Wkacc Newsletter October 09

October 2009 Volume 29, Issue 10

My Business Advocate Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

Membership Drive Puts Event Focus on Member Referrals In August, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors challenged our staff, Board and Membership to sign a total of 25 new members between September 1 and November 30, 2009 and the best way we know to do that is by signing up your membership referrals. Between September 1 and November 30, the Chamber will offer multiple opportunities for you to invite your potential member guests to great low-cost to no-cost networking events. (Check out the Coming Events Box in the lower left columns on this page). We're offering access to great business building benefits and you can help us spread the word.

Simply invite all of your business acquaintances to attend one or more of the free or nearly no cost events scheduled this fall and give them a taste of Chamber Networking and insight into some of the other business building opportunities available to our members. Who do you know that should be a member?

The Chamber will have membership information and applications at each event and will have representatives on hand to discuss

Coming Events

Board Election Ballots Delivered 10/1-10/3 Government Matters @ Chamber Office 10/5 Metro South Multi Chamber Seminar w/ T. Rubleski @ Pine Rest Family Institute, 300 68th Street SE 10/8 Chamber After Hours @ Sarah Care Adult Day Care 10/8 Multi Chamber Speed Networking @ Woodland Creek Community Room 10/9 "Ask The Pros" Forum 10/15 Board Elections-Ballot Deadline 10/15 3rd Fridays! 10/16 Orientation Breakfast 11/19 Santa Parade 12/5 Legislative Luncheon @ Brann's Conference Center 10/26 South Kent Business Connections @ Applause Banquet Ctr 10/29 Government Matters @ Chamber Office 11/2 Chamber After Hours 11/12 3rd Fridays! @ Hilton Hotel 11/20 Annual Meeting and Silent Auction 1/29/2010 Calendars on Pages 6 & 7 Log on to www.southkent.org for details.

the potential growth and brand recognition that can be accessed when they join. Get them to come and we'll do all the work! Special incentive packages are being offered by Citadel Broadcasting and The Grand Rapids Press in addition to the free business card sized ad that will be available to every new member turning in the coupon posted on the website and the Member Recuitment Challenge offered by Pat Pols and the Member Recruitment Committee. There will be a Member/New Member Reception at the Business Expo on October 29th from 5-7 PM Join us and try to Crack the Chamber Vault. Get a chance to win $25,000 in cash. Bring a not yet member guest to earn another chance to win. Each potential member referral is another chance to crack the vault. There have never been more incentives for referrals as there are right now, and it is for a limited time. Reservations for most events can be made on line at www. southkent.org or call 616-5315990.

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 - American Diabetes Association *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 Bob O'Callaghan - Citadel Broadcasting 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 September 2009 By John J. Crawford, Jr. President & CEO

Neighboring Local Chambers Begin New Era in Collaboration Thinking Locally, Acting Regionally Will Create New Opportunities for Local Businesses I am very happy to announce some more great progress in our unending quest to enhance the value of your Chamber Membership! Five local Chambers of Commerce in the South Metropolitan area have elevated their level of collaboration. Metro South Chambers The Grandville-Jenison Area Chamber, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber, the Hudsonville Area Chamber, Byron Center and Cutlerville-Gaines Area Chamber are planning a series of joint projects to create and encourage new opportunities for business in their respective areas. We’re billing our joint efforts under the heading of the “Metro South Chambers of Commerce” and have developed a logo for these programs. The Metro South Chambers logo is a fast way for us to let our Members know that a particular workshop or other event is open to all participating Chambers. All of the Chambers in West Michigan and across the state communicate with each other regularly. We are blessed to have 35 to 40 active and successful local Chambers in our region!” The Metro South Chambers are next door neighbors that are local, suburban Chambers. We have found that our Member businesses have asked for increased cooperation and they value this broader interaction enormously! Sandy LeBlanc is the Executive Director of the newly merged Grandville-Jenison Chamber. “For now, we are really only focusing on those programs that create added businessbuilding opportunities for our Members.” LeBlanc said. “Helping our area businesses find and develop new customers is a very high priority for all of our Chambers.” LeBlanc and Crawford first started putting some joint events together in early 2009 and they have proven to be very popular among many Chamber Members. In combination, the four Chambers have about 1,400 Member firms.

