Wkacc Newsletter July 09

July 2009 Volume 29, Issue 7

My Business Advocate Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

28th Street Metro Cruise® Tops List for Summer Fun

August 2009 Event - Planning Non-stop Since January 2009

Log on to www.metrocruise.org, see page 10 of this newsletter, Email [email protected] or call 616-531-5990 for details.

Don't wait to become a Metro Merchant! Call John Today!

Start Planning Christmas in July

Inside This Issue 5th Annual Metro Cruise® Christmas in July Opinion by John MIBLN-GR Kickoff Message from the BBB Community Blood Drive Member Recruiting ChamberPartners 3rd Fridays Networking Ambassadors' Corner Cruise Corner You've Joined, now what? Member Milestones

Friday, August 28th 1 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, August 29th 9 am to 9 pm

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

Calendars on Pages 6 & 7 Log on to www.southkent.org

Santa is Coming!

We expect hundreds of families from Wyoming and Kentwood to line S. Division Avenue between 34th and 43rd Streets beginning at 10 am on Saturday, December 5, 09 when WKACC Members welcome Santa to South Kent County with a BIG parade. Our guest of honor will ride in his own specially designed "sleigh" and Members of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to join many local notfor-profit organizations and local chuches and schools in welcoming

Santa and the 2009 Christmas Shopping season in celebration of one of our nations most loved and celebrated holidays, Christmas. To be a part of this celebration, either on the committee, by submitting an entry in the parade or providing support through an event sponsorship, contact janine@ southkent.org or call 616-531-5990 today.

YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT 2009 Board of Directors

*indicates Executive Committee Member

*John Crawford - President & CEO *Todd Duncan - Consumers Energy, Board Chair *Steve Marshall- MAS Advisory Service, Chair, Fin. & Budget *Norine Mulvihill - Sr. V. Chair *Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited Presentations *Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd. *Skip Knapp - EdwardJones Investments *Tom Kruisenga - The Kruisenga Agency, Past Chair *Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk PLC, Legal Counsel Community Relations Division (Blue) *Kathey Batey - Vice Chair Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille Dan Van Dyke - PCO Associates, LLC *Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk,.PLC Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services Member Relations Division (Red) *Brent Holland - Vice Chair Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter Danna Mathiesen - Mercantile Bank John Schwartz - AT&T Membership Development Division (Gold) *Skip Knapp - Vice Chair Rob Wells - VantagePointe Financial Group Financial Development Division (Green) *Norine Mulvihill - Sr. Vice Chair Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema) Joel Iakiri - Huntington Bank David Szidik - Proforma Infinite Marketing Matt Uhl - National City Ex-Officio Carol Sheets - City of Wyoming, Mayor Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair

My Business Advocate,

Copyright 2009 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce 590 - 32nd Street SE Wyoming, MI 49548-2345 Tel: 616-531-5990 Fax: 616-531-0252 Newsletter/Advert Information: [email protected]

Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

Opinion by John July 2009 By John J. Crawford, Jr. President & CEO

A Letter of Appreciation To: WKACC Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Members, Staff and Friends: On behalf of Joan and I and the entire Crawford family, I can’t begin to describe how much we have appreciated your support, your encouragement and your prayers this week as we laid our Dad to rest next to my Mom. The phone calls, emails, visitations and your attendance at his funeral have really meant the world to me and have gotten me through a tough week. The flower and plant arrangements from the Board and from the Ambassadors are beautiful and brought added tears to my eyes. Even though we knew Dad was sliding these last few weeks, he passed away sooner than we had expected. We gave him a good send-off, complete with bag pipes at church and a rifle salute and TAPS at the cemetery. I am excited knowing that he is now doing the Happy Dance with Mom again and had the best Father’s Day ever – he’s gotten to see his Dad AND has met his Heavenly Father face-toface! Tom Kruisenga and Todd Duncan, our past and current Board Chairs, have both been right in describing the vision for this Chamber – you have each certainly Made on Impact on my family as a motivated group of Servant Leaders, A Family of Businesses. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there. John J. Crawford Jr. John J. (Jack) Crawford, Sr. 1923 - 2009 "We will miss him greatly for his humor, wisdom, sense of hospitality, graciousness, mentorship and love." -John Jr.

