Last year, we connected with the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Leadership Team to showcase the unique offerings and benefits that they bring to the Bismarck Mandan community. Recently, we caught up with them to discuss what community members can expect from the Chamber EDC, the most hidden Chamber EDC advantages in their eyes, and much more!
Brian Ritter, President & CEO
Brian Ritter has been with the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC and its predecessors since 2003, starting as an intern. Ritter eventually worked his way up the ladder at the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association, becoming the organization’s president in 2013. In 2017, Ritter added duties as the President of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce.
Two years later, in 2019, he oversaw the merger that formed the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC and has been the organization’s only President & CEO since. In his position, Ritter leads the organization’s advocacy efforts, oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations.
“I’ve worked for the Chamber EDC and our predecessors, the Chamber of Commerce & Bismarck Mandan Development Association, for two decades now and the reason is simple; the people. Our team, our leadership, and our members are incredible to work with and to work for,” Ritter said.
Ritter is a lifelong Bismarck-Mandan native and a two-time graduate of the University of Mary as well as the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. He is married to his wife, Kim, and has two daughters named Claire and Eve.
What Chamber EDC advantages have you learned over the past year that you don’t believe are fully appreciated?
My ‘wish’ is that more of our members would use us at the Chamber EDC to connect with other members. Most members will utilize Chamber EDC events to meet other members, but we’re always ready to help connect members with one another, one-on-one. If there’s another Chamber EDC Member that you want to meet, let us know and we’ll be happy to make an introduction.
What can community members expect from the Chamber EDC this year?
We’ve just rolled out a new strategic plan that really quantifies our value proposition to the membership and answers the question of, “What am I paying for?” We’ve done that by putting all of our efforts into one of five foundations; economic development, policy development, leadership development, network development, and professional development. For example, within network development, the Chamber EDC recently launched a brand new networking group called Empowering Women in Business and it filled in a matter of days!
What are some of your favorite events and offerings in the Bismarck-Mandan area?
The Chamber EDC’s Annual Dinner is one of, if not the biggest, business gathering of the year and this year’s edition had record attendance! Heading into the summer, we’ve got our Outdoor Golf Scramble and Lemonade Day before Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan in the fall. It’s going to be a busy few months!
To me, however, there’s nothing better than fall in Bismarck-Mandan. Maybe it’s a Friday night football game at the MDU Resources Community Bowl or Starion Sports Complex, a beautiful day walking or shopping downtown, or even just a walk along the Missouri River. There’s just so much you can do here during the fall.
What do you appreciate the most regarding your involvement with the Chamber EDC?
If there’s something that I’ve come to appreciate most at the Chamber EDC, it’s the opportunity to impact our community in a very real way. Our business advocacy efforts, economic development programming, and more all have an impact on Bismarck-Mandan and its future.
What are three of your biggest professional accomplishments in the last year?
- A second consecutive, record breaking membership year.
- Record-breaking attendance at two events; ‘State of the Cities’ and ‘Celebrate Bismarck-Mandan.’
- The creation of a brand new Strategic Plan that clearly defines our five ‘foundations.’
What are your biggest hopes and goals for the remainder of 2023 and the beginning of 2024?
My greatest hope is that we can build on the momentum we’ve generated over the past two years and take both the Chamber EDC and our community to new heights.
The Chamber EDC’s Board of Directors, all 19 members, are leaders in our community who are familiar with the challenges and opportunities facing Bismarck-Mandan. They bring that unique perspective to our organization and help us shape efforts and initiatives that will address those challenges and opportunities.
What are three business tips you can give?
- Use the Chamber EDC as a ‘connector’ to meet other Chamber EDC Members by reaching out directly and asking for an introduction. It’s free for Chamber EDC Members!
- Utilize the Chamber EDC’s publications such as the Connection and Economy at a Glance to enhance your understanding of our economy or help business plan for the coming months. Again, they’re free to Chamber EDC Members.
- Access the Chamber EDC’s Business Development Series for free professional development programming. New editions are added quarterly.
Nathan Schneider, Vice President
Nathan Schneider, a graduate of North Dakota State and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, grew up in Harvey, ND and moved to Bismarck-Mandan in 2005.
Over the course of his career, Schneider has spent time in private banking, worked for the North Dakota Department of Commerce, and since 2019, has worked as the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC’s Vice President where he “leads the organization’s economic development efforts.”
At home, Schneider is husband to his wife Emily and father to his “funloving and kind-spirited” 8-year-old son, Hudson.
