October 4, 2016
Be Informed! General Election Candidate Form Friday, October 12
To help voters prepare, four organizations have come together to host a Candidates Forum on Wed. Oct. 12th from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Iron Horse Café at North Central Michigan College. Candidates from the 1st U.S. Congressional District, Jack Bergman and Lon Johnson, and candidates from the 107th State House race, Phil Bellfy and Lee Chatfield, have all been invited to participate in a moderated forum beginning at 7:00 p.m. Preceding that, these candidates, along with candidates of local political races will be on hand for a Meet and Greet with voters. The doors for the Meet and Greet will open at 6:00 p.m. at the same location.

The Candidates Forum is hosted by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, North Central Michigan College, Emmet Association of Realtors and the Petoskey News-Review. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Angel Heart Home Care. 
The forum is free and open to the public and no pre-registration is required.
In This Issue
"I Belong" Celebrating Chamber of Commerce Month in October
Do you Belong? October is Chamber of Commerce Month! Watch all month long for testimonials from chamber members as to why they belong. October is Chamber of Commerce Month in Michigan and the chamber is using this month to feature the "I Belong" campaign and we invite all members to participate.

You can wear an "I Belong" button all month long to help show you belong to the chamber and help spread awareness of the chamber's work. Feel free to stop by the office to grab buttons or we would be happy to drop some off to you. In addition, you can let us take your picture with the "I Belong" sign and tell why you belong to the chamber and we will feature it in the weekly e-mails and on Facebook.

We are also conducting a membership drive in October. Do you know someone who is not yet a member of the chamber? Invite them to join. All new members in October will be entered to win a prize package valued at over $1800. For more information contact Lisa Hoyt at 231-347-4150 or lisa@petoskeychamber.com 

Today's "I Belong" Member is also the PRCC Board of Directors Chairman
Tom Adams, President of Birchwood Construction 
"The Chamber not only allows me to stay connected in all facets of our community but they are also an excellent advocate for issues of significant importance locally as well as on a state and national basis. There is a true sense of community that permeates the Chamber and its members that regularly pay dividends to me and my business!!"
Thrive 45 - End of Summer Bash is October 14
Summer has come to a close, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! 
Join the Thrive45° group in celebration of Fall or our "Local's Summer" in true, northern Michigan fashion on October 14.

Kick off your weekend and find us on October 14 at Nub's Nob starting at 6:00PM, where there will have live music by The Pistil Whips. Cash bar. Food will be available to purchase from Littleman Bites Food Truck. $5 entry fee.

Cheers to a great summer and an even better Fall.  Please take a minute to RSVP to help us plan the event. 
It's Back! Local Food Theme Business After Hours is October 20th at PBVCC!
Celebrate Local Food on October 20th from 5-7 p.m. at Petoskey Bay View Country Club. This wonderful Local Food Theme BAH highlights the amazing producers of local food in our area in addition to organizations who have impact on the growing local food movement! Taste amazing food and learn more about Local foods!

Business After Hours (BAH) is a well-attended "end-of-the-work-day" networking event designed to help participants make new business contacts, develop potential new customers, and build exposure for their businesses. In addition to great networking opportunities, along with hors d'oeuvres, cash-bar refreshments you can win fabulous door prizes as well! Admission cost is $7 for members; $12 for not-yet members. 

This month's BAH Sponsors are the Local Food Alliance supported by Grain Train Natural Foods Markets. Confirmed farmers at this time include: Bear Creek Organic Farms. 

Make the most of your chamber membership and be a sponsor of this or any BAH event! Contact Nikki for more details, 231-347-4150 or nikki@petoskeychamber.com 
Great Sessions for Promoting Wellness in the Workplace, October 21st
Chamber U Seminar - November 2nd - Overtime Rules
Chamber U Seminar - Are You Prepared for the December 1 Revised Overtime Exemption Rule?
Do you have employees that you classify as Exempt?  If so, have you analyzed your workforce to determine if you will be in compliance with the new Exemption Rule enacted by the Department of Labor? 

NOW IS THE TIME to figure out if you are in compliance and if not, to make changes to bring your workforce into compliance prior to the December 1, 2016 effective date of the new rules.  There are significant risks to non-compliance, including two to three years of back overtime, doubled, for misclassified employees, as well as fines.
 
Please join local labor and employment attorney Laura Dinon, of Plunkett Cooney, as she provides in depth analysis of the new FLSA overtime/exemption regulation provisions and practical tips on how to prepare for the changes.
 
The Seminar is Wednesday, November 2 at 8:00-9:30 am at Odawa Hotel.  The cost is $25 and includes breakfast. Please click here to register or call 347-4150.
Make a Nomination for Breakfast for Champions
The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast for Champions will take place on December 6, 2016. The committee is seeking nominations for various awards and would like your input. 
 
Service Excellence Award: Presented annually for demonstrating superior, unique and unequaled service to the public.
Community Enthusiast: Presented to honor a local citizen who is a true cheerleader, ambassador and passionate supporter of our community.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Presented to honor an entrepreneur who is helping to enhance the local community through business growth.
Chamber Mission Award: Recognizes an individual, business or organization that supports the chamber's mission of helping area businesses succeed while protecting our community's quality of life and fostering responsible growth.

Nomination deadline is October 18, 2016. View the history of award winners here.

If you have questions, please contact Nikki Devitt at nikki@petoskeychamber.com  
Athena Nominations Now Being Accepted
We are now seeking nominations for the 2016 Athena Award, which will be presented at this year's Breakfast for Champions on December 6, 2016 at Odawa Casino. The Athena Award recognizes a community member for their impact on the growth and success of girls and women in our region.

  
Dave Kring Chevrolet Cadillac is proudly sponsoring this award again this year. The winner will join the astounding ranks of amazing women that have received this award every year at Breakfast for Champions. Nominations are due by November 10.  Download a form HERE or email lisa@petoskeychamber.com and she will email a form to you.
A New Season at the Chamber Office!

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