners. He explained that the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce has a manufacturers' cohort group that holds bimonthly meetings with a nearly identical format to the EDA's networking event. He pointed out that the manufacturers' cohort group has an exclusive invite list focused on manufacturers so there would be some selectiveness in who would be allowed to attend a joint networking event. He stated that a networking event with the manufacturers' cohort group could be held at the Ramsey Municipal Center on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and the proposed topic is effective leadership and communication styles with the EDA chair providing opening and closing remarks. He pointed out that Councilmember and Member LeTourneau is the director of the manufacturers' cohort and if the EDA moved forward with this proposal, Member LeTourneau would not be a speaker at the event but would be a facilitator and he would not receive any compensation if the City sponsored this event; in addition, Member LeTourneau is employed by the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce as an independent contractor. He added that staff contacted the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce about this opportunity and Member LeTourneau did not approach staff about this opportunity. Chairperson Steffen asked how many people typically attend the manufacturers' cohort meetings. Member Hardin advised the Bank of Elk River is a trusted partner in the manufacturers' cohort and paid a sponsorship fee so the Bank is allowed to attend the meetings as a trusted partner where there are usually 25 -30 people in attendance. He indicated the manufacturers' cohort has been fairly restrictive in the past and felt that if the annual networking event was going to limit attendance, he was in favor of Alternative 1. Assistant to the City Administrator Brama acknowledged there would be a percentage of Ramsey businesses that would not be allowed to attend the networking event under Alternative 2. He stated the intent behind being restrictive is to avoid high - pressure salespeople from attending and soliciting the businesses, adding he felt that Ace Solid Waste and/or Connexus would be allowed to attend but a business like Do All Printing would not be allowed to attend. Member Brunt suggested that staff work with Pete Turok on the invitation list to expand the list to non - manufacturer businesses. Chairperson Steffen asked if the EDA would be a sponsor of the event under Alternative 2. Assistant to the City Administrator Brama stated that an event under Alternative 2 would need to be further refined but felt that the EDA could be one of the trusted sponsors of the event. Economic Development Authority /September 19, 2013 Page 2 of 5