WKACC Newsletter April 09

8/14/2019 WKACC Newsletter April 09

1/13

Building Better Communities by Building Better BusinessesChamber Endorses Rapid Transit Millage

Limited Time, Reduced Price Networking

Ap ril 2 0 0 9 V olum e 2 9 , Is s ue 4

Inside This Issue

WYOMING-KENTWOOD , MI - The

Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber

o f C om m e r ce h a s e n d o r s e d t h e

I n t e r u r b a n Tr a n s i t Pa r t n e r s h i p 's

millage requ est which will be voted

on in the general election May 5.

The millage will provide opera ting

f u n d s f o r a n e w Bu s Ra p i d Tr a n s i t

system , du bbed "The Silver Line",which would begin operations

in 2 0 1 2 u p o n t h e p a s s a g e o f t h e

m i lla g e . It wil l b e t h e r s t Ra p i d

Transit System in West Michigan

a n d wi l l r u n f r o m Do wn t o wn Gr a n d

Rapids along Division Avenu e,

t h e b o r d e r b e t we en Wy om i n g a n d

Ke n t wo o d fo r m u c h o f t h e r o u t e 's

l e n g t h .

"O u r b u s in e s s m e m b e r s a r e m o r e

t h a n a l i t t l e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e

level of taxa tion in Michigan an db e g a n s t u d y i n g t h i s i s s u e wi t h a

o u r s o u t h e r n s u b u r b s t o D o w n t o

G r a n d R a p i d s c o u ld s p a w n a s

much $160 Million in private sec

in v e s t m e n t a n d e c on o m ic a c t iv it y

t h e r s t 4 o r 5 ye a r s t h a t t h e B RT

is r u n n in g . We h a v e d e te r m in e d

t h a t t h i s is o n e in fr a s t r u c t u r e

investment that will pay for i tself

wi t h i n a s h o r t p a y b a c k p e r i o d ."

"In short, this millage request is

a g o o d , s u s t a i n a b l e jo b s - c r e a t in g

d e a l fo r t a x p a y e r s ." Th e fe d e r a l

a n d s t a t e m o n e y h a s a l re a d y b e e

allocated an d will go elsewh ere

if voters decline this operating

millage. The Wyoming-Kentwood

Ar e a Ch a m b e r u r g e s a YES v o t e

M a y 5 .

Ra pid Tr an s it Milla ge 1

Ba r ga in Net wor k in g 1

Op in ion b y J oh n 2

Sou t h Ken t E xp o 3

Referra l Ch allenge 4

C h a m b e r P a r t n e r s 5

Go v e r n m e n t M a t t e r s 8

Advocate Advertising 8

Am ba s s a d or s Cor n er 9

Th e Cr u is e Cor n er 1 0

E d u ca tion Com m it t ee 1 1

Mem ber Miles t on es 1 2

Mem b er S p ot ligh t 1 2

Let ter t o t h e Pr es id en t 1 3

2 0 0 9 Mem ber S ign s 1 3

Calen d a rs o n P ages 6 & 7

Log on to www.southkent.org

For details.

very wary eye two m onth s ago",

sa id Ch am b er P resi d en t J o h n

Crawfo rd . "Wh i le ma n y Ch am b erefforts focus on trying to make

Michigan a more attractive and

cost-competitive place to dob u si n ess, we fou n d t h at Th e S ilver

Line is very likely to do jus t th at."

Crawfo rd n o t ed t h at t h e Ch amb er 's

Go vern m en t Mat t ers Comm it t eeand its Executive Committee

b o t h r e co m m e n d e d t h e m e a s u r e

to th e Board of Directors, wh ichu n an i mo u sl y ap p ro v ed t h e

en d o rsemen t at i t s M arch meet i n g .

"The millage to operate The Silver

Line will release $4 0 Million in

F e d er a l a n d S t a t e gr a n t s in t o t h eCo mmu n i t y t o b u i ld t h e sy st em

for sta rters ", Crawford sa id. "The

ad d ed co n ven i en ce o f ad d i n g aRap i d Tran si t S y st em co n n ect in g

Th e 3 rdFridays!

P l an n i n gCommittee

an d Dian n e

Cihak atCraigs

"At t en d a n ce n u m b ers h av e b een

gr e a t s in c e t h e r s t o f t h e ye a r , "

Lisa O'Callaghan, committee chat o ld u s. " We h o p e t h e sp ecial rat e

fo r t h e n ex t 3 mo n t h s, wi ll resu l t

i n so me n ew faces an d sav e o u rmembers a little money".

April, May and June

Members: Early Registration

Pas t a, Pi zza, Sal ad, Des s ert ,Beverage Bar, and Networkin

a ll f o r o n l y $ 1 2 !

Late registration and non-memb

rate is still only $21.00.S h o wcase - Ad d 'l $ 3 5 . 0 0 , sp a

is limited.

Table Info - Addt'l $15.00.

To reserve a Showcase Tableema il su e@sou th ken t.org for an

ap p l icat i on o r cal l h er at 6 1 6 -5 3

5990 or go to www.southkent.org

Cruisers invite you to join other areabusiness leaders for a delicious

lu n ch b u ffet an d n et work i n g on cea mo n t h o n t h e 3 rd F ri d ay o f t h e

m o n t h .

Dur ing April, May an d J u ne,

register early and only pay $1 2 for

lun ch. You're going to wan t to makeearly reservations . (Members r egis te rin g

after 5pm on Wednesday, April 15

will pay $ 21.00 . Not-yet-memb errat e remai n s at $ 2 1 . 0 0 ). R e g i s t e ron- l i ne at w w w . s out hkent . org.
http://www.southkent.org/http://www.southkent.org/http://www.southkent.org/


2/13

YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT

2 0 0 9 B o a rd o f D ire c t o r s*indicates Executive Committee Member

*J ohn Crawford - Presiden t & CEO

* To d d Du n c a n - Co n s u m e r s En e r g y , Bo a r d Ch a i r

*S te ve Ma r s h a ll- MAS Advisory Service, Cha ir, Fin. & Bud get

*Norine Mu lvihill - Option 1 Credit Un ion , Sr . V. Cha ir

*Kathey Ba tey - Priority Health/ Sp irited Presen tat ions

*Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd.

*Sk i p Kn a p p - Ed wa r d J o n e s In v e s t m e n t s

*To m Kr u i s e n g a - W. MI Bu s in e s s Gr o u p , Pa s t Ch a i r

*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk PLC,

Legal Counsel

C om m uni t y R el at i ons D i vi s i on ( B l ue)

*Kathey Batey - Vice Chair

To m m y Br a n n - Br a n n s St e a k h o u s e & Gr i l l e

Dan Van Dyke - PCO Associates, LLC

*Bren t Van der Kolk - Van der Kolk & Van der Kolk,.PLC

Lillian Van derVeen - Lenger Travel Services

Mem ber R el at i ons D i vis i on (R ed)*Bren t Hollan d - Vice Ch air

Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter

Da n n a M a t h i e s e n - M e r c a n t i l e Ba n k

J ohn Sch wartz - AT&T

Mem bers hi p D evel opm e nt D i vis i on (Gol d)

*Skip Kna pp - Vice Cha ir

Rob Wells - AXA Advisors

Diane Zandstra - W. MI Center for Family Health

Fi nanci al D evel opm ent D i vi s i on ( G reen)*Norine Mulvih ill - Sr. Vice Ch air

Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema)

J o e l Ia k i r i - Hu n t i n g t o n Ba n k

David Szidik - Money Mailers of SE Kent Coun ty

Matt Uhl - National City

Ex-Of c ioCarol Sh eets - City of Wyoming, Mayor

Richa rd Root - City of Kent wood, Mayor

Cu rtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Man ager

Bi l l Do r e n - Ch a m b e r Fo u n d a t i o n Ch a i r

M y B u s i n e s s A d v o c a t e,Co p yr ig h t 2 0 0 9

Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce

5 9 0 - 3 2 n d S t r e e t S E

Wy om i n g , M I 4 9 5 4 8 - 2 3 4 5

Te l: 6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0

F a x : 6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 0 2 5 2

Newsletter/ Advert Informa tion : su e@sou th ken t.org

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

D eprec i at i on and A pprec i at i on

Ta l k o f d e p r e c ia t i o n s e e m s s o c o m m o n t h e s e d a y s .

