Top Talk

July 8, 2015

Golf Outing Draws Near

Registration is filling fast for the Chamber's annual Golf Outing, coming up August 19 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The event raises scholarship money for the Leadership Grand Traverse program, and each year is one of the highlights of the Chamber's event schedule.

Signing up on The Bear or The Wolverine courses includes 18 holes of golf, lunch and dinner, a gift, prize drawings and more. Hole sponsorships are also available to promote your business to hundreds of outing participants.

The Chamber Golf Outing is sponsored by:

IMPACT | Advocacy for Business

Road Talks in Lansing

With separate road funding proposals from the state House and Senate pending in Lansing, the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance released five principles it would like to see incorporated into the state's road funding solution.

The principles reflect the northern Michigan business community's desire to see a balanced solution between cuts, reallocation of funding, efficiencies in government, and new revenue dedicated to roads. Here's an overview of the Alliance road priorities.

For an analysis of the current road funding proposals in the State House and Senate, click here.

Local Government Candidate Seminar

The Chamber will offer a primer on how to run for local political office this Tuesday, July 14 from 9 - 11 a.m. in the Chamber Blue Room. This Local Government Candidate Seminar is a free program that's open to the public offering information on nominating petitions, publicity, media relations and office-holder duties.

Featured speakers include City Clerk and Chamber YP Ben Marentette, former campaign manager Matthew Schmidt and City Commissioner Gary Howe. Reserve a seat through Chamber Government Relations Coordinator Kent Wood at kentw@tcchamber.org

'Energy Guys' Talk Choice

The Energy Guys is a monthly podcast featuring representatives from area utilities including Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, Cherryland Electric Cooperative and Traverse City Light and Power discussing local, state and federal issues and topics centered on energy. It's hosted by TraverseCONNECT CEO Doug Luciani, and this month's program reviews the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision impacting electricity costs and energy deregulation discussions in Lansing. Listen in here. You can also visit the chamber's website for an archive of past episodes.

CONNECT | Events and Programs

Connections are Brewing

The Chamber's new "Pints & Politics" event offers our members a chance to meet and greet our region's elected officials and decision-makers in a personal, comfortable setting. Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City will host these sessions on:

August 24 - State/federal officials
September 24 - Traverse City officials
October 19 - Grand Traverse County officials

Pints & Politics is presented by:

A Cinematic Classic

Leadership at the Movies opened to rave reviews from Chamber members this year, and we're getting ready to raise the curtain on our next production.

Barbara Jordan Ellis presents "The Transformational Power of Leader" on September 9 starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Bijou by the Theater across from the Chamber office. Scenes from the cinematic classic Braveheart will be featured. Don't miss this popular new Chamber program that will start your day with an inspirational and informative message - and it's free to Chamber members. Sign up today.

INSPIRE | Leadership Development

Apply for Fall LGT

Looking to build your leadership skills and gain new insight to the Grand Traverse region? The Chamber's Leadership Grand Traverse program is worth the investment.

LGT is the area's premiere leadership development program, now in its fourth decade of building leaders to help their companies and our region. The application period is open now for the Fall 2015 semester which begins in September. Scholarship opportunities are also available. Here's more information on how to apply.

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by:

Partner News

Chamber Coalition Federal Update

Your Chamber's impact on federal legislation issues comes in part through its involvement with the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition. The group of Chambers from across the Midwest and Upper Great Lakes works with federal lawmakers on numerous issues including transportation, Great Lakes access and water quality, energy, employment more.

Here's the latest from the Coalition in its July E-Brief.

SCORE Workshop

Everyone knows it takes money to make money. This month's free SCORE workshop reviews "Three Keys to Finding Financing" with information on local financing sources for small businesses. It takes place Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library. Venture North's Executive Director Laura Galbraith is among the panelists. Register here.