Between labor shortages, a global pandemic, e-commerce giants, and supply chain issues, there are no shortage of threats to our main streets and rural retailers. To further explore these issues, we are excited to welcome Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, who will be our Thursday dinner keynote speaker at the CGMC Fall Conference on Nov. 18. 
 
Nustad will help unpack the challenges Greater Minnesota retailers face, while also highlighting exciting ways some local retailers are reimagining their markets and customers. He will even share a few ideas on how local governments and retailers can forge stronger partnerships to improve the economic vitality of communities throughout Greater Minnesota.
 
There’s still time to register for the CGMC Fall Conference, where you can hear from Nustad and other speakers/presenters including State Demographer Susan Brower, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, legislators, a panel on child care, and more (see the full agenda).

The conference will be held in-person Thursday, Nov. 18 – Friday, Nov. 19 at the Willmar Conference Center. For more information and to register, please visit bit.ly/CGMCfall21.
 
Note about hotels: Conference attendees are responsible for booking their own hotel rooms, and we have been told that both the Best Western and Holiday Inn attached to the conference center are close to being fully booked. As result, we booked a block at a third hotel in Willmar, Country Inn & Suites, which is about 3 miles away. Here is the contact info for all three hotels:

If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Julie Liew at jlliew@flaherty-hood.com or 651-259-1917.