MIBLN Holds Kick-off Event for G.R. Affiliate

On May 12th, Business Leadership Network of MI (MIBLN), in partnership with Disabilities Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), held an inaugural event as a kick-off for the MIBLN Grand Rapids affiliate.

The event, titled “ADA: Not Just the Law, It’s Good Business”, demonstrated the business case for employing people with disabilities. It was made possible in part due to a grant from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Steering Committee of Michigan, with additional funding provided by the Michigan Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. A number of organizations, including the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce (WKACC) and several of its members played a role in making the event come together. The event was held at the Holiday Inn Express and Crossroads Banquet Center, providing a beautiful facility

From the Better Business Bureau of W. MI

and amazing food for the 75 plus attendees. In addition, among the top-notch presenters for the event was WKACC Board member, John Schwartz, from AT&T. In fact, since he was unable to stay for the entire event, a thank you gift was presented to John by Vickey Argo (West MI Coordinator for MIBLN) at the Chamber’s May board meeting. MIBLN, one of 32 state affiliates of the USBLN, is a private non-profit organization whose members promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in both the workforce and in the marketplace. If you would like more information about how your company can become a part of this business-led initiative to help improve your bottom line, please call Vickey Argo at 616-430-0993 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Members Team Up to Benefit Community

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - Healthy Smile Parking Lot 2021 44th St SE, East of Kalamazoo Dear Fellow Chamber Members,

More than 140 pints of blood must be donated every day year-round to care for patients in Kent and Barry county hopitals! In conjunction with Michigan Community Blood Centers the only source of blood for all hopitals in Kent and Barry county Healthy Smile is sponsoring a blood drive on August 4th from 2pm to 6pm, in the MI Community Blood Bus located in the parking lot behind our building. Please join our cause to save lives in our community. To sign up, contact Molly Lang at 616-281-8338 or e-mail healthysmile. [email protected]. We will be scheduling donors every 15 minutes. Please call or e-mail to reserve your spot today! Thank you, Dr. Suzette Ona & Healthy Smile Staff

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers and small businesses to "Grab Your Wallet" or your Checkbook if you hear any of the following: • • • • •

• • •

Free grants available from stimulus... Debt Relief, just circle here... Settle Your Debts to the IRS or companies for 50% of debt... Suspicious activity on your credit, click here to authorize/verify your account... You have won $___, here's a check (counterfeit of course) deposit it and send money to claim balance of your prize... Guaranteed 12% investment return (available only to your group, church, organization)... Verified funds available, guaranteed financing... My name is... and my deceased husband was oil minister in (Nigeria, Iraq, Sierra Leone)...

These and other wonderful opportunities are available to a select few billion people seeking money in tough times. There are rarely arrests; if you give out money or ID information you will lose; no one will get caught, no one will go to jail and your money/ID/ credibility will be gone. Encourage your employees to visit the BBB's web site to check out every offer every time. When in doubt, check it out! for details.

Jerry Fennell Nancy Golds Storage Consultant PH 616-452-4413 FX 616-452-6637

1204 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49508 [email protected] www.extraspace.com

MEMBER RECRUITING

Introducing Our Newest Committee Member Monica Sparks from The iTIS Group lives up to her last name. She is walking energy and her enthusiasm for the Chamber was apparent at her first Recruiting Committee meeting with her great ideas to help our committee grow and succeed.

you will receive $25 in Chamber Bucks and an entry in the contest. The most referrals wins. Ties will be entered in a drawing to select the winner.

