Wkacc Newsletter March 09

M a rch 2 0 0 9

Volum e 2 9 , I ssue 3

Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

2 0 0 9 Grub Cra w l Sout hke nt in t h e s p r in g, wh ich will fea t u r e Ken twood r es ta u r a n t s a n d on e in t h e fa ll, wh ich will fea tu r e Wyom in g r es ta u r a n ts .

Th is is a r s t t im e even t for ou r Ch a m b er . We a r e excit ed to a n n ou n ce th a t ou r r s t S ou th k en t Gr u b Cr a wl will b e on Th u r s d a y, Ap r il 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 fr om 5 to 1 0 p m .

Th e Wyom in g Ken twood Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce is cu r r en tly a ccep tin g s p on s or s h ip s for th e Fir s t An n u a l Gr u b Cr a wl. Th er e a r e s p on s or s h ip p a ck a ges a va ila b le to a ccom od a t e ever y b u s in es s 's b u d get . Th is even t is a gr ea t op p or t u n ity to s u p p or t ou r loca l com m u n ity a n d gr ow a wa r en es s of t h e Wyom in g Ken twood Ar ea .

Won d er in g wh a t Gr u b Cr a wl S ou th k en t is ? Gru b Crawl is a fo o d s am plin g t o u r o f 1 0 1 2 re s t au ran t s . Pa r t icip a n t s of Gr u b Cr a wl will b e tr a n s p or ted b y tou r b u s es a n d / or tr olleys on a con t in u ou s cir cu it b etween th e p a r ticip a tin g r es ta u r a n ts , with s t op s 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 ts 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 th r ou gh ou t t h e even t. Gr u b Cr a wler s m a y r em a in a t ea ch loca tion for a s litt le or a s lon g a s t h ey d es ir e. Th is is a gr ea t op p or tu n it y to b r in g you r fr ien d s toget h er to en joy a n igh t ou t or p r ovid e a b on d in g

Inside This Issue

Gr u b Cr a wl Or ien ta tion Br ea k fa s t Op in ion b y J oh n Networ k in g in Ma r ch B to C E xp o Ch a m b er Bu ck s Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Ca ll for Volu n teer 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

op p or tu n it y for you r cor p or a te tea m ! Tick et p r ices a r e $ 2 0 .0 0 p er p er s on or $ 1 5 .0 0 ea ch for gr ou p s of t en or m or e. We will b e h os tin g two food tou r in g even ts ea ch yea r ; on e

Th e even ts a r e op en to th e gen er a l p u b lic, a n d will p r ovid e for s ever a l op p or t u n ities to p r om ote a n d gr ow you r b u s in es s . For m or e d et a ils log on to www. gr u b cr a wls ou th k en t.com or con ta ct ju lie@s ou th k en t .or g tod a y. Fin d ou t h ow you a n d you r b u s in es s ca n get in volved in th is excitin g even t !

Orie nt at ion Bre a k fa st 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 8 8 9 10 11 12 12

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

J oin u s a t t h e Ch a m b er a t 7 :3 0 a m on Wed n es d a y, Ma r ch 2 5 t h . S p a ce is lim it ed a n d a d va n ce r egis t r a t ion is r equ ir ed . Regis t er a t www.s ou t h k en t . or g or ca ll 6 1 6 -5 3 1 5990. Wh et h er you 'r e n ew t o Ch a m b er Mem b er s h ip or you 've b een a m em ber for a wh ile b u t wa n t t o get m ore for you r d u es in ves t m en t s , t h is is t h e even t you s h ou ld n ot m is s . Th er e is n o cos t . a n d we'll p r ovid e a d eliciou s

con t in en t a l s t yle b r ea k fa s t a n d a b ot t om les s coffee p ot t o m a k e u p for t h e ea r ly h ou r . We'll h a ve a ct ive m em b er s on h a n d t o a n s wer qu es t ion s a n d h elp you get p lu gged in . Com e t o t h is b r ea k fa s t a n d d is cover wh a t t h e Ch a m b er ca n d o for you r Bu s in es s a n d m a k e t h e m os t of you r d u es in ves t m en t .

YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT

Opinion by John 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 tey - Pr ior it y Hea lth / S p ir ited Pr es en ta tion 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 t m 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 Bets y Ar tz - Loek s Th ea ter s (Celeb r a tion 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 - Fla gs ta r Ba n k 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 vo c 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

