Veronica Grosek is a dyed-in-the-wool champion of her hometown, Sturgis. She was raised in this northern hills community, and her family instilled in her at an early age the importance of connection. “My parents started the Sturgis Center for the Arts. The thing I absorbed during that time was how important it is to stay connected with community members and their businesses.” This sense of place stayed with Veronica. Eventually she would come to serve her beloved hometown as Executive Director of the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce.
Veronica says that the function of a chamber of commerce is unique to its community and that her board has been supportive of discovering the unique needs of Sturgis and implementing them. “My board is really amazing. I’m extremely lucky,” she says. “And I couldn’t be happier about the staff I’ve had.”
For Sturgis, events have proven to be one of the most impactful ways for the Chamber to benefit local businesses. “Events allow our businesses to meet their customers face-to-face in an easy way,” she says. The Sturgis Chamber is now hosting around 35 events each year.
These events range from small get togethers to large, community-wide gatherings. For instance, the Chamber’s annual haunted house started as a one night event. “It was a really great way for businesses to connect with young people,” Veronica says.
This simple event was so successful that businesses wanted more. “So the board and I listened,” says Veronica. “The haunted house now lasts four nights with four locations.” And, according to Veronica, that’s what a chamber of commerce is supposed to do — it listens to its community and delivers what it needs.
2040 Junction Ave
Sturgis, SD 57785
sturgisareachamber.com