Our April/May Her first contribution was to donate a $25.00 gift card from Southland Auto Wash for our bi-monthly Recruitment Challenge for the months of June and July. The Chamber is adding a 1/4 page ad in My Business Advocate to the Challenge Prize Package for a total retail value of $80.00! So talk to all of the people you know and promote Chamber Membership. The Chamber Office has printed information, application forms and office support to help you get the word out there. Talk to everyone you know in business. Just provide us with the email address or phone number of your interested prospect and we'll take it from there. Once payment has been received and your new member has joined

Monica Sparks

Recruitment Challenge Results.

This challenge was accepted by three members, each recruiting one new member. Our thanks goes out to • Betsy Artz - Celebration Cinema who recruited The iTIS Group. • Maura Race from Specialized Learning Development who recruited Shawn Eyestone from Verspor, Waalkes, Lally, Slotsema & Talen, PC • and Skip Knapp from EdwardJones Investments who referred Ryan TenHaven also representing EdwardJones Investments. (How many of you would refer a competitor for your business)? All of the Members referring new

www.GRJanitorial.com

Cu s to m En te rp ris e s Janitorial & Floor Care Specialists Call for a Free Quote

616.475.1167 Serving Grand Rapids for over 30 years!

members had one successful referral. Skip Knapp's name was drawn to win the two night stay at Woodland Creek Apartments courtesy of Shawna Myers from Cambridge Partners. All of our referring members received a $25 Chamber Bucks credit toward Chamber invoices for showcase tables, registraton fees or advertising. Our winner of the June/July Recruitment Challenge will be announced at the 3rd Fridays! Luncheon on Friday, August 21, at Pizzazz Banquet Center located at 1537 Langley SE near the corner of Kalamazoo and 44th Street. Send us your referrals and you'll be in the running to win this great summertime marketing package. Keep the company vehicle clean and promote your business through Chamber Advertising. You don't have to be present for the big announcement, but the 3rd Fridays! Luncheon Committee would love to have you join them. Lunch and Networking for only $15.00 for members with early

Don't Forget!

$1500 Incentive from Citadel Broadcasting to all new members. Ask Sue, Julie or John for details.

Referring New Members Is Good Business!

CHAMBERPARTNERS

Committee Seeks 'Best Fit' Companies Members support Members through ChamberPartners Program The Chamber Partners Committee is seeking member businesses offering goods and services that 'best fit' the needs of member businesses. We would like to make a dozen or more Chamber Partners available to offer special rates and benefits to members of our chamber that use their services.

How Does My Business Become a ChamberPartner? The Committee looks for Members that provide services that benefit WKACC Members at a discounted price that will help improve our members’ profits by reducing their expenses for items they need to run their business. A ChamberPartner must also provide the Chamber with another diverse source of non-dues revenue. Revenue earned through all ChamberPartner Programs helps keep your annual membership dues rates low.

TAB offers business owners peer advice, at a discounted rate, to empower you and your organization to achieve your business vision.

TAB has been a ChamberPartner since 2008 and recently renewed their partnership for another year. The Alternative Board helps you grow your business, make more money and work fewer hours. Contact Carol Crawford at 616301-8081 or email her at carol@ tabmichigan.com.

Member to Member Discount Programs

Working with Chamber Partners is Good Business!

You don't have to be a Chamber Partner to advertise your Member to Member Discounts. (This is not the same as Hot Deals). Member to Member Discounts are offered for as long as your business cares to run them for the low cost of only $25.00 per month. Your Member to Member Discount Package includes: • Advertising in My Business Advocate for the month(s) the discount applies. • A listing on the Chamber Website for the month(s) the discount applies. • An email blast announcing your offer at the beginning of each month the discount applies. Contact [email protected] to list your M2M Discount offer in My Business Advocate and on the Chamber Website for only $25.00 per month.

For info on Hot Deals, log on to www. southkent.org or contact the Chamber Office. 616-531-5990.

Chamber Partners Seeking Committee Volunteers Plan to join us on 3rd Fridays - after your lunchtime networking. We meet the 3rd Friday of Every Month at 1pm. at the same location as the 3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon. Contact sue@southkent. org if you would like to join us.