(Continued on Page 4)

BUSINESS GROWTH

The Biggest and Best Networking Event of the Year – Oct 29th! Want to grow your business? Then plan on attending the SOUTH KENT BUSINESS CONNECTIONS Event on Thursday, October 29th from 11:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Applause Banquet Center on 28th Street. This event combines a Lunch ‘N Learn, a Business Expo, and a Membership Drive Reception -- all

in one action packed afternoon. It promises to offer great learning and great connections to build your business. This year, the Event will be open to and marketed to all METRO SOUTH CHAMBER Members and Not Yet Members through multiple Chamber Newsletters, E-mail

The Biggest and Best Networking Event of the Year

South Kent

Business Connections

Great Learning and Great Connections to Build Your Business

Thursday, October 29, 2009 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. New Member Reception Starts at 5:00 p.m. FREE ADMITTANCE WITH YOUR BUSINESS CARD

Applause Event Center 28th Street SE Just West of Breton (Behind Pietro's) Support Our Sponsors Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors ®

Payroll Service

www.ioipay.com

(888) 697-0021

Michael DeVries

Great Lakes Community Directories Produced By

Bronze Sponsors ATL Credit Union Costco Lake Michigan Credit Union Edward Jones/Skip Knapp Signworks Huntington Bank

Two Men and a Truck BNI of Michigan The Rapid Cambridge Partners Inc. Hungerford Aldrin Nichols & Carter Fast Signs Mapes Insurance Agency

Blasts, NewsTalk Radio Advertising and Direct Mail Advertising to WK Area businesses. This event is shaping up to be the Biggest and the Best Networking Event of the Year! We already have 33 Sponsors and Exhibitors signed up with some showcase tables still available. We moved locations this year to a more central location and a larger facility to allow more than the 42 exhibitors and 450 attendees that participated last year. The Lunch ‘n Learn will feature dynamic and knowledgeable Penny Georgevich, Executive Director from BNI Michigan on How to Build Your Business with Referrals! from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Learn valuable tips on building your business through referrals during this power packed Lunch n’ Learn. Cost for the Lunch ‘n Learn is $15 for Chamber Members and $21 for Not Yet Members. A Membership Drive Reception (Free Appetizers/Cash Bar) from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. will be held in the Expo area for new members and not yet members to meet the Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and other active members. Contact Julie Janes-Brown at the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber or at www.southkent.org for further details.

We would like to thank our GOLD SPONSORS – Proforma Infinite Marketing Solutions and Citadel Broadcasting's new WJRW 1340 AM News Talk station; and SILVER SPONSORS – IOI Pay, MarketingHelp!, Presort Services, Great Lakes Community Directories and Principal Financial/ Michael DeVries; for helping make this event possible.

Referral Magic: How To ’Capture’ Sales Online and Offline Back by popular demand - Tony Rubleski with Referral Magic

• •

The power of content to attract new business Proven ways to stay in touch with clients and key prospects

Thursday, October 8 8am to 10 am Postma Center for Worship and Education Pine Rest Family Institute 300 68th Street SE $20 - Chamber Members $30 - Not-Yet- Members

Tony's entertaining presentation style will be full of motivational information and ideas you can use to improve your marketing efforts both online and offline. Register at www.southkent.org or call 616-5315990. Guests are welcome at event rates. Another Great Event Provided You will discover: by Metro South Chambers of • Effective ways to generate Commerce: referrals and sales • Cutlerville-Gaines • Networking tips that produce • Hudsonville BIG results • Grandville-Jenison and • A close look at how to use • Wyoming-Kentwood Area ChamWeb 2.0 (Facebook, YouTube, bers of Commerce etc.) in your marketing.

Tony Rubleski, www. mindcapturegroup.com, Author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling Book: Mind Capture, How You Can Stand Out in the Age of Advertising Deficit Disorder".

Opinion by John - Metro South Chamber Network

(Continued from page 1)

The Metro South Chambers 2009 calendar includes • Thursday, September 24, 5 – 7 PM, a special “After-Hours” Networking Event where business people will meet dozens of other business people to network and share business contacts. We had more than 200 Members and over 27 Showcase Businesses at this event! • Thursday, October 8, 7:30 – 10:00 AM, A workshop on Growing Sales via Social Networking, presented by noted author and speaker, Tony Rubleski of the Mind Capture Group of Spring Lake, MI. Tony will be bringing attendees up to speed on the latest business

use of Social Networking and other technologies, like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Constant Contact and others to expand business sales and retain existing clients. The seminar will be held on the Pine Rest Campus at 68th Street and Division Avenue. Please register with your home Chamber.