What Chamber EDC advantages have you learned over the past year that you don’t believe are fully appreciated?
In the last year, the Chamber EDC engaged an outside consultant to perform an economic developmentspecific strategic plan that will drive our economic development efforts for the next five years. The Chamber EDC has introduced a new partnership with John Maxwell Leadership to offer leadership training and introduced a womanspecific program called Empowering Women in Business.
What can community members expect from the Chamber edc this year?
Continuing our evolution! The Chamber EDC board, leadership, and staff are always looking to make things better! The Chamber EDC will never use the excuse “that’s the way it is done because that is the way we have always done it.” So be on the lookout for new things!
What are some of your favorite events and offerings in the Bismarck-Mandan area?
I really enjoy the Chamber EDC summer events. We have our golf scramble in June, our monthly membership lunch on the patio starting in June, and our clay shoot in August.
Personally, I love the outdoor amenities and opportunities! Typically my family and I use them in the summer but our golf courses, walking paths, parks, and of course the river are all favorites.
What are your biggest professional accomplishments in the last year?
I think the completion of the Chamber EDC’s Economic Development Strategic Plan, navigating staff turnover within the Chamber EDC, and all of the businesses that the Chamber EDC assisted in the last year.
Moving forward, we’re looking forward to the implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan and continuing to evolve at the Chamber EDC.
What are three business tips you can give?
- Build a support network around yourself.
- Utilize available resources, such as the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“The entire staff at the Chamber EDC is incredibly talented and ,overall, just a fun group to be around. I truly enjoy and appreciate everyone throughout our office.”
Christine Nelson, Vice President of Sales & Events
Christine Nelson is a Bismarck native and graduate of the University of North Dakota. At UND, Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science. After graduation, Nelson traveled the country because of her job, making stops in Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, and Missouri, “but I always knew that I wanted to come back to Bismarck.” Today, Nelson and her husband are heavily involved in the fitness world and enjoy traveling, especially to tropical destinations.
Nelson has been with the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC for three years. Currently, she is the lead Chamber EDC representative for the Local Issue Committee. She also serves on the Bismarck State College BILT (Business and Industry Leadership Team) Marketing Committee.
What Chamber EDC advantages have you learned over the past year that you don’t believe are fully appreciated?
- ‘Empowering Women in Business’ Class: The mission of this class is to bring women together to learn, discuss and hit on hard truths of what it means to be a woman in business. This BRAND NEW class explores what it means to be a leader in the business world.
- Professional Development: The Chamber EDC offers several classes throughout the year with partnerships with local businesses as well as John Maxwell. Check out our professional development tracks on our website!
- Deals and Discounts: All members are able to add special deals, discounts, and offerings to other members on our website. This aspect is gaining traction and I highly recommend taking a look!
What can community members expect from the Chamber EDC this year?
They can expect growth! From economic development to events and membership, we are growing! With growth comes opportunities to become bigger and more substantial in every aspect. 2023 and 2024 will be years of goal-breaking, so stay tuned!
What has been your favorite aspect of the Bismarck-Mandan area in the past year?
The people! We are always building to be better. We constantly see economic development at its finest with new business openings, new land projects, and new ideas. We are truly lucky to live in a community that is innovating for the next generation
I’ve always known we have amazing advocates for the Chamber EDC but I didn’t realize how far the “advocate band” spans. The organization is beyond lucky to have cheerleaders in every corner.
What are your favorite events, programs, or offerings from the Chamber EDC?
Since I am heading the Empowering Women in Business class, I am truly excited to see the 16 participants grow and make connections with other women. The networking piece of the class is priceless!
“The reason that I remain so involved with the Chamber EDC is simply because I love my job! The people, atmosphere, and members make every day worth it!”
What are three of your biggest professional accomplishments in the last year?
1. I was promoted to Vice President of Sales & Events at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC.
2. I started the ‘Empowering Women in Business’ Class.
Interested in registering for next year’s ‘Empowering Women in Business’? Registration will open in late 2023/early 2024 for 2024’s class! To learn more, contact Christine Nelson at: [email protected]
3. I also moderated a panel of amazing women in business!
What are your biggest hopes and goals for the remainder of 2023 and the beginning of 2024?
Our President & CEO, Brian Ritter, preaches to take large goals one step at a time which will add up to big results. So, we have goals for events, goals for sales, and goals for the entire team; but again, we take these goals one day at a time. I know we will look back at the end of the year and see how far we have come as an organization.
