Wkacc Newsletter April 09

April 2 0 0 9

Volum e 2 9 , I ssue 4

Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

Chamber Endorses Rapid Transit Millage WYOMING-KE NTWOOD, MI - Th e Wyom in g-Ken t wood Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce h a s en d or s ed th e In ter u r b a n Tr a n s it Pa r tn er s h ip 's m illa ge r equ es t wh ich will b e voted on in th e gen er a l election Ma y 5 .

Th e m illa ge will p r ovid e op er a tin g fu n d s for a n ew Bu s Ra p id Tr a n s it s ys t em , d u b b ed "Th e S ilver Lin e", wh ich wou ld b egin op er a t ion s in 2 0 1 2 u p on t h e p a s s a ge of th e m illa ge. It will b e th e r s t Ra p id Tr a n s it S ys tem in Wes t Mich iga n a n d will r u n fr om Down town Gr a n d Ra p id s a lon g Divis ion Aven u e, t h e b or d er b etween Wyom in g a n d Ken t wood for m u ch of th e r ou t e's len gth .

"Ou r b u s in es s m em b er s a r e m or e t h a n a little con cer n ed a b ou t th e level of ta xa tion in Mich iga n a n d b ega n s t u d yin g th is is s u e wit h a

ver y wa r y eye two m on th s a go", s a id Ch a m b er Pr es id en t J oh n Cr a wfor d . "Wh ile m a n y Ch a m b er effor t s focu s on tr yin g to m a k e Mich iga n a m or e a t tr a ctive a n d cos t-com p etitive p la ce to d o b u s in es s , we fou n d th a t Th e S ilver Lin e is ver y lik ely to d o ju s t t h a t ."

Cr a wfor d n oted t h a t th e Ch a m b er 's Gover n m en t Ma tter s Com m it tee a n d its E xecu t ive Com m itt ee b ot h r ecom m en d ed th e m ea s u r e t o t h e Boa r d of Dir ector s , wh ich u n a n im ou s ly a p p r oved th e en d or s em en t a t its Ma r ch m eet in g.

"Th e m illa ge t o op er a te Th e S ilver Lin e will r elea s e $ 4 0 Million in Fed er a l a n d S ta te gr a n ts in to th e Com m u n ity t o b u ild th e s ys t em for s t a r ter s ", Cr a wfor d s a id . "Th e a d d ed con ven ien ce of a d d in g a Ra p id Tr a n s it S ys tem con n ectin g

ou r s ou th er n s u b u r b s to Down t own Gr a n d Ra p id s cou ld s p a wn a s m u ch $ 1 6 0 Million in p r iva te s ect or in ves tm en t a n d econ om ic a ctivity in th e r s t 4 or 5 yea r s t h a t th e BRT is r u n n in g. We h a ve d et er m in ed t h a t th is is on e in fr a s tr u ct u r e in ves tm en t th a t will p a y for its elf with in a s h or t p a yb a ck p er iod ."

"In s h or t, th is m illa ge r equ es t is a good , s u s t a in a b le job s -cr ea tin g d ea l for ta xp a yer s ." Th e fed er a l a n d s ta te m on ey h a s a lr ea d y b een a lloca ted a n d will go els ewh er e if voter s d eclin e th is op er a tin g m illa ge. Th e Wyom in g-Ken twood Ar ea Ch a m b er u r ges a YE S vote Ma y 5 .

Limited Time, Reduced Price Networking

Inside This Issue Ra p id Tr a n s it Milla ge Ba r ga in Networ k in g Op in ion b y J oh n S ou th Ken t E xp o Refer r a l Ch a llen ge Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Gover n m en t Ma t ter s Ad voca te Ad ver t is in g Am b a s s a d or s Cor n er Th e Cr u is e Cor n er E d u ca tion Com m it tee Mem b er Miles t on es Mem b er S p otligh t Lett er to th e Pr es id en t 2 0 0 9 Mem b er S ign s

1 1 2 3 4 5 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 13

Ca len d a r s on Pa ges 6 & 7 Log on to www.s ou t h k en t.or g For d eta ils .

Th e 3 r d Fr id a ys ! Pla n n in g Com m ittee a n d Dia n n e Cih a k a t Craigs Cru is e rs in vite you to join oth er a r ea b u s in es s lea d er s for a d eliciou s lu n ch b u ffet a n d n etwor k in g on ce a m on th on th e 3 r d Fr id a y of th e m on th .

Du r in g Ap r il, Ma y a n d J u n e, regis ter ea rly a n d on ly p a y $ 1 2 for lu n ch . You 'r e goin g t o wa n t to make early reservations. (Members r egis ter in g a ft er 5 p m on Wed n es d a y, Ap r il 1 5 will p a y $ 2 1 .0 0 . Not -yet-m em b er r a te r em a in s a t $ 2 1 .0 0 ). Re gis t e r o n -lin e at www.s o u t h k e n t .o rg.

"Atten d a n ce n u m b er s h a ve b een gr ea t s in ce th e r s t of t h e yea r ," Lis a O'Ca lla gh a n , com m it tee ch a ir t old u s . "We h op e t h e s p ecia l r a te for th e n ext 3 m on t h s , will r es u lt in s om e n ew fa ces a n d s a ve ou r m em b er s a little m on ey". April, May an d J u n e Me m be rs : Early Re gis t rat io n Pas t a, Piz z a, S alad, De s s e rt , Be ve rage Bar, an d Ne t wo rk in g all fo r o n ly $ 1 2 ! Late registration an d n on -m em ber r a te is s t ill on ly $ 2 1 .0 0 . S h owca s e - Ad d 'l $ 3 5 .0 0 , s p a ce is lim ited . Ta b le In fo - Ad d t 'l $ 1 5 .0 0 . To r es er ve a S h owca s e Ta b le em a il s u e@s ou th k en t .or g for a n a p p lica tion or ca ll h er a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 5 9 9 0 or go to www.s ou th k en t .or g.

YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT 2 0 0 9 Bo ard o f Dire c t o rs *in d ica t es E xecu t ive Com m it t ee Mem b er

*J oh n Cr a wfor d - Pr es id en t & CE O *Tod d Du n ca n - Con s u m er s E n er gy, Boa r d Ch a ir *S teve Ma r s h a ll- MAS Advisory Service, Chair, Fin. & Bu dget *Nor in e Mu lvih ill - Op t ion 1 Cr ed it Un ion , S r . V. Ch a ir *Ka th ey Ba t ey - Pr ior ity Hea lth / S p ir ited Pr es en t a t ion s *Br en t Holla n d - Ch a m eleon Lt d . *S k ip Kn a p p - E d wa r d J on es In ves tm en ts *Tom Kr u is en ga - W. MI Bu s in es s Gr ou p , Pa s t Ch a ir *Br en t Va n d er Kolk - Va n d er Kolk & Va n d er Kolk PLC, Lega l Cou n s el

Co m m u n it y Re lat io n s Divis io n (Blu e ) *Ka th ey Ba tey - Vice Ch a ir Tom m y Br a n n - Br a n n s S tea k h ou s e & Gr ille Da n Va n Dyk e - PCO As s ocia tes , LLC *Br en t Va n d er Kolk - Va n d er Kolk & Va n d er Kolk ,.PLC Lillia n Va n d er Veen - Len ger Tr a vel S er vices

