Muskegon's Entrepreneurs of Excellence...
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 The Annual Entrepreneur Award Luncheon is expanding to recognize the area's most innovative entrepreneurs. In addition to awarding an Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the new "E-Awards" will recognize 18 Entrepreneurs of Excellence that are making a difference along the Muskegon Lakeshore.
"We wanted to highlight the many successful entrepreneurs of the community while still honoring one as the outstanding entrepreneur," says Chamber President, Cindy Larsen. "This event and new format better showcases the rich foundation of entrepreneurial spirit in the Muskegon business community."
The entrepreneurs will all be recognized at the Annual E-Awards Luncheon, May 19, 2015 at Watermark 920. Attendees will hear from successful local entrepreneurs and find out who will be named the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year.
Meet the 2015 Entrepreneurs of Excellence:
Al Fansler, Family Farm & Home Inc.
Arthur Scott, JAAR, Inc.
Brett & Jera Gilbert, Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack
Chris Baker and Bryan Betten, Betten Auto Group
Gary Post, Port City Construction & Development
Harold Hall, Hall's Sport Center
Jim VanderWier, Redi Rental
John Sytsema, Sytsema Funeral Homes
Jon Rooks, Parkland Properties of Michigan
Kathleen & John Riegler, The Cheese Lady, LLC
Laura Holmes, FineLine Creative
Marty Sytsema & Dave VanAndel, i'move
Michelle Harris, Harris Hospitality
Orville Crain, Klever Innovations LLC
Dick Lindrup & Walter Grzybowski, R.W. Bakers
Ted Fricano, Fricano Place
Tina Butler, Comfort Keepers
Peter Gawkowski, Subway, Inc. GNS
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Introducing the Business Resource Team!
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| Your Chamber is teaming up with other agencies to create the Muskegon Business Resource Team or BRT. BRT acts as a one-stop source that can assist companies with their business concerns and connect them to various local, state and federal resources.
By request, the BRT will visit your company to discuss particular needs and then assign specific resource partners to address identified issues. Some of the services provided by the BRT include business planning, market research, site selection searches, financial assistance, job posting & screening, recruitment of hard to fill positions, customized & in-demand training, employee testing, business workshops, business roundtables, one-on-one counseling and networking opportunities.
Our primary BRT partners include Michigan Works! Muskegon-Oceana, Muskegon Area First Economic Development Corp, and Muskegon Community College. There are a dozen other BRT resource partners ready to serve the local business community too. To schedule a complimentary visit from the BRT, email Dawn Johnson or call our office at 231-722-3751.
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1,400+ Attend Remodeled Home Show
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More than 1,400 guests made their way through exhibitor booths, Wine & Canvas classes, children's workshops and seminars during the newly remodeled Home, Garden + DIY Show in March. The event featured 33 local businesses in the home and garden industry. Additionally, the event provided 26 workshops that provided attendees a hands-on DIY experience as well as an opportunity to learn important tips and tricks for their home and garden.
"The success of this year's show is an indicator that the Muskegon Lakeshore housing industry is coming back," says Carla Flanders, Event Director. "The number of attendees tells us that people are ready to spend money on home improvement and renovation projects."
"We were thrilled with the turnout," Flanders commented. "Fricano's Event Center proved to be a great location. We look forward to growing the show again next year."
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Nominate a Young Professional!
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Nominations are now open for the Future 15 awards, a program recognizing emerging young leaders making a difference along the Muskegon Lakeshore.
Those recognized excel both within their place of employment and in the community.
The Future 15 will be celebrated at the Chamber's Business After Hours event on June 18, 2015 at The Deck on Pere Marquette Beach.
Nominations must be received by Tuesday, May 26, 2015 to be eligible. Please nominate one of your clients, colleagues, friends, or any young professional worthy of recognition.
Click here to Nominate a Young Professional Today!
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W. Michigan Businesses Visit the Capitol
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 Members from the Government Affairs Committee visited Lansing as part of W. Michigan Business Day at the Capitol. Pictured here are (left to right): Bill Lievense of Capitol Group Consultants, Andy Johnston of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Staff Advocacy Coordinator Rachel Stewart, and Ryan Bennett with the West MI Plumbers & Fitters Local #174.
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BENEFIT OF THE MONTH:
Discounted Office Supplies
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 If you're not saving $$ on your office supplies, you should be!
The Chamber partners with Integrity Business Solutions to offer members special EXCLUSIVE benefits such as:
- Discounts on already low-priced office supplies
- Free next day delivery with no minimum order size
- Custom online ordering system
- "No Hassle" return policy
- Local, knowledgeable support representatives
- Online reporting: track budgets, control costs, improve efficiency
This program has no annual or hidden fees. Click here to sign up and start saving $$ today!
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Date: 4.24.15
Time: 7:30 AM - 9 AM
Location: Downtown Muskegon Holiday Inn & Conference Center
Topic: Time for Tourism with Travel Michigan's David West
Cost: $18/member, $225/corporate table of 8
EVENT SPONSORS: Community Foundation for Muskegon County and the Muskegon County Airport
MEMBER CELEBRATION
Workbox Staffing
Date: 5.07.15
Time: 5 - 6 PM
Location: New Workbox Staffing Whitehall Office, 623 East Colby Road
Topic: Join us for the grand opening celebration of Workbox Staffing's new Whitehall Office.
Date: 5.14.15
Time: 1 - 6 PM
Location: Trillium Events, 17246 Van Wagoner Road in Spring Lake
Topic: 15th Annual Lakeshore Business Expo featuring 70+ exhibitors showcasing the best products and services along the Lakeshore
Cost: FREE to attend! A limited number of booths remain
EVENT PARTNER: The Chamber, Grand Haven, Spring Lake & Ferrysburg
EVENT SPONSORS: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Chemical Bank, Comerica Bank, DTE Energy, Staples, Shoreline Vision, Redi Rental, Trillium Events, iHeart Media, Cumulus Radio, and WGHN.
Date: 5.19.15
Time: 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Location: Watermark 920, 930 Washington Street in Downtown Muskegon
Topic: Hear stories from successful area entrepreneurs and find out who will be named the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year!
Cost: $40/member, $395/corporate table of 10, $195/half-table
EVENT SPONSORS: Parmenter O'Toole, Fifth Third Bank, GoodTemps, Hines Corporation and Eagle Alloy
Date: 5.21.15
Time: 3 - 6 PM Ribbon Cutting at 4:30 PM
Location: MOKA Headquarters - 715 Terrace Street in Downtown Muskegon
Topic: Grand opening celebration at the new headquarters for MOKA, a regional leader in the field of disabilities.
REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS CAN BE MADE ONLINE. CLICK HERE.
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Arrive Early! Getting to the venue early gives you the opportunity to compose yourself, collect your name badge, and get your business cards and promotional materials in order. It also gives you the opportunity to strike up conversations early. There is nothing worse than being the last person to turn up to a room full of people already deep in discussion.
Make an Impression.
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