What business tips can you give?
Use the Chamber EDC to your advantage! Come to mixers, attend an event, get involved with a committee. Connection and networking are invaluable and the Chamber EDC has a wide range of opportunities to become more connected to not only other business professionals but the community
What’s next for the Chamber EDC?
Our motto this year is “Fail Forward.” We are never afraid to try something new, innovative, or different. This motto helps us to continue to push each other to make the organization even better.
Wendy Van Duyne, Principal & Business Center Practice Leader at Stantec
In 2020, Van Duyne was recognized by the Engineering News Record (ENR) as one of the top 40 under 40 young professionals in the Mountain States Region. The year prior, she was included in the 2019 class of 40 under 40 business professionals by Prairie Business Magazine.
Wendy Van Duyne and her family moved to Bismarck, North Dakota from Lawrence, Kansas eight years ago, and have fallen in love with the metro since arriving. Van Duyne has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University and has been working in the community planning field for more than 17 years.
Van Duyne is actively involved in the community and has served as a former board member of the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association, and current vicechair of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC.
Additionally, Wendy serves on the Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission, the North Dakota Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, and the Missouri Valley YMCA Board of Directors. She currently works as a Principal and Business Center Practice Lead for Stantec Consulting, a professional consulting company for planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics in Bismarck.
What urges you to stay involved with the Chamber EDc?
It’s important to me to be an active member of the Bismarck-Mandan community, including the business community. We face so many important issues that impact community development and quality of life, and I love that the Chamber EDC leads the way in bringing stakeholders together to address them.
What Chamber EDC advantages have you learned over the past year that you don’t believe are fully appreciated?
The Chamber EDC actively engages the private business sector, public agencies, local political subdivisions, and legislative representatives on a regular basis. Participating in discussions that are affected by key decision-makers is important to making progress in our communities. The Chamber EDC takes a role in this through its monthly Local Issues Committee meetings, quarterly meetings of local political subdivisions, and regular conversations with legislators.
How does your company or organization benefit from the Chamber Edc?
Over the past year, the Chamber EDC has expanded its continuing education programs for our member businesses. Taking advantage of these programs, such as the newly released Empowering Women in Business course, is a great way to support the professional growth of our team.
What can community members expect from the Chamber edc this year?
More focus on our Economic Development Strategic Plan. Last year we completed this effort, and I’m looking forward to moving forward with our economic development priorities so that we can continue to bring more people to our community and grow opportunities for business.
What are some of your favorite things about the Bismarck-Mandan area?
Our growth has afforded us more of the amenities of a larger metropolitan area, but Bismarck-Mandan still feels like a close-knit community. The relationships we share, and the amenities we continue to develop for our residents, contribute to a quality of life that we should all be proud of.
What are your favorite events, programs, or offerings from the Chamber edc?
I’m really excited for the Empowering Women in Business Class. We have such a talented business community, and it’s great to see more opportunities for women to lead and serve in our community. Supporting the next generation of women leaders is important, and I’m glad that the Chamber EDC can take an active role in this initiative.
Have you learned of or come to appreciate any specific aspects of your involvement with the Chamber edc?
I appreciate having an opportunity to serve in a leadership position with the Chamber EDC. Through the investment of my time, I have been rewarded with opportunities to build relationships that, otherwise, wouldn’t have been possible. Connecting with people across different backgrounds, professions, and experience levels has been so rewarding.
What are three of your biggest professional accomplishments in the last year?
- Serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC.
- Being named among the Top 25 Women in Business by Prairie Business Magazine.
- Continuing to lead our teams of planners, engineers, and landscape architects on a variety of projects across our region.
What are your biggest hopes and goals for the remainder of 2023 and the beginning of 2024?
It’s going to be interesting to see how the second half of the year plays out. We’ve been fortunate to experience a very strong economy for the past several years and I think we’re all feeling the winds of uncertainty as economic conditions are forecasted to shift. As we go into the remaining months of the year, I hope we can all remain open and flexible to weathering whatever lies ahead, and that our communities can lean on each other to get through it.
What are three business tips you can give?
- Make relationships a priority.
- Listen more than you speak.
- Always be open to new opportunities.
Is there anyone, or any aspect of the Chamber edc you would like to show praise or highlight?
The Chamber EDC has evolved and grown a lot over the past several years– and for the better! Change is never easy, but Brian and the team continue to strive for excellence and are always looking for ways to do things better. While this attitude for continuous improvement can be hard sometimes, it has served our communities well and we’re fortunate to have this organization serving Bismarck-Mandan.
