July 19, 2016
Candidate's Forum Tonight!
The G.O.P. Primary on August 2nd features one of the most interesting races in the country.  Michigan's 1st U.S. Congressional District is open due to the retirement of Congressman Dan Benishek.  Three Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination and two candidates are competing on the Democratic side.  Four local organizations are giving you an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn how they stand on key issues at a Candidates Forum to be held tonight, Tue. July 19 in the Iron Horse Café at North Central Michigan College.  There will be a Meet and Greet segment at 6:00 p.m. followed by a moderated forum at 7:00 p.m.  Hosts of the event include the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Petoskey News-Review, Emmet Association of Realtors and North Central Michigan College. Refreshments will be provided by Angel Heart Home Care. Candidates invited from the 1st U.S. Congressional District of Michigan include Republicans Jason Allen, Jack Bergman, and Tom Casperson and Democrats Jerry Cannon and Lon Johnson.  The forum will also showcase the candidates for the 107th State House Race including Republican Candidates Lee Chatfield and Kathy Twardy and Democrat Phil Bellfy. The forum is free and open to the public.  
In This Issue
Chamber Alliance Hosts Virtual Forum
For those who can't attend tonight's live forum, or want to learn more about the candidates and key primary races, the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance has compiled candidate responses for a virtual, on-line candidate's forum.  This forum features state and federal races from throughout northern Michigan. Please do all that you can to be an informed voter on August 2nd. You can access the virtual forum here: https://nmichiganbusiness.com/2016/07/14/2016-virtual-candidate-forum/
New Overtime Rules Subject of Exclusive Conference Call
The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a partnership of eight chambers of commerce and six associate partners who advocate on behalf of business issues in northern Michigan.  The alliance has arranged for a conference call that is exclusive to the members of these partnering chambers to discuss the New Overtime Rules.  The Dept. of Labor released its final overtime regulation which will increase the salary threshold below which employees must be paid overtime from $23,660 annually to $47,476.  The new rules will take effect Dec. 1, 2016.
 
Please join Chamber Director of Government Relations Kent Wood on Wednesday, July 20 at 11am for a conference call with Marc Freedman, Executive Director of Labor Law Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for a discussion about these new overtime regulations.  Marc will give an overview of the rule, including what businesses must do to comply with the rule and how they can prepare for the December 1, 2016 implementation date.  You can review background information on the Overtime Regulation here and here.  Marc will be available for questions following his presentation.  To obtain your dial-in information, RSVP to Kent Wood at kentw@tcchamber.org
Local Businesses Value Great Customer Service
The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Hospitality the Little Traverse Way Committee salute the following businesses and organizations who have sent staff members to customer service training this spring hosted by Hospitality the Little Traverse Way.  Those businesses include:
 
In the past three months, more than 200 area employees have been trained to provide the World's Best Guest Service Experience through Hospitality the Little Traverse Way.  Special thanks to these supporters:  Jane Babcock of Petoskey High School, North Central Michigan College, Petoskey's Downtown Management Board, and trainer Carlin Smith of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce.  
Festival on The Bay Needs You! Sign up Your Team Today!
The 14th Annual Festival on the Bay is August 19-20, 2016 at the Petoskey waterfront and volunteer opportunities are available!  
  
Volunteering is a great way to be part of a truly fun environment while supporting our community. If you would like to help, the festival can always use volunteers for various shifts, and being a volunteer at the festival provides great exposure for your business or organization and team building.  Get the full details on being a volunteer here.
This weekly email product is produced to inform members about
community and Chamber related news, specials or events. Members looking to share something to the membership may do so in our Friday edition email periodically for FREE. Items are run for up to two weeks. If you have something you want to share with the membership, you can e-mail it to nikki@petoskeychamber.com.  Please keep event, special offer & business news submissions to 125 words or less. Deadline for Friday email content is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Any questions contact Nikki at 231.347.4150
Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce | 231-347-4150 | www.petoskeychamber.com
401 E. Mitchell St. Petoskey, MI 49770