Community Venture Network

We’re excited to invite you to our Community Venture Network (CVN) event on Friday, January 23, 2026. This year, we’re making an important change to our event format, and we want to ensure our CVN members have the first look at what to expect.

To kick off the day, we will begin with a morning Economic Regional Outlook, followed by our traditional CVN program. The Economic Regional Outlook will feature a joint presentation from Lauryn Schothorst and Sean O’Neil of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. They will highlight trends and policy changes that extend far beyond Minnesota’s borders, offering insights relevant to employers, communities, and manufacturers across the broader region.

• Lauryn Schothorst, Director of Workplace Management and Workforce Development Policy will break down Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)—its rollout, how it interacts with Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), and what employers need to understand moving forward.
• Sean O’Neil, Senior Director of Economic Development and Research, will share insights from the Chamber’s Grow Minnesota! program, highlighting business trends, workforce dynamics, and economic indicators shaping communities across our region.

After the morning outlook, we will transition into our regular CVN event, complete with company presentations, networking opportunities, and meaningful conversations that help connect businesses and communities.

We hope you’ll join us for this refreshed format designed to deliver timely insights while still preserving the relationship-driven value CVN is known for.

We look forward to spending the day with you as we continue helping companies succeed and communities thrive®.