Hosts with the Most: Hello Neighbor Networks in a New Way 

Our lifestyles, ways of gathering, and communities are changing, and leaders in Alexandria, Minnesota, are working hard to keep up.

On the second Tuesday of every month, the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission host events to help residents who work or attend college in town integrate into the community. This is done through intentional planning and hosting community gatherings where all members of the community are genuinely welcomed.

Not everyone wanders into a brewery for an Ink & Drink social and thinks, “economic development,” but that’s precisely what drives Hello Neighbor events.

“Economic development is one of the reasons Hello Neighbor came into existence,” explains Nicole Fernholz, Director of the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission. “We kept hearing businesses could recruit employees but not necessarily retain them.”

Fernholz noted that businesses typically have a strong onboarding process for the company, but a robust introduction to the community was missing. 

“Once you find your role at work, what’s your role in the community?” 

She and others identified a need for a sense of connectedness to the community and each other by talking to area businesses.

“It’s important to feel rooted in the community.”

Fernholz also gained insights from her kids’ transition from students to working adults in the community. 

“One of my kids works night shifts, and the other works in an intergenerational environment. They’ve expressed that these situations are not conducive to meeting people or doing things, so they’ve enjoyed Hello Neighbor events.”

So, the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission united people and resources to intentionally provide space and activities for connection under the initiative Hello Neighbor.

Changing How We Gather

Walking into a Hello Neighbor event, attendees are greeted by a banner that says, “Welcome friend, we saved you a seat!” accompanied by a picture of an open, hot pink chair. This vibe matches the Facebook posts that turn social anxiety struggles into a good laugh. 

The crew behind Hello Neighbor sets a tone with a healthy dose of personality and welcoming gestures — an approach that resonates with new and long-time residents. 

“It’s scary to walk into an event not knowing anyone, but we are seeing people do it,” Jess Ptacek, Program & Events Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, shared. “I’m impressed by how many people are coming alone to events.”

The events, too, hold space for younger professionals. Ptacek observed from personal experience, “There are many opportunities to meet people through your children. Less so for people who are single or are married and don’t have kids.”

Researchers signal that this lifestyle choice is becoming more prevalent among millennials and Gen Zers. As our demographics shift, it’s important that community infrastructure—like events—adapts alongside the makeup of the community. 

How Hello Neighbor Hosts in an Inclusive Way

Step 1: As far as hosting, Hello Neighbor hosts are always watching to connect braver individuals coming alone to others at the event through introductions and conversation starters. They’re truly doing the good work of hosting by getting out of their comfort zones to help others get out of theirs and make a connection.

Step 2: From there, participants are encouraged to connect with one another through activities. Event organizers have used Mingle Bingo or get-to-know-you facts bingo, incentivized with prizes to break the ice between attendees.

Step 3: Another best practice relates to venues. Event organizers intentionally plan events at different spaces within the community. That way, participants are exposed to different businesses and become more comfortable going into those places—like an icebreaker to the place and the community itself. Changing locations also attracts more community members who might be interested in a specific activity or space. 

These hosting techniques feed into the broader goal of connection and kindness. “You feel more at home when you know people in a community. We want people to find their best friends. We want them to find their people!” offers Ptacek.

For more information on Hello Neighbor events, check the website and Facebook page. Learn more about Live Wide Open.