H om e va l u e s , 4 0 1 K s , m o n e y m a r k e t s , w a ge s , IR A s a n

s o o n . M a n y im p o r t a n t t h i n g s i n o u r l ive s h a ve d e p r e c

a t e d i n t h is r e c e s s i on . Ag a in , t h a t s n o r m a l in a n y e c o

n o m i c d o wn t u r n , b u t i t s u r e i s d i s c o u r a g i n g !

O n e s a d c a s u a l ty t h a t o ft e n a c c o m p a n ie s t o u g h t i m e s

t h o u g h , i s t h a t w e d e p r ec ia t e t h e people a r ou n d u s a s

o u r a s s e t s d e p r e c ia t e . E a c h o f u s is e n o r m o u s l y va lu -

a b l e a n d o u r v a l u e a p p r e c ia t e s e v e r y d a y ! Wo r k in g a t

t h e C h a m b e r , we ge t t o s ee t h a t i n t h e m a n y s u p e r s t a

v olu n t e e r - m e m b e r s wor k i n g o n d o ze n s o f p r o je c t s ! Th

a r e a m a z i n g a n d a r e a l wa y s s m i l i n g !

Make t he T i m e t o A ppreci at e E ach O t her!

I r em e m b e r h e a r i n g a r e p o r t e d l y t r u e s t o r y a l on g t i m e

a g o a b o u t t wo 5 th G ra d e s t u d en t s b ot h n a m ed Tom m

in t h e s a m e c la s s r o o m . On e Tom m y wa s a lwa y s we l

b e h a v e d , p a r t i c i p a t e d i n c l a s s , t u r n e d h i s h o m e wo r k

in o n t i m e a n d e a r n e d go od g r a d e s . Th e o t h e r To m m y

we ll, d id n o t . He s t r u g gle d wit h h is g r a d e s a n d wa s

a l wa y s d i s r u p t in g t h e c la s s . He wa s a h a n d fu l fo r h i s

t e a c h e r .

At t h e p a r e n t - t e a c h e r c o n f e r e n c e s t h e b a d Tomm y s

m o t h e r m e t r s t wit h t h e t ea c h e r. S h e a s k e d h o w To mm y wa s d o in g in c l a s s . Th e t e a c h e r , co n fu s i n g t h e t w

boys, replied I can t begin to tell you what a joy Tommi s i n my cl ass! He i s so h el p fu l an d st u d i es v ery h ard

real ly ap p reciat e h av in g h i m a s a st u d en t m y roo m!

S t art i n g t h e n ex t d ay , t h e Bad To mmy came in wit h

h i s h o mework a l l d o n e, p art i cip at ed i n clas s a n d b egat o p a s s h is t e s t s w it h yin g co lo r s ! H e m a d e a d r a m a t

t u r n - a r ou n d , b e ca m e a s t e lla r s t u d e n t a n d gr a d u a t e d

from high school as his class valedictorian.

Du ri n g h i s g rad u a t io n sp eech , h e cred it ed h i s 5 th G r a d

t each er fo r t ellin g h i s Mo m h o w mu ch h e was ap p reciat ed . He h ad n ev er felt ap p reciat ed i n a n y class b efo rt h a t a n d fro m t h at d ay fo rward felt co mp el led t o m ea-

s u r e u p t o t h e exp e ct a t io n a n d t o t h e appreciation .

We Appreciate YOU!

Let s make sure, especially in these challenging times

t h a t we g o ou t o f o u r way t o appreciate each o t h er,

en co u ra g e an d li ft t h o se aro u n d u s u p . Reversi n g o u ras set d ep reciat i on can t b e far b eh i n d t h at , can it ?!

At least, that s my opinion by J ohn!


3/13

SPECIAL EVENTS

Plan to Exhibit and Attend the South Kent Community Expo

South Kent

Community

Presented By

Find LOCAL Sources for the Produc ts and Services You Need at Fair Prices!

APRIL 18th 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.at

2100 28th Street SECheck Out Over 100 Exhibits from Local Businesses

Enter a Drawing to Win 6 HOURS OF GOLF LESSONS (a $500 Value) from Scott Seifferlein of www.grandrapid sgolflesson.com

at The Highlands and Other Prizes with a Canned or Packaged Food Donation t o the a Gently Used

Clothing Donation to Give Blood to the at the EXPO

Lunch, Snacks and Beverages Available from the Woodland Sports Food Concession.

Best Choice Lawn CareTwo Men and a TruckFASTSIGNS

C h a m b e r M e m b e r s t h r o u g h o u t

s o u t h e r n Ke n t Co u n t y will e x h ib i t

t h e i r p r o d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s t o

c on s u m e r s a t t h e 1 st A n n u a l

SO UTH KENT COMMUNITY EXPO

o n Sa t u r d a y , Ap r i l 1 8 th from 11:00

a . m . t o 5 :0 0 p . m . a t WoodlandSport s a t 2 1 0 0 2 8 th St r e e t SE.

W e a r e e x p e c t i n g t h o u s a n d s o f

a t t e n d e e s fr o m t h e a d v e r t is i n g

c a m p a i gn c r e a t e d b y Bla i r

E n t e n m a n n o f MarketingHelp!a n a c t ive c h a m b e r m e m b e r o n

t h e Ex p o Co m m i t t e e . R e g e n t

B roadcas t i ng, t h e e v e n t s Pl a t i n u msponsor, will be airing over 220

c o m m e r c i a l s a n d p r o m o t i o n a l s p o t s

in t h e 1 0 d a y s p r i or t o t h e EXPO o n

t h r e e o f t h e i r s t a t i o n s a n d h o l d i n ga 2 h o u r l i v e r e m o t e b r o a d c a s t

t h e d a y o f t h e e ve n t . Th e r e a r e

a l s o fo u r a d s r u n n i n g in Coffee

News , d i s t r ib u t e d a t 1 2 0 lo c a t io n sin s o u t h e r n Ke n t C o u n t y, a n d in

s e v er a l Fr i d a y o r Sa t u r d a y e d it io n s

of The Grand Rapids Press . You

will a ls o s e e h u n d r e d s o f b r i gh t

yellow EXPO posters in business

wi n d o ws , o n y a r d s i g n s a n d o n

s t r e e t b a n n e r s t h r o u g h o u t t h e

a r e a a s we ge t c lo s e r t o t h e e ve n t .