Me m be r Re lat io n s Divis io n (Re d) *Br en t Holla n d - Vice Ch a ir Rich a r d Ch r is m a n - Hu n gerford, Aldrin , Nich ols & Ca rter Da n n a Ma th ies en - Mer ca n tile Ba n k J oh n S ch wa r t z - AT&T

Me m be rs h ip De ve lo pm e n t Divis io n (Go ld) *S k ip Kn a p p - Vice Ch a ir Rob Wells - AXA Ad vis or s Dia n e Za n d s t r a - W. MI Cen ter for Fa m ily Hea lth

Fin an c ial De ve lo pm e n t Divis io n (Gre e n ) *Nor in e Mu lvih ill - S r . Vice Ch a ir Bet s y Ar t z - Loek s Th ea ter s (Celeb r a t ion Cin em a ) J oel Ia k ir i - Hu n tin gton Ba n k Da vid S zid ik - Mon ey Ma iler s of S E Ken t Cou n ty Ma t t Uh l - Na tion a l Cit y

Ex-Of c io Ca r ol S h eets - Cit y of Wyom in g, Ma yor Rich a r d Root - Cit y of Ken twood , Ma yor Cu r t is Holt - City of Wyom in g, Ma n a ger Bill Dor en - Ch a m b er Fou n d a tion Ch a ir

My Bu s i n e s s Ad voc a t e , Cop yr igh t 2 0 0 9 Wyom in g-Ken twood Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce 5 9 0 - 3 2 n d S t r eet S E Wyom in g, MI 4 9 5 4 8 -2 3 4 5 Tel: 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 Fa x: 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -0 2 5 2 News letter / Ad ver t In for m a t ion : s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g

Opinion by John April 09 By John J. Crawford, Chamber President

De pre c iat io n an d Appre c iat io n Ta lk of d ep r ecia tion s eem s s o com m on th es e d a ys .

Hom e va lu es , 4 0 1 K s , m on ey m a r k ets , wa ges , IRA s a n d s o on . Ma n y im p or ta n t th in gs in ou r lives h a ve d ep r ecia ted in th is r eces s ion . Aga in , th a t s n or m a l in a n y econ om ic d own tu r n , b u t it s u r e is d is cou r a gin g!

On e s a d ca s u a lty t h a t often a ccom p a n ies tou gh tim es , t h ou gh , is th a t we d ep r ecia t e th e people a r ou n d u s a s ou r a s s ets d ep r ecia t e. E a ch of u s is en or m ou s ly va lu a b le a n d ou r va lu e a p p r ecia tes ever y d a y! Wor k in g a t t h e Ch a m b er , we get to s ee th a t in th e m a n y s u p er s ta r volu n teer -m em b er s wor k in g on d ozen s of p r oject s ! Th ey a r e a m a zin g a n d a r e a lwa ys s m ilin g!

Mak e t h e Tim e t o Appre c iat e Eac h Ot h e r! I r em em b er h ea r in g a r ep or ted ly tr u e s t or y a lon g t im e a go a b ou t t wo 5 t h Gr a d e s tu d en t s b oth n a m ed Tom m y in t h e s a m e cla s s r oom . On e Tom m y wa s a lwa ys wellb eh a ved , p a r ticip a ted in cla s s , tu r n ed h is h om ewor k in on t im e a n d ea r n ed good gr a d es . Th e ot h er Tom m y, well, d id n ot. He s t r u ggled wit h h is gr a d es a n d wa s a lwa ys d is r u p tin g t h e cla s s . He wa s a h a n d fu l for h is t ea ch er .

At th e p a r en t -t ea ch er con fer en ces t h e b a d Tom m y s m oth er m et r s t with th e tea ch er . S h e a s k ed h ow Tom m y wa s d oin g in cla s s . Th e t ea ch er , con fu s in g th e t wo b oys , r ep lied I ca n t b egin to tell you wh a t a joy Tom m y is in m y cla s s ! He is s o h elp fu l a n d s t u d ies ver y h a r d ! I r ea lly a p p r ecia te h a vin g h im a s a s t u d en t m y r oom !

S ta r tin g t h e n ext d a y, th e Ba d Tom m y ca m e in with h is h om ewor k a ll d on e, p a r ticip a ted in cla s s a n d b ega n to p a s s h is tes t s wit h yin g color s ! He m a d e a d r a m a t ic t u r n -a r ou n d , b eca m e a s tella r s t u d en t a n d gr a d u a ted fr om h igh s ch ool a s h is cla s s va led ictor ia n .

Du r in g h is gr a d u a tion s p eech , h e cr ed ited h is 5 t h Gr a d e t ea ch er for t ellin g h is Mom h ow m u ch h e wa s a p p r ecia ted . He h a d n ever felt a p p r ecia ted in a n y cla s s b efor e t h a t a n d fr om t h a t d a y for wa r d felt com p elled to m ea s u r e u p to th e exp ecta tion a n d to th e a pprecia tion .

We Appre c iat e YOU! Let s m a k e s u r e, es p ecia lly in th es e ch a llen gin g tim es t h a t we go ou t of ou r wa y t o a pprecia te ea ch ot h er , en cou r a ge a n d lift th os e a r ou n d u s u p . Rever s in g ou r a s s et d ep r ecia tion ca n t b e fa r b eh in d t h a t , ca n it?!

At lea s t , t h a t s m y op in ion b y J oh n !

SPECIAL EVENTS

Plan to Exhibit and Attend the South Kent Community Expo Ch a m b er Mem b er s t h r ou gh ou t s ou th er n Ken t Cou n ty will exh ib it t h eir p r od u cts a n d s er vices to con s u m er s a t t h e 1 s t An n u a l S OUTH KE NT COMMUNITY E XPO on S a tu r d a y, Ap r il 1 8 t h fr om 1 1 :0 0 a .m . to 5 :0 0 p .m . a t Wo o dlan d S po rt s a t 2 1 0 0 2 8 t h S tr eet S E .

We a r e exp ectin g th ou s a n d s of a tt en d ees fr om th e a d ver tis in g ca m p a ign cr ea ted b y Bla ir E n ten m a n n of Mark e t in gHe lp! a n a ct ive ch a m b er m em b er on t h e E xp o Com m itt ee. Re ge n t Bro adc as t in g, th e even t s Pla t in u m s p on s or , will b e a ir in g over 2 2 0 com m er cia ls a n d p r om ot ion a l s p ot s in th e 1 0 d a ys p r ior to th e E XPO on t h r ee of th eir s ta tion s a n d h old in g a 2 h ou r live r em ote b r oa d ca s t t h e d a y of th e even t . Th er e a r e a ls o fou r a d s r u n n in g in Co ffe e Ne ws , d is tr ib u t ed a t 1 2 0 loca t ion s in s ou th er n Ken t Cou n t y, a n d in s ever a l Fr id a y or S a t u r d a y ed ition s of Th e Gran d Rapids Pre s s . You will a ls o s ee h u n d r ed s of b r igh t

yellow E XPO p os ter s in b u s in es s win d ows , on ya r d s ign s a n d on s tr eet b a n n er s th r ou gh ou t th e a r ea a s we get clos er to th e even t . As Den n is Ka va n a gh of Ce n t ral Pay m e n t S y s t e m s , th e E xp o Com m it tee Ch a ir s a id r ecen tly, Y ou w ill h a ve to b e d ea f a n d b lin d n ot to k n ow a bou t th is EXPO!

