UPWARD2
UPWard Update
April 19, 2013

Mission: A collaborative effort of the private and public leaders of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and adjoining Wisconsin counties to align and promote the region's resources, expertise, and creativity in order to sustain and grow the region's economy.
Greetings!

Please take a moment to review these updates from the UPWard Initiative.  

 

Thanks to the many UPWard members along with others that have provided content for these updates. If you have information you would like to share with the group, please email it to me. Holly Peoples

 

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May 2, 2013

 

UPEDA Membership Meeting

  

Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance Membership Meeting from 9:00am EST to 2:00pm EST at the Franklin Square Inn located at 820 Shelden Avenue in Houghton, MI 49931.

 

Featuring the Lakeshore SmartZone and business success stories, as well as community profiles.

 

Members - $25.00

Non-Members - $40.00

 

AGENDA

8:30 - 9:00 Registration

 

9:00 - 9:15 Welcome and Board Update - Kim Stoker

 

9:15 - 9:45 University Presidents- 

Hear from Dr. Phillip Johnson, Finlandia University and Dr. Glen Mroz, Michigan Technological University on exciting happenings within their institutions. 

 

 

Networking Break

 

10:00 - 10:45 Keynote Speaker - Marilyn Clark 

Incorporated in April 2002, MTEC SmartZone is a leader in entrepreneurism and high-tech business acceleration in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. It is one of 15 SmartZones in the state that focus on commercializing ideas, patents and other opportunities surrounding corporate, university or private research institute efforts. MTEC SmartZone works in partnership with founding members cities of Houghton and Hancock, Michigan Technological University and Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance. MTEC SmartZone provides facilities and resources to help businesses flourish. The small business incubator is connected to local and statewide economic development organizations, with the goal to increase employment, wealth, and recognition for the Upper Peninsula.

 

Networking Break

 

11:00 - 12:00 Steve Williams, Co-Owner of DA Glass America and Iowa, Illinois Warehouse Services. 

An international  glass treatment company announced its expansion to the Copper Country recently, potentially bringing up to 200 jobs to the area.  DA Glass committed to adding 102 jobs and investing $10.5 million within three years as part of its loan from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.  Mr. Williams will share aspects of his decision making process that led them to the UP instead of Missouri, Iowa or Illinois. 

 

Networking Lunch and Finn Fest Information

 

1:00 - 1:30 Naturalia Conference -

Naturallia 2013 is a unique and highly effective business-to-business matchmaking event, designed to enable companies to facilitate local, regional, national and international exchanges of Canada's key sectors.  This year, Naturallia will bring together more than 200 companies and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) from over 14 countries in the following sectors:

* Advanced manufacturing

* Value-added forest products

* Mining supply and services

* Smart energy development, supply and services

 

Learn from conference organizers, how you can connect your business partners and others in with this great opportunity.

 

1:30 - 2:30 One Minute Updates

 

Adjournment 


 

 

May 22, 2013

Tourism and Professional Development Conference

 

@013 Tourism Conference

 

What is this event? 

 

The conference is organized by the UPWard Initiative Tourism Advisory Group and provides businesses an opportunity to:

  • Sharpen professional and customer service skills by attending a variety of workshops.
  • Showcase products and services at the community showcase and tradeshow.
  • Network with potential customers and industry professionals by participating in the golf scramble and Business After Hours.
  • Connect to community resources to discover new trends and development opportunities.
  • Get useful information from keynote speakers and workshops.
  • Understand more about ways to take advantage of the positive economic impact of tourism.

Click HERE to see coverage of last year's conference.

 

May 21, 2013

Golf scramble, sponsored by the Bays de Noc and Marquette County CVBs

 

May 22, 2013

Workshops, best practices roundtable discussion, keynotes, business and community showcase and Business After Hours, at the Island Resort and Casino. 

  

To register click HERE.