As De n n i s Ka va n a g h o f CentralP ay m e n t S y s t e m s , t h e E x p o

Co m m i t t e e Ch a i r s a i d r e c e n t ly ,You w ill have to be d eaf a nd blind

not to know about this EXPO!

Carol Cra wford of The Alternative

Board, t h e C h a i r p er s o n o f t h eBu s i n e s s Gr o wt h Co m m i t t e e , s a i d ,

We are not only trying to help our

m e m b e rs g ro w t h e ir b u s i n e s s e s

in th ese turbulent t imes , but w e

are doing so w hile being good

community citizens. Sh e p o i n t s

o u t a k e y fe a t u r e o f t h e C o m m u n i t y

Expo is a DONATION PRIZEDRAWING. Atten dees can en t e r a

drawing to win 6 HOURS OF GOLF

LESSONS (a $500 Value) from

Scott Seifferlein , PGA Golf Gu ru

of www.GrandRapidsGolfLesson.

c o m a t The Highlands (a n e w

c h a m b e r m e m b e r ) a n d O t h e r

V a lu a b le Priz e s w ith a Ca n n e d o r

Pa c k a g e d Fo o d D o n a tio n to th e

UCOM Food Bank o r a G e n tly

U se d Clo th in g D o n a tio n to In

Th e I m a g e or Give Blood to the

M ic h ig a n C o m m u n it y Blo o d

C e n t e r s a t t h e E XP O. D em a n d

o n t h e s e c h a r i t ie s a r e h ig h e r t h a

e ve r , s o b r i n g a d o n a t i on o r t h r e

to th e EX PO.

Bob O Callaghan, Member Servic

Ma n a g er , w a n t s t o r e m in d o u r

m e m b e r s t h a t e xh i b it s p a c es a r e

lim i t e d t o 1 3 0 a n d t h e r e a r e o n l y

fe w s p a c e s le ft t o ll. M em b e r p r

t o e x h i b i t i s o n l y $ 1 3 0 a n d n o n -

m e m b e r p r i ce is $ 1 8 5 . Th e l a s t d

to sign up for exhibits is Monday

Apr il 13 th . But don t w ait until th

last minute, w e'll probably be sold

o u t b y t h e n , B ob w a r n s .

E xhi bi t s pace i s l i m i t ed, s opl eas e cal l t he Wyom i ng-

Kent w ood Area Cham ber of

Co m m e rc e a t 6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0A. S. A. P. i f you w ant t o exhi bi t .
http://www.grandrapidsgolflesson/http://www.grandrapidsgolflesson.com/


4/13

MEMBER RECRUITING

Mo re i s d e n i t e l y be t t e r

w h e n i t c o m e s t o C h a m b e rMembership. Higher m embersh ipn u m b e r s m e a n m o r e a ffo r d a b le

d u e s c o s t s , b e t t e r n e t wo r k i n g

a n d a wid e r r a n g e of r e s o u r c e san d opportun ities for your Business.

I n a d d i t i o n , m o r e Bu s i n e s s e s

i n v o l v e d i n t h e Ch a m b e r m e a n a

lo u d e r vo ic e wh e n we n e e d t o b e

h e a r d .

It's easy to make a referral.Co n t a c t Bo b O'Ca lla g h a n a t

6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 o r e m a i l b o b @

s o u t h k e n t .o r g a n d g i v e h i m t h e

n a m e o f t h e b u s in e s s , a c on t a c t

n a m e a n d p h o n e n u m b e r or

e m a i l a d d r e s s . He ' ll c o n t a c t y o u r

r e f e r r a l t o s e t u p a n a p p o i n t m e n t

a t a t i m e c o n v e n i e n t t o t h e m ,

t o t a l k a b o u t t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s

a n d b e n e t s of C h a m b e r

M e m b e r s h i p . On c e t h e

application is received in our

of c e a n d p a y m e n t i s p r o c es s e d

we will is s u e a c e r t i c a t e fo r $ 2 5

i n Ch a m b e r Bu c k s t o t h e r e f e r r i n g

m e m b e r , w h i ch c a n b e r e d e em e d

a s c r e d it t o wa r d n e t wor k i n g

e ve n t fe e s , s h o wca s e fe e s , d u e s

r e n e wa l fe e s o r n e a r l y a n y o t h e r

Ch am ber invoice, (exclu ding GVHP

Pr e m i u m s ) .

Ad d y o u r id e a s t o t h e m i x . Th e

M em b e r Re cr u it in g Co m m i t t e e

m e e t s o n t h e r s t Th u r s d a y o f ea c h

m o n t h a t 8 a m a t t h e Ch a m b e r

Of c e . Ne w m e m b e r s o f t h e g r o u p

a r e we lc o m e a t a n y t i m e .

Seven ou t of 28 n ew WKACC

m e m b e r s s i gn e d o n s i n c e J a n u a r y

1 s t of this year were referred by

C h a m b e r M e m b e r s t h r o u g h t h e

C h a m b e r B u c k s P r og r a m .

The February-March Incen tive

Aw ard, furnished by Hy a t t P l a c e ,l o c a t e d a t B y r o n C e n t e r A v e a n dM - 6 , i s a n o v e r n i g h t s t a y f o rt wo . The w inne r w ill be ann ounced

in t h e M a y is s u e o f My B u s i n e s s

A d v o c a t e .

YOUR Referral Means Chamber Bucks for YOUR Business

Member-Only Info

YOUR Chamber IsWorking Hard For

YOU!To access Member-Only Info,

g o t o www.s o u t h k e n t .o r g a n dclick on the logo shown above

o n t h e HOM E p a g e .

We e n c o u r a g e y ou t o c h e c k

o u t t h e o p t io n s a v a ila b l e

on YOUR Member Page and

t o c on t a c t u s i f y ou h a ve

a n y q u e s t io n s o r c on c e r n s

a t 6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 o r e m a i l

s u e @s o u t h k e n t .o r g o r ju lie @

s o u t h k e n t . o r g .

Member Referrals from WKACC

M e m b e r s r e s u l t e d i n t h efollowing new members since

J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 0 9 :

B at t eri es Pl us

IT T Tec hni c al I ns t i t ut eBest Choice Lawn Care

Tulip City Detail PlusMapes Insurance

Eagle Administrators

Wings of Hope

W h o d o y o u k n o w t h a t

s h o u l d b e a m e m b e r ?Get in on the Bi-Monthly

Ch a lle n g e fo r t h e m o n t h s o f

Ap r i l a n d M a y. Th e m e m b e r

m a k i n g t h e m o s t r e fe r r a l s will

receive a gift certi cate for an

o ve r n i gh t s t a y a t W o od l a n d

Cr e e k Ap a r t m e n t s o n Ea s t Pa r i s .