March 2009 By J oh n J . Cr a wfor d , Pr es id en t & CE O

Popular Misunderstanding of How the Economy Works You h a ve h ea r d m e s a y b efore th a t to h a ve job s , we r s t h a ve t o h a ve a n ef cien t In fras t ru c t u re , a Wo rk fo rc e t o d o t h e wor k a n d Bu s in es s Capit al Mon ey t r yin g t o m a k e Mon ey. Does Mich iga n n eed J ob s ? If you b elieve t h a t we d o, ou r Pu b lic Policies t h en , n eed t o S olve t h e E qu a t ion . We d o h a ve In fr a s t r u ct u r e a n d we d o h a ve a Wor k for ce. Wh at s m is s in g is Capit al t h e in ves t m en t s n eed ed t o p u t b u s in es s id ea s in t o p r a ct ice. We n eed t o a n d we ca n m a k e Mich iga n a Ca p it a l Ma gn e t r a t h er t h a n a Ca p it a l Rep e lla n t. Th e Do w J o n e s Th e Gas Gau ge o f o u r Capit al. On Novem b er 4 , 2 0 0 8 , t h e n a t ion s b u s in es s ca p it a l ga s ga u ge (t h e Dow J on es Avg) s t ood a t 9 ,6 2 5 .2 8 . On Ma r ch 5 , 2 0 0 9 , a ft er im p lem en t in g a n d a n n ou n cin g s weep in g U.S . gover n m en t p r ogr a m s , t h e ga u ge s t ood a t 6 ,5 9 4 .4 4 . - a d eclin e of 3 2 %. Th a t s d r a m a t ic. In ves t or s a r e s eein g t h eir Ca p it a l eva p or a t e a n d a r e n ot lik in g wh a t t h ey s ee com in g ou t of Wa s h in gt on Bu s in es s Ca p it a l ows t o wh er e it is welcom ed a n d s t a ys wh er e it is t r ea t ed t h e b es t . It s No t t h e S UPPLY o f Mo n e y It s t h e S PEED o f Mo n e y . S O m a n y of u s , b eca u s e of t h e m ed ia a n d la ck of u n d er s t a n d in g, b elieve t h a t econ om y is t h e s u m t ot a l of a ll t h e ca s h in t h e econ om y lik e it s a gia n t b a t h t u b fu ll of d olla r s . If you h a ve m or e t h a n I d o it m u s t b e b eca u s e you h a ve gr a b b ed m or e ou t of t h e t u b t h a n I wa s a b le t o. Th a t s n ot fa ir ! . S o, we h a ve b a s ed ou r p u b lic p olicies b a s ed on t h a t wid ely a ccep t ed m is u n d er s t a n d in g. Th e E con om y is d yn a m ic. It is m ea s u r ed b y t h e S PE E D a t wh ich t h e m on ey s u p p ly t u r n s over . It is n ot a t u b fu ll of ca s h . Th e t u b is ca lled t h e m on ey s u p p ly. It m igh t b e s om et h in g lik e $ 5 0 0 b illion wh ile t h e n a t ion s econ om y s t a n d s a t $ 1 5 t r illion GDP t h a t m ea n s t h a t m on ey s u p p ly h a s t u r n ed over 3 0 t im es in on e yea r . If we wa n t b u s in es s ca p it a l b a ck in t h e m a r k et , if we wa n t con s u m er con d en ce r et ir ed , if we wa n t m or e J OBS t h en a ll ou r p u b lic p olicies n eed t o b e s et t o en cou r a ge t h e ow of m on ey a n d ca p it a l on ce m or e. Wa s h in gt on s p la n of Gover n m en t S p en d in g a s a n econ om ic s olu t ion a r e t r ou b les om e b eca u s e 1 . it s n ot s u s t a in a b le over a lon g p er iod of t im e, a n d 2 . t h e m on ey s p en t m u s t b e t a k en fr om s om eon e els e Tr y t o s t a y a s u p b ea t a s p os s ib le a n d s eek ou t n ew m a r k et s for wh a t you d o. We ll get t h r ou gh t h is t oget h er . Th e Ch a m b er is wor k in g h a r d for you ! Keep S m ilin g!

SPECIAL EVENTS

1, 2, 3 Huge Networking Opportunities in March Th r ee h u ge op p or tu n it ies to n et wor k in Ma r ch a n d two of t h em a r e FRE E ! Don 't for get t o b r in g LOTS OF BUS INE S S CARDS !

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Mu lt i Ch am be r Bu s in e s s Ov e r Bre ak fas t

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Fr id a y, Ma r ch 1 3 wit h Hu d s on ville, J en is on , Gr ea t er Gr a n d ville Ch a m b er & Wyom in g- Ken t wood Ar ea Ch a m b er . It 's FREE fo r Me m be rs On ly . S p a ce is lim it ed , a d va n ce r egis t r a t ion is r equ ir ed . Con t a ct ju lie@s ou t h k en t .or g or ca ll 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 .

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S pe e d Ne t wo rk in g is a t ool for gr ou p s or p eop le wis h in g t o m eet , exch a n ge id ea s a n d exp a n d t h eir n et wor k in g cir cles . Pa r t icip a n t s in t h e p r ogr a m en ga ge in s om e 2 0 vem in u t e, fa ce-t o-fa ce, con ver s a t ion s wit h lik e-m in d ed in d ivid u a ls in m u s ica l ch a ir s fa s h ion . Be p r ep a r ed t o give a 1 m in u t e com m er cia l on you r p r od u ct or s er vice.

Thu rsday, March 12 from 5-7pm ch eck ou t Ch a m b er Aft er Hou r s a t Wood la n d Cr eek . Th is will b e ou r la s t After Hou r s u n t il Octob er . Log on to www.s ou th k en t.or g for m or e d eta ils .