• Friday, October 9, 7:30 – 9:30 AM, Metro South SPEED Networking. Hosted this time by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, it is held the 2nd Friday in the even-numbered months, this program has been enormously popular among the Chambers’ Memberships. SPEED Networking is restricted to Members-in-Good Standing of the Metro South Chambers. This month’s event is held

at Woodland Creek Apartments Community Building, 3300 East Paris Avenue in Kentwood. Please register with your home Chamber at Southkent.org Meetings & Events. And that's my... Opinion by John

CHAMBER PARTNERS

Meet Your Newest Chamber Partner Michael DeVries from Principal Financial Group is offering Members of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce significant cost savings on Disability Insurance and only for our Chamber Member Employers and their employees. Contact Michael at 616-942-1251 ext 3020 for price and coverage details. Chamber Partner Committee Needs You! The committee is currently looking for member businesses that

offer products or services that can help our members reduce the cost of running a business. Contact Carol Crawford at The Alternative Board, 616-301-8081 or email [email protected]. Recruiting Committee Members - Contact [email protected] if you would be interested in helping us build the Chamber Partners Program.

Choice Business Services As a Chamber Partner, Choice Business Services offers any member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce a significant discount on all office support services. CBS provides professional business support through Business Address, Conferencing Services, Clerical/Administrative Support services. Telephone Answering, Temporary and Permanent Office Leasing and much more…..You give us the task we figure out the best way to complete it! Contact Debra Bates at [email protected] or call 616-9750100 for discount details. TAB has been a ChamberPartner since 2008 and recently renewed their partnership for another year.

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

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.

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]

Working with Chamber Partners is Good Business!

Member 2 Member Discounts

A program of WKACC Chamber Partners for any Member in Good Standing. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to list your Member 2 Member Discount.

Save on Ink and Toner!

Mark Schabacker - Owner (o) 616-818-5555 (f) 616-987-3018 [email protected] www.TheCartridgedepot.com

20% OFF initial orders for New Customers Lower your Toner & Ink Costs Today! FREE Pick Up and DELIVERY for local Businesses, SAVE up to 50% On Ink & TONER needs! Locally Owned & Operated

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sun



October 2009

Mon

Tue

Wed

Sat

2

3

8

8-10 am Metro South Workshop w/ Tony Rubleski 9a Bus Growth 5-7 pm Chamber After Hours

9

10

4p Noon 6 Ambassadors 5Gov Matters @ at

7

12

8am 14 Activation &

15

7:30a CEO Exchange Election Ballots Submitted by 5pm

16

17

the Chamber 4p Education Comm @ Celebration South

11

Fri

8a Recruiting Committee

1

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

4

Thu

8a Gov Matters at Kentwood City Hall

Main Street Pub

13

11 a Santa Parade Committee Election Ballot Postmark Deadline

8:15a Chamber Foundation

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

7:30a Multi Chamber Speed Networking 8a PAC 9-11a SCORE by appt. 11:30a-1p 3rd Fridays! Hilton Hotel 1p Chamber Partners OCTOBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 1-7 pm

30

31

11 a Santa Parade Committee

11:30a Board of Directors

South Kent Business Connections (Expo Lunch 'n LearnNetworking)

IF YOU'RE NOT AT YOUR LAST JOB, YOUR 401(K) SHOULDN'T BE EITHER. To see why it makes sense to roll your 401(k) to Edward Jones, call today. S.A. (Skip) Knapp III Financial Advisor

1801 Breton Rd SE, Ste E Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-942-5770

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sun



November 2009

Mon

Tue

5

8a Recruiting Committee

Fri

3

8

9

8a 8a Gov Matters at at Gov Matters Kentwood City Hall Kentwood City Hall

10

11

12

13

15

16

17

18

19

7:30 a Orientation Breakfast 7:30a CEO Exchange 11:30a Board of Directors

22

23

24

25

26

29

30

31

Time Ends Fall Back 1 Hour

11a Santa Parade Committee

11a Santa Parade Committee

4

8:15a Chamber Foundation

Thu

Noon Gov Matters at the Chamber

1Daylight Savings 2

4p Ambassadors @Main Street Pub

Wed

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

10 a 3rd Fri! Comm

6

9a Business Growth 5-7 pm Chamber After

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sat 7

8a PAC 9-11a SCORE by appt.

14

20

11:30a-1p 3rd Fridays! Location TBA 1p Chamber Partners NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

21

27

28

Office closed Thursday and open by appt Friday

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

Promote Your Brand at 3rd Fridays!

!!! FREE !!!

Attendance not required.