Premier MaximumImpact LeadershipSimulcast

Ge t your Ti cke t t oda y! Coming l ive via si mu l ca st t o Resurrection Life

Church , 510 0 Iva nre st Ave SW in Gra n dvil le . Pa rt i c ipa n t s i nc lu de : KevinCarroll , Forme r Ni ke Cre a t i ve , a ut hor & spe a ke r; Linda Kaplan-Thale r,Cre a t or of t he AFLAC c a m pa i gn, CEO, be st se l li ng a u t hor of "The Powe r

of Nice"; Al Weiss , Pre si de nt Wa l t Di sne y Pa rks; John C. Maxwell,

Le a de rshi p Expe rt ; Tony Blair, Forme r UK Prime Mini st e r; Jack Ni cklaus ,

Golf Cha m pi on; Bill George , Ha rva rd Busi ne ss Profe ssi ona l , forme rM ed t r o n i cs C E O , a u t h o r ; Liz Murray , Inspi ra t i ona l Spe a ke r, "Homl e ss t o

Ha rva rd"; Mark San born, Be st se l li ng a u t hor of "The Fre d Fa c t or"; Ernie

J o h n s o n, Host TNT's inside the NBA.

Le a de rsh i p is c u lt i va t e d wi t h h u mi li t y a n d di sc i pli ne . It m e rge s t he p a ss i on

of t he h e a rt wi t h t h e a bi li t y of t he m i nd. Thi s pre m i er sp e a ke r l ine -u p

p l a c es y ou in t h e c r a f t s m a n ' s w o r k s h o p - h e a r i n g w is d o m a n d e x p e r ie n c e s

from t he world's b e st l e a de rs. You wil l be i ns pi re d, re vived, a nd re foc use d .

For t i c ke t orde rs c ont a c t www. wbfe ve nt s . c om or c a ll (616 ) 261-374 0. Ea rl y

Bird Ra t e u nt i l 3/ 22 i s onl y $64. 00 , $74 . 00 u nt i l Apri l 30. Wee kl y ra t e for

5 / 1 - 5 / 8 i s $ 8 4 . 0 0 . G r o u p s o f 1 0 o r m o r e o n l y $ 6 4 u n t il 4 / 3 0 . S t u d e n t r a t e

onl y $49. For sponsorshi p i nforma t i on, c ont a c t De b Ki rgi s a t 616-249-3731

or [email protected].
http://www.wbfevents.com/http://www.southkent.org/


5/13

Working

with a

ChamberPartner

is

Good

Business!

CHAMBERPARTNERS

Eagle Administrators Offer Low Cost Health Care Option

The Cham ber Partn ersCo m m i t t e e i s p le a s e d t o

i n t ro d u c e J a s o n R u s s e ll o f Eagle Adminis trators to ourfamily of Cham berPartn ersfo r 2 0 0 9 .

Ea gle Adm inistrat ors offers a

fu lly in su red limited ben e t (mini-

m e d i ca l ) g r ou p h e a lt h in s u r a n c e

p l a n fo r b o t h fu ll- t im e a n d p a r t -

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p a r t i c ip a t i n g c o m p a n y .

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t wo p la n s , a n d e m p l o ye r s wi t h o v er250 employees may elect to offer up

t o 3 p la n op t io n s . S u p p le m e n t a r y

m e d ic a l p la n s s u c h a s D e n t a l &

Vision plans are also available.

E a g le Ad m i n is t r a t o r s In s u r a n c e

for the Way You Live!

C ont act Jas on R us s el l , B rokerDirector at Eagle Administrators,

p h o n e (6 1 6 ) 4 9 0 - 0 9 1 1 , o r y o uc a n e m a i l h i m d i re c t l y a t

jaso n@eagle admin ist rators.com .

P la n t o jo i n u s a f t e r y o u r

l un c h t i m e n e t w o rk i n g . Th eC h a m b e r Pa r t n e r s C om m it t e e m e

o n t h e 3 r d F r id a y e a c h m o n t h

imm ediately following th e 3 rd

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a n d Me m b e r s h i p Nu m b e r s t h i s

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information on becoming a Cham

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offers l imited t ime discounts to

m e m b e r s .

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t o Mem ber D i s count s ( M2MD is c o u n t s ) i n f u t u re i s s u e s .Co n t a c t s u e @s o u t h k e n t .o r g t o lis

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Th e 2 0 0 9

C h a m b e r P a r t n e r

C o m m i t t e e

Norin e Mu lvihill, (Divis ion Vice

Chair) from Option 1 Credit

U ni on;Da vid Szidik, (Direct or) from

Proforma In ni t e Market i ng;Car ol Crawford, (Comm ittee

Ch air) from The Alternative

Board;Linda Singer, Mich igan Lake

t o Lake B ed and B reakf as tA s s oci at i on;

Amy S m ith from Michigan

C om m uni t y B l ood C ent er; a n dS u e B yn u m - w or k in g w it h t h e

c o m m i t t e e f r o m t h e Ch a m b e r

Of ce Staff.

Ho w D o I Be c o m e a

ChamberPartner?The Comm ittee looks for

Members that provide services

t h a t b e n e t WKACC Me m b e r s a t

a d i s c ou n t e d p r i c e t h a t will h e l p

im p r o ve o u r m e m b e r s p r o t s b y

h e l p in g r e d u c e t h e i r e xp e n s e s

f o r i t e m s t h e y n e e d t o r u n t h e i r

b u s i n e s s .

A C h a m b e r Pa r t n e r m u s t a l s o

p r o vid e t h e Ch a m b e r wit h

a n o t h e r d i v e r s e s o u r c e o f n o n -

d u e s r e ve n u e .

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t Su

B yn u m a t 6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 o r C a r o

Cr a wf o r d a t 6 1 6 - 3 0 1 - 8 0 8 1 .


6/13

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat

1 1 : 3 0 a - 1 p3rd Fridays!

Craig's Cruise rs( R eces s i o n

Buster Priceo n l y $ 1 2 . 0 0 !)

1 p

C h a m b e r

P a r tn e r s

21

10

3

9

17

2423

30

8

15

22

2928

21

16

2726

2019 25

18

11

14

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13

5

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Apr il 2009

Noon

Gov Matters at

t h e C h a m b e r

4 p

E d u c a tio n

C om m @

Celebration

Cin e m a S o u th

8 a

Recruiting

Co m m itte e

8 :1 5 a

C h a m b e r

F o u n d a tio n

8 a

S o u th K e n t

PAC

9 - 1 1 a

S.C.O.R.E.

4 p

A m b a s s a d o r s

8 aG o v Ma tte r s a t

Kentwood

City Hall

8 a

Activation &

Retention

1 0 a , F i n a n c e

1 1 :3 0 a ,

Executive

Co m m itte e

1 1 :3 0 a

Board of

Directors

Meeting

4 p

3 r d F r id a y s !

P la n n in gCo m m itte e

6 pSport of Words

C o n t es tHilton Grand

Rapids AirportHo t el

Staff Meetingso n t h e T h u rs d a y

before 3rdFridays! and on

all other Fridaysa t 1 0 a m

1 1 a - 5 pS o u t h k e n t

B u s in e s s t oC o n s u m er E x p oWoodland Sports

Ce n te r

7 :3 0 a

CE O E x c h a n g e,

9 a

B u s i n e s s

Growth

5 - 1 0 pS o u t h k e n t Gru b

Crawl

1 1 a

S a n t a P a r a d e

Co m m itte e


7/13

8a

Gov Matters at

Kentwood City Hall

8 a

Activation &

Retention

1 0 a , F i n a n c e

1 1 :3 0 a , E x e c

Co m m

7 :3 0 a

CE O E x c h a n g e ,

9 a

Bu s in e s s G r o wth

31

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat21

3 4 765

10

98

11 1412 13

17

15

21201918

24

2322

28272625 3029

16

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8 :1 5 a

C h a m b e r

F o u n d a tio n

4 p

A m b a s s a d o r s

Noon

G o v e r n m e n t

Ma t t e r s a t t h e

C h a m b e r

4 p

3 r d F r id a y s !