Eagle Administrators ChamberPartner Jason Russell with Eagle Administrators offers a fully insured limited benefit (mini-medical) group health insurance plan for both full-time and part-time employees typically unable to access group health coverage due to cost and/or eligibility. The plans offer quality coverage on a guaranteed-issue basis and are affordable enough for virtually any employee. Plans can be set-up on a 100% voluntary basis, costing the employer nothing! Supplemental Vision and Dental plans are also available. Contact Jason Russell, Broker Director at [email protected]. More info at www. eagleadministrators.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sun



July 2009

Mon

Tue

Wed

1

8:15a Chamber Foundation 10a Staff Meeting

Staff Meetings on the Thursday before 3rd Fridays! and on all other Fridays at 10am

5

6

7

4p Ambassadors @ Main Street Pub

8

12

13

14

15

Noon Gov Matters at the Chamber 4p Education Comm No Meeting in July

8a Gov Matters at Wyoming City Hall

Thu

2

10

11

20

21

22

23

24

26

27

28

29

30

31

11 a Santa Parade Committee

To Tosee seewhy whyititmakes makessense sense to to roll rollyour your401(k) 401(k)totoEdward EdwardJones, Jones,call calltoday. today. S.A. (Skip) Knapp S A (Skip) Knapp III III www.edwardjones.com MemberSIPC SIPC Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com Member Financial Advisor 1801 1801 Breton Breton RdRd SE SE, SuiteSte E E Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-942-5770 616-942-5770

8a PAC

3rd Fridays! Pizzazz Banquet Center 1p Chamber Partners

19

10 am 3rd Fridays! Planning Committee 11:30a Board of Directors Meeting

IFIF YOU'RE ATYOUR YOUR LAST YOU’RE NOT NOT AT LAST JOBJOB, , YOUR 401(K) SHOULDN'T BE EITHER. YOUR 401(k) SHOULDN’T BE EITHER.

.

4

7:30a 1711:30a-1p 16 CEO Exchange, 9a Business Growth

4641 N. Breton Ct., SE Kentwood, MI 49508 Phone: 616.656.1090 E-mail: Brinks.Law.Firm@ Prodigy.net WEB: BrinksLawFirm.com

Sat

3 Independence

Day Holiday Observed Chamber Office Closed

9

8a Activation & Retention 10a, Finance 11:30a, Executive Committee

Fri

Independence Day Holiday

18

25

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 2009 Sun



Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Staff Meetings on the Thursday before 3rd Fridays! and on all other Fridays at 10am

1

3

2

Noon Gov Matters at the Chamber 4p Education Comm @ Celebration Cinema South

9

10

8a Gov Matters at Wyoming City Hall

4

4p Ambassadors @ Main Street Pub

5

11

8a 12Activation &

8:15a Chamber Foundation

8a 6 Recruiting

7

8

13

14

8a South Kent PAC 9-11a SCORE 11:30a-1p 3rd Fridays! Pizzazz Banquet 1p Chamber Partners

15

20

21

22

Committee

Retention 10a, Finance 11:30a, Executive Committee

16

17

18

23

24

25

30

Sat

11a Santa Parade Committee

19

7:30a CEO Exchange, 9a Bus Growth 10 am 3rd Fri! Committee 11:30a Board of Directors

27

26

29

28

31

Take the Benefits Challenge! 1)

It would be beneficial to have an Employee Benefits plan that ‘ b e n e f i t e d ’ all employees - including our lower-paid hourly and part-time staff at NO-COST to me, the employer.

TTrruuee // FFaallssee

2)

I’d like our group health insurance rates to decrease by 40% immediately and remain stable into the future.

Let us show you something new.

