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My Business Advocate
Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses
Business 'n Books Days Selection for 2010 Addresses Childhood Obesity
Why this topic, why now? you view his illustrations you will be American children's diet has
By Kathey Batey amazed that he is a senior in high
become a top concern for our
school. It was a privilege to work
with this talented student this year, nation.
For the topic of the children’s book
this year, I looked for a subject that and much credit to his art teacher, “C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
was relevant to the children of our Liz Duffield for her direction and National Poll on Children’s Health
community. encouragement. Remember his name, lists parents’ top 10 health
you will see him again. concerns for 2009; show that more
There are several vital issues that adults worry about children’s
involve our children during these This topic, at this time is more obesity as the top health concern.
trying times, but one stands out important than we realize. I cannot wait Blacks and Hispanics rank obesity
above the rest. Childhood Obesity. to see I Can Eat Fuzzy Caterpillars, but as top child health concern for first
The statistics are staggering. I don’t! read in over 70 second grade time.
classrooms throughout our community
Add to that children’s lack of physical during Business & Books Days Public concern about childhood
exercise and we have a medical March 22-26th. We will discuss the obesity continues to outrank all
disaster waiting to happen. We can be importance of reading from business other health problems as the No. 1
ignorant no longer. What difference men and women, but we will also be concern for children in the United
can you have with one book and giving a vital message to our youth States.
one topic? If you make if fun, a bit about valuing their bodies.
ridiculous, with a practical thought to Forty-two percent of U.S. adults
imprint in the children to start them How wonderful to have a chamber of rate childhood obesity as a big
thinking for themselves about what commerce that is so well rounded to problem. In 2008, 35 percent of
they are eating. If I can impress the have a community relations component adults rated childhood obesity as
thought of being careful about what to affect our community through the the top overall health concern for
we put in our mouths, to truly stop children. I am so proud to be a part children. In 2007, it was ranked
and think about it, it can and will of Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber No. 3”.
make a difference. Would you put a of Commerce and all of the amazing
fuzzy caterpillar into your mouth? things we do. You need this component US Surgeon General's warning
Then why would we put the damaging for your business, for the practical on Childhood obesity
things into our bodies that we do? side of business, but also a place you
can contribute into your community. Today, 12.5 million children are
The brilliance of Danny Jimenez Contact sue@southkent.org to be a part overweight in the United States—
truly brings this book to life. When of this worthwhile program. more than 17 percent. Overweight
children are at greater risk for
many serious health problems.
Coming Events The US Surgeon General promotes
the importance of healthy eating
and physical activity at a young
Chamber After Hours - Hyatt Hotel, Wyoming 2/11 age to help prevent overweight and
Speednetworking - Metro South Multi Chamber - Cutlerville 2/12 obesity in this country.
3rd Fridays Networking Luncheon 2/19
Chamber After Hours - Location TBD 3/11 To ensure a healthy future for
Business 'n Books Days (Volunteer to Read) 3/22-26 America's children, we must—
Kentwood Career Expo and Sport of Words Speech Contest 4/14 • Help Kids Stay Active
• Encourage Healthy Eating Habits
• Promote Healthy Choices
Calendars on Pages 6 & 7
Obesity causes diseases such as
Log on to www.southkent.org for details.
diabetes, heart disease and some
forms of cancer.
YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
2010 Board of Directors Opinion by John
*indicates Executive Committee Member
February 2010
*John Crawford - President & CEO By John J. Crawford, Jr.
*Norine Mulvihill - American Diabetes Association, President & CEO
Board Chair
*Todd Duncan - Consumers Energy, Past Chair Awards Highlight Annual Meeting
*Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited The Chamber's 29th Annual Meeting was a great way to put the
spotlight on some deserving Members for their successes and their
Presentations, Senior Vice Chair
contributions to the Community and Chamber.
*Matt Uhl - National City Bank
*Danna Mathiesen - Mercantile Bank Businesses of the Year
*David Szidik - Proforma Infinite Marketing The Chamber honored three businesses as examples of good
TBD - Legal Counsel business practices with its annual Businesses of the Year Awards.
