Across 5 states, Midco brings support to huge range of community events

This paid piece is sponsored by Midco.

Sometimes it’s the simple things that have a big impact.

Like an annual August tradition in the town of Scandia, Minnesota, held on a Wednesday night beginning at the local farmers market.

That’s where Midco team members greet residents with free totes before the evening moves to a “Children’s Story Path,” where guests can vote for their favorite story created by area students – each narrating the impact internet service has in their life.

As Midco hands out free burgers from a favorite local restaurant, the community’s mayor announces the story winner, and Midco donates a prize and a gift for the student’s classroom.

“For me, it’s a perfect example of the kind of event we like to support,” said Rhonda Erickson, Midco’s senior community relations manager.

“We’re partnering with the community, they support and help promote it, and it’s become a fantastic event that draws hundreds of people.”

Connecting with the communities Midco serves is a year-round commitment that’s especially pronounced in the summer.

Erickson, who has dedicated more than 30 years serving in various roles at Midco, has led events since the early 2000s.

Back then, events largely were tied to new cable channels that were launching.

“The Cartoon Network would want to bring in a snow cone machine, or AMC had a touring exhibit of Princess Diana dresses, so we helped connect them with locations and supplies, and the events helped people learn about the brands,” Erickson said.

“But over time, it evolved into ways where we support Midco’s ethos of being a force for good and connect our customers with our brand through community relations, which has been very rewarding.”

In the winter, the event calendar ranges from basketball to banquets and home shows to hockey games.

“We do a lot of sponsorships, but we’re also participating at these events, attending and purchasing raffle or auction prizes,” Erickson said.

Business trade shows tend to occur in the spring, and by summer, “golf tournaments are big,” she said. “If we sponsor a golf hole, though, we’re committed to setting up with a tent and creating a game or something so we’re actually talking to golfers.”

Other events include sponsoring Levitt at the Falls in Sioux Falls, festivals and free days at places like community zoos.

A Midco team even donates reusable water balloons to people attending an annual water carnival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

In the fall, Midco sponsors the Sanford International golf tournament in Sioux Falls, mixed with plenty of football fun at tailgates and donations to schools across its communities, including sponsoring the Midco Rushmore Bowl in Rapid City.

“And then, when we go into a new community, we’re looking at the events they already do, and we hope to partner within the community to support them,” Erickson said. “Often, we work with a parks and recreation department because we find that partnering is the best way to ensure a successful event.”

The events themselves are primarily staffed by Midco team members across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Kansas, although Erickson does get out to quite a few herself.

“This role has allowed me to get to know so many Midco team members as we make sure they’re ready and willing to help with events,” she said. “I really don’t know of any business that commits to supporting events to the extent that we do, and we’re able to do that because our team is so supportive, from our leadership to those working the events. I’ve always said I have the best job here because I get to know and work with so many people across Midco.”

Midco continually is partnering with new events and looking for opportunities to further connect with the communities it serves, she said.

“I always think to myself, ‘Would I go to something like this? Would my parents?’ We want to make sure we’re creating something that people want to spend time attending,” she said.

“And when we do, we really make an impact. We’re supporting the community – we’re helping people get to know Midco, and it’s definitely become clear to me over the years that our community support makes a difference.”

Learn more about Midco’s community involvement.