WKACC Chamber Partner

TTrruuee // FFaallssee

JJaassoonn A A.. R Ruusssseellll

Broker Director (616) 490-0911 - direct

[email protected]

INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS

Pizzazz Banquet Center and Schnitz' Deli Team up for Monthly Networking The WKACC's Most Popular Networking Event

The WKACC 3rd Fridays! Exchange Luncheon Committee would like to invite you to our next 3 luncheons. Debra Bates, Choice Business Services has opened her new facility, Pizzazz Banquet Center and has reserved it for our use on the 3rd Friday in July, August and September. We're excited about this opportunity to show our membership this newly remodeled facilty. Schnitz' Deli will be catering each month with their wonderful food. We know the meal will be great and the room is perfect for open networking. We'll have lots of room for Showcase Tables but space is filled on a first-come-first-served basis so get your reservation into the Chamber Office early. Each Showcase gets a 6' table and two minutes of podium time to address the group.

"We are averaging 45 businesses at each 3rd Fridays! Networking Event with many new faces each time," Committee Chair, Linda Singer informs the Advocate. Go to www.southkent.org to download a Showcase Table application form or contact sue@ southkent.org or call 616-5315990. If you've recently won a free Business Showcase table or halfprice lunch, don't forget to let the Chamber know when you'd like to use it. Mark you calendar for July 17, August 21 and September 18 and plan to attend all three networking events at Pizzazz Banquet Center and enjoy 3 different meals from Schnitz' Deli.

"Twice already in 2009 our numbers have topped 70 businesses at one event. If you get one or two referrals for your $15 (member rate w/early registration) lunchtime investment, your lunch pays for itself. YOUR business can't afford to miss these opportunties," Linda warns. If your business isn't able to Showcase, consider placing your information on each chair for a minimal fee of only $15. This charge is payable at the door the day of the event. Just let them know when you register that you will be paying to place info on the chairs.

Promote Your Brand at 3rd Fridays! !!! FREE !!! We Need bags with YOUR Company Logo We'll use them to package handouts at the 3rd Fridays! Luncheons. Our members are leaving each month with armloads of info and business cards. Make it easier to get everything back to the office with your donation of logo'd plastic or paper bags. No limit or minimum number. We'll take 1 or 100.

Let them know who you are!

Advertise 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 Quarter Page Ad B&W 4 Color B&W 4 Color 1X $ 40 $ 75 $ 55 $ 90 3X $ 108 $ 213 $ 147 $ 252 6X $ 192 $ 402 $ 264 $ 474

Half Page Ad B&W 4 Color $ 90 $ 160 $ 243 $ 453 $ 432 $ 852

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

AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE

Ambassadors Corner

July 2009

What Exactly is a Chamber Ambassador? Chamber Ambassadors are an elite group of seasoned Chamber Members who volunteer to help you strengthen the power of your business building investment. Do you know who your Chamber Ambassador is? Every dues paying member is assigned their own Ambassador representative to act as liaison to the Chamber Board and staff, the day their membership is activated. Your Chamber Ambassador can talk to you about programs that need your support, events you shouldn't miss and how to make the most of your dues investment.

Regular visits are scheduled once a year.

You don't have to wait until your six month anniversary to talk to your Ambassador representative but when they do call to schedule with you, they'll have updates for you as well as questions about how you use YOUR membership and ways we can improve our Chamber. They'll be able to update your contact information, email addresses and individual interest areas and relay the information to the office where your records are kept. Keeping your records up to date with the Chamber is important. Referrals are made for

Robert Haight

Senior Executive Officer 950 28th Street, SE Building E, Suite 102 Grand Rapids MI 49508 Phone: (616) 241-5383 Fax: (616) 241-5392 [email protected]

Apply With Us Staffing!

Many WKACC Group Health Plans to choose from. For you and your employees. Contact [email protected] for plan pricing and work and residential eligibility requirements.

you based on information that is on file. You can always call the Chamber office with updates, questions or concerns. But by building a business relationship with your Ambassador you will open the doors to networking, branding and marketing opportunities specific to your business and give your Ambassador a better opportunity to know your business. Encourage referrals, keep current and build brand recognition by working with your Chamber Ambassador. Contact [email protected] to find our who your Chamber Ambassador is and give them a call to say hello today. If it's been a while since you've seen or heard from them, isn't it about time you made a connection?