7 :3 0 a m - 8 :0 0 a m - In for m a l Net wor k in g 8 :0 0 a m - 9 :0 0 a m - S p eed Net wor k in g At Cu lv e rs Re s t au ran t 7 3 9 3 Co t t o n wo o d Dr, in J e n is o n .

At t h e Clu b h ou s e 3 3 0 0 E a s t Pa r is S E in Ken twood . Door p r ize: Over n igh t s t a y for two a t Hilt o n Gran d Rapids Airpo rt a n d d in n er a t S pin n ak e rs .

Fr id a y, Ma r ch 2 0 , 1 1 :3 0 -1 p m . Cos t is $ 1 5 for m em b er s wit h r egis tr a t ion 4 8 h ou r s p r ior to th e even t. We've h a d r ecor d n u m b er s for th e p a s t t wo m on t h s s o we'r e a t th e Hya tt on e m or e tim e! If you h a ven 't s een t h is b ea u tifu l fa cilit y, t h is is th e la s t ch a n ce to a tten d 3 r d Fr id a ys ! th er e. We m ove to a n ew loca tion in Ap r il Wa t ch th e web s ite for m or e in for m a t ion a ft er Ma r ch 2 0 . Pla n t o join u s a t th e Hya t t, 2 1 5 0 Met r o La n e S W, Byr on Cen t er a t M-6 . In vite you r n ot-yet m em b er gu es ts to b e eligib le for a s p ecia l p r ize d r a win g. Th ey cou ld win a fr ee lu n ch !

South Kent Consumer Expo Find LOCAL Sources for the Products and Services You Need at Fair Prices!

P rod uced By

Wyom ing-Kentw ood Ar ea Cha m ber of Com m er ce Build ing Better Com m unities by Build ing Better Businesses

Apr il 18, 2009 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Woodland Spor ts on 28th Street

Promote Your Business to Thousands of Consumers in the Community Traffic Building Promotion 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

1 7 0 Ra d io Com m er cia ls in clu d in g a Rem ot e Br oa d ca s t a t t h e E xp o 2 8 0 ,0 0 0 Cir cu la t ion News p a p er Ad s 3 0 ,0 0 0 Cir cu la t ion Dir ect Ma iler s Hu n d r ed s of Pos ter s in Ar ea Bu s in es s es Cr os s wa lk Ba n n er s "For wa r d t o a Fr ien d " E m a il Ca m p a ign

Exhibitor Information Mem b er Ven d or Cos t : Befor e Ma r 1 5 After Ma r 1 5 E xh ib it S p a ce $ 9 5 .0 0 $ 1 3 0 .0 0 E lectr ica l $ 2 5 .0 0 $ 3 5 .0 0 Ad d 'l S p a ce $ 7 5 .0 0 $ 1 0 0 .0 0

Platinum Sponsors

Non -Mem b er Ven d or Cos t : Befor e Ma r 1 5 After Ma r 1 5 $ 1 5 0 .0 0 $ 1 8 5 .0 0 $ 4 0 .0 0 $ 6 0 .0 0 $ 1 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 5 0 .0 0

A $ 7 5 .0 0 Dep os it is requ ired of a ll Exh ib itors with Ven d or Ap p lica tion .

Gold Sponsors Your Business Logo c ould be here in all adver tising

Your Business Name c ould be here in all adver tising

Your Business Name c ould be here in all adver tising

Your Business Name c ould be here in all adver tising

Contact Julie Janes-Brown at 616-531-5990 for Sponsorship and Exhibitor Applications

MEMBER RECRUITING

Bi-M ont hly Cha lle nge is I nc e nt ive t o Re fe r N e w M e m be rs Th e Mem b er Recr u itin g Com m it tee is r es p on s ib le for p r ogr a m s to in cr ea s e n ew m em b er r efer r a ls fr om WKACC Mem b er s a n d p r om ote n ew m em b er r ecr u it m en t. 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 b er s h ip n u m b er s m ea n a ffor d a b le d u es cos ts , b et ter n et wor k in g a n d a wid er r a n ge of r es ou r ces a n d op p or tu n it ies for you r Bu s in es s . In a d d it ion , 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 . Wh o do y o u k n o w t h at s h o u ld be a m e m be r? It's ea s y t o m a k e a r efer r a l. 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 t h 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 will con t a ct you r r efer r a l to s et u p a n a p p oin t m en t to t a lk a b ou t t h e op p or tu n it ies a n d b en e ts of Ch a m b er Mem b er s h ip . On ce t h e a p p lica t ion 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 wh ich ca n b e r ed eem ed a s cr ed it towa r d n et wor 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 ).

Referr ing New Members Is Good

He re is t h e Bi-Mo n t h ly Ch alle n ge fo r t h e m o n t h o f Fe bru ary an d Marc h . Th e m em b er m a k in g th 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 th e n ew Hy at t Plac e Ho t e l a t Byr on Cen ter Ave a n d M-6 n ea r th e Metr o Hea lth Ca m p u s . A d r a win g will b e h eld if a tieb r ea k er is n eed ed . We'll r es et th e cou n ter on Ap r il 1 s t a n d d u r in g th e m on t h s of Ap r il a n d Ma y we'll h a ve a wh ole n ew s u r p r is e b on u s for t h e m os t r efer r a ls . Wa tch t h e Ap r il n ews let ter for m or e in for m a t ion . B i-Mon th ly In cen tive Priz e p rovid ed b y Hy a tt Pla ce. Con ta ct B o S ch m itz or Am a n d a Volk ers for Hotel in fo a t (6 1 6 ) 7 2 4 -1 2 3 4 .