We Need bags with YOUR COMPANY LOGO AND / OR NAME We'll use them to package handouts at 3rd Fridays! Luncheons each month. 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!

Santa Parade Offers Business Building Opportunities There are at least two ways the WKACC Division Avenue Santa Parade can help grow your business. Whether your customers are other businesses or consumers, participation in the Santa Parade will put your name in front of hundreds of residents and businesses in the Wyoming and Kentwood area. The Santa Parade Committee distributes more than 10,000 flyers to local schools at the end of November to announce the parade and those flyers have the names of the event sponsors on them. There are also posters placed in businesses along the Division Avenue route with the names of our sponsoring business on them. This distribution begins early in November. What if you can't do a sponsorship? The 3rd Annual WKACC Division Avenue Santa Parade is currently reserving spots in their December 5th Parade on Division between 33rd and 43rd

Streets for Member and NonMember Business Participant Entries. You don't have to be a member of WKACC to sponsor or participate in the parade but you'll save money with your Chamber Membership. Whether you can offer a float, decorated trailer or fleet vehicle, we would love to hear from you.

The October Lunch ‘n Learn will feature dynamic and knowledgeable Penny Georgevich, Executive Director from BNI Michigan on How to Build Your Business with Referrals! from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Of all the marketing tools available to profitably grow your

For more information or to get an application, log on to www. southkent.org or check out the Santa Parade Blog at www. wyoming-kentwoodsantaparade. blogspot.com posted by Committee Chair, Susan Sasek. If you have any questions or would like more information contact Janine Burns at 616-531-5990 or email [email protected].

Employees from Lake Michigan Credit Union share the spirit of the season at the '08 WKACC Division Avenue Santa Parade

Grow Your Business Through Referrals Lunch “N Learn Oct 29th

Want to grow your business?

Have some employees that would like to march carrying a banner with your company logo or special event on it? Just let us know and we'll get the participant application to you. Don't miss this opportunity to place your business name prominently on this growing community event.

business, referrals are generally the most effective and efficient. In order to turbo-charge your prospect generation from referrals, there are three key functions to perform … developing your network, educating your network and asking your network for referrals. Learn valuable tips on building your business through referrals during this power-packed Lunch n’ Learn. Cost for the Lunch ‘n Learn is $15 for Chamber Members and $21 for Not Yet Members. To register, contact Julie at the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber or check it out at www.southkent. org.

Considering a supporting sponsorship? Let us know right away so you won't miss being included on any pre-event publicity.

Don't Forget!

Marketing incentives available from Citadel Broadcasting to all new and renewing Members: Make it a point to renew your dues on time or even early if you can. There is a great bonus advertising benefit from Citadel Broadcasting for timely renewals. Ask Sue, Julie or John for all the details before your Membership is due. Refer a New Member and receive a $25.00 Chamber Bucks Credit toward your next invoice. Contact the Chamber with your referral information and when your referral joins you will receive the credit. Don't forget to mention the marketing package valued at $1500. from Citadel Broadcasting.

100 Years of Knowledge ready to work for you!

The Ambassador Committee is over 20 members strong. 10 of whom have been on the committee for 5 or more years! • Bob Carpenter, Complete Source • Lisa Calhoun, • Jim Gilbert, • Chris Gross, • Brent Holland, • Judi Holland, • Casey Jankoska, • Danna Mathiesen, • Bob O’Callaghan, and • Matt Uhl. Our newest Ambassadors also go thru a training process to ensure that they’ve got all of the information they need as well. Let your Ambassador help you navigate your chamber journey.

They are there to make sure you are getting what you want and need from your membership. Your Ambassador will be in contact with you periodically during the year, so please make yourself available or take the time to return their call. If you need something before they contact you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them. Our first of two fall 2009 After Hours will be held on Thursday, October 8th at Sarah Care Adult Day Care, 2024 Health Dr, Suite B in the Metro Health Village from 5-7pm. ALWAYS great networking, ALWAYS a low cost option to showcase your company with a table, and ALWAYS FREE to attend! Contact the julie@ southkent.org or call 616-531-5990 to reserve a showcase table. Your Ambassadors look forward to seeing you there! and your WyomingKentwood Chamber brings you

“Ask-the-Pros” Forum

2024 Health Dr, Ste B in the Metro Health Village Hosts

Thursday, October 8, 2009 5pm - 7 pm - FREE! Refreshments and Networking Great Prizes and a 50/50 Raffle are offered. Drawings are held at the end of the evening but you must be present to win! Register on line at www.southkent.org or contact [email protected]

When: Thursday, October 15 Where: Holiday Inn GR Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook SE, Kentwood Time: 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm (arrivals & snacks), 4:30 pm –6:30 pm (forum begins promptly) Topics: Legal, Finance, Insurance and Human Resources: What: No lecture. We have gathered an impressive group of ‘pros’ who will allow you to quiz them in the areas of expertise on topics of interest to you. Why: You’ll have a chance to hear other opinions, or solutions to existing problems, or to get free answers to questions you’ve been pondering. Plus, there will be drinks and hors d’oeuvres!