Pa ck a ged Food Don a t ion t o t h e UCOM Fo o d Ban k or a Gen t ly Us ed Clot h in g Don a t ion t o In Th e Im age or Give Blood t o t h e Mic h igan Co m m u n it y Blo o d Ce n t e rs a t t h e E XPO. Dem a n d s on t h es e ch a r it ies a r e h igh er t h a n ever , s o b r in g a d on a t ion or t h r ee t o t h e E XPO.

Ca r ol Cr a wfor d of Th e Alt e rn at ive Bo ard, th e Ch a ir p er s on of t h e Bu s in es s Gr owth Com m ittee, s a id , W e a re n ot on ly try in g to h elp ou r m em bers grow th eir bu s in es s es in th es e tu rbu len t tim es , bu t w e a re d oin g s o w h ile bein g good com m u n ity citiz en s . S h e p oin ts ou t a k ey fea tu r e of th e Com m u n it y E xp o is a DONATION PRIZE DRAWING. Atten d ees ca n en t er a d r a win g t o win 6 HOURS OF GOLF LE S S ONS (a $ 5 0 0 Va lu e) fr om S cot t S eiffer lein , PGA Golf Gu r u of www.Gr a n d Ra p id s GolfLes s on . com a t Th e High lan ds (a n ew ch a m b er m em b er ) a n d Ot h er Va lu a b le Pr izes wit h a Ca n n ed or

Bob O Ca lla gh a n , Mem b er S er vices Ma n a ger , wa n t s to r em in d ou r m em b er s th a t exh ib it s p a ces a r e lim ited to 1 3 0 a n d t h er e a r e on ly a few s p a ces left t o ll. Mem b er p r ice t o exh ib it is on ly $ 1 3 0 a n d n on m em b er p r ice is $ 1 8 5 . Th e la s t d a y t o s ign u p for exh ib its is Mon d a y, Ap r il 1 3 t h . B u t d on t w a it u n til th e la s t m in u te, w e'll proba bly be s old ou t by th en , Bob wa r n s .

Exh ibit s pac e is lim it e d, s o ple as e c all t h e Wy o m in gKe n t wo o d Are a Ch am be r o f Co m m e rc e at 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 A.S .A.P. if y o u wan t t o e xh ibit .

South Kent

Communit y

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MEMBER RECRUITING

YOU R Re fe rra l M e a ns Cha m be r Buck s for YOU R Busine ss Mo re is de n it e ly be t t e r wh e n it c o m e s t o Ch am be r Me m be rs h ip. High er m em bers h ip n u m b er s m ea n m or e a ffor d a b le d u es cos ts , b ett er n etwor k in g a n d a wid er r a n ge of r es ou r ces an d opportu n ities for you r Bu sin ess. In a d d ition , m or e Bu s in es s es in volved in th e Ch a m b er m ea n a lou d er voice wh en we n eed t o b e h ea r d .

It 's e as y t o m ak e a re fe rral. Con ta ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il b ob @ s ou th k en t .or g a n d give h im th e n a m e of th e b u s in es s , a con ta ct n a m e a n d p h on e n u m b er or em a il a d d r es s . He'll con ta ct you r r efer r a l t o s et u p a n a p p oin t m en t a t a tim e con ven ien t t o t h em , t o t a lk a b ou t t h e op p or t u n ities a n d b en e ts of Ch a m b er Mem b er s h ip . On ce th e a p p lica tion is r eceived in ou r of ce a n d p a ym en t is p r oces s ed we will is s u e a cer ti ca te for $ 2 5

in Ch a m b er Bu ck s t o t h e r efer r in g m em b er , wh ich ca n b e r ed eem ed a s cr ed it towa r d n etwor k in g even t fees , s h owca s e fees , d u es r en ewa l fees or n ea r ly a n y oth er Ch a m b er in voice, (exclu d in g GVHP Pr em iu m s ).

Add y o u r ide as t o t h e m ix. Th e Mem b er Recr u itin g Com m it tee m eet s on t h e r s t Th u r s d a y of ea ch m on th a t 8 a m a t th e Ch a m b er Of ce. New m em b er s of th e gr ou p a r e welcom e a t a n y tim e.

S even ou t of 2 8 n ew WKACC m em b er s s ign ed on s in ce J a n u a r y 1 s t of th is yea r wer e r efer r ed b y Ch a m b er Mem b er s th r ou gh t h e Ch a m b er Bu ck s Pr ogr a m . Th e Feb ru a ry -Ma rch In cen tive Aw a rd , fu rn is h ed b y Hy at t Plac e , lo c at e d at By ro n Ce n t e r Ave an d M-6 , is an o v e rn igh t s t ay fo r t wo . Th e w in n er w ill b e a n n ou n ced in th e Ma y is s u e of My Bu s i n e s s Ad voc a t e .

Mem b er Refer r a ls fr om WKACC Mem b er s r es u lt ed in t h e followin g n ew m em b er s s in ce J an u ary 1, 2009:

Bat t e rie s Plu s ITT Te c h n ic al In s t it u t e Be s t Ch o ic e Lawn Care Tu lip Cit y De t ail Plu s Mape s In s u ran c e Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs Win gs o f Ho pe

Wh o d o y ou k now t h a t s h ould be a m em ber? Get in on th e Bi-Mon th ly Ch a llen ge for t h e m on th s of Ap r il a n d Ma y. Th e m em b er m a k in g t h e m os t r efer r a ls will r eceive a gift cer ti ca te for a n over n igh t s ta y a t Wood la n d Cr eek Ap a r tm en ts on E a s t Pa r is .