Business!

Premier One-Day Leadership Event Maxim u m Im pac t S im u las t

March is Open Enrollment Month Quality healthcare for you and your employees at convenient locations throughout our Membership Area. Whether you are a company of one or 10,000, if you own a business, live in the GVHP service area and belong to the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, you and your employees are probably eligible through your Chamber Membership. Contact Janine Burns at 616-531-5990 or email janine@ southkent.org to get current coverage and pricing information. Administration of the WKACC GVHP Group plan is done at the Chamber. New this year: Contact us and ask about GVHP Prime Care Basic, health care designed with the student in mind. You can also log on to www.gvhp.com for more details on Prime Care Basic.

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 v in 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. Max we 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 t r 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 te u n til 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 .

CHAMBERPARTNERS

What is a Cha m be rPa r t ne r?

Help in g Mem b er s r ed u ce th eir cos ts is a p r im a r y con cer n to th e Ch a m b er . Th is k in d of b en e t p u t s s m a ller em p loyer s on t h e s a m e p la yin g eld a s th os e la r ger em p loyer s , a b le to en t ice a n d th en k eep em p loyees . An a ctive p r ogr a m t h a t we ca ll Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s s eek s ou t, im plem en ts a n d m on itors oth er s p ecia lly-en d or s ed p r ogr a m s for Mem b er s th a t h elp k eep d u es r a tes d own a n d Mem b er Ben e ts h igh . Me m be rs ga in a s ign i ca n t b en e t wh en th e p a r tn er offer s a p r od u ct or s er vice wit h wide a ppea l, a dded fea tu r es a n d a s u b s ta n tia l d is cou n t. Ch am be rPart n e rs b en e t fr om s p ecia l m a r k et in g p a ck a ges t h r ou gh t h e Ch a m b er to p r om ote t h eir offer , th e a d d it ion a l b u s in es s

Working with a Chamber Par tner is Good Business!

gen er a t ed , a s well a s in cr ea s ed r ecogn ition b y ot h er b u s in es s lea d er s wh o a r e a gr ea t s ou r ce for r efer r a ls .

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 . Rea ch m or e t h a n 7 0 0 p oten tia l cu s tom er s .

Th e Ch am be r b en e ts fr om a d d ed r even u e r eceived fr om th e Ch a m b er Pa r tn er a ccor d in g to a n a gr eem en t b y b ot h p a r t ies a s well a s fr om th e a b ilit y to offer m em b er s h ip in cen tive t o p oten tia l m em b er s . Th is is a t h r ee wa y p a r tn er s h ip d es ign ed to b en e t a ll in volved .

Th e Ch a m b er Pa r t n er Com m ittee for 2 0 0 9 is 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 ect or ) fr om Mo n e y Maile r o f S E Ke n t Co u n t y ; 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 , Ch a m b er S ta ff.

Th e Ch a m b er Pa r t n er Com m ittee is cu r r en tly r e-eva lu a tin g exis t in g p r ogr a m s a n d r eviewin g n ew p r op os a ls fr om m em b er s wis h in g to p a r ticip a te. Wa tch t h is colu m n in t h e m on th s a h ea d for s om e Pa r tn er Pr o les , in for m a tion on a ctive Ch a m b er Pa r tn er Pr ogr a m s a n d in for m a tion on h ow you r b u s in es s ca n b ecom e a Ch a m b er Pa r t n er . 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 . 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 it tee a ls o offer s lim ited tim e d is cou n ts to m em b er s . Con t a ct s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g t o lis t you r

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 lik e t o b e p a r t of in cr ea s in g m em b er s h ip va lu e, Ch a m b er r even u e a n d Mem b er s h ip n u m b er s th is com m it tee is th e p la ce. For a lis t of p a r ticip a n ts in th e Ch a m b er Pa r t n er Pr ogr a m , b ecom in g a Ch a m b er Pa r tn er or t o join th e com m itte con t a ct s u e@ s ou th k en t .or g. or ca ll 616-531-5990.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 2009 Sun

Mon

1

2

8

9

15

16

2a Day ligh t S av in gs Tim e Be gin s ! S prin g Ah e ad 1 h o u r

Noon Gov Ma tt er s a t t h e Ch a m b er

8a Gov Ma tt er s a t Wyom in g Cit y Ha ll

Tue 3

4p Am b a s s a d or s

Wed 4

8 :1 5 a Ch a m b er Fou n d a t ion

Thu 5

8a Recr u itin g Com m it t ee

Fr i

Sat 7

6

10

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7 :3 0 a CE O E xch a n ge, 9a Bu s in es s Gr owth 1 0 a, TAB 5 -7 p Ch am be r Aft e r Ho u rs

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8a S ou t h Ken t PAC 9 -1 1 a S .C.O.R.E.