Estate Planning

Tuesday th July 28 6:30 to 7:30 pm Have you asked yourself these questions: Will my family and my estate be protected when I die? Why do I need a will? Do I need a trust? We are a young couple with modest assets, why do we need an estate plan? What if we have children? Who will make medical and financial decisions for me if I am unable?

RSVP by July 24th (no cost) Ph: (616) 827-7596

[email protected] www.lichtermanlaw.com

Seminar Location

Greater Life Pentecostal 1667 Wilson Ave SW Grand Rapids MI 49544

Show Your Family How Much You Care

Come join others who want the peace of mind provided by knowing their family is cared for after their death or incapacity. We’ll discuss many topics that can calm your fears, such as: How to make sure your property goes to who YOU want it to—not who the government chooses. Avoiding probate and the associated costs Minimizing or eliminating estate taxes Providing for the care of your children Providing for proper decision making during incapacity Passing your business to the next generation in the most tax advantageous way Retaining control of your property disposition for the maximum time period.

LICHTERMAN LAW, PLC

Michael G. Lichterman, Attorney 250 Monroe Ave SW, Suite 400 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

28TH STREET METRO CRUISE

The Cruise Corner Sign on to Volunteer - Days-of-Event Crews Needed We are looking for day-of-event volunteers to do set-up, crowd relations, traffic control, and clean up. Contact [email protected] if your company can offer some volunteer assistance for the largest car event in West Michigan. Help will be needed on Thursday-Sunday, August 27-30. Volunteer for an hour, a day or for the weekend.

We'd especially like to thank

the Members of the Chamber Education Committee, the Chamber Ambassadors and all the new members and not-yet-members that have expressed an interest in getting involved. Final preparations are getting underway for 2009 and plans are forming for 2010. Here is a partial list of the local merchants that have become 2009 Metro Merchants • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Klingman's, a Designs for Living Company Southland Auto Wash Flagstar Bank Gordon Food Service Consumers Energy Marge's Donut Den Country Inn and Suites Eagle security Howard Johnson's Holly's Back Door Citadel Broadcasting Action Tire Toyota of Grand Rapids Real Pro Auto Wyoming DDA Your Business Could be Here!

Be a part of the 28th Street Metro Cruise®. Contact the Chamber at 616-531-5990 or email julie@ southkent.org for more information.

Be a Metro Merchant! Your Business Name: • will be posted on the 28th Street Metro Cruise® Website • will be posted in the Metro Merchant Directory including your coupons and/or discounts • will be listed in the Day of Event Program • will receive two 4X4 static cling Metro Merchant window decals an invitation to attend a Seminar entitled "Marketing My Business" at one of three locations.

Cost to participate as a Metro Merchant depends on your membership status and business location. • • •

$100.00 - Chamber Members and Not-Yet-Members located in the DDA District. $250.00 - All other Chamber Members $375.00 - All other Not-Yet Members

Don't miss these opportunities to get your business name in front of more than 300,000 people during the largest Car Event in West Michigan. Be a part of the 28th Street Metro Cruise®. Contact the Chamber at 616-531-5990 or email [email protected] for more information.

Official Metro Cruise Website Sponsor

Denise Hughes Phone (616) 451-2335 fax (616) 454-1250 6095 28th St SE, Ste 6, Grand Rapids MI 49546 Corp: 101 Washington St, Grand Haven, MI 49417 www/etooldevelopers.com email: [email protected] Citadel dropped the Green Flag... on radio advertising on Memorial Day 2009. Tune in today!

Event Radio Partner

Local Broadcasting from Citadel Broadcasting include programming from WLAV-FM 97 Classic Rock, HOT FM 105.3, WBBL Sports Radio, 1340 AM, Thunder Radio 94.5 FM and WKLQ at 107.3 FM. Additional Citadel Stations broadcast from Muskegon, Lansing, Flint, Detroit and Saginaw.

PUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO WORK

The iTis Group Offers Valuable Tips

MEMBER NEWS AND NOTES

Showcase Your Business

Member Spotlight

Board Executives meet monthly and select the outstanding volunteer and Committee for their effort and results on behalf of WKACC.

June Volunteer of the Month Congratulations to Dan Strock from Arrowaste on being named Volunteer of the Month in June. Dan chaired his first committee with this event and did an outstanding job. Despite a sluggish ecomony, the successful outing fielded 58 golfers and received many prize dontations from members. Everyone had a great day. Dan's leadership contributed to the final success of this event and was very much appreciated. Thank you Dan! June Committee of the Month The 29th Annual South Kent Swing Committee get the honors. Thank you for a fun, successful event and for arranging for perfect weather for golf! • Dan Strock - Chair, Arrowaste • Brent Holland, Chameleon Ltd. • Todd Duncan, Consumers Energy • Paul Bradshaw, International Minute Press • Jeff Salzwedel, Jeff Salzwedel & Jon Manion Agency, Inc • Michael Lichterman, Lichterman Law, PLC • Norine M Mulvihill-Director, WKACC Board of Directors • Chris Prins, NAI West Michigan • Matt Uhl, National City Bank • Julie Janes-Brown , Staff. The committee would like to thank everyone who enjoyed the day, offered prizes to the golfers and/or volunteered to help the committee during the event. Our special thanks goes to the Chamber Ambassadors for their support. Brent Holland did a fanastic job of organizing the volunteers!

Friday, July 17 11:30 am to 1 pm Our first of three Luncheons at Pizzazz Banquet Center with catering by Schnitz' Deli. Members pay only $15 with early registration. Not-yet-members and late member registration is still only $21.00 Showcase tables are available for July while they last. Reserve yours today for only an additional $35.00. Contact [email protected] for more information or download the application at www.southkent.org. Register on-line and don't forget your business cards! • • • • • •

• • •

• • • • • • • •

Welcome New Members

Metro PCS, (734) 444-0206 - Stacy Sheler Sparrow Graphics, LLC, (616) 453-2104 - Randy Brockman Access of West Michigan, (616) 774-2175 - Bruce Schlanderer Faro Screen Process, (616) 914-3809 - Steven Graf Member Note: Rob Wells is now with VantagePointe Financial, (616) 534-9623 ext. 164

Who Do You Know That Should

Renewing Members

The Grand Rapids Press Travelodge Mary Kay Cosmetics - Studrawa Klingman's-A Designs for Living Company Detail Technologies Maple Hill Golf Course

*Animal Medical Center of Wyoming - 25 YEARS! *Jacobus Auto Center of Wyoming- 20 YEARS! Bruce Mannes Builder

*Miner Supply Co, Inc - 15 YEARS! Basic Payroll Services Southland Auto Wash Macatawa Bank - Cascade Kerkstra Portable Restroom Service, Inc Ida's Pastry Shoppe Consumers Energy Whispering Springs Condominium #1

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Express Signs Hallas, Palaszek & Warber, DDS, PC The Screen Print Department The Villas at Rivertown Grand Rapids Appraisal

*Macatawa Bank Wyoming - 10 YEARS! *Pines Golf Course - 15 YEARS!

Boardwalk Subs Committee on Missionary Evangelism Pet Vet Clinic Ramada Plaza Hotel Gentit's Transport Grandville Assembly of God Discount Tire Co. Lighthouse Insurance Group Renew on Time for Bonus Benefits from

Citadel Broadcasting!

Contact [email protected] for details.

Member Milestones

Businesses listed on this page are marking a Member Milestone. Please take the time to welcome new members and congratulate renewing members, especially those celebrating an anniversary, on their continuing support of YOUR Chamber of Commerce. For more information on any of these members log on to www.southkent. org and click on information request or call 616-531-5990 for more details.