Traverse Connect Bulletin
Top Talk
March 25, 2015
It's SBC Candidates Showcase Time

The nominations are in and the applications complete - now it's time to shift the Chamber's 2015 Small Business Celebration into high gear!

 

Join us this evening from 5 - 7 p.m. for the 2015 Small Business Candidates Showcase set for NMC's Hagerty Center. Meet our SBC participants, learn about their operations and celebrate their critical contributions to our regional economy. Here are the featured businesses:

 

Brickyard Towing                         Modal LLC

Cash n Carry Flooring                 NeXt IT

Hallmark Construction                Oneupweb

High Five Threads                        Pine Hill Nursery

Inhabitect LLC                              PMP Personnel

Williams & Bay Pumping Service     Studio 415 Salon

Love Your Car & Truck                TentCraft Inc.

Manville & Schell P.C.                 

Waara Technologies LLC          

 

Tonight's SBC Candidate Showcase is free and open to the public. Get registered for the next exciting events in the 2015 Small Business Celebration including the Meet the Top 10 Breakfast on May 5 and the SBC Award Ceremony on May 28.


 

The Small Business Celebration is supported by:

 

     

 

State Budget Director John Roberts
Alliance Launches Speaker Series

As the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance continues to expand its state-wide presence and influence, the Alliance will debut a new Speaker Series in 2015 bringing some of Michigan's top business and civic leaders to Northern Michigan.

 

The series debuts May 1 and the inaugural program features Michigan Budget Director John Roberts. He'll discuss some of the fiscal challenges and opportunities in the Great Lakes state and discuss Michigan's fiscal outlook going forward. The free program is from 3:30 - 5 p.m. at NMC's Hagerty Center. The series continues June 12 at a luncheon featuring Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan, sponsored by Consumers Energy, and another program will be scheduled this fall.

 

Contact Chamber/Alliance Government Relations Director Kent Wood for more information at [email protected]


CONNECT | Economic Development
SCORE Some Valuable Business Guidance

The Traverse City SCORE Chapter is among the most-honored in the Midwest and has helped dozens of budding entrepreneurs launch successful business ventures in the Grand Traverse region. SCORE offers free monthly workshops for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including these events coming up at the Traverse Area District Library:

 

April 14 - Social Media Marketing from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Learn how to connect with customers through Facebook, Twitter and more.

 

May 12 - Power up Your Social Media- Advanced Techniques from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Take the next step in your social media marketing efforts with analytics and more.

 

Learn more and get registered for these events by clicking here.
Kalkaska Chamber Annual Luncheon
There's a lot going on in the Kalkaska community. New downtown streetscapes, businesses and other capital improvements are infusing new life into the town's business district. Get up to date by attending the annual Kalkaska Chamber Luncheon on April 21 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., and help celebrate the 2015 Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year. Seats are filling up quickly so get registered today.

The Kalkaska Chamber Luncheon is presented by:


 


Thanks to Our Renewing Chamber Members

Membership makes the Chamber's world go 'round. Dozens of Chamber members are celebrating their membership anniversaries this month, and we appreciate their support. Topping the Chamber's birthday list this month is Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, now in its 71st year of Chamber membership!

 

See who else has a Chamber membership anniversary this month, and remember to support your fellow Chamber businesses whenever possible.


INSPIRE | Leadership Growth
Take Two for Leadership at the Movies
After opening to rave reviews in February, the Chamber's latest leadership initiative Leadership at the Movies returns April 21 at the Bijou by the Bay Theater across from the Chamber office. Todd Sanders of Sanders Solutions will discuss the topic "How Leadership, Creativity and Innovations are Connected" through the film 300. The free program is from 7:30 - 9 a.m. and you can register here.

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by: 


2014 TBAISD Outstanding Educators
Nominate Your Outstanding Educators

The Chamber is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Outstanding Educator Awards presented annually by the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. The awards are for teachers, administrators and school support staff in the 5-county area for their outstanding contributions toward the education of our students.

 

Nominations are needed by April 17. Click here to learn more about the Outstanding Educator Awards and for a link to the nomination form.


IMPACT | Advocacy for Business

Budget Moves with Alliance Priorities

Critical budget discussions are ongoing in Lansing, and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is closely monitoring the progress on the state's 2015-16 spending plan and how it impacts Northern Michigan.  The Alliance made progress in its effort to restore state funding for some rural hospital services in Northern Michigan and head off proposed increases to the Health Insurance Claims Assessment (HICA) tax on businesses. Here's the latest from Government Relations Director Kent Wood in this week's Northern Michigan Business Blog.


Get connected to more
Chamber program info:
www.tcchamber.org

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Upcoming Events
Click Event to Register
April 21, 2015 -  Kalkaska Chamber Annual Luncheon11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Kalkaska Church of Christ
April 28, 2015 - Leadership at the Movies7:30 - 9 a.m. at the Bijou by the Bay Theater.
April 28, 2015 - YPs Volunteering at the State Theatre; 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. 
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