P la n n in g

Co m m itte e

Staff Meetingso n t h e

Thursdaybefore 3rd

Fridays! an do n a l l o t h er

Fridays at1 0 a m

8 a

S o u th K e n t

PAC

**9-11 a

S.C.O.R.E.

8 a

Recruiting

Co m m itte e

1 1 :3 0 a

Board of

Directors

Meeting

1 1 : 3 0 a - 1 p3rd Fridays!

Craig's Cruise rs(Limite d Timeo n l y $ 1 2 . 0 0 !)

1 p

C h a m b e r

P a r tn e r s

May 2009

1 1 a

S a n t a P a r a d e

Co m m itte e


8/13

COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Advertise in the New & Improved My Business AdvocateGet Your Message in Front o f 750+ Business and Communi ty Leader s Each Month!

(These rates for Members Only. Non-members pay 150% of member rate).

Business Card ize Ad Quar ter Page Ad Half Page AdB& W 4 Color B&W 4 Color B&W 4 Color

1X $ 40 $ 75 $ 55 $ 90 $ 90 $ 1603X $ 108 $ 213 $ 147 $ 252 $ 243 $ 4536X $ 192 $ 402 $ 264 $ 474 $ 432 $ 852

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

Frost & Sullivan Name AT&T U-Verse 2009 "Product of the Year"Gail Torreano: Michigan

viewers do well with law

Two years ago, the Legislature

m a d e a c o m m i t m e n t t o M i c h i g a n

c on s u m e r s t h a t t h e d o or s t o v id e o

c o m p e t it io n wo u ld b e o p e n e d b y

passing video franchise reform

le gis l a t io n . To d a y , t h o u s a n d s m o r e

M i c h i g a n c o n s u m e r s h a v e a c c e s s

to video choice than ever before,

c o m m u n i t i e s a r o u n d t h e s t a t e

a r e b e n e ting from investment in

u p g r a d e d n e t wo r k s a n d i m p r o v e d

f u n d i n g r e s o u r c e s .

In short, video reform is working

in M ic h i ga n a n d c on s u m e r s a n d

c om m u n it ie s a r e r e a p in g t h e

b e n e t s .

Un d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t t e c h n o l o g y i s

c h a n gin g a t a b r e a k n e ck p a c e a n d

The proposed legislation was

r e vie wed b y t h e Go ve r n m e n t

Ma t t e r s C o m m i t t ee a n d t h e

r e s u lt i n g i n fo r m a t i o n wa s

s u b m i t t ed t o o u r B o a r d in 2 0 0 7 .

YOUR Board of Directors voted to

s u p p o r t t h e l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t m a d ethis possible.

J ohn Crawford

Pr e s id e n t & CEO

WKACC

AT&T is deploying our next

genera tion In tern et Protocol (IP)

technology in many Michigan

c om m u n i t ie s . Th i s n e w , a d va n c ed

c o n s u m e r c h o ic e wa s t o o lim i t e d ,

t h e Le gis l a t u r e d e c id e d t h a t r u le s

n e e d e d t o b e u p d a t e d t o r e e ct

t o d a y s c o m p e t it iv e m a r k e t . If t h e

r u le s we r e c h a n g e d i n M ic h i ga n ,

c on s u m e r c h o ic e a n d n e t w or k

investm ent would follow.

An ex amp l e o f t h e n ew an dinnovative choices consumers

have available to them is U-verse,

delivered by AT&T. Since launchingi n p art s o f 5 6 co mmu n i t i es i n t h e

Detroit area in May 2007, U-verse

produ cts - includ ing AT&T U-verseTV, AT&T U-verse High-Speed

Internet and AT&T U-verse Voice- are now available in parts of over

2 3 0 c o m m u n i tie s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e .

Competition and choice areb o omi n g g ivi n g con s u m ers t h e

choice they longed for, while

pres erving vital featu res likeco mmu n i t y access p ro g rammi n g

an d fu n d i n g t o co mmu n i t i es.

In fact, in J an u ary, th e MichiganPub lic S ervice Com miss ion

rep o rt ed , vid eo an d cab lecompetition is continu ing to growM ich i gan , an d m o re comm u n it ie

h a ve a ch o ice wh en i t co mes t o

a video/ cable providers a n dcu s t o mers are b en e t in g fro m

mo re ch o ices. Con s u m er ch o ice

an d m ai n t ai n i n g fu n d i n g fo r o u rco mmu n i t ies were t wo of t h e m aj

goals of that 2006 legislation, an

t wo years lat er , t h e P S C rep o rtshows Michigan is succeeding.

Wh e n c on s u m e r s a n d c o m m u n i t

a r e b e n e t in g , it b e n e t s a l l o f u s

Gail TorreaPres iden t, AT&T Mich ig

technology is continuing to evolve

and is being used to deliver services

like our AT&T U-vers e TV. 2 00 8

mark ed a y ear o f st ro n g cu st o mergrowth , expa nd ed availab ility,

co n t i n u ed serv i ce en h an cemen t s

and industry accolades for AT&TU-verse TV.

To nish off the year, Frost &Sullivan named AT&T U-verse its

2 0 0 9 C o n s u m e r C om m u n ic a t io n s

Service Produ ct of the Year.

Mo st i mp o rt an t ly , as we co n t i n u e t oexpan d th e a vailability of IP-based

servi ces, co n su mers are b eg in n in

to experience th e bene ts of TV,

h o me p h o n e an d wi reless servi cet h a t can b e i n t egrat ed t o al l work

t oge t h e r . O n t h a t n o t e, a t t a c h e d

is a recen t Lan si n g S t at e J o u rn a

op-ed from Gail Torreano, AT&TMichigan President, highlighting

th e evolution of incr eas ed video

competition in Michigan that is

b e n e t t in g Mich i gan Con s u m ers

J o h n S ch waWKACC Boa rd of Direct

AT

Chamber Endorsement Follow Up


9/13

AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE

Apri l 20 09by Am y Pierce,

Express Employmen t Profess ionals

C h a m b e r Am b a s s a d o r s a r e h e r e

to help you get involved by helpingyo u u n d e rs t a n d t h e b en e t s of

m e m b e r s h ip a s we ll d i s c ove r

wh e r e y o u r t a l e n t s wo u l d m a k e

a n im p a c t ! If y ou a r e u n s u r e of

who your Amba ssador is, call Ju lie

J a n e s - Br o wn a t t h e Ch a m b e r , ( 6 1 6 )

5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 t o d a y!

Grub Crawl South Kent, ou r

rst event of this kind, will be on

Th u r s d a y , Ap r i l 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 fr o m

5 P M 1 0 P M. G r u b C r a wl is a

fo od s a m p l in g t o u r of 1 0 1 2

r e s t a u r a n t s .

Who are your Ambassadors?