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201 1 :3 0 a-1 p

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8a, Activa tion & Ret en t ion 1 0 a , Fin a n ce 1 1 :3 0 a , E xecu tive Com m it t ee

3 rd Friday s ! Hy at t Plac e 1p Ch a m b er Pa r t n er s (News let ter Dea d lin e)

22

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7 :3 0 a Orie n t at io n Bre ak fas t Noon 3 r d Fr id a ys ! Com m it t ee

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1 1 :3 0 a Boa r d of Dir ect or s Meetin g

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Bu s in e s s 'n Bo o k s Day s - Vo lu n t e e r Re ade rs Ne e de d!! Em ail s u e @s o u t h k e n t .o rg

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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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 2009 Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed 1

5

6

7

12

13

14

Noon Gover n m en t Ma t t er s a t t h e Ch a m b er

8a, Gov Matters at Kentwood City Hall

4p Am b a s s a d or s

8 :1 5 a Ch a m b er Fou n d a t ion

8

15

8a, Activa tion & Ret en t ion 1 0 a , Fin a n ce 1 1 :3 0 a , E xec Com m

Thu 2

8a Recr u itin g Com m it t ee

Fr i 3

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7 :3 0 a CE O E xch a n ge, 9a Bu s in es s Gr owth 1 0 a, Th e Alt e rn at iv e Bo ard Bu s in e s s Adv ic e at t h e Ch am be r

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0 a-1 p 173 1rd1 :3Friday s!

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8a S ou t h Ken t PAC **9 -1 1 a S .C.O.R.E.

Craig's Cru is e rs 1p Ch a m b er Pa r t n er s

11a - 5[ Southke nt Bu s in e s s t o Co n s u m e r Ex po Wood la n d S p or t s Cen t er

(Ne ws le t t e r De adlin e )

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6p S po rt o f Wo rds Co n t e s t Hilt o n Gran d Rapids Airpo rt Ho t e l

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Noon 3 r d Fr id a ys ! Com m it t ee

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1 1 :3 0 a 23 Boa r d of

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Dir ect or s Meetin g

30S o5u-1t h0k pe n t Gru b Crawl

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

COMMITTEE INFORMATION

2009 Committees Recruiting Volunteers NOW! As m em b er s of th e WKACC s ta ff, t h e folk s h er e a t th e of ce s ee h ow d ed ica t ed ou r volu n teer s a r e t o t h e p r ogr a m s th ey h a ve com m itt ed to. We p r ovid e a d m in is tr a tive s u p p or t t o a ll of t h em .

tim e a n d com m ittee th a t you wou ld lik e to k n ow m or e a b ou t. Ca llin g u s t o in qu ir e d oes n ot ob liga t e you in a n ywa y a n d you a n d you r b u s in es s h a ve on ly b en e t t o ga in fr om you r a f lia t ion wit h a Ch a m b er gr ou p .

On e com m on t h em e, a lw a y s , is "we h a ve r oom for m or e volu n teer s "! No m a tter h ow s u cces s fu l or im p r oved a p r ogr a m gets , ou r a ctive volu n teer s k n ow th a t on e m or e id ea , on e m or e b od y, on e m or e com m ittm en t ca n m a k e a ll of th e d iffer en ce in th e n ext even t.

Ma n y of ou r cu r r en t volu n t eer s s ta r t ed ou t a b it h es ita n t a n d a r e n ow volu n teer in g for m or e t h a n on e p r oject. Th ey r ep or t gr ea t er r efer r a l r es u lt s fr om th eir p a r ticip a tion .

Volu n teer in g for t h e Ch a m b er is n ot a t im e-con s u m in g ob liga tion . Mos t of t h e com m itt ees m eet on ce a m on th for a b ou t a n h ou r . Ma n y of t h em m eet s ea s on a lly. Com m it tee a s s ign m en ts a r e a va ila b le for ever y t a len t or in ter es t . Ta k e a m om en t to look a t t h e ca len d a r p a ges of th is n ews lett er a n d s ee if th er e is a m eetin g d a te,

As k a c o m m i t t e e m e m b e r , o r s t a ff p ers on w h a t our com m it t ees need a n d t h i s i s w h a t y o u 'l l h e a r !

Committee meetings are well or ga n ized a n d u s u a lly a lot of fu n . Gr ou p s a r e m eet in g m or n in g, n oon a n d la te a ft er n oon d u r in g a lm os t a n y week of t h e m on th . Get fu ll va lu e fr om you r d u es in ves tm en t b y gett in g in volved in Ch a m b er p r ogr a m s a n d / or even ts . You r b u s in es s n a m e r ecogn ition will s oa r a s oth er m em b er s get t o k n ow you a n d s om e of ou r m em b er s h a ve fou n d life-lon g fr ien d s h ip s fr om th e a cqu a in t a n ces t h ey m a d e t h r ou gh wor k in g wit h t h e Ch a m b er . S ta ff wou ld love to h elp you d ecid e wh er e you ca n b es t h elp . Give S u e, J u lie or Bob a ca ll a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 . Log on to www.s ou t k en t.or g for lots of op p or tu n it ies t o s h a r e you r t a len ts , p iqu e you r in t er es ts a n d fu r t h er you r b u s in es s a n d p er s on a l gr owth . We'r e wa it in g to h ea r fr om you .