TBD - Chair, Fin. & Budget Signworks of Michigan was named the best Manufacturer of the
Year. Ann and Todd Frass operate their sign business from their
Community Relations Division (Blue) location in Kentwood near the G R Ford Airport and are a husband-
*Kathey Batey - Sr. Vice Chair wife team committed to excellence in customer service.
Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille Grand Buick earned the outstanding Retail Business of the
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Year. The Koning family owns and operates the auto dealership
Carter as part of the Grand Auto Family. They were nominated by one
John Schwartz - AT&T of their customers and Chamber Board member for extraordinary
Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk,. customer service and for tremendous employee teamwork during an
PLC unusually harsh climate for new car sales.
Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services Winning recognition as the Service Business of the Year was
Celebration Cinema. Steve VanWagoner and Betsy Artz were on
Member Relations Division (Red)
hand to accept the award, with VanWagoner doing a near-perfect
*Matt Uhl - Vice Chair Bill Clinton impression. Part of Loeks Theaters, the company was
Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema) honored for its level of community support and its assistance to the
Skip Knapp - EdwardJones Investments Chamber this past year.
Tom Kruisenga - The Kruisenga Agency
Volunteer of the Year honors went to Amanda Lewis from
gNetworks, who has been very busy on four of the Chambers
Membership Development Division (Gold)
committees and projects. She is Chairing the Chamber
*Danna Mathiesen - Vice Chair Ambassadors and the Business Growth Committees this coming
Bob O'Callaghan - Citadel Broadcasting year.
Joel Iakiri - Business Interconnect Group, LLC
The Committee of the Year last year was the 3rd Fridays!
Financial Development Division (Green) Exchange Luncheon Planning Committee. Under the leadership
of Lisa O'Callaghan from Citadel Broadcasting and then Linda
*David Szidik - Vice Chair
Singer from the MI Lake to Lake Bed & Breakfast Assn, the
Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd committee continued to post impressive performances with great
Carol Crawford - The Alternative Board networking events every month.
Dan Van Dyke - PDS Group LTD
Denise Hughes - D2 Marketing Thanks to All
Rob Wells - Vantage Pointe Financial It's difficult to adequately acknowledge everyone that should be
Thanked at an evening function of a Volunteer-based organization
like the Chamber. Every one of you - from Board Members to
Ex-Officio
the newest member of any committee - played a critical role in the
Jack Poll - City of Wyoming, Mayor Chamber's performance. Thanks so much for all that you do!
Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor
Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager A couple individuals deserving special praise are Steve Marshall
Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair from MAS Advisory Service for his role as the leader of our Finance
Committee the past two years. Steve was diligent in helping
My Business Advocate, engineer the budget in some of our most challenging times.
Copyright 2010 Another member deserving huge kudos is Rick Sturim from
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Steve's Antique Auto Repair. Rick's been committed to the 28th
590 - 32nd Street SE Street Metro Cruise® since its inception and provided his valuable
Wyoming, MI 49548-2345
leadership as Chair of the Committee last year. The Cruise is
Tel: 616-531-5990
Fax: 616-531-0252 the largest effort by the Chamber and arguably has the most
Newsletter/Advert Information: sue@southkent.org significant impact in our community of any Chamber project.
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February 2010
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Noon 2 4p 3 8:15 a 4 8a 5 6
Gov Matters at Ambassadors Chamber P.A.C.
the Chamber Foundation
2:30 p
Golf Outing
Committee
14 15 16 9 am 17 10 a, 18 9a
11:30 a-1 p
193rd 20
Communications Finance Fridays!
Business
Committee 11:30 a, @ Applause!
Growth
@ the Chamber Executive 1p
11:30 a
Committee Chamber
Community
Partners
Roundtable @
MARCH
Brann's
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
21 22 23 24 25 7:30 a 26 27
CEO Exchange
10 a
3rd Fri!
Comm
11:30 a
Board Mtg @
Brann's
28
Chamber Office Hours
Monday -Thursday
8am - 5pm
Closed Friday
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 2010
Sun
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Noon 2 4p 3 8:15 a 4 8a 5 6
Gov Matters at Chamber P.A.C.