Many WKACC Group Health Plans to choose from!

For You and Your Employees and Their Families! Contact janine@southkent. org for plan pricing and work and residential eligibility requirements. Different plans and different levels of coverage are available

The Format: There will be four separate ‘profession pods’. Each will consist of one or two Pro’s and onefourth of the guests in attendance. Each ‘session’ will last 25-minutes. At the end of each session (four in total) our professionals will rotate to the next ‘pod’ to field questions from the next group of guests.

Sound interesting?

In order to keep the groups to a friendly, interactive size we are limiting the seats available to 48 spaces. So register early before all the spots are filled. Log on to www. southkent.org and register on line or contact [email protected] for help and information. Costs for this workshop are completely underwritten by P3HR Consulting, Miller Johnson, Hungerford Aldrin Nichols & Carter, PC, Creative Benefit Systems, Inc., The Campbell Group, Byron Bank and the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber.

Chamber Foundation Fundraiser Will Save Your Money

Purchase your 2010 Entertainment ™ Passbook and support the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber Foundation. Passbooks only cost $20 and they're chocked full of two-for-one coupons at local restaurants, entertainment facilities and much much more. We have them at the Chamber office. Get yours today by contacting Julie at 616531-5990 or email her at [email protected]. Books are also available from any member of the WKA Chamber Foundation Board.

Let Us Help Make Your Next Event Extra Special Members of the Chamber Board, Ambassadors and Staff were on hand to offer congratulations at Tulip City Detail Plus' recent Grand Opening. Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings are some of the many services the chamber can provide for Members. Let everyone you know about all the great benefits of becoming a Member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Ambassadors will be sure to let everyone they talk to know about your event and we'll put it on the Chamber Calendar for all of our members to see. Contact us to see if the event you are planning qualifies for this service and let your potential member referrals know we can do it for them too. Jeff Van Natter and Steven Graf from Tulip City Detail Plus and employees cut the ribbon at their new facility located at 154 E Lakewood Blvd, Suite 100 in Holland.

Contact [email protected] to have the Chamber represented at your next public event. We'll bring the ribbon, scissors and a nice commemorative plaque for your "wall of fame". We request at least 30 days advance notice of your event.

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] Newsletter deadline is the 3rd Friday of the month prior to publication. Preferred formats are PDF, Word and JPEG. Other formats may be acceptable, call to verify.

Renewing Members

Member Spotlight

•

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

• • • •

September Volunteer of the Month Congratulations to Gregg Howard on being named Volunteer of the Month. Gregg was a volunteer on the 5th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise Executive Committee and served as Director of Logistics and Site Manager for the two day event. Using a Segue Scooter, Gregg traveled over 80 miles at the Rogers' Plaza Parking Lot alone on Friday and Saturday. How much more of the area he walked is anyones guess! Nice Job Gregg, great event!

September Committee of the Month The 5th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise receives hearty congratulations from the Board Executives on a successful event to remember. Nearly 80,000 visitors and 10,000 cars participated despite almost two full days of less than ideal weather conditions. Committee Members and Lead Volunteers included: Joel Iakiri - Division Director Dan Van Dyke - Committee Chair Rick Sturim - Interim Committee Chair/co chair Gregg Howard - Logistics and Site Management Denise Hughes - PR and Marketing Erin Bowen - Visitor Relations Scott Gardnew - Public Safety Todd Duncan - Board Chair, Committee Advisor Charlie Steen - Special Event Coordinator, Sponsorship Sales Lillian Vander Veen - Hospitality Tent at Klingman's, Day of Event Volunteer Laurie Hable - Centerpointe Mall, Day of Event Volunteer Janna Falicki - Day of Event Volunteer John Crawford - Chamber Staff Julie Janes-Brown - Chamber Staff

• • • • • •

Arrow Roofing & Supply, Inc Baymont Inn & Suites Cascade Winery Comerica Bank Fire Fighters Sales & Service Flagstar Bank Gillis Family Chiropractic Grand Rapids Inn Hairstyles by Janet Hobart Sales & Service Information Technology Systems, LLC