Premier Maximum Impact Leadership Simulcast Get you r Tick et t od a y! Com in g live via s im u lca s t t o Re s u rre c t io n Life Ch u rc h , 5 1 0 0 Iva n r es t Ave S W in Gr a n d ville. Pa r t icip a n t s in clu d e: Ke vin Carro ll, For m er Nik e Cr ea t ive, a u t h or & s p ea k er ; Lin da Kaplan -Th ale r, Cr ea t or of t h e AFLAC ca m p a ign , CE O, b es t s ellin g a u t h or of "Th e Power of Nice"; Al We is s , Pr es id en t Wa lt Dis n ey Pa r k s ; J o h n C. Maxwe ll, Lea d er s h ip E xp er t ; To n y Blair, For m er UK Pr im e Min is t er ; J ac k Nic k lau s , Golf Ch a m p ion ; Bill Ge o rge , Ha r va r d Bu s in es s Pr ofes s ion a l, for m er Med tr on ics CE O, a u t h or ; Liz Mu rray , In s p ir a t ion a l S p ea k er , "Hom les s t o Ha r va r d "; Mark S an bo rn , Bes t s ellin g a u t h or of "Th e Fr ed Fa ct or "; Ern ie J o h n s o n , Hos t TNT's in s id e t h e NBA. Lea d er s h ip is cu lt iva t ed wit h h u m ilit y a n d d is cip lin e. It m er ges t h e p a s s ion of t h e h ea r t wit h t h e a b ilit y of t h e m in d . Th is p r em ier s p ea k er lin e-u p p la ces you in t h e cr a ft s m a n 's wor k s h op - h ea r in g wis d om a n d exp er ien ces fr om t h e wor ld 's b es t lea d er s . You will b e in s p ir ed , r evived , a n d r efocu s ed . For t ick et or d er s con t a ct www.wb feven t s .com or ca ll (6 1 6 ) 2 6 1 -3 7 4 0 . E a r ly Bir d Ra t e u n t il 3 / 2 2 is on ly $ 6 4 .0 0 , $ 7 4 .0 0 u n t il Ap r il 3 0 . Week ly r a t e for 5 / 1 -5 / 8 is $ 8 4 .0 0 . Gr ou p s of 1 0 or m or e on ly $ 6 4 u n t il 4 / 3 0 . S t u d en t r a t e on ly $ 4 9 . For s p on s or s h ip in for m a t ion , con t a ct Deb Kir gis a t 6 1 6 -2 4 9 -3 7 3 1 or d eb k @r es life.or g.

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YOUR Chamber Is Working Hard For YOU! To a cces s Mem ber-On ly In fo, go to www.s ou th k en t.or g a n d click on th e logo s h own a b ove on th e HOME p a ge.

We en cou r a ge you to ch eck ou t th e op tion s a va ila b le on YOUR Mem b er Pa ge a n d t o con t a ct u s if you h a ve a n y qu es tion s or con cer n s a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g or ju lie@ s ou th k en t .or g.

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Ea gle Adm inist rat ors Offe r Low Cost H e a lt h Ca re Opt ion

Th e Ch am be r Part n e rs Co m m it t e e is ple as e d t o in t ro du c e J as o n Ru s s e ll o f Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs t o o u r fam ily o f Ch am be rPart n e rs fo r 2 0 0 9 . E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s offer s a fu lly in s u r ed lim ited b en e t (m in im ed ica l) grou p h ea lth in s u r a n ce p la n for b oth fu ll-tim e a n d p a r t t im e em p loyees typ ica lly u n a b le t o a cces s gr ou p h ea lth cover a ge d u e t o cos t a n d / or eligib ilit y. Th e p la n s offer qu a lit y cover a ge on a gu a r a n teed -is s u e b a s is a n d a r e a ffor d a b le en ou gh for vir tu a lly a n y em p loyee. Fu r th er , p la n s ca n b e s et -u p on a 1 0 0 % volu n ta r y b a s is , cos tin g th e em p loyer n oth in g!

E m p loyer s ca n u s e th e Hea lth y Ba s ics p r ogr a m for th eir p a r t-tim e s ta ff, t h os e fu ll-tim er s a wa itin g eligib ilit y for t h eir com p r eh en s ive p r ogr a m , a n d for t h os e em p loyees wh o h a ve n ot elect ed to en r oll in t h eir com p r eh en s ive p r ogr a m . E m p loyer s m a y a ls o u s e t h is p r ogr a m wh en n o ot h er gr ou p p la n is offer ed . Ad d ition a lly, a s s ocia ted in d ep en d en t con tr a ctor s m a y a cces s cover a ge th r ou gh a p a r ticip a tin g com p a n y.

Pla n s a r e fu lly cu s tom iza b le a n d h a ve n o p r e-exis tin g con d ition s cla u s es . E m p loyer s wit h over 5 1 or m or e eligib le em p loyees m a y offer t wo p la n s , a n d em p loyer s with over 2 5 0 em p loyees m a y elect t o offer u p t o 3 p la n op tion s . S u p p lem en ta r y m ed ica l p la n s s u ch a s Den t a l & Vis ion p la n s a r e a ls o a va ila b le.

E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s for th e Wa y You Live!

In s u r a n ce

Co n t ac t J as o n Ru s s e ll, Bro k e r Dire c t o r at Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs , ph o n e (6 1 6 ) 4 9 0 -0 9 1 1 , o r y o u c an e m ail h im dire c t ly at jas o n @e agle adm in is t rat o rs .c o m .

Th e 2 0 0 9 Ch a m be r Pa r t n e r Com m i t t e e Nor in e Mu lvih ill, (Divis ion Vice Ch a ir ) fr om Opt io n 1 Cre dit Un io n ; Da vid S zid ik , (Dir ector ) fr om Pro fo rm a In n it e Mark e t in g; Ca r ol Cr a wfor d , (Com m it tee Ch a ir ) fr om Th e Alt e rn at ive Bo ard; Lin d a S in ger , Mic h igan Lak e t o Lak e Be d an d Bre ak fas t As s o c iat io n ; Am y S m it h fr om Mic h igan Co m m u n it y Blo o d Ce n t e r; a n d S u e Byn u m - wor k in g with t h e com m ittee fr om th e Ch a m b er Of ce S ta ff.

Plan t o jo in u s aft e r y o u r lu n c h t im e n e t wo rk in g. Th e Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Com m itt ee m eet s on th e 3 r d Fr id a y ea ch m on th im m ed ia t ely followin g th e 3 r d Fr id a ys ! Net wor k in g Lu n ch eon a t t h e s a m e loca t ion a s th e lu n ch eon .

If you wou ld like to h elp develop p rogra m s th a t in crea s e Mem b ers h ip Va lu e, Ch a m b er Non -d u es Reven u e a n d Mem b er s h ip Nu m b er s th is com m ittee welcom es you r in p u t. For a lis t of p a r ticip a n ts in t h e Ch a m b er Pa r tn er Pr ogr a m , in form a tion on b ecom in g a Ch a m b er Pa r tn er or t o join th e com m ittee con ta ct s u e@s ou th k en t.or g. or ca ll 616-531-5990.

Re ac h m o re t h an 7 0 0 po t e n t ial c u s t o m e rs fo r o n ly $ 2 5 .0 0 pe r m o n t h . In a d d ition to Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Pr ogr a m s th e Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Com m itt ee a ls o offer s lim ited tim e d is cou n ts t o m em b er s .

Wat c h t h is s pac e fo r Me m be r t o Me m be r Dis c o u n t s (M2 M Dis c o u n t s ) in fu t u re is s u e s . Con ta ct s u e@s ou th k en t.or g to lis t you r M2 M offer in My B u s in es s Ad voca te a n d on th e Ch am ber Website for on ly $ 2 5 .0 0 p er m on th .

Ho w Do I Be c o m e a Ch am be rPart n e r?

Working with a Chamber Par tner is Good Business!

Th e Com m ittee look s for Mem b er s t h a t p r ovid e s er vices t h a t b en e t WKACC Mem b er s a t a d is cou n ted p r ice th a t will h elp im p r ove ou r m em b er s p r o t s b y h elp in g r ed u ce th eir exp en s es for item s t h ey n eed to r u n th eir b u s in es s .

A Ch a m b er Pa r tn er m u s t a ls o p r ovid e t h e Ch a m b er with a n oth er d iver s e s ou r ce of n on d u es r even u e.