Vic k ey Ar go , B u s in e s s Le a d er s h ip Ne two rk D ou g B re db er g, Cr os b y & H en r yLis a C a lh ou n , Hilt on G R Air p or tB ob C a rp en t er , C om p le te S ou r c eCa r olyn F oot e, Ma ca t awa Ba n k J im Gilb er t, Cr ea tive Ben e t S y s t e msMa r c ie G old b e r g, F la g s t a r B a nMa u r i ce G ro ce , Me r ca n t ile B a n k Ch ris Gr os s , Ch ris Therapeutic TouchBu z Helwig, Th e Gr an d Ra p id s Pr es sB re n t H olla n d , Ch a m e le on Lt dJ u d i Holla n d , C h am e leon Lt dC a s e y J a n k o s k a , E x p r es s E m p lo ym e n t P r ofe s s io n a ls

D en n is Ka va n a g h , C en t r a l Pa y m e n t C or pKa t ie Kob er , Holid a y In n S electAm a n d a Le wis , gNe twor k sD a n n a Ma t h i es e n , Me r ca n t ile B a n k S h a wn a Mye rs , C a m b rid ge Pa r tn e r sAm y Pie rc e, E xp r es s E m p loym e n t Pr ofe ss ion a lsPa t Pols , Re/ Ma x Lifes tylesJ a s o n Ru s s e ll, E a gle Ad m in is t r a t or s & Ma p e s In s u r a n c eMa t t Uh l, Na t ion al Cit yRob Wells , AXA Ad vis or sBob O 'C a lla gh a n C h a m b e r S t a ff J u l ie J a n e s - B r ow n C h a m b e r S t a ff

remain at each location for as l i t t le

o r a s lo n g a s t h e y d e s i r e . For m o r e

e ve n t i n f or m a t io n , s p o n s o r s h ip

i n fo r m a t i o n , o r t o p u r c h a s e t i c k e t s ,

visit www.g r u b c r a wl s o u t h k e n t .c o m .

So m e r e a l l y g r e a t r e s t a u r a n t s

are on board for the "Crawl",includin g El Arriero, Noto's Old

World Italian Dining, LonghornS t e a k h o u s e , G r a n d R a p id sBrewin g , TGI Fridays, Texas

Ro a d h o u s e , a n d Sa y f e e s j u s t f o r

s t a r t e r s .

Co s t i s o n l y $ 2 0 p e r p e r s o n (o r

$ 1 5 p e r p e r s o n i n g r o u p s o f t e n

o r m o r e ) . Dr i n k s p e c i a l s m u s t b e

p u r c h a s e d s e p a r a t e ly .

What i s t he purpos e of t he

Am b a s s a d o r s c o m m i t t e e ? Th e

miss ion of a WKACC Amb as sa doris t o s u p p o rt , p r om o t e a n d e n h a n c e

t h e b en e t s , p r og ra m s a n dn etworking opportu nities offered byt h e WKACC t o i t s m emb ersh i p an d

co mmu n i t y .

March After Hours a t Woodland

Creek . We would like to thank

Gr u b Crawlers

will b et r a n s p o r t e d b y DADD's Bus

o n a co n t i n u o u s ci rcu i t b et ween t h e

participating restau rants , with stops a t

e a c h r e s t a u r a n t e v er y 1 5 - m in u t e s .Host restaurants will have food

samp l es fo r y o u t o t ast e an d d ri n k

s p e c ia ls t o p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h ou t

t h e e ve n t . G r u b C r a w le r s m a y

our SHOWCASE MEMBERS at

t h e even t : C ent ral Paym ent

Corp, Gillis Family ChiropractiMichigan Turkey Producers Co

op, Re/ Max Lifestyles, Woodlan

Creek, and WKACC.

When and w here do t he

A m bas s adors m eet ? Th eAmb ass ad o r Co mmi t t ee meet s o n

t h e r s t Tu e s d a y of e a c h m on t h

at 4 : 0 0 P M. Ou r meet i n g lo cat io

t h ro u gh J u n e 2 0 0 9 i s Noto s Old

World Italian Dining.

Me m b e r Bu s in e ss e s p ro m o tin g t h e

"Grub Craw l" through s pons orship

include T h e A l t e r n a t i v e Bo a r d ,

C h a m e l e o n L T D, M e r c a n t i l e B a n k

o f Mi chi g a n, M a c a t a w a B a n k, and

Busi ness Lea d ershi p N et wo rk .

Balloon Drop Prizes

a re n e e d e d for theS o u t h Ke n t Co n -

s u m e r Ex p o o nApril 18th. DonateYOUR BUSINESS

logo'd merch an dise. Contact J u l

at 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 o r emai l h er at

[email protected] if you havesomething(s) to donate.

Visit Our Websitewww.grubcrawlsoutkent.com

Site Hosted and Developedby
http://www.grubcrawlsoutkent.com/http://www.grubcrawlsouthkent.com/


10/13

$ 1 0 0 . 0 0 - C h a m b e r Me m b e r s

an d Not-Yet-Members located

th e DDA Distr ict .

$ 2 5 0 . 0 0 - All o t h e r Ch a m b e rM e m b e r s

$ 3 7 5 . 0 0 - All other Not-YetM e m b e r s

Co n t a c t Bo b O'Ca l l a g h a n a t 6 1 6 -

5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 fo r p r o m o t i on a l id e a s

involving the "Cruise". Bob will

d e s i gn a s p e c i c p a c k a g e or p r o mt h a t i s j u s t r i g h t f o r y o u r b u s i n e s

Do n 't m i s s t h i s o p p o r t u n it y t o ge

y ou r b u s in e s s n a m e i n fr o n t o f

m o r e t h a n 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p le w it h t

largest Car Event in West Michig

Be a p a r t o f t h e 2 8 t h St r e e t M e t r o

Cruise.

28TH STREET METRO CRUISE

The Cruise Corner

City of Wyoming Endorses 2009 Metro Merchant Program

Above: The crowd gets larger every

year. Nearly 300,00 0 people v isited

28th Street during the 2 day Metro

Cruise event in August 2008.

Right: Classics to Custom to

Contemporary and sometimes all of

the above at once. Everyone w ants to

display their w heels! You neve r know

w hat or who y ou'll see at the 2 8th

Street Metro Cruise.

C on t a c t B o b O ' Ca l la g h a n a t

6 1 6 - 5 3 1 - 5 9 9 0 o r e ma i l b o b @

sou th ken t.org to get involved!

H e c a n s e t y o u u p w i t h a

S p o n s o r s h i p , A Me t r o Mer c h aP a c k a g e a n d / or i d e a s o n h o w

y o u r B u s i n e s s c a n g e t t h e

exposure only available at a

h u g e eve n t l ik e t h e 2 0 0 9 2 8 t h

Street Metro Cruise.

In March the Wyoming Downtown

Development Authority (DDA),

u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h ip o f M eg a n

Sall, Executive Director, approved

a n a d d i t i o n a l e x p e n d i t u r e t o wa r d

i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h e 2 0 0 9 2 8 t h

St r e e t M e t r o Cr u is e .

Th e Wy om i n g DDA wa n t s t o

e n c o u r a g e b u s i n e s s e s l o c a t e d i n

the DDA District (28th Street from

Byron Cen ter to S. Division) top a r t ic ip a t e in t h e M et r o M er c h a n t

P r og r a m . B u s i n e s s e s i n t h e a r e a

will pay a special price courtesy of

i n c r e a s e d s u p p o r t fr o m t h e DDA.

