Speaker: Katherine Monge

 

 

 

 

As enthusiastic as ever, President Steve Yorde opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests.  With Bob Kase at the piano, members sang the Star Spangled Banner with gusto and Tom Wheeler’s thoughtful invocation reminded members that we are truly bound together on a noble mission to make our Rotary Club, our community, our nation and our world a better place.

 

Past President Mike Orman’s fellowship report began with a bit of journalistic nostalgia when he made note of the most recent Duluth Budgeteer that was all ads and no news about happenings in Duluth.  Mike gleaned information from the Zenith City News and The Reader, two local publications where the growing involvement and contributions of women on the local and national political scene was noted. He commented on how this change has had a major impact on Club 25.

 Tom Wheeler was mentioned for his most recent op-ed piece in the Duluth News Tribune.  Tom wrote about how “Choices Have Consequences.”  The Dragon Boat race at Superior’s Barker’s Island was next on Mike’s list and members of the club’s Dragon Boat crew were brought forward to be recognized.  Crew members so noted were Jenny Peterson, Robin Pestalozzi, Jena Evans, McKenzie MacFarlane and Jerry Pelofske. Crew captain Jenny Peterson presented President Steve with a paddle emblematic of the Bronze Award that Club 25’s Dragon Boat team captured.  (Your Gimlet writer is remembering when these big boats used to be called War Canoes by the Boy Scouts). Members who have had family members enter or return to college this fall were requested to put a dollar on the table.  Rotarian Catherine Carter Huber was called forward so Club members could acknowledge the acclaim she recently received from the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.  Past President Al Makynen moved toward the Golden Can with money in hand as his newly arrived granddaughter was acknowledged.

 

Chairperson of the Day Earl Rogers next introduced today’s program presenter, Ryan Kern.  Ryan is President and founder of Kern and Kompany Marketing.  Kern and Kompany produces and promotes some of Minnesota’s largest and most unique events, including the Duluth Airshow (which draws over 50,000 spectators annually). The KIA of Duluth Drag Races & Car Show is the only legalized drag racing event held on a public street in the entire United States. The Duluth Rising Festival  features Rising Stars with Disney Channel.  Earl reported that Ryan is a Duluthian who knows that being successful in business in the Northland is all about creating a desirable product and fostering great business partnerships.  Ryan’s background includes attending high school in Scotland before returning to the United States for college in 1992.  Ryan began his power point presentation by explaining how his business career started when, as a member of radio Station KZIO’s staff, he was assigned to promote Duluth’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.  He enlisted sponsors and expanded the parade in this, his initial assignment.  There was a significant net income (to the station) as a result of Ryan’s efforts.  It was at this point that Ryan decided to go into the event-producing and promotion business himself – and, as is often said, the rest is history.  Ryan says the key to his success has been that he is always super prepared – no detail is left unattended.  “It’s all about people,” he says, and this philosophy has enabled Kern and Kompany to receive their Fourth Pinnacle Award in recognition of their success with the Duluth Air Show, as well as other events.  The KIA sponsored Drag Races started initially with a limited number of entrants.  At the present time, entries exceed the Race’s capacity and a nationwide waiting list of entrants testifies to the interest this event generates.  “Acquiring partners who trust you, and sponsors who recognize the value of being associated with these events,” has been the key to Ryan Kern’s success.  Bringing various aircraft to Duluth for the air show is costly, which is why Kern and Kompany has enlisted some 109 sponsors who supply financial support in exchange for advertising and sales opportunities.  Estimates suggest the Duluth Air Show brings in $10.2 million in tourist-attraction spending.