New Leadership. New Theme.
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2015 Chamber Board Chair, Larry Hines
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The 2015 annual theme chosen by the Board of Directors, is "Make an Impression".
"It is important to make a good impression in business and as a community," says Larry Hines, your new Chamber board chair. "Muskegon has undergone many changes in recent years and it is time people hear about and understand them."
Hines is referring to Muskegon's low unemployment, millions of dollars in capital investment and many exciting new businesses downtown such as the Farmers Market, breweries and others.
Over the next few years your Chamber will be allocating resources and staff time to projects that promote Muskegon's image as a premier waterfront community. We will also call be calling on YOU, our members, to "Make an Impression" with your businesses, products and customer service.
The Chamber is working with other community organizations on a comprehensive strategy for image improvement. "No one organization can take this on," says Chamber President, Cindy Larsen. Over the next couple of years you will hear and see many Muskegon public and private organizations engaged in this effort," Larsen adds. "We are just getting started."
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Meet the 2015 Board of Directors...
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This year we are excited to welcome new board chair, Larry Hines, Owner of Hines Corporation, as well as two new board members, Chris Baker and Tom Schultz.
Chris Baker has been in the auto industry for 21 years and is the co-owner of the Betten-Baker Auto Group with seven locations in West Michigan and 300 employees. Baker says, "I have a HUGE Passion for the car business, leadership, and helping GROW the community in which I live, Muskegon."
A native of the Muskegon area, Tom Schultz is the Vice-President/General Manager of Tyler Sales Company, Inc., the local Anheuser-Busch distributor for Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties. Tom began his career in the beer business in 1984 and in 2001 joined his brother-in-law, Jim Tyler, as a partner at Tyler Sales Company.
Meet your 2015 Chamber Board of Directors: Larry Hines, Chairman, Hines Corporation Lee Coggin, Vice President, Baker College of Muskegon Brenda Jacobs, Treasurer, Brickley DeLong, PC Andy Price, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc. Gary Allore, Mercy Health Chris Baker, Betten-Baker Auto Group Ed Garner, Muskegon Area First Tom Godfrey, Fifth Third Bank Michelle Harris, Harris Hospitality Steve Olsen, Northern Machine Tool Andy Price, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc. Tom Schultz, Tyler Sales Company, Inc. Rex VanderLinde, Executive Air Transport, Inc. Bill Vanderweele, Weber Lumber John Workman, Eagle Alloy, Inc.
A special thank you to Gary Allore of Mercy Health for his leadership as the Chamber Board Chair over the past two years and thank you to outgoing board member Mike Olthoff of Nichols for his 6 years of service.
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Local Government #1 Priority
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2015 Government Affairs Chairs, Wes Eklund of Fleet Enginers, and John Workman of Eagle Alloy meet with Committee Staff Liaison, Rachel Stewart and Chamber President Cindy Larsen
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After a thorough strategic planning session, the Government Affairs Committee has set the agenda for your Chamber's legislative priorities for 2015.
Building better relationships with local government leaders is the top priority for this committee. The top issues to address include crime, image, Port of Muskegon development, and transportation.
Each year Chamber members are surveyed to determine the business issues most important to the local community. The survey results guide the chamber's positions and government affairs committee activities throughout the year.
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Michigan's Fastest Growing Art Fair!
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Michigan's fastest growing art fair, The Lakeshore Art Festival, is currently accepting registrations for the 2015 event. "Even with the huge success of the past two years, there is room for growth within the event footprint," says Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival Director. The plan is to grow the number of high-quality exhibitors, street performers and interactive arts components for this year's event.
The 2015 Lakeshore Art Festival will take place Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. Help spread the word that registration is now available to art and craft exhibitors - CLICK HERE. Muskegon Chamber members receive discounted application fees! For sponsorship packages, contact Carla Flanders at 231.724.3176.
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Why attend?: Get together with your former classmates and/or meet new ones, while enjoying a great lunch catered by the Culinary Arts students at the Tech Center.
Date: 2.5.15
Time: 5 pm - 7 pm
Why Attend? Have an opportunity to meet the Muskegon Lakeshore's newest executives and elected officials at this premiere networking event!
Date: 3.20.15 & 3.21.15
Time: 11 am - 7 pm
Topic: The newly remodeled Home Show will feature 40 local trade and craft experts displaying and demonstrating along with DIY Sessions and Educational Seminars.
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Do not over-sell at networking events.
Networking is NOT selling. Networking is about building relationships, getting to know, like and trust others. By all means, talk about your products or services, as you are there to raise the profile of your business, but sandwich 'business talk' between 'small talk'.
Make an Impression.
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