There are a lot of pre-event,

a n d d a y of e ve n t b e n e t s t o

p a r t ic ip a t i n g i n t h e M et r o M e r ch a n t

Pr o g r a m .

Yo u r Bu s i n e s s Na m e :will b e p o s t e d o n t h e 2 8 t h

Street Metro Cruise Website

will be posted in the Metro

M er c h a n t Dir e c t or y i n c l u d i n g

y ou r c ou p o n s a n d / o r d is c o u n t s

will be l isted in th e Da y of Event

Program

will receive two 4X4 static cling

M et r o M e r c h a n t win d o w d e c a l s

a n i n v i t a t i o n t o a t t e n d a

Seminar entit led "Marketing

M y Bu s in e s s " a t o n e o f t h r e elocations.

Cost for YOUR business to

p a r t i c i p a t e a s a M e t r o M e r c h a n t

d e p e n d s o n y o u r m e m b e r s h ip

s t a t u s a n d b u s in e s s l oc a t io n .


11/13

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Si xt y 2 n d Gr a d e t e a c h e r s i n v it e d

o u r Ch a m b e r Vo l u n t e e r s i n t o t h e i r

c l a s s r o o m s t o r e a d "W h e r e Ea g l e sFly" t o t h e i r s t u d e n t s i n M a r c h . W e

e s t i m a t e m o r e t h a n 1 5 0 0 s t u d e n t s

in the Wyoming and Kentwood Area

lis t e n e d a s Bu s in e s s Le a d e r s fr o m

a l l a r e a s o f co m m e r c e e x p la i n e d

t h e i r j o b s a n d wh y r e a d i n g i s s o

im p o r t a n t t o t h e m , r e a d t o t h e

s t u d e n t s a n d d o n a t e d t h e b o o k t o

t h e c la s s .

O u r B u s in e s s S p o n s o r s m a d e i t

possible to provide a book for each

classroom library.

Altrusa

Lenger Travel CenterMarge's Donut Den

South Godwin Neighborhood Assoc

Vic Krause - Consultant

Your Business can stil l be a part

of Sport of Words. Contact su e@

southk ent.org for d etails!

Wr it t e n b y Ka t h e y Ba t e y , t h e t h i r d

c on t r i b u t io n s h e 's m a d e t o o u r

B n B l ib r a r y in t h e p a s t 3 y ea r s , t h e

book is available at the Author's

website, www.spiritedpresentations.

c o m o r f r om Sc h u le r Bo o k s . Th e

o t h e r t i t le s a r e "Ex a g g e r a t i o n

A g g r a v a t i o n " (2 0 0 7 ) a n d "Ma t h is

E v e r y w h e r e " (2008).

A s p e c i a l t h a n k s t o a l l of t h e

m e m b e r s wh o o ffe r e d t o r e a d . Yo u rr e s p o n s e t o t h is p r o g r a m w a s m o s t

g en e r o u s a n d m o s t a p p r e c ia t e d .

Ou r n e x t Ed u c a t i o n Co m m i t t e e

e ve n t will b e o n Ap r i l 2 8 t h a t t h e

Hilton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel

o n P a t t e r s on a n d 2 8 t h S t r e e t .

We've invited 5th Graders to create

a 2 - 3 m in u t e o r a l p r es e n t a t i on

t o b e p e r fo r m e d b e fo r e a p a n e l of

d i s t in g u is h e d j u d g e s .

Us i n g Toas tma ster International

g u i d e lin e s , t h e c o n t e s t a n t s will b e

j u d g e d b a s e d o n a n u m e r i c s c o r i n g

s y s t e m . Th e t o p t wo p r e s e n t e r s wi ll

b e a w a r d e d a $ 1 0 0 S a v in g s B o n dt o wa r d t h e i r f u t u r e e d u c a t i o n .

Ev er y s t u d e n t wh o p a r t ic ip a t e s

will get a one-on -one crit ique of

t h e i r p r e s e n t a t i on wit h c o n s t r u c t ive

s u gg es t io n s a n d e n c o u r a g em e n t

fr o m e a c h ju d g e . Th e Co m m i t t e e

would like to offer this invitation to

a t t e n d o u r m e e t i n g s a n d wo r k wi t h

u s o n fu t u r e E d u c a t io n C o m m i t t ee

projects.

Sixty Volunteers Read to 1500+ Students Readers and TeacherRespond

The t ha nk you l e t t e rs a nd l e t t e rs of

e n d o r s e m e n t fo r B u s i n e s s ' n B o o k s

h a v e ju s t s t a r t e d c o m in g i n t o t h e

C h a m b e r O f c e . We 'd l ik e t o s h a r e a

fe w of t he m wit h you.

I ju st wa n t e d t o t e l l you wha t a

wonde rful e xpe rie nc e i t wa s t o re a d

Ka t h e y's b ook t o t h e ki ds ye st e rda y!

w a s a we - in s p i r in g t o w a t c h t h e s e r s

a n d s e c on d g r a d e r s g e t e xc it e d a b o uw h a t t h e y wa n t t o b e w h e n t h e y gr o w

u p ! I t h in k e a c h a n d e v er y C h a m b e r

m e m b e r n e e d s t o t a k e / m a k e t h e t im

t o e xpe ri enc e t h i s.

S u s a n S a

Admi ni st ra

Tony's Tune s Ent e rt a i nme nt Se rv

De a r He a t he r Oyst i ,

(Mercantile Volunteer)

I a m s o s o r r y t h a t I m i s s e d y ou r

re a di ng of Whe re Ea gl es Fly. The

s t u d e n t s e n j oy ed i t a s d i d m y t e a c h i

a s s i s t a n t s . T h a n k s s o m u c h f o rb e in g h e r e o n t i m e a n d s h a r in g

your t i me wi t h my ki ds. I t hi nk your

progra m i s i nva l ua bl e a s you a re a

c onn e c t ion t o t h e "re a l world" t ha t

va l ue s re a di ng .

As you ma y kn ow, Rogers La n e i s

closing next year. But I will still be

i n Wyomi ng Pu bl ic Sc h ools s ome whe

So pl e a se fe e l fre e t o l ook me u p!

Wherever I am, I will welcome your

g en e r o u s t im e o f a g oo d r e a d a n d t h e

gift of a good book!

T h a n k s a g a i n !

C a t h e r i n e HRoge rs La ne El e me nt a ry, 2nd Gr

Wyoming Public Scho

Th a n k y ou s o m u c h f or a r r a n g in g t h

for us. Kevin Schafer from Mercantil

Ba n k wa s very good wit h t he c h i ldre

a n d t h e b o o k w a s w o n d e r fu l. Wh a t a

w on d e r f u l o p p o r tu n i t y fo r o u r s t u d e n

Denise McLe

E n d e a v o r E le m e n t a r y , 2 n d G r

(Kentwood Public Scho
http://www.spiritedpresentations/


12/13

Welcome New MembersRenewing Members Member MilestonesBusinesses l isted on this

p a g e a r e m a r k in g a Me m b e r

Milestone. Please take th e

time to welcome new members

a n d c on g r a t u l a t e r e n e win g

members, especially those

c e le b r a t in g a n a n n i ve r s a r y , o nt h e ir c o n t i n u i n g s u p p o r t o f

YOUR Cham ber of Comm erce.