 

For more information contact (906)786-2192 

 

 

April 26, 2013

  U.P. Construction Skills Challenge

Area Students Explore Construction Career Pathways

 

 

The eighth annual U.P. Construction Skills Challenge will be held on April 26th at the Jacobetti Center on the Campus of Northern Michigan University.  Twelve teams from across the Upper Peninsula will construct pre-designed Sauna Buildings, in conjunction with this years' Finn Fest in Hancock.   A team traveling trophy is awarded to the best team to be held until the next Skills Challenge. Individual medals will be awarded to the top teams, also. The goal of the event is to expose high school students interested in the construction industry to real-world planning, building, teamwork and safety experience.  The first place team will be presented the competitions ornate traveling trophy that will be displayed at their school for the year.

 

Teams are charged a registration fee in support of the competition, but more is needed. We are asking for your support in bringing this hands-on team building experience to our students. Prize "give away" donations, as well as, monetary donations would be greatly appreciated. If you decide to contribute, your organization's name will be displayed on a donor board during the competition, as well as a continuing slide show listing of the donors. Donation letters will also be available if needed for tax purposes.

 

We hope that your organization will help contribute to this worthwhile program. Please direct any questions or donations you may have to Tony Retaskie at 906-250-0201.

 

Events, like the U.P. Construction Skills Challenge, were created to combat worker pipeline shortages and to get youth interested in the construction trades. A critical component is to ensure the worker pipeline has the skills and knowledge to be competitive in today's economy. The U.P. Construction Skills Challenge is a way for up and coming generations to receive "hands-on" experience under the pressures of a real job site; moreover, students will need to overcome a "curveball" in the design at some point during the event. 


U.P. Construction Skills Challenge logo  

May 7, 2013

 

Doing Business With... U.S. Forest Service

 

SBA color  

The Small Business Administration is pleased to present a monthly series designed to connect you with the federal buying marketplace!

 

Each month, the SBA will host a "Doing Business With..." training and matchmaking event for different industries.  You'll have the opportunity to pitch your product or service to decision makers - federal procurement officers that purchase in the industry in which you do business!

 

How can you benefit by attending?   Federal agencies will share their inside tips on how to navigate the world of federal procurement. You'll learn what buyers are looking for and how the purchasing process works inside government agencies.

 

The business matchmaking session is your opportunity to meet in small groups with federal procurement officers to pitch your business capabilities and identify what buyers are a "fit" for your company.

 

There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required.  Please register at 

www.annarborscore.com/sbaregister.html.  

You will receive a confirmation via email.  Seating is limited, so please register early.  Limit of two persons per company.  Cut-off registration date is April 22, 2013.

 

If you have any questions please contact Shaun McColley,  SBA Business Opportunity Specialist, at shaun.mccolley@sba.gov.

 

Time:
Noon  -  5:00 pm

Location:

M-TEC at Bay College

2000 N. 30th St.,

Escanaba, MI

Pure Michigan

Talent Connect Training

 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is partnering with organizations throughout the state to provide complimentary training for employers and job seekers as part of the Pure Michigan Talent Connect initiative. 

  

Tuesday, May 14 th 2013
Michigan Works! Service Center
1498 O'Dovero Drive
Marquette, MI 49855

 

Employer Session: 8:30am-10:30am
Job seeker Session: 11:00am-1:00pm

  

Wednesday, May 15 th 2013
Michigan Works! Service Center
2831 N. Lincoln Road
Escanaba, MI 49829


Employer Session: 8:30am-10:30am
Job seeker Session: 11:00am-1:00pm

  

EMPLOYER SESSION OUTLINE 

  • Create an account
  • Post a Job
  • Job Maintenance
  • Candidate Searches
  • Email Blasts
  • Report Refusal of Work
  • Michigan Works! Agency Assistance
  • Other Resources  

JOB SEEKER SESSION OUTLINE

  • How to create an effective user profile
  • Performing effective job searches
  • Setting up email notifications
  • Career Connections Discussions
  • Explore Internships
  • Michigan Works! Agency Assistance
  • Other Resources  

 

For more information or to reserve your seat please contact

Holly Peoples
906.280.2441 

hpeoples@jobforce.org

  

 

Click HERE for more about the UPWard Initiative. 

 

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