Thanks to all who participated in the Chamber's Economic Outlook Breakfast and Business Expo on Tuesday at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The Outlook Breakfast featured a wide-ranging discussion on Michigan's energy future before a sold-out audience of more than 500 attendees, while the Expo included nearly 150 exhibitors and drew well over 1,000 visitors. Learn more about the event in this report in today's Traverse City Record-Eagle.

The Chamber appreciates the participation of Valerie Brader of the Michigan Agency for Energy and Dave Mengebier of Consumers Energy in the Outlook Breakfast, and for our sponsors at Fifth Third Bank.

Thanks also to the businesses that participated in the Expo, our hosts at the Grand Traverse Resort, Expo attendees and our sponsors at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan. Comments or feedback on the event are welcomed by Chamber Event Coordinator Andi Wagenschutz at andiw@tcchamber.org

The Economic Outlook Breakfast is presented by:

The Chamber Business Expo is presented by:

State lawmakers drew closer to a long-term solution to Michigan's road funding. The Senate on Tuesday passed a $1.2 million transportation plan that generates new revenue from an increase in the gasoline tax and higher vehicle registration fees. Lawmakers worked out the differences in the House and Senate proposals late Tuesday and will send the bill to Gov. Rick Snyder for this signature.

Here's an overview of the proposal from the Associated Press.

Kent Wood, director of government relations for the Traverse City Area Chamber and Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, praised northern Michigan lawmakers in the House and Senate for their support which was critical to passage of the road funding bills. The Traverse City Chamber joined six other Chambers across the state in supporting more road funding in Michigan.

Congratulations to Traverse City's new mayor and three new city commissioners who prevailed at Tuesday's City Elections. Veteran City Commissioner Jim Carruthers won a two-year term for the mayor's seat, while three first-time candidates - former city manager Richard Lewis, Brian Haas and Amy Shamroe - gained four-year seats on the City Commission. The Chamber and its membership look forward to working with these officials to keep our city and region growing and thriving.

The Chamber is proud to again team up with the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency to support the Sleep Out, which happens tonight at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. The annual Sleep Out, where a group of community leaders spend the night outdoors to raise money for local home heating assistance, raises thousands of dollars annually and raises awareness about challenges faced by local residents and families with winter utility costs.

Stop in to the Civic Center this evening to support this important cause. Learn more.

Our Membership Sales Representative Sheila Peek was a busy lady in October, bringing in almost 30 new members to the Chamber last month. Check out the newest additions to the Chamber family, and remember to thank these businesses for their support.

"A leader is someone who takes you beyond where you think you can go."

That was the message from leadership strategist Jonathan Poole in an inspiring Leadership at the Movies session Wednesday morning as the Chamber closed out this new leadership series for 2015. Pool highlighted scenes from the true-life award winning film The King's Speech in a program titled "Unconventional Lessons in Leadership" to illustrate that leadership can take many forms and be displayed by people with widely different personalities and from all walks of life.

The new Leadership at the Movies series was a great addition to the Chamber's Leadership programming in 2015. Thanks to our hosts at the Bijou by the Bay theater, and from Morsels for supplying the coffee and amazing edibles. Plans are underway for a new Leadership at the Movies series in 2016. Follow your Chamber communications for updates.

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by:

The Grand Traverse region is home to hundreds of successful business ventures launched by people just like you. Each Wednesday morning starting at 8:30 a.m., the Chamber and NewsTalk 580 WTCM present the Weekly Entrepreneur Focus, when co-hosts Ron Jolly and Chamber Executive Director Laura Oblinger visit with a local entrepreneur who's earned business success in Northern Michigan. If you miss an episode, you can click here for a show archive on the Chamber website.

Launching and maintaining a successful website is critical in today's business world, and this month's SCORE workshop will help get your digital house in order. "Five Common Website Flaws & Fixes" will be presented this Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Traverse City Area District Library. Register at www.upnorthscore.com