Ambassadors
the Chamber Foundation
4p
Education
Comm @
Celebration
South
7 8 8a 9 10 11 5-7 p 12 13
Gov Matters at Chamber After
Wyoming Hours
City Hall
14 15 16 9 am 17 10 a, 18 9a 1911:30 a-1 p 20
Communications Finance Business 3rd Fridays!
Committee 11:30 a, Growth @ Applause
@ the Chamber Executive 11:30 a 1p
Committee Community Chamber
Roundtable @ Partners
Brann's APRIL
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
21 22 23 24 25 7:30 a 26 27
CEO Exchange
10 a
3rd Fri! Comm
11:30 a
Board Mtg @
Brann's
• Hudsonville,
• Grandville-Jenison,
• Wyoming-Kentwood,
• Byron Center,
• Cutlerville-Gaines
Join us on Friday, February 12 at Want to protect against getting whacked with an unexpected
Crossroads Banquet Center, 6569 I.R.S debt, hit with a lawsuit from a disgruntled employee or
Clay Avenue SW, as the Cutlerville- client, and ensure that your family and your business are taken
Gaines Chamber of Commerce hosts care of if something should happen to you?
Speed Networking beginning at 7:30
am. “I’ll Give You A $1,250 Legal,
Speed Networking is a tool for groups
or people wishing to meet, exchange
Insurance, Financial And Tax
ideas and expand their networking
circles. Participants in the program
Business Review - For FREE”
engage in some 20 five-minute,
face-to-face, conversations with
like-minded individuals in "musical
Michael Lichterman
chairs" fashion. Creative Business LawyerTM
Bring plenty of business cards and LICHTERMAN LAW, PLC
be prepared to give a 1 minute Grand Rapids, MI
commercial on your product or
service. When registering, please
complete address, phone and e-mail.
Here is what you’ll discover...
We will need for those for future
communication. We meet bi-monthly. x Whether your business is structured for maximum tax savings and
personal liability protection. (If not, you could be spending extra
Agenda $$ every year & leaving yourself at unnecessary risk.)
7:30 am - 8:00 am -
x The business and personal insurance you MUST have in place for
Informal Networking
your security and peace of mind. (Most business owners are putting
8:00 am - 9:00 am - their business and family at risk by not having the right insurance and
Speed Networking many are paying for insurance they don’t need. What about you?)
Upcoming Dates x Whether your legal agreements are going to hold up when you
(The 2nd Friday of even-numbered need them. (Without the right agreements in place, disagreements,
months except in April when we will lawsuits and loss of revenue are not a matter of “if” but “when.”)
meet on the 3rd Friday.)
x Whether your financial systems are in place and protecting you
2010 Schedule from a major loss. (If they’re not you have a ticking time bomb
February 12 - Cutlerville-Gaines & ready to go off inside your business.)
Byron Center Chambers
You will leave our meeting with a customized 14 page document that
April 16 - Hudsonville (3rd Friday) will give you more clarity about your business than you have ever
June 11 - Wyoming-Kentwood had before. You will know where the holes are in you legal insurance,
August 13 - Grandville- Jenison financial and tax foundation and how to fill them. You will leave with a
October 15 - Cutlerville-Gaines & deeper sense of peace of mind—guaranteed.
Byron Center Chambers
I have blocked off time this month for 10 of these business reviews. To
December 10 - Hudsonville
secure your appointment, call 616-827-7596 and tell Paula “I would like
to schedule the FREE L.I.F.T Business Review I read about in My Business
Advocate. Call now to avoid missing this opportunity.
Jump Start for Stalled
Business Lenders
A program included in the
February 2008 stimulus package
to help banks increase lending
to small businesses and spur Chamber After Hours
job growth is being pressured Ambassador
by President Obama to begin The First Chamber Spotlight
soon. In the program, the Small After Hours in 2010
Business Administration (SBA) will be held on Casey
will guarantee up to $3 billion in Thursday, February Jankoska
504 loans sold into the secondary 11th from 5pm-
market. 7pm at the Hyatt Client Relationship Manager at
Place in Wyoming. Express Employment
These loans give small businesses
This event is always FREE to Professionals, Casey has been
financing that is more favorable
attend! It's your chance to network involved with the Wyoming-
than traditional business loans
with other members