Matt Sagaser, Director Innovation Accelerated
at Doosan Bobcat
Matt Sagaser was a key leader in the design and construction of the Acceleration Center in Bismarck.
Matt Sagaser is a long-time member of the Bismarck-Mandan community. Since 2008, he has worked with both the Bismarck Mandan Development Association and the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC as a board member. In addition to his work with the Chamber EDC, Sagaser has worked for Bobcat Company for 28 years, where he has held many different leadership positions.
What urges you to stay involved with the Chamber Edc?
The Chamber EDC provides not only expertise from its lengthy experience in both commerce and economic development, but connections to many businesses with value propositions that might relate to scaling growth of a business or data to support business attraction to the Bismarck-Mandan area.
What Chamber EDC advantages have you learned over the past year that you don’t believe are fully appreciated?
I believe that the Chamber EDC provides value in several key ways that are easy to either overlook or miss. The first of these is the Chamber Mixer opportunity. The value created from speaking to local business leaders far exceeds virtual or email dialogue. The second is the leverage and strength of the Chamber EDC Board. There are often questions or needs that businesses have that go “unsaid” because they seem too difficult to field when in reality the communication and reach are very simple.
The third is the real connection between economic development to the Bis-Man Chamber EDC. When the BMDA merged with the Bis-Man Chamber EDC several years ago, both strategies were combined into one which may have inadvertently diluted the understanding of each strength. Economic development is a real strength of the Chamber EDC and may not be fully understood by some of the Chamber EDC members.
How does your company or organization benefit from the Chamber edc?
The biggest advantages that our organization has from its relationship with the Chamber EDC relates to communication and strategic connections with the community for the growth and development of both our business and the business connections that our employees’ families might have in the community. In addition, having a local entity that is focused on the success and overall operation of each business provides for quick reactions and stronger strategies for multifaceted needs.
What can community members expect from the Chamber edc this year?
In 2023, the Chamber EDC’s strategic plan is set up for even greater success than in the past. Its focus on membership and the benefits that are available to members are proving to be more valuable than ever before. Open communication with sharing details about this year’s legislative session is an added benefit from the Chamber EDC
What are some of your favorite things about the Bismarck-Mandan area?
The Bismarck-Mandan area provides excellent access to the Missouri River and all of its value, including fishing and recreation. The Capital City also provides unique access to both the east and western parts of the state. But most important are the people. Bis-Man has a unique culture that provides opportunities for families and businesses alike to thrive.
What are your favorite upcoming events, programs, or offerings from the Chamber edc?
The monthly mixer events provide valuable networking opportunities for members. The events that the Chamber EDC sponsors are also opportunities for members to collaborate and learn a little more about some of our community activities. The website is also a great, easy virtual connection to tools and methods for local involvement with Chamber EDC members. Participating in Chamber EDC-sponsored events is a really cool asset in bringing people together.
What are three of your biggest professional accomplishments in the last year?
Dramatic business growth and the ability to hire people to meet the growing demands of our customers. Continued advancement of strategies to bring technology to products that typically are not known for innovation. Further pioneering being first in multiple industries to keep our business more than viable in North Dakota!
What are your biggest hopes and goals for the remainder of 2023 and beginning of 2024?
From a business perspective, everyone fears a recession and the potential backslide from success, but I am hopeful that we are set up to withstand and manage any potential recession by following the current strategy. In fact, I am excited that 2023 and 2024 are going to exceed all expectations because of the momentum and customer excitement that we have.
Have you read or heard any new leadership books or podcasts that you recommend people check out?
One resource that I highly recommend is a friend by the name of Jeremy Gutsche. He owns Trend Hunter. Trend Hunter has podcasts, books, and conferences that focus on the front end of innovation with both emerging and existing or expanding trends.
Is there anyone, or any aspect of the Chamber EDC you would like to show praise or highlight?
Brian Ritter is the epitome of success at the Chamber EDC. Organizations are typically as successful as their leadership and equally as efficient or inefficient as their strategy. Brian leads with strategy but manages day-to-day by leveraging relationships. This is the magic sauce, and it takes talent to make it successful.
Contact Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC
Phone: (701) 223-5660
Website: bismarckmandan.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /BisManCEDC
Twitter: @BisManCEDC
Instagram: @BisManCEDC
Youtube: /BisManChamber
Address: 1640 Burnt Boat, Bismarck, ND 58503