For m or e in for m a tion con ta ct S u e Byn u m a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or Ca r ol Cr a wfor d a t 6 1 6 -3 0 1 -8 0 8 1 .

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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S t aff Me e t in gs o n t h e Th u rs day be fo re 3 rd Friday s ! an d o n all o t h e r Friday s at 1 0 am

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COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Frost & Sullivan Name AT&T U-Verse 2009 "Product of the Year" Gail Torreano: Michigan viewers do well with law Two yea r s a go, th e Legis la tu r e m a d e a com m it m en t to Mich iga n con s u m er s t h a t th e d oor s t o vid eo com p et it ion wou ld b e op en ed b y p a s s in g vid eo fr a n ch is e r efor m legis la t ion . Tod a y, th ou s a n d s m or e Mich iga n con s u m er s h a ve a cces s t o vid eo ch oice t h a n ever b efor e, com m u n ities a r ou n d t h e s t a t e a r e b en e tin g fr om in ves tm en t in u p gr a d ed n etwor k s a n d im p r oved fu n d in g r es ou r ces .

In s h or t, vid eo r efor m is wor k in g in Mich iga n a n d con s u m er s a n d com m u n ities a r e r ea p in g t h e b en e ts .

Un d er s ta n d in g th a t tech n ology is ch a n gin g a t a b r ea k n eck p a ce a n d

con s u m er ch oice wa s t oo lim ited , t h e Legis la tu r e d ecid ed th a t r u les n eed ed to b e u p d a ted t o r e ect t od a y s com p etitive m a r k et . If th e r u les wer e ch a n ged in Mich iga n , con s u m er ch oice a n d n et wor k in ves tm en t wou ld follow.

An exa m p le of th e n ew a n d in n ova t ive ch oices con s u m er s h a ve a va ila b le to th em is U-ver s e, d eliver ed b y AT&T. S in ce la u n ch in g in p a r ts of 5 6 com m u n ities in t h e Det r oit a r ea in Ma y 2 0 0 7 , U-ver s e p r od u cts - in clu d in g AT&T U-ver s e TV, AT&T U-ver s e High -S p eed In ter n et a n d AT&T U-ver s e Voice - a r e n ow a va ila b le in p a r ts of over 2 3 0 com m u n ities a cr os s th e s ta te.

Com p etition a n d ch oice a r e b oom in g givin g con s u m er s th e ch oice th ey lon ged for , wh ile

p r es er vin g vita l fea tu r es lik e com m u n ity a cces s p r ogr a m m in g a n d fu n d in g t o com m u n ities .

In fa ct, in J a n u a r y, th e Mich iga n Pu b lic S er vice Com m is s ion r ep or ted , vid eo a n d ca b le com p et it ion is con tin u in g to gr ow in Mich iga n , a n d m or e com m u n ities h a ve a ch oice wh en it com es t o a vid eo/ ca b le p r ovid er s a n d cu s tom er s a r e b en e tin g fr om m or e ch oices . Con s u m er ch oice a n d m a in t a in in g fu n d in g for ou r com m u n ities wer e two of th e m a jor goa ls of t h a t 2 0 0 6 legis la tion , a n d t wo yea r s la ter , th e PS C r ep or t s h ows Mich iga n is s u cceed in g.

Wh en con s u m er s a n d com m u n it ies a r e b en e tin g, it b en e ts a ll of u s .

Gail To rre an o , Pre s ide n t , AT&T Mic h igan .

Chamber Endorsement Follow Up Th e p r op os ed legis la tion wa s r eviewed b y th e Gover n m en t Ma t ter s Com m itt ee a n d th e r es u lt in g in for m a t ion wa s s u b m itted t o ou r Boa r d in 2 0 0 7 . YOUR Boa r d of Dir ector s voted to s u p p or t th e legis la tion th a t m a d e t h is p os s ib le. J oh n Cr a wfor d Pr es id en t & CE O WKACC

AT&T is d ep loyin g ou r n ext gen er a tion In t er n et Pr otocol (IP) t ech n ology in m a n y Mich iga n com m u n ities . Th is n ew, a d va n ced

tech n ology is con tin u in g to evolve a n d is b ein g u s ed t o d eliver s er vices lik e ou r AT&T U-ver s e TV. 2 0 0 8 m a r k ed a yea r of s t r on g cu s t om er gr owth , exp a n d ed a va ila b ility, con tin u ed s er vice en h a n cem en ts a n d in d u s t r y a ccola d es for AT&T U-ver s e TV.

To n is h off th e yea r , Fr os t & S u lliva n n a m ed AT&T U-ver s e its 2 0 0 9 Con s u m er Com m u n ica tion s S er vice Pr od u ct of th e Yea r .

Mos t im p or ta n tly, a s we con t in u e to exp a n d t h e a va ila b ilit y of IP-b a s ed

s er vices , con s u m er s a r e b egin n in g t o exp er ien ce th e b en e ts of TV, PC, h om e p h on e a n d wir eles s s er vices t h a t ca n b e in tegr a ted to a ll wor k t ogeth er . On th a t n ote, a tt a ch ed is a r ecen t La n s in g S ta te J ou r n a l op -ed fr om Ga il Tor r ea n o, AT&T Mich iga n Pr es id en t , h igh ligh t in g t h e evolu tion of in cr ea s ed vid eo com p et it ion in Mich iga n th a t is b en e ttin g Mich iga n Con s u m er s . J oh n S ch wa r tz WKACC Boa r d of Dir ector s AT&T

Adver tise in the New & Improved My Business Advocate Get Your Message in Front of 750+ Business and Community Leaders Each Month! (These rates for Members Only. Non-members pay 150% of member rate).

Business Card ize Ad B&W 4 Color 1X $ 40 $ 75 3X $ 108 $ 213 6X $ 192 $ 402

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For more infor mation, contact Sue Bynum at 616-531-5990 or at [email protected]

AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE

April 2 0 0 9 b y Am y Pierce, Exp res s Em p loy m en t Profes s ion a ls

Ch a m b er Am b a s s a d or s a r e h er e t o h elp you get in volved b y h elp in g you u n d er s ta n d th e b en e ts of m em b er s h ip a s well d is cover wh er e you r ta len t s wou ld m a k e a n im p a ct! If you a r e u n s u r e of wh o you r Am ba ss a dor is , ca ll J u lie J a n es -Brown a t th e Ch a m b er , (6 1 6 ) 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 tod a y!

Me m ber B u s in es s es prom otin g th e "Gru b Cra w l" th rou gh s pon s ors h ip in clu d e Th e Al t e r n a t i ve Boa r d , Ch a m e l e on LTD, Me r c a n t i l e Ba n k of Mi c h i g a n , Ma c a t a w a Ba n k , and Bu s in es s Lea d ers h ip Net w ork .

Gru b Crawl S o u t h Ke n t , ou r r s t even t of th is k in d , will b e on Th u r s d a y, Ap r il 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 fr om 5 PM 1 0 PM. Gr u b Cr a wl is a food s a m p lin g tou r of 1 0 1 2 r es ta u r a n ts .