MEETING SPACE AVAILABLE Meetin g s p a ce is a va ila b le for n on ch a m b er a ctivit ies wit h a d va n ce r es er va tion s a t t h e WKACC Of ces . Con ta ct Su e Bynu m at 616-531-5990 or em a il s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g for r oom a va ila b ilit y a n d t o m a k e a r es er va tion .

in clu d ed . Mod u la r ta b les a n d ch a ir s a r e p r ovid ed . Cos t for m em b er s is $ 5 0 p er h ou r with a 2 h ou r m in im u m . Not -yet-m em b er s p a y $ 7 5 p er h ou r . Per fect s p a ce for s m a ll b oa r d m eetin gs , com m itt ee m eet in gs or b r a in s tor m in g s es s ion s .

Bo ard Ro o m : Th is r oom ca n com for ta b ly s ea t a b ou t 2 5 -2 8 p eop le. WiFi, a n d p h on e h ook u p s

Co n fe re n c e Ro o m : Th is r oom s ea ts 6 -8 p eop le com for t a b ly. It m a k es a gr ea t tem p or a r y or r egion a l of ce or

in ter view r oom . Cos t for m em b er s is $ 2 5 p er h ou r with a on e h ou r m in im u m . Not-yet-m em b er s p a y $ 3 7 .5 0 p er h ou r . In ter n et h ook u p or WiFi is in clu d ed . AV equ ip m en t , coffee s er vice a n d cop yin g s er vices a va ila b le a t a s ligh tly extr a ch a r ge. Ma k e a r es er va tion a n d tell th em to "m eet m e a t t h e Ch a m b er ".

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

Quar ter Page Ad B&W 4 Color $ 55 $ 90 $ 147 $ 252 $ 264 $ 474

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

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

AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE Marc h 2 0 0 9 It is with gr ea t p lea s u r e th a t I a m s er vin g a s th e wr iter for th e Am b a s s a d or s Cor n er for 2 0 0 9 wr it er m igh t b e too s tron g of a word ; wr itin g r ep or ter is p r ob a b ly m or e lik e it. Th r ou gh ou t t h e yea r ; I will u s e t h is cor n er of t h e n ews letter to s h a r e t h e excit in g even ts th a t t h e Am b a s s a d or s a r e p la n n in g, h igh ligh tin g wa ys for m em b er s to m a xim ize t h eir ch a m b er m em b er s h ip a n d s h a r in g t h e Am b a s s a d or p h ilos op h y of con n ection s wit h you . I wis h you s u cces s b y d oin g b u s in es s t ogeth er ! Am y Pier ce E xp r es s E m p loym en t Pr ofes s ion a ls W h a t is t h e p u r p os e of t h e Am ba s s a d or s c om 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 et 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. You r Am b a s s a d or s a r e h er e to h elp you get in volved in WKACC b y h elp in g you t o 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 a s u n d er s ta n d wh er e you r ta len ts 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 om you r Am b a s s a d or is , ca ll S u e Byn u m , WKACC, a t (6 1 6 ) 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 t od a y! W h e n a n d w h e r e d o t h e Am ba s s a d or s m e e t ? Th e Am b a s s a d or Com m it tee m eets on th e r s t Tu es d a y of ea ch m on th a t 4 :0 0 PM. Th e r s t 6 -m on t h s of th e ca len d a r yea r

Being Active on a Chamber Committee is Good Business!

a r e s p en t a t a m em b er r es ta u r a n t in Ken twood a n d th e la t er p a r t of t h e yea r we m eet a t a m em b er loca t ion in Wyom in g. Ou r m eetin g tim e is u s u a lly a little over a n h ou r ea ch m on th . E a ch Am b a s s a d or m eetin g is followed b y a s ocia l h ou r a t th e h os t s b a r . Th e s ocia l h ou r a llows m em b er s of th e Am b a s s a d or Com m it t ee t o get to k n ow on e a n oth er on a p er s on a l level in a d d ition to ou r p r ofes s ion a l a f lia tion . Feel fr ee t o s top in a t a n y s ocia l h ou r to join u s in get tin g t o k n ow on e a n oth er b et t er ! Ou r m eetin g loca tion th r ou gh J u n e 2 0 0 9 is Noto s Old W orld Ita lia n Din in g. If y ou a r e in t e r e s t e d i n be c om i n g a n Am ba s s a d or , p lea s e ca ll Am y Pier ce, Expre s s Em plo y m e n t Pro fe s s io n als , a t (6 1 6 ) 2 8 1 -0 6 1 1 . Gr u b Cr a w l - S ou t h k e n t I k n ow you r e won d er in g wh a t Gr u b Cr a wl S ou t h k en t is ! Ch e c k o u t page 1 !

