WAVE - Young Professionals Network

WAVE - Young Professionals Network Start shaping your future today!
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A program of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, WAVE Young Professionals Network helps individuals 18–39 connect, grow, and lead through monthly events while honoring emerging leaders through our signature Four Under 40 Awards.

This month's WAVE meetup is happening on the courts in Crosslake!🏓Date: Thursday, August 27Time: 6:00 - 8:00PMLocation: ...
08/05/2026

This month's WAVE meetup is happening on the courts in Crosslake!🏓

Date: Thursday, August 27
Time: 6:00 - 8:00PM
Location: Crosslake Community Center

We'll kick things off with a beginner-friendly pickleball lesson, fuel up with Rafferty's Pizza 🍕, and chat about leadership both on and off the court.

Then it's game time! Jump into open play or, if you're feeling a little competitive, stick around for our optional mini tournament.

No pickleball experience? Perfect. Just bring comfy shoes, a paddle if you have one (we'll have extras available through the Crosslake Community Center), and an open mind.

Register to attend: brainerdlakeschamber.com/WAVE/August-2026

Oofda, was it a warm one out! More than 30 WAVE Young Professionals joined us for our hosted Business After Hours. Thank...
07/31/2026

Oofda, was it a warm one out! More than 30 WAVE Young Professionals joined us for our hosted Business After Hours. Thank you to The North Star for hosting us on the patio, inside air conditioning, and supplying everyone with plenty of cold drinks and delicious food.😉

During the evening, Chamber President Matt Kilian, WAVE Chair Jacob Hanson (J. Hanson Real Estate Group - Edina Realty), and Vice Chair Max Walter (CTC) shared what WAVE is all about and why over 110 young professionals (and their employers) are choosing to be part of it.

WAVE is a place to build confidence and skills, make meaningful connections, and find your people. If you are new to the Brainerd Lakes Area, looking to grow your network, or hoping to meet other young professionals outside of the usual social scene, WAVE welcomes you!

This vibrant, energetic, and passionate group of young professionals comes together every month thanks to the support of the amazing sponsors: Initiative Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Package & Display, Grand View Lodge, Motion 46 Media, CTC, Deerwood Bank, J. Hanson Real Estate Group - Edina Realty, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Widseth.

Ready to join the next WAVE of leaders in the Lakes Area?: head to www.WAVEypn.com.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support WAVE and another great Business After Hours.

Join us (and bring a friend) to Business After Hours, hosted by YOUR WAVE Young Professionals Network! It's our monthly ...
07/16/2026

Join us (and bring a friend) to Business After Hours, hosted by YOUR WAVE Young Professionals Network! It's our monthly event and we want you there!

It's FREE for anyone to attend to learn more about WAVE, network, and enjoy food and beverages.

Register now to attend so you can be added to the guest list: brainerdlakeschamber.com/BAH/WAVE

We're back for Business After Hours!In 2024 we hosted our first Business After Hours. This time we're hosting in July on...
07/07/2026

We're back for Business After Hours!

In 2024 we hosted our first Business After Hours. This time we're hosting in July on Tuesday, July 28 for a great time!

Join us at The North Star in Breezy Point from 4:30 - 6:00PM to learn about how your business, employees, or you, can benefit from like-minded group of young professionals looking to engage in their community and unlock their potential in their career paths.

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Crosslake Chamber of Commerce

The nomination period has officially wrapped up! Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize a young profession...
07/03/2026

The nomination period has officially wrapped up! Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize a young professional making an impact in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Now comes the hard part.

In July a judging panel will review every nomination before selecting this year's Four Under 40 recipients. The Young Professional of the Year will be announced live during the Gala.

In the meantime, registration is open to attend the WAVE Gala. Now's a great time to secure your seat and be part of WAVE's biggest night of they year, presented by Conductor Power!

🔗 Register today. brainerdlakeschamber.com/four-under-40

Connections continued out on the course?! That's what we like to see!Following our WAVE Wednesday at Lakes Jam, five new...
07/03/2026

Connections continued out on the course?! That's what we like to see!

Following our WAVE Wednesday at Lakes Jam, five new connections were made through WAVE, and they all decided to meet up later at Crosswoods Golf's newest course, The Farm!

We love seeing our WAVE Members meet new faces and have like-minded peers to spend time with - especially in true BLA fashion!

From left to right: Tyler Schmidt, Mike DeMuth, Jackson Purfeerst, Blake Kral, and Jeremy Lewis.

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Crosslake Chamber of Commerce
Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce

What happens when you mix a backstage pass, a trolley ride, VIP treatment, and a group of young professionals? A pretty ...
06/25/2026

What happens when you mix a backstage pass, a trolley ride, VIP treatment, and a group of young professionals?

A pretty unforgettable WAVE Wednesday Lakes Jam!🤘🌊🎶

Huge thank you to Brainerd International Raceway and Sara Walker, Mike Schmidt, Ken Lacey, and the entire Lakes Jam crew for pulling off this crazy cool, not-just-a-music-festival event! And shoutout to Tito's Handmade Vodka, Monster Energy, and Sip N' Pass for keeping the hospitality (and samples 😉) flowing.

WAVE truly got a behind-the-scenes look at an event that brings thousands of people to our community each year. Those tourism and economic impact numbers? Pretty impressive.

One of the coolest moments of the night was watching a 12-year-old absolutely crush the National Anthem on his electric guitar.👏

Behind every great community event are people, partnerships, and a whole lot of teamwork. Getting a firsthand look at that while connecting with fellow young professionals is what makes experiences like this so worthwhile.

If you missed this one...Join us on July 28 from 4:30 - 6PM at The North Star in Breezy Point for a FREE Business After Hours where we will be highlighting all things WAVE.💙

Thank you, Widseth, for investing in our WAVE Young Professionals Network! Because of your continued support, members g...
06/18/2026

Thank you, Widseth, for investing in our WAVE Young Professionals Network! Because of your continued support, members get the unique opportunities to learn from local leaders, meet other like-minded young individuals to build a sense of community, and dive into getting to know the Brainerd Lakes Area better.

Thank you for making a difference for the next generation of leaders in the Lakes Area!

We're halfway through the nomination period for the 2026 Four Under 40 Awards.You have until June 30 to submit your nomi...
06/16/2026

We're halfway through the nomination period for the 2026 Four Under 40 Awards.

You have until June 30 to submit your nomination or apply! Chamber Membership or WAVE Membership is not required. To be eligible, individuals must be between the age of 18-39, plus live & work in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Hosted by the WAVE Young Professionals Network, and presented by Conductor Power, we seek to elevate the next WAVE of influence.

Nominate today: www.brainerdlakeschamber.com/four-under-40/application

Address

224 W Washington Street
Brainerd, MN
56401

Telephone

+12182512094

Website

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