Top Talk

April 8, 2015

Hidden Talent Tour Heads to TC

Did you know there are a half-million working age Michigan residents with disabilities who are not working - even though more than 40 percent have a college education or degree?

This Monday, April 13, the Chamber will host Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and state Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein for the Mi (Hidden) Talent Tour, a state-wide initiative to encourage Michigan businesses to hire workers with disabilities. The event is from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at chamber member Grand Traverse Industries, where Lt. Gov. Calley and Justice Bernstein will share inspiring stories of businesses who found valuable employees with disabilities.

The event is open to Traverse City Area Chamber members and businesses in the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. Registration is needed.

This is event is co-sponsored by:

Kalkaska Chamber Luncheon April 21

The annual Kalkaska Chamber Luncheon is less than two weeks away. Reserve a seat for the event on Tuesday, April 21 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Kalkaska Church of Christ as we honor Shetler Family Dairy as the community's 2015 Business of the Year, along with Citizens of the Year Dan and Sherry Johnson (see more below). The keynote speaker is Kevin Rogols, administrator of Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, who will discuss its economic impact on the community and future plans for the facility.

The Kalkaska Chamber Luncheon is sponsored by:

CONNECT | Economic Development

Motor Out to BAH

Business After Hours returns next Wednesday, April 15, as the region's premiere business networking event returns to Fox Motors at 3464 North U.S. 31 South in Garfield Township. Join us from 5 - 7 p.m. at one of the Chamber's Premium Level members for an evening of fun, food and refreshments and an opportunity to meet, greet and engage with your fellow Chamber businesses. It's the first Business After Hours of the spring season, so you won't want to miss it.

Business After Hours is presented by:

Boost Social Media through SCORE

Among the many services available through the award-winning SCORE chapter in Traverse City are free workshops designed to assist local entrepreneurs in starting or growing their businesses. Two workshops are planned to help companies expand their presence through social media.

The first is April 14 entitled "Social Media Marketing" to help businesses connect with customers through Facebook, Twitter and more. The second is May 12 entitled "Power Up Your Social Media Marketing - Advanced Techniques" on how to utilize analytics to boost your social media reach. Both programs are from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library. Sign up today.

INSPIRE | Leadership Growth

Leadership at the Movies - the Sequel

Who says there are no good movie sequels? The second take of the Chamber's new Leadership at the Movies series coming up April 22 promises to be as inspiring and informative as its opening debut in February. Join us from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the Bijou by the Bay Theater across from the Chamber office as host Todd Sanders of Sanders Solutions offers up lessons of leadership examples through the thrilling Sci-fi feature film 300. The event is free but registration is necessary and available here.

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by:

IMPACT | Advocacy for Business

Making a Case for Better Roads

With less than a month before the state election on May 5 on Michigan's Proposal 1 ballot issue for additional road funding, the Safe Roads Yes coalition group prepared a communication kit to help businesses make the case for Proposal 1 with employees, clients and others.

The kit includes informational videos, talking points, sample social media posts, frequently asked questions, support letters and emails and other information to explain this critical ballot proposal and its link to Michigan's economic future. It also includes a list of supporting business and civic organizations which includes the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. Click here to access this wealth of information on Proposal 1.