Gr u b Cr a wler s will b e t r a n s p or ted b y DADD's B u s on a con t in u ou s cir cu it b etween th e participatin g restau ran ts, with stops a t ea ch r es ta u r a n t ever y 1 5 -m in u tes . Hos t r es ta u r a n t s will h a ve food s a m p les for you to ta s t e a n d d r in k s p ecia ls t o p u r ch a s e t h r ou gh ou t t h e even t. Gr u b Cr a wler s m a y

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r e m a in a t ea ch loca tion for a s little or a s lon g a s t h ey d es ir e. For m or e even t in for m a t ion , s p on s or s h ip in for m a tion , or to p u r ch a s e tick ets , vis it www.gr u b cr a wls ou t h k en t.com .

S om e r ea lly gr ea t r es t a u r a n ts a r e on b oa r d for th e "Cr a wl", in clu d in g E l Ar r ier o, No t o 's Old Wo rld It alian Din in g, Lo n gh o rn S t e ak h o u s e , Gr a n d Ra p id s Br ewin g , TGI Fr id a ys , Texa s Roa d h ou s e, a n d S a yfees ju s t for s ta r t er s .

Co s t is on ly $ 2 0 p er p er s on (or $ 1 5 p er p er s on in gr ou p s of ten or m or e). Dr in k s p ecia ls m u s t b e p u r ch a s ed s ep a r a t ely.

Wh at is t h e pu rpo s e o f t h e Am bas s ado r s c o m m it t e e ? Th e m is s ion of a WKACC Am b a s s a d or is t o s u p p or t, p r om ote a n d en h a n ce t h e b en e ts , p r ogr a m s a n d n e t wor k in g op p or tu n ities offer ed b y t h e WKACC to its m em b er s h ip a n d com m u n ity.

Ma rc h Afte r Hours a t Wo o dlan d Cre e k . We wou ld lik e to th a n k ou r S HOWCAS E ME MBE RS a t t h e even t: Ce n t ral Pay m e n t Co rp, Gillis Fam ily Ch iro prac t ic , Mic h igan Tu rk e y Pro du c e rs Co o p, Re / Max Life s t y le s , Wo o dlan d Cre e k , an d WKACC.

Wh e n an d wh e re do t h e Am bas s ado rs m e e t ? Th e Am b a s s a d or Com m ittee m eets on t h e r s t Tu es d a y of ea ch m on th a t 4 :0 0 PM. Ou r m eet in g loca tion t h r ou gh J u n e 2 0 0 9 is No t o s Old Wo rld It alian Din in g.

Ba llo o n Dro p Priz e s are n e e de d for th e S o u t h Ke n t Co n s u m e r Expo o n Ap r il 1 8 t h . Don a te YOUR BUS INE S S lo go'd m er ch a n d is e. Con t a ct J u lie a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il h er a t ju lie@s ou t h k en t.or g if you h a ve s om eth in g(s ) to d on a t e.

Who are your Ambassadors? Vick ey Ar go, Dou g Br ed b er g, Lis a Ca lh ou n , Bob Ca r p en ter , Ca r olyn Foot e, J im Gilb er t, Ma r cie Gold b er g, Ma u r ice Gr oce, Ch r is Gr os s , Bu z Helwig, Br en t Holla n d , J u d i Holla n d , Ca s ey J a n k os k a , Den n is Ka va n a gh , Ka t ie Kob er , Am a n d a Lewis , D a n n a Ma th ies en , S h a wn a Myer s , Am y Pier ce, P a t Pols , J a s on Ru s s ell, M a t t Uh l, R ob Wells , Bo b O'Ca lla gh a n J u lie J a n es -Br own

Bu s in es s Lea d er s h ip Networ k Cr os b y & Hen r y Hilt on GR Air p or t Com p let e S ou r ce Ma ca t a wa Ba n k Cr ea t ive Ben e t S ys t em s Fla gs ta r Ba n Mer ca n t ile Ba n k Ch r is Th er a p eu t ic Tou ch Th e Gr a n d Ra p id s Pr es s Ch a m eleon Ltd Ch a m eleon Ltd E xp r es s E m p loym en t Pr ofes s ion a ls Cen t r a l Pa ym en t Cor p Holid a y In n S elect gNet wor k s Mer ca n t ile Ba n k Ca m b r id ge Pa r t n er s E xp r es s E m p loym en t Pr ofes s ion a ls Re/ Ma x Lifes t yles E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s & Ma p es In s u r a n ce Na t ion a l Cit y AXA Ad vis or s Ch a m b er S t a ff Ch a m b er S t a ff

28TH STREET METRO CRUISE

T he Cr uise Cor ner City of Wyoming Endorses 2009 Metro Merchant Program $ 1 0 0 .0 0 - Ch a m b er Mem b er s a n d Not -Yet-Mem b er s loca t ed in t h e DDA Dis tr ict . $ 2 5 0 .0 0 - All oth er Ch a m b er Mem b er s $ 3 7 5 .0 0 - All oth er Not-Yet Mem b er s

In Ma r ch t h e Wyom in g Down town Develop m en t Au th or ity (DDA), u n d er th e lea d er s h ip of Mega n S a ll, E xecu tive Dir ector , a p p r oved a n a d d ition a l exp en d itu r e towa r d in volvem en t in th e 2 0 0 9 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e.

Th e Wyom in g DDA wa n ts t o en cou r a ge b u s in es s es loca t ed in t h e DDA Dis tr ict (2 8 th S t r eet fr om Byr on Cen ter t o S . Divis ion ) to p a r ticip a te in t h e Metr o Mer ch a n t Pr ogr a m . Bu s in es s es in th e a r ea will p a y a s p ecia l p r ice cou r t es y of in cr ea s ed s u p p or t fr om th e DDA.

Th er e a r e a lot of p r e-even t, a n d d a y of even t b en e ts to p a r ticip a tin g in th e Metr o Mer ch a n t Pr ogr a m .

You r Bu s in es s Na m e: will b e p os t ed on th e 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e Web s ite will b e p os t ed in t h e Metr o Mer ch a n t Dir ector y in clu d in g you r cou p on s a n d / or d is cou n t s will b e lis ted in t h e Da y of E ven t Pr ogr a m will r eceive two 4 X4 s t a t ic clin g Met r o Mer ch a n t win d ow d eca ls a n in vita tion to a tten d a S em in a r en titled "Ma r k et in g My Bu s in es s " a t on e of th r ee loca tion s .

Con ta ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 for p r om ot ion a l id ea s in volvin g t h e "Cr u is e". Bob will d es ign a s p eci c p a ck a ge or p r om o t h a t is ju s t r igh t for you r b u s in es s .

Don 't m is s th is op p or tu n it y to get you r b u s in es s n a m e in fr on t of m or e th a n 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 p eop le wit h th e la r ges t Ca r E ven t in Wes t Mich iga n . Be a p a r t of th e 2 8 th S t r eet Metr o Cr u is e®.

Cos t for YOUR b u s in es s to p a r ticip a te a s a Metr o Mer ch a n t d ep en d s on you r m em b er s h ip s ta tu s a n d b u s in es s loca tion .

