Traverse Chamber Bulletin
Top Talk
October 14, 2015
Expo Filling Up Fast
Don't wait to reserve your space for the Chamber Business Expo coming up November 3 at the Grand Traverse Resort. It's an opportunity to showcase your business to more than 1,000 visitors and join upwards of 140 other exhibitors at the region's largest business expo. Exhibit space is filling quickly but there's still time to secure a prime location.

 

What's Our Energy Outlook?
Energy powers Michigan business, so you'll want to be part of the Chamber's Economic Outlook Breakfast that morning at the resort for a look at Michigan's energy future. Panelists Dave Mengebier of Consumers Energy and Valerie Brader of the Michigan Agency for Energy will join TraverseCONNECT CEO Doug Luciani for an engaging discussion on what changes in energy production and regulation in Michigan will mean for Northern Michigan's business community. The Outlook Breakfast is always a sell-out, so reserve tickets now.

The Chamber Business Expo is presented by:
                                                                         

The Economic Outlook Breakfast is sponsored by:


IMPACT | Advocacy for Business
City Candidate Forum Thursday
Join us Thursday night for a Traverse City Candidate Forum co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters - Grand Traverse Area and the Chamber. Learn about the platforms of the candidates for the Mayor's office and the three open seats on the City Commission, and where they stand on the issues. The forum takes place from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Garfield Township Hall, or you can watch it live on UpNorth TV. The Chamber will also debut its Virtual Candidate Forum for the Mayor and City Commission later this week at www.tcchamber.org.

County Officials Wrap New Chamber Series
The Chamber's successful new Pints & Politics series wraps up for the season this Monday, October 19th from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Right Brain Brewery. Our guests will be representatives of Grand Traverse County. Invitees include new County Administrator Tom Menzel, county commissioners and various department leaders. Enjoy a local beverage on our hosts from DTE Energy and get to know your elected and appointed government officials. Sign up here for this free program for Chamber members.

Pints & Politics is presented by:

Cheboygan Chamber Joins Alliance
There's strength in numbers and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is about to get stronger with the addition of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce as an associate partner.

The Alliance represents more than 6,500 businesses across Northern Michigan through the Alpena Area Chamber, Benzie County Chamber, Cadillac Area Chamber, Charlevoix Area Chamber, Gaylord Area Chamber, the Lake Superior Community Partnership along with the Petoskey Regional and Traverse City Area chambers. The Alliance works on advocacy issues and program development across its wide membership base. It also works with associate partners that include the Elk Rapids Area, Harbor Springs, Boyne Area, East Jordan Area and Manistee Area chambers, along with our new associate partners in Cheboygan. Learn more.

CONNECT | Events and Programs
'Mo's-mentum' for BAH
It's busy season here at the Chamber, and our event train heads out to Grawn next Wednesday, October 21, for Business After Hours hosted by our friends at Incredible Mo's located at 1355 Silver Lake Crossings Blvd.

Join us from 5 - 7 p.m. for some incredible food, refreshments and networking opportunities and to check out all the family fun available at Incredible Mo's.

Also mark your calendars for November 18 when we close out the Business After Hours 2015 season at the new offices of the Larkin Group in Traverse City.

Business After Hours is presented by:

Nomination Window Closing
Time is running out to make nominations for the Chamber's annual Distinguished Service Award and submit applications for the Chamber's Board of Directors.

The Distinguished Service Award is among the area's longest running civic awards, presented annually by the Chamber since 1927. It's been shared by some of the region's legendary figures including Jerry Oleson, Les Biederman, Sen. George McManus and dozens of others for their service and commitment to the Grand Traverse region.

Do you know someone who's gone above and beyond to make the Grand Traverse area a better place? DSA nominations are needed by Friday, October 23, and can be submitted here. Last year's recipient was the very deserving Susie Janis of Traverse City, who will present the 2015 DSA Award at the Chamber's Annual Celebration coming up January 15, 2016 at the Grand Traverse Resort.

Applications to serve as a member of the Chamber's Board of Directors are needed by this Friday, October 16. Click here to learn more.

INSPIRE | Leadership Development 
A Royal Lesson in Leadership
Who has more leadership responsibilities than the King of England? The King's Speech is a classic British film that won four Academy Awards (including Best Picture) about the challenging ascension of King Edward VI to the British Throne. It's a film that's rife with lessons about leadership and the perfect choice for the final Leadership at the Movies program from 2015.

Join us Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 a.m. at the Bijou by the Bay theater as leadership strategist Jonathon Pool uses this unique and heart-warming real life story to highlight leadership examples that can benefit everyone. This new Chamber leadership development initiative is building a strong audience, and you'll want to be part of lights, camera and action. Sign up today.

Chamber leadership programming is supported by:

Partner News
Chamber Helps 'Re-Open' West Front
It's been a long summer of construction, but West Front Street is open for business!

The Chamber is co-sponsoring a Grand Opening Celebration for the West Front Street reconstruction project coming up Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., including a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
Join us to check out this spiffy street/sidewalk upgrade that includes a new streetscape design, marked bicycle lanes and crosswalks, high-tech lighting and the new City Lot area next to the City Fire Station. Activities will include pumpkin decorating, sidewalk chalk, live music, a scavenger hunt and much more. Plus it will be an opportunity to drop in on the West Front Street merchants whose businesses were impacted by the extended construction schedule this summer. Learn more at www.downtowntc.com

Upcoming Events
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Support Kalkaska Schools
Rotary Club of Kalkaska Presents The Kalkaska All-Stars vs. The Harlem Ambassadors


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In Case you
Missed it...
Listen to the Chamber's Weekly Entrepreneur Focus on NewsTalk 580.
 
Get connected to more Chamber program info: www.tcchamber.org

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