Ma r c h Aft e r -Ho u r s Ou r n ext Ch a m b er Aft er Hou r s even t will b e on Th u r s d a y, Ma r ch 1 2 , a t W ood la n d Cr e e k , 3 3 0 0 E a s t Pa r is Aven u e, Ken twood fr om 5 7 p m . In t od a y s econ om ic en vir on m en t, th e After -Hou r s even ts a r e a gr ea t wa y to n etwor k b eca u s e it is FREE to ever yon e! S h owca s in g d u r in g th is even t is on ly $ 3 5 .0 0 a n d offer s in cr ed ib le exp os u r e to th e m em b er s h ip . If you a r e in t er es ted in s h owca s in g d u r in g After -Hou r s , p lea s e ca ll J u d i Holla n d a t (6 1 6 ) 4 5 5 -5 0 3 2 or em a il ju lie@s ou t h k en t.or g.

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 , Da n n a Ma th ies en , S h a wn a Myer s , Am y Pier ce, Pa t Pols , J a s on Ru s s ell, Ma t t Uh l, Rob Wells , Bob 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 A ver y s p ecia l th a n k you to Da n Va n Dyk e fr om PCO As s o c iat e s , Lillia n Va n d er Veen fr om Le n ge r Trave l Ce n t e r, J oel Ia k ir i fr om Hu n t in gt o n Bank, J ohn Crawford a n d Bob O'Ca lla gh a n fr om th e Ch a m b er S ta ff, a n d Ch a r lie S teen fr om th e Metro Cru ise® Sales Crew for volu n teer in g t h eir tim e a t t h e 2 0 0 9 In t e rn at io n al Au t o S h o w in Feb r u a r y. Th is is th e s econ d yea r we've a tt en d ed th is a n n u a l com m u n ity even t.

a n d for WKACC in gen er a l. Th e com m u n ity is excit ed a b ou t t h is yea r 's even t.

On ce a ga in , we r eceived ver y p os itive com m en ts fr om vis it or s s top p in g b y a n d ea r n ed s om e gr ea t n a m e r ecogn ition for th e even t its elf

Th e Cr u is e Com m it tee wou ld lik e t o t a k e th is op p or tu n t y to welcom e E r in Bowa n to ou r tea m . E r in wor k s a t Le n ge r Trave l Ce n t e r a n d is a s t u d en t a t Gr a n d Va lley S ta te Un iver s ity. S h e is d oin g h er in t er n s h ip with WKACC's Met r o Cr u is e® Com m it tee a s p a r t of h er d egr ee in Hos p it a lit y Ma n a gem en t wit h a m in or in E ven t Pla n n in g. S h e a t ten d s th e E xecu t ive a n d S a les Com m ittee m eetin gs a n d will

Ou r d r a win g t o win th e Main S t re e t Pu b d in n er a n d a m ovie fr om Ce le brat io n Cin e m a for t wo, wa s S u s a n S a s ek of To n y 's Tu n e s . Con gr a t u la tion s t o S u e. Win n er s wer e s elected fr om en t r ies s u b m itted b y Ch a m b er Mem b er s wh o s top p ed b y th e b ooth d u r in g t h e Au to S h ow.

Sponsor ing

b e wor k in g on m a n y a r ea s of t h e even t. Boa r d Mem b er J oel Ia k ir i fr om Hu n t in gt o n Ban k is th e Divis ion Ch a ir a n d Rick S t u r im fr om S t e ve 's An t iqu e Au t o Re pair is t h e E ven t Ch a ir for t h e 5 th An n u a l even t . Th e s a les com m itt ee m eet s a t th e Ch a m b er ever y Wed n es d a y a t 4 p m a n d th e execu tive com m itt ee m eet s on Th u r s d a y a t 4 p m . We welcom e you r com m en ts a n d in p u t . Con ta ct Mem b er S er vices Ma n a ger , Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 for p r om otion a l id ea s in volvin g th 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 th 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 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 p eop le wit h th e la r ges t ca r s h ow in Wes t Mich iga n . Be a p a r t of th e 5 t h An n u a l 2 8 t h S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e®. Don 't m is s a n y of t h e p r e-even t p u b licity. Ca ll Tod a y!

Chamber Events is Good A corn er of Rogers Pla z a Lot s h ow s ju s t a s a m ple of th e h u ge crow d s th a t tu rn ou t for th e An n u a l tw o-d a y lon g 2 8 th S treet Metro Cru is e®. Th e 2 0 0 9 even t w ill be Augus t 28 & 2 9th!

Business!

Con ta ct B ob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il bob@s ou th k en t. org to get in volved !

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

On e s p on s or s h ip t o t h e E d u ca tion Com m it tee s p on s or s t wo gr ea t E d u ca tion a l E ven ts . Get you r b u s in es s con n ected a n d go h om e wit h m or e t h a n 1 6 0 0 s tu d en ts . You r b u s in es s n a m e will a p p ea r in a ll of th e b ook s we lea ve in th e cla s s r oom s a s well a s on a let ter h om e to t h e p a r en ts s tr es s in g th e im p or ta n ce of r ea d in g with th eir ch ild . th

Ma r ch 2 3 -2 7 is th e week we will b e s en d in g a b ou t 6 0 b u s in es s m en a n d wom en in to in d ivid u a l s econ d gr a d e cla s s r oom s to d em on s tr a te t h e im p or t a n ce of r ea d in g. Th is p r ogr a m is you r Ch a m b er 's wa y of r ecogn izin g a n d p a r t icip a t in g in Na t ion a l Rea d in g Mon th .