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 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INTEREST

All Occasion Gift Bas kets , LLC

Alta Lift Truck Services Inc.

Aus tin-J ordan Engines

Au to Cons ider, Inc.

Axa Advisors

Bagel Bean ery

Brann's Steakhouse & Grille

Carra bba 's Italian Grill

CBS Outdoor

Chameleon Ltd.

Dan Chidester

Delios Com pu ter Solutions , Inc.

Draftsmen, Inc.

DTE E n ergy

Franklin Press, Inc

Good GMC, Inc.

Hamm ersmith Equipment Co. Inc.

Lau reen A Birdsall

Natur al Choice Chiropractic

P3 HR Consulting & Services LLCPlexicase, Inc

R.L. Adams Plastics, Inc.

Real Estate 36 0

Regent Broadcasting Corp.

Reid Ass ociat es

Ruth Kohley - 5 YEARS!

Sneller's Landscaping

Steelcase Inc.

Sunnyslope Floral & GiftTouchstone Systems & Services, L.C.

February V ol unt ee r of t he Mont h

Amanda LewisgNetworks/ Frame work Sites

Fo r d i l i g e n t a n d c o n t i n u o u s

v o l u n t e e r wo r k o n a m u l t i t u d e

of projects inclu ding vice ch air

fo r t h e C h a m b e r Am b a s s a d o r s ;

vo lu n t e e r f or 2 0 0 9 Gr u b Cr a wl

South Kent, Activation andRe t en t i o n Co m m i tt e e , Sa n t a

Parade Committee, Silent Auction

C om m it t e e a n d t h e J a n 2 0 0 9

An n u a l M e e t in g Co m m i t t e e . He r

m a n y h o u r s o f d e d ic a t io n a n d

support of the Wyoming-Kentwood

Ar e a Ch a m b e r o f Co m m e r c e a n d

o u r c om m u n i ty m a k e s h e r a s u p e r

a c h ie ve r a n d a n id e a l c a n d id a t e f or

t h i s a w a r d .

Appl ew ood D en t alDr . Kevin Ha h n - (6 1 6 ) 7 2 4 - 1 7 8 0

Northern Mortgage Service

Gr e g Ka l u s h - (6 1 6 ) 5 3 2 - 5 5 5 1

Principal Financial

Br ia n Do n n e lly - ( 6 1 6 ) 9 4 2 - 1 2 5 1

ServproTebetha Velderman - (616) 662-97

Wings of HopeAn n a Ru s s e ll - (6 1 6 ) 5 5 1 - 4 2 2 2

Zoup!

Gr a n t W in k le m a n - (6 1 6 ) 2 6 1 - 8 0

Member

SpotlightYour 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.

February C om m i t t ee of t he Mon

3rd Fridays! Exchange Luncheo

C o m m i t t e e

Ch a i r ed b y Lisa O'Callaghan from

Citadel Broadcast ing u n d e r t h e

supervision of Committe Director

Danna Mathiesen from MercantBank and Dvision Vice Chair Bre

Holland from Chameleon Ltd .Committee Members are:

David Szidik - Proforma In nite

Marketing Solutions

Linda Singer - Michgian Laketo Lake Bed and Breakfast

AssociationJeane R ipley - Cus t om D es i gn

Draperies by Jeane

Dennis Kavanagh - CentralPayment Corp

M a r ge a n d Ge n e W il s on wo u l d

lik e t o l e t e ve yo n e k n o w t h a t t h e

extensive renovations to Marge's

Do n u t De n a r e n e a r l y c o m p l e t e .

Big p la n s a r e u n d e r wa y fo r a

34th Anniversay Celebration

c o m p l et e wit h Rib b o n Cu t t i n g

and Rededication of the familiar

b u s i n e s s t h a t h a s b e e n a l a n d m a r k

a t 1 7 5 1 2 8 t h S t S W .

Marge wou ld l ike to invite you

t o h e r p a r t y o n M o n d a y , J u n e 1

fr o m 1 1 a m u n t il 1 p m . S t op i n a n d

c o n g r a t u l a t e t h i s Ch a r t e r M e m b e r

of WKACC!

BeingActive

on a

Chamber

Committee

is Good

Business!

ReferringNew

Members

Is

Good

Business!
http://www.southkent.org/


13/13

LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT2009 MembershipSigns and

Metro Guides

THE 13THPAGE

The 2009 Community Pro le and Metro

Guides are at the Chamber Of ce now. We

are only waiting for the delivery of your

2009 Membership Signs to get the mailing

out to you.

If you would like a copy of the 2009 Metro

Guide right away, stop in at the Chamber

Of ce and pick one up. We are located

at 590 32nd St SE between Eastern and

Madison. Our of ces are open Monday -

Friday from 8am until 5pm.

Watch the mail for your copy in the

weeks ahead and don t forget to post that

Membership Sign in a prominent location

in your business.

If a Staff Member, Ambassador or Member

of your Board of Directors spots your sign,

you will get a free business card ad in a

future issue of My Business Advocate. Just

ask the advertisers below how easy it is to

market your business with the Chamber!

Mr . J oh n Cr awfor d, Pr es id en t Fr id ay, Ap ril 3 , 2 00 9

W/ K Chm ber of Comm erce

590 Thirty-Second St SE

Wyoming, Michigan 49508

Greetings J ohn ,

Saturday, March 21st, we went to St. Clair Shores, Michigan to view a

person s private collection of antique cars. 60 Beautiful, gorgeous cars.

Wh i le t h er e, a few p eop l e came u p t o m e, k n o w in g t h at I am fr o m t h e

G r an d R ap i d s ar ea an d ex p r es s ed t h ei r ad mi r at i o n f o r o u r 2 8 t h S t r eet

Met r o -C r u i s e, las t y ear , a n d h o w mu ch t h ey en j oy ed i t . T h er e s mo r e

p l eas u r e in b ein g at y ou r 2 8 t h S t r eet Met r o -C r u i s e t h en b ein g at o u r

Woodward Avenu e Cru ise.

Wat ch i n g t h e Wo od w ar d Aven u e C r u i s e f r om t h e cu r b a s t h e car s d r i ve

b y is a l l o n e can d o . Th er e s n o p ar k i n g ar ea w h er e y ou can g o, v iew t h ecar s o r t al k wit h t h e o w n er s .

In G r an d R ap id s , y ou h a ve p ar k i n g ar eas s et as id e al l al on g t h e r o u n t e,

lled w it h an t iq u e ca r s p l u s am p l e ar eas fo r vi s it o r s t o p a r k t h eir

m o d e r n c a r s .

This ma de m e feel very good.

J ohn, that s a BIG PLUS for the 28th Street Metro-Cruise. I just wanted

t o s h a r e t h i s w it h y ou , w h a t m y lis t en i n g ear s h ear s .

Respectfully Yours

Len J ohn sonGrand Rapids Antique Car Club

Let s Think GOLF!The Pines

June 12th, 200911:00 Shotgun Start

Market Your Business with a Sponsorship. [email protected] or call 616-531-5990. Log on towww.southkent.org for more information. Get your

foursome ready or we can nd a team for you.
http://www.southkent.org/

WKACC Newsletter April 09

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Transcript of WKACC Newsletter April 09