Top Talk

December 9, 2015

Membership Event in High Gear

This week's Chamber Membership Event sprinted out of the starting blocks on Tuesday with more than 100 new members brought in during its first day. The inspiration provided by Jimmy Cusano of Your Chamber Connection and the energy and hard work put forth by our membership volunteers has the Chamber well on its way to its goal of exceeding the 2,000-member level and joining YCC's prestigious $100,000 revenue club.

Most of all, thanks to the businesses who've stepped up to support their community through involvement with their Chamber. We'll highlight all our new members in next week's Chamber Bulletin and we look forward to showcasing their businesses at our special "Prime Time" event next spring.

Also follow the Chamber on Facebook and Twitter for Membership Event updates.

IMPACT | Advocacy for Business

RiverWest Gains City Approval

Traverse City commissioners this week approved a major mixed-use retail and housing development project known as RiverWest, located at the intersection of West Front and Pine streets downtown. The nine-story project includes 167 residential housing units, including 64 rental apartments specifically for workforce housing to help address the major housing pinch in the city. The Chamber thanks its members that stepped up to support this project, including those in our Young Professionals organization that helped city officials and residents better understand and appreciate the negative impact that the lack of affordable housing has on our business community and specifically on our young people.

Click here to learn about some of the other legislative efforts and issues being taken on by the Chamber and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance.

CONNECT | Events and Programs

Susie Janis receives 2014 DSA

Celebrate with Your Chamber

Seats are going fast for the Chamber's Annual Celebration on Friday, January 15, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. This is a special night for the area's business community, bringing together more than 1,000 members of the Chamber family for an evening of dining, social engagement and special recognition. We'll also honor the recipient of the Chamber's 2015 Distinguished Service Award to be announced in late January.

The Chamber Annual Celebration is presented by:

Deck the Chamber Christmas Tree

The Chamber needs help from our members to deck out the Christmas tree in the first-floor Blue Room. Does your business have a Christmas ornament or symbol you'd like to share? Drop it by the Chamber office at 202 E. Grandview Parkway in downtown Traverse City and we'll find the perfect spot for it on our tree. It's a great way to promote your business to the many users of the Chamber's conference rooms and show your support for the organization. Questions? Contact membership assistant Julia Clark at juliac@tcchamber.org.

INSPIRE | Leadership Development

Take the YP Survey

Attention Chamber Young Professionals! Have you weighed in on the YP survey? We're reaching out to our dynamic and engaged YPs to see what programs and initiatives you'd like to see in 2016 and beyond. Our YPs are reaching new heights in community involvement and influence, and the Chamber wants to continue to strengthen that voice.

If you're a member of the Chamber's Young Professionals and haven't yet completed the survey, click here to learn more. It only takes a few minutes so make sure your voice is heard.

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by:

Vote for Chamber Directors

The Chamber is fortunate to be led by a talented and engaged Board of Directors that provide direction and oversight for our century-old organization. Four new directors have been nominated for the board in 2016 and they include:

Bill Golden - Golden Shoes
Marie-Chantal Dalese - Chateau Chantal
Beth Holmes-Bozung - Safety Net
Steve Nance - Oryana

Chamber bylaws require the director slate to be approved in a vote of the membership. Please cast your vote for the new director slate by contacting Chamber Executive Assistant Caryn Cleland at caryn@traverseCONNECT.org. The new directors will join the board in January.

Stories of Entrepreneurial Success

Northwest Michigan is brimming with high-energy entrepreneurial talent. Each week the Chamber's Weekly Entrepreneur Focus on NewsTalk 580 highlights a local business owner whose ideas, hard work and determination are blazing a successful trail across the region's business landscape. Tune in each Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. with Chamber Executive Director Laura Oblinger and Host Ron Jolly as they tell "Another Great Story" of business success in our area. If you miss an episode, click here for a program archive on the Chamber's website.

The Weekly Entrepreneur Focus is sponsored by:

Partner News

Kalkaska Business Loans Available Through Venture North

Businesses across Kalkaska County can access financing for business upgrades and expansions through the Kalkaska County Economic Development Corporation Loan Fund in cooperation with Venture North Funding & Development. Loans up to $50,000 at attractive interest rates are available. Learn more about the Kalkaska EDC Loan and other business financing programs available through Venture North.

Upcoming Events

Click Event to Register

December 22
YPs Volunteering at the State Theatre; 5:15 - 7:15 p.m.

January 15, 2016
Chamber's Annual Celebration; 6:30 - 10 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

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Human Resource Professionals & Small Business Owners Lunch and Learn