John Roddy Ambassador Chair

An impressive group of local business people stepped up to lead the Chamber's Ambassador Program. Starting May 1, these 12 Chamber Ambassadors will visit member businesses and prospective members to explain the Chamber's mission, talk about its many programs and services, and encourage them to get more involved with their community through the Chamber.

Congratulations and thank you to these
Ambassadors, listed with their professional affiliations:

John Roddy- CHAIR	Grand Traverse Insider
Lisa Baker	Access Point Human Resources
Mary Bickley	PMP Personnel Services
Doug Bovee	Cintas Corporation
Doug Case	Park Place Hotel
Diane Charboneau	Kelly Services
Jamie Grace	Century 21 Northland
Suzanne Miller-Allen	Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Blue Care Network of Michigan
Bob Needham	Huntington Bank
Kirk Novak	PNC
John Sohacki	Charter Business
Shawn Spencer	''What if...'' Consulting, LLC

Learn more about the re-launch of the Chamber Ambassador program and the benefits of membership by clicking here. Also watch your postal mailbox for the Chamber's new bi-monthly printed newsletter called Chamber Matters that highlights chamber member news and events.

It's no small accomplishment achieving the Chamber's Small Business Celebration Top 10 finalists. Now it's time for these companies to take center stage and share their success stories with their fellow Chamber members and the public. Join us for the SBC Meet the Top 10 Breakfast on May 7 at 7:30 a.m. at NMC's Hagerty Center to celebrate the 2014 SBC finalists:

• BrightStar Lifecare of Northern Michigan 
• Captain's Quarters
• Celtic Transport
• Culver Meadows
• LochenHeath Golf Club
• Mad Mike's Computer Services
• Northwest Michigan Surgery Center
• Oryana Natural Foods Market
• Short's Brewing Co.
• Williams & Bay Pumping Services

Register for the Top 10 breakfast or the SBC Awards Ceremony on May 29 by clicking here.

 The Small Business Celebration is presented by:

An assessment on Michigan's economy and opportunities for growth was presented by Doug Rothwell of Business Leaders for Michigan when he called on the Chamber almost two years ago. He returns to Traverse City April 30 with an update on BLM's Michigan Turnaround Plan and how the state can become among the nation's leading states for a healthy economy, job creation and personal income growth. Join us for this free program from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Northwestern Michigan College's Hagerty
Center by clicking here.

 This program is presented by:

Gov. Rick Snyder with Chamber YPs

Who snagged an audience with Michigan's Governor that generated plenty of buzz in the news and on social media? The Chamber's Young Professionals, that's who. Learn more about the Chamber's groundbreaking program that's engaging the region's future leaders by clicking here.

Doug Luciani

Chamber President/CEO Doug Luciani had an impressive audience to share the success of the Chamber's Energy Efficiency Loan program - a group of state officials and dozens of Chamber and business representatives from around Michigan. The energy fund that's closed nine loans worth nearly $160,000 in the past two years was highlighted in a conference call this month with state officials and business representatives, organized by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy. Learn more by clicking here.

April 22 was Earth Day, and all around the country kids in schools celebrated through acts of stewardship. But there's another aspect to the celebration that doesn't get enough attention-simply getting outside to play and explore nature. Learn more...