• • •

Lenger Travel Center, Inc Metro Motors, Inc Michigan Lake to Lake Bed & Breakfast Association Norl Schut Greenhouses, Inc Palmer Hills Condo Association Parkwood Pharmacy, LLC Priority Construction, Inc Priority Health Managed Benefits Quick Printing Co Residence Inn by Marriott

• • • • • • •

Welcome New Members •

McDonald Plumbing, Inc - Ed McDonald, (616) 6986771

•

Holiday Inn Express Matt Piromari, (616) 9408100

•

John Russo’s Wine Warehouse & Deli - John Russo, (616) 827-3902

•

Farmers Insurance Group - John Todd, (616) 956-3557

•

Environmental Innovations William Mohr, (616) 3663518

•

Steen, Charles M. - Charles Steen, (616) 635-2840

Member Businesses listed on this page areMilestones 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.

MEMBER NEWS AND NOTES

New Deadline for Save up to 25% with a 3rd Fridays! ANNUAL PASS 3rd Fridays! Early If you attend frequently, SAVE set up your Business SHOWCASE MONEY with a 3rd Fridays! for the regular small added charges! Registration Discount! Luncheon Annual Pass or a 3rd Fridays! Showcase Pass.

Friday, Oct 16 11:30 am to 1 pm

For a one-time fee of $126, your business is issued a laminated Our first of the next three 3rd Fridays! Annual Pass which reserves your Luncheons will be at Hilton Grand spot at 12 consecutive 3rd Fridays! Rapids Airport Hotel Members luncheons pay only $15 with early registration • The Advantages? SAVE 25% of by NOON ON BY MONDAY OCT Regular Monthly RSVP Cost! 12. Not-yet-member and member registration after 12pm on October 12 • (SAVE almost 50% off of the regular member rate costs)!! is still only $21.00 • RSVP your REGRETS only! We’re Showcase tables are available for saving YOUR seat! October, November and December • No need to stop at registration, while availability lasts. Reserve yours just start networking! today for only $35.00 more. • NOTE: Annual Passes expire 12 months after issue. Contact [email protected] for • Annual Passes are transferrable more information or download the WITHIN your business, (but NOT application at www.southkent.org. from business to business). Register on-line and don't forget You may still bring a Guest and still your business cards! Paid Advertisement

Forest of Fear Opens Oct 2!

Get $5 off on select Dates: Oct 2, 3, 8, 9 Get $3 off all other nights (except Saturday). Forest of Fear will be open Oct 2, 3, 8-10, 15-18, 22-25, & 29-31. www.forestoffear.com The Forest of Fear is run by the Kentwood Jaycees! Forest of Fear is a totally volunteer run event So please come out and support the Kentwood Junior Chamber and treat yourself to what has quickly become a Halloween tradition in our area! Would you like to get more involved in your community– Join the Kentwood Jaycees – we are looking for members between the ages of 21-40.

The Kentwood Jaycees are a unique group of individuals that want to make a difference in their community. They also have a huge business background – the leadership skills learned can be implemented in the workplace! The Jaycees is “leadership training with a net”. You'll benefit through personal growth along with new life-lasting friendships! Please contact Jenny Dukarski if you would like more information about the Kentwood Jaycees – Jenny Dukarski Forest of Fear Chair, Management VP eMail: [email protected]

Add an Annual Showcase to your 3rd Fridays! Annual Pass!

Wow! And here is a Great AddOn!! You can now SHOWCASE Display Your Business at up to twelve consecutive 3rd Fridays! events for only $396 which includes one lunch per month! That is a 25% savings from our per month charge! A Showcase Display includes some “podium time” and normally is $35 per date. Same restrictions apply to the Annual Pass as for the Luncheon Pass. Contact [email protected] to order your 3rd Fridays! Annual Pass - or Annual Showcase Pass - now! Call today and have it activated by the October 16th 3rd Fridays!

2010 Board Elections The Chamber needs your vote to choose our leadership for 2010. Ballots are to be cast for approximately one-third of the Board members each year. Threeyear terms of office begin in January each year. Ballots were mailed on September 30, 2009. They were mailed to primary contacts for each Member Business. All completed ballots must be postmarked no later than October 13th. (Ballots may be dropped off at the Chamber Office until 5pm on Thursday, October 15th). Watch the November Advocate for the results of the 2010 Board of Directors Election and plan to attend the Annual Meeting on January 29, 2010 to meet them.