Help u s s cu lp t th e fu tu re work force, s u p p or t th e WKACC E d u ca t ion Com m it tee Bu s in e s s 'n Bo o k s Day s a n d S po rt o f Wo rds ! E m a il s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g for in fo. Th e E d u ca t ion Com m it tee is or ga n izin g th eir 4 t h An n u a l S p or t of Wor d s Con tes t s ch ed u led t o b e h eld on Tu es d a y, Ap r il 2 8 t h a t 6 p m a t th e Hilt on Gr a n d Ra p id s Air p or t Hotel.

Volu n teer r ea d er s a r e r eceivin g t h eir a s s ign m en t s d u r in g th e r s t t wo week s of Ma r ch a n d a r ea d er or ien ta tion m eetin g is s ch ed u led for Ma r ch 1 9 th a t 6 p m h er e a t t h e Ch a m b er . If you wou ld lik e t o volu n teer to r ea d con t a ct S u e Byn u m a t s u e@s ou th k en t.or g a n d in d ica te t h e d a tes a n d b lock s of t im es you will b e a va ila b le. All a s s ign m en ts a r e con r m ed with t h e r ea d er b efor e th e cla s s r oom is n oti ed

Being Active on a Chamber Committee is Good Business!

Fift h Gr a d e tea ch er s a ll over S ou th Ken t Cou n ty a r e p r ep a r in g t h eir s tu d en ts for t h eir fu tu r es . On e of t h e cu r r icu la r r equ ir em en ts is t h a t s tu d en ts a t th a t gr a d e level com p lete a p u b lic p r es en ta tion . Th is is a gr ea t r es ou r ce for t ea ch er s to u s e to com p let e th a t r equ ir em en t.

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MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INTEREST 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 .

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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.

Volu n t e e r of t h e Mon t h is J u lie t t a Bro t h e rs fro m Ke n t wo o d Pu blic S c h o o ls . J u liett a h a s join ed ou r E d u ca tion Com m it tee a n d h a s b een ver y in s t r u m en ta l in gett in g con ta cts with in th e s ch ool d is t r icts to h elp u s p r om ote ou r E d u ca tion Com m it tee Pr ojects ; Bu s in es s 'n Book s a n d S p or t of Wor d s . Her of ce is in t h e Ca r eer & Tr a in in g E d u ca tion d ep a r t m en t wh ich is r es p on s ib le for wor k b a s ed lea r n in g op p or t u n ities s u ch a s job s h a d owin g, m en tor in g a n d ca r eer in ter n s h ip p r ogr a m s (ju s t t o n a m e a few). t h r ou gh loca l b u s in es s r es ou r ces . S h e ca n b e con ta ct ed a t 6 1 6 -6 9 8 -6 7 0 0 ext 4 2 2 2 7 or em a il h er a t ju liet ta . b r oth er s @k en t wood p s .or g. Co m m it t e e o f t h e Mo n t h h on or s go t o b oth t h e An n u al Me e t in g a n d th e S ile n t Au c t io n Co m m it t e e s . Th es e h a r d wor k in g volu n teer s tr u ly ga ve u s a n igh t t o r em em b er in J a n u a r y. Mon th s of p r ep a r a tion is n eed ed to p r ep a r e for b ot h of th es e m a s s ive even ts , m a d e even m or e ch a llen gin g a s t h ey h a p p en s im u lta n eou s ly! Th a n k s to a ll ou r volu n t eer s a n d Mau ric e Gro c e fro m Me rc an t ile Ban k wh o ch a ir ed th e An n u a l

Meetin g Com m it tee a n d Ro b We lls fro m AXA Advis o rs wh o ch a ir ed t h e S ilen t Au ct ion Com m it tee. Th e An n u a l Meet in g Com m ittee: Maurice Groce, Mercantile Bank Vickey Argo, Business Leadership Ne t wo rk o f MI J u di Ho llan d, Ch am e le o n Lt d. Bre n t Ho llan d, Ch am e le o n Lt d. Ch ris t in e Gro s s , Ch ris Th e rape u t ic To u c h Am an da Le wis , gNe t wo rk s / Fram e wo rk S it e s Lis a Calh o u n , Hilt o n Gran d Rapids Airpo rt Kat ie Ko be r, Ho liday In n Gran d Rapids S u e By n u m , Ch am be r S t aff Th e S ilen t Au ction Com m ittee: Ro b We lls AXA Advis o rs Do u g Bre dbe rg Cro s by & He n ry Marc ie Go ldbe rg Flags t ar Ban k Am an da Le wis gNe t wo rk s / Fram e wo rk S it e s S u e By n u m Ch am be r S t aff Th a n k s to ever yon e wh o d on a ted , b id on or p u r ch a s ed a n a u ct ion it em a n d / or a tt en d ed th e An n u a l Meetin g. We h op e it wa s a gr ea t n igh t for ever yon e. You r s u p p or t m a d e th es e even ts p os s ib le.