Above: The crow d gets larger every y ear. Nearly 300,000 people vis ited 28th S treet d uring the 2 d ay Metro Cruis e event in Augus t 200 8.

Right: Clas s ics to Cus tom to Contem porary and s om etim es all of the above a t once. Every one w ants to d is play their w heels ! You never k now w h at or w ho y ou'll s ee at the 28th S treet Metro Cruis e.

Con t a ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il b ob @ s ou t h k en t .or g t o get in volved ! He ca n s et you u p wit h a S p on s or s h ip , A Met r o Mer ch a n t Pa ck a ge a n d / or id ea s on h ow you r Bu s in es s ca n get t h e exp os u r e on ly a va ila b le a t a h u ge even t lik e t h e 2 0 0 9 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Sixty Volunteers Read to 1500+ Students

S ixt y 2 n d Gr a d e tea ch er s in vited ou r Ch a m b er Volu n teer s in t o t h eir cla s s r oom s to r ea d "W h e r e Ea g le s Fly " to th eir s tu d en ts in Ma r ch . We es tim a t e m or e th a n 1 5 0 0 s tu d en ts in th e Wyom in g a n d Ken twood Ar ea lis ten ed a s Bu s in es s Lea d er s fr om a ll a r ea s of com m er ce exp la in ed t h eir job s a n d wh y r ea d in g is s o im p or ta n t to th em , r ea d t o t h e s tu d en ts a n d d on a ted th e b ook to t h e cla s s .

Ou r Bu s in es s S p on s or s m a d e it p os s ib le to p r ovid e a b ook for ea ch cla s s r oom lib r a r y.

Alt ru s a Le n ge r Trave l Ce n t e r Marge 's Do n u t De n Sout h Godwin Ne igh borh ood As s oc Vic Krau s e - Co n s u lt an t Y ou r B u s in es s ca n s till be a pa rt of S port of W ord s . Con ta ct s u e@ s ou th k en t.org for d eta ils !

Wr it ten b y Ka t h ey Ba tey, th e t h ir d con tr ib u tion s h e's m a d e to ou r Bn B lib r a r y in th e p a s t 3 yea r s , th e b ook is a va ila b le a t t h e Au t h or 's web s ite, www.s p ir ited p r es en ta tion s . com or fr om S ch u ler Book s . Th e oth er t itles a r e "Ex a g g e r a t ion Ag g r a va t ion " (2 0 0 7 ) a n d "Ma t h is Eve r y w h e r e " (2 0 0 8 ).

A s p ecia l m em b er s r es p on s e gen er ou s

t h a n k s to a ll of th e wh o offer ed to r ea d . You r to t h is p r ogr a m wa s m os t a n d m os t a p p r ecia t ed .

Ou r n ext E d u ca tion Com m it tee even t will b e on Ap r il 2 8 t h a t t h e Hilton Gr a n d Ra p id s Air p or t Hotel on Pa t ter s on a n d 2 8 t h S tr eet. We've in vited 5 th Gr a d er s t o cr ea te a 2 -3 m in u te or a l p r es en ta tion t o b e p er for m ed b efor e a p a n el of d is t in gu is h ed ju d ges .

Us in g Toa s tm a s ter In tern a tion a l gu id elin es , th e con tes ta n ts will b e ju d ged b a s ed on a n u m er ic s cor in g s ys tem . Th e t op two p r es en t er s will b e a wa r d ed a $ 1 0 0 S a vin gs Bon d t owa r d th eir fu tu r e ed u ca tion . E ver y s t u d en t wh o p a r ticip a tes will get a on e-on -on e cr itiqu e of t h eir p r es en ta tion with con s tr u ctive s u gges tion s a n d en cou r a gem en t fr om ea ch ju d ge. Th e Com m itt ee wou ld lik e to offer t h is in vita tion to a tt en d ou r m eet in gs a n d wor k wit h u s on fu tu r e E d u ca t ion Com m itt ee p r ojects .

Readers and Teachers Respond Th e t h a n k you let t er s a n d let t er s of en d or s em en t for Bu s in es s 'n Book s h a ve ju s t s t a r t ed com in g in t o t h e Ch a m b er Of ce. We'd lik e t o s h a r e a few of t h em wit h you .

I ju s t wa n t ed t o t ell you wh a t a won d er fu l exp er ien ce it wa s t o r ea d Ka t h ey's b ook t o t h e k id s yes t er d a y! It wa s a we-in s p ir in g t o wa t ch t h es e r s t a n d s econ d gr a d er s get excited a b ou t wh a t t h ey wa n t t o b e wh en t h ey gr ow u p ! I t h in k ea ch a n d ever y Ch a m b er m em b er n eed s t o t a k e/ m a k e t h e t im e t o exp er ien ce t h is . Su sa n Sa sa k Ad m in is tr a t or Ton y's Tu n es E n t er t a in m en t S er vice

Dea r Hea t h er Oys t i, (Merca n tile Volu n teer) I a m s o s or r y t h a t I m is s ed you r r ea d in g of Wh er e E a gles Fly. Th e s tu d en t s en joyed it a s d id m y t ea ch in g a s s is t a n ts . Th a n k s s o m u ch for b ein g h er e on t im e a n d s h a r in g you r tim e wit h m y k id s . I t h in k you r p r ogr a m is in va lu a b le a s you a r e a con n ect ion t o t h e "r ea l wor ld " t h a t va lu es r ea d in g .

As you m a y k n ow, Roger s La n e is clos in g n ext yea r . Bu t I will s t ill b e in Wyom in g Pu b lic S ch ools s om ewh er e! S o p lea s e feel fr ee t o look m e u p ! Wh er ever I a m , I will welcom e you r gen er ou s t im e of a good r ea d a n d t h e gift of a good b ook ! Th a n k s a ga in ! Ca t h er in e Hor n Roger s La n e E lem en t a r y, 2 n d Gr a d e Wyom in g Pu b lic S ch ools

Th a n k you s o m u ch for a r r a n gin g t h is for u s . Kevin S ch a fer fr om Mer ca n t ile Ba n k wa s ver y good wit h t h e ch ild r en a n d t h e b ook wa s won d er fu l. Wh a t a won d er fu l op p or tu n ity for ou r s t u d en t s ! Den is e McLella n E n d ea vor E lem en t a r y, 2 n d Gr a d e (Ken t wood Pu b lic S ch ools )

MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INTEREST Re ne w ing M e m be rs All Occasion Gift Baskets, LLC Alta Lift Tru ck Services In c. Au stin -J ordan En gin es Au to Con sider, In c. Axa Advisors Bagel Bean ery Bran n 's Steakh ou se & Grille Carrabba's Italian Grill CBS Ou tdoor Ch am eleon Ltd. Dan Ch idester Delios Com pu ter Solu tion s, In c. Draftsm en , In c. DTE En ergy Fran klin Press, In c Good GMC, In c. Ham m ersm ith Equ ipm en t Co. In c. Lau reen A Birdsall Natu ral Ch oice Ch iropractic P3 HR Con su ltin g & Services LLC Plexicase, In c R.L. Adam s Plastics, In c. Real Estate 360 Regen t Broadcastin g Corp. Reid Associates Ruth Kohley - 5 YEARS! Sn eller's Lan dscapin g Steelcase In c. Su n n yslope Floral & Gift Tou ch ston e System s & Services, L.C.

