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About Us

As of January 1, the Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Brookings, and Visit Brookings have consolidated and are now operating together as one organization. The work of each organization will be part of the consolidated entity as we bring together shared efforts to support businesses, strengthen the local economy, and foster a strong, connected, and thriving Brookings.

Over the coming months, we will continue to share information through our existing websites and social media channels while we work toward launching a single, unified presence under a new name and brand. The teams remain in place and accessible, and existing contact information will remain the same until the new brand is launched. We encourage you to reach out with questions and stay engaged as we move forward together.

This alignment will allow us to better coordinate resources, streamline communication, and expand the impact of our work across the community. We appreciate your continued engagement and support during this transition and look forward to what we will accomplish together.

What We Do

ribbon cutting

PROMOTE.

We understand the importance of visibility and recognition for your business or organization. We are dedicated to promoting our members’ achievements and offerings through various channels. Whether it’s through our website, social media platforms, or local events, we are here to amplify your voice and ensure your business gets the attention it deserves. Sponsoring events is also a great way to partner with us to promote your business to a diverse audience while showing your support for our community.
outdoor event

ADVOCATE.

Advocacy is a cornerstone of our mission. We are continuously building relationships with our leaders so that when an issue comes up, we can pick up the phone and talk through with decision makers. This social capital is something many of our members do not have the time to maintain. If you are running into road bumps as you work through a permitting process or have great ideas on how policy can change to make our business landscape a better one, tell us! We aren’t in the thick of it like you are, and our local leadership are just as eager as we are to listen and learn to improve our community.
large event

CONNECT.

We believe in the power of collaboration and aim to be your catalyst for valuable connections. These connections provide a support system that helps you navigate the challenges of today’s business world. Whether it be connections to consumers, to other businesses, to students - we are here for you! We urge you to take advantage of the many methods in which you are able to connect with your business community - whether it be joining a committee or attending an event, we welcome you.
These connections will only allow the Brookings business community to grow and thrive and your Chamber is continually looking for ways to bring those connections to Brookings.
Downtown at Sundown

ENRICH.

We want to enrich the Brookings community to make it a fun place to live, play, and work. Chamber-led events bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy what our community has to offer. As a Chamber, we want to create space for networking and building valuable relationships, both personally and professionally. Take advantage of as many of our community-building events as you are able - they can often serve as a valuable retention tool!
The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce also strives to enrich our members' knowledge and skills through educational programs and seminars. Whether it be a workshop, our Leadership Brookings program, or a candidate forum - continue to enrich your community through all you learn.

Staff

Ainsley Bennett, Signature Events Coordinator
Ainsley Bennett, Signature Events Coordinator
Bridgit Burghardt, Operations Manager
Bridgit Burghardt, Operations Manager
Kirsten Gjesdal, Community Development Director
Kirsten Gjesdal, Community Development Director
Matty Kerr, Business Development Specialist
Matty Kerr, Business Development Specialist
Layne Manson, Member Services Specialist
Layne Manson, Member Services Specialist
Stephanie Mason, Business Development Director
Stephanie Mason, Business Development Director
Laura Schoen Carrbonneau, Destination Development Director
Laura Schoen Carrbonneau, Destination Development Director
Cierra Steffensen, Marketing Specialist
Cierra Steffensen, Marketing Specialist
Casey Stickland, Community Development Specialist
Casey Stickland, Community Development Specialist

Board of Directors

Laci Thompson, Chair, Pasque and The Nook
Laci Thompson, Chair, Pasque and The Nook
Jamison Lamp, Vice Chair, South Dakota State University
Jamison Lamp, Vice Chair, South Dakota State University
Angela Boersma, ID8 Architecture, LLC
Angela Boersma, ID8 Architecture, LLC
Jeremy Johnson, Daktronics
Jeremy Johnson, Daktronics
Elena McKeown, Mills Property Management
Elena McKeown, Mills Property Management
Kyle Minett, Kibble Equipment
Kyle Minett, Kibble Equipment
Nate Schaefer, Avera Medical Group
Nate Schaefer, Avera Medical Group
Mike Turnwall, First Bank & Trust
Mike Turnwall, First Bank & Trust
Shawn Hostler, Brookings County, Appointed Position
Shawn Hostler, Brookings County, Appointed Position
Nick Wendell, City of Brookings, Appointed Position
Nick Wendell, City of Brookings, Appointed Position
Michaela Willis, South Dakota State University, Appointed Position
Michaela Willis, South Dakota State University, Appointed Position

Committees

The bulk of the Chamber's programming and events are organized through one of our seven committees. Click below to learn more. Interested in sponsoring or volunteering on any of these committees? Feel free to reach out to the staff liaison linked in each section!

Partners

Our community wouldn't be as successful as it is without the fantastic partners we work with each and every day. Click below to learn more about our community partners.

Brookings County
Brookings Economic Development Corporation
City of Brookings
City of Volga
Downtown Brookings
Research Park
South Dakota State University
Vision Brookings
Visit Brookings