Ma r ge a n d Gen e Wils on wou ld lik e to let eveyon e k n ow t h a t th e exten s ive r en ova tion s to Ma r ge's Don u t Den a r e n ea r ly com p lete.

Big p la n s a r e u n d er wa y for a 3 4 t h An n iver s a y Celeb r a tion com p lete wit h Rib b on Cu tt in g a n d Red ed ica t ion of th e fa m ilia r b u s in es s t h a t h a s b een a la n d m a r k a t 1 7 5 1 2 8 t h S t S W.

Ma r ge wou ld lik e t o in vite you t o h er p a r ty on Mon d a y, J u n e 1 fr om 1 1 a m u n til 1 p m . S top in a n d con gr a tu la te th is Ch a r ter Mem b er of WKACC!

M e m be r M ile st one s Bu s in es s es lis ted on th is p a ge a re m a rk in g a Mem b er Miles ton e. Plea s e ta k e th e tim e to welcom e n ew m em b ers a n d con gra tu la te ren ewin g m em b ers , es p ecia lly th os e celeb ra tin g a n a n n ivers a ry, on th eir con tin u in g s u p p ort of YOUR Ch a m b er of Com m erce. For m ore in form a tion on a n y of th es e m em b ers log on to www.s ou th k en t.org a n d click on in form a tion requ es t or ca ll 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 for m ore d eta ils .

We lc om e N e w M e m be rs Apple wo o d De n t al Dr . Kevin Ha h n - (6 1 6 ) 7 2 4 -1 7 8 0

No rt h e rn Mo rt gage S e rvic e Gr eg Ka lu s h - (6 1 6 ) 5 3 2 -5 5 5 1 Prin c ipal Fin an c ial Br ia n Don n elly - (6 1 6 ) 9 4 2 -1 2 5 1

S e rvpro Tebeth a Velderm a n - (616) 662-9700

Win gs o f Ho pe An n a Ru s s ell - (6 1 6 ) 5 5 1 -4 2 2 2

Zo u p! Gr a n t Win k lem a n - (6 1 6 ) 2 6 1 -8 0 2 2

Member Spotlight Your Board Executives meet monthly and select the Volunteer and Committee of the Month to spotlight outstanding volunteer effort and results on behalf of your Chamber.

Fe bru ary Vo lu n t e e r o f t h e Mo n t h

Fe bruary Co m m it t e e o f t h e Mo n t h

Am an da Le wis gNetworks/ Fram ework Sites

3 rd Friday s ! Exc h an ge Lun c h e o n Co m m it t e e

For d iligen t a n d con tin u ou s volu n teer wor k on a m u ltit u d e of p r ojects in clu d in g vice ch a ir for th e Ch a m b er Am b a s s a d or s ; volu n teer for 2 0 0 9 Gr u b Cr a wl S ou t h Ken t, Activa t ion a n d Ret en t ion Com m itt ee, S a n t a Pa r a d e Com m ittee, S ilen t Au ction Com m it tee a n d th e J a n 2 0 0 9 An n u a l Meetin g Com m it tee. Her m a n y h ou r s of d ed ica tion a n d s u p p or t of t h e Wyom in g-Ken twood Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce a n d ou r com m u n ity m a k es h er a s u p er a ch iever a n d a n id ea l ca n d id a te for t h is a wa r d .

Ch a ired b y Lis a O'Callagh an from Cit ade l Bro adc as t in g u n d er th e s u p ervis ion of Com m itte Director, Dan n a Mat h ie s e n from Me rc an t il Ban k a n d Dvis ion Vice Ch a ir Bre n t Ho llan d from Ch am e le o n Lt d. Com m ittee Mem b ers a re: David Sz idik - Pro fo rm a In n it e Marke t in g So lut io n s Lin da Sin ge r - Mic h gian Lake t o Lake Be d an d Bre akfas t As s o c iat io n J e an e Riple y - Cus t o m De s ign Drape rie s by J e an e De n n is Kavan agh - Ce n t ral Pay m e n t Co rp

Being Active on a Chamber Committee is Good Business!

Referr ing New Members Is Good Business!

THE 13 TH PAGE

2009 Membership Signs and Metro Guides

LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT Mr . J oh n Cr a wfor d , Pr es id en t W/ K Ch m b er of Com m er ce 5 9 0 Th ir ty-S econ d S t S E Wyom in g, Mich iga n 4 9 5 0 8

Fr id a y, Ap r il 3 , 2 0 0 9

Gr eetin gs J oh n ,

S a tu r d a y, Ma r ch 2 1 s t, we wen t t o S t. Cla ir S h or es , Mich iga n t o view a p er s on s p r iva te collection of a n t iqu e ca r s . 6 0 Bea u tifu l, gor geou s ca r s .

Wh ile th er e, a few p eop le ca m e u p t o m e, k n owin g t h a t I a m fr om t h e Gr a n d Ra p id s a r ea a n d exp r es s ed t h eir a d m ir a tion for ou r 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o-Cr u is e, la s t yea r , a n d h ow m u ch th ey en joyed it . Th er e s m or e p lea s u r e in b ein g a t you r 2 8 t h S tr eet Metr o-Cr u is e th en b ein g a t ou r Wood wa r d Aven u e Cr u is e.

The 2009 Community Pro le and Metro Guides are at the Chamber Of ce now. We are only waiting for the delivery of your 2009 Membership Signs to get the mailing out to you.

If you would like a copy of the 2009 Metro Guide right away, stop in at the Chamber Of ce and pick one up. We are located at 590 32nd St SE between Eastern and Madison. Our of ces are open Monday Friday from 8am until 5pm.

Watch the mail for your copy in the weeks ahead and don t forget to post that Membership Sign in a prominent location in your business.

If a Staff Member, Ambassador or Member of your Board of Directors spots your sign, you will get a free business card ad in a future issue of My Business Advocate. Just ask the advertisers below how easy it is to market your business with the Chamber!

Wa tch in g t h e Wood wa r d Aven u e Cr u is e fr om th e cu r b a s th e ca r s d r ive b y is a ll on e ca n d o. Th er e s n o p a r k in g a r ea wh er e you ca n go, view th e ca r s or ta lk with t h e own er s .

In Gr a n d Ra p id s , you h a ve p a r k in g a r ea s s et a s id e a ll a lon g th e r ou n te, lled with a n tiqu e ca r s p lu s a m p le a r ea s for vis itor s to p a r k th eir m od er n ca r s .

Th is m a d e m e feel ver y good .

J oh n , th a t s a BIG PLUS for t h e 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o-Cr u is e. I ju s t wa n ted t o s h a r e th is wit h you , wh a t m y lis ten in g ea r s h ea r s .

Res p ectfu lly You r s , Len J oh n s on Grand Rapids Antique Car Club

Let s Think GOLF! The Pines June 12th, 2009 11:00 Shotgun Start Market Your Business with a Sponsorship. Contact [email protected] or call 616-531-5990. Log on to www.southkent.org for more information. Get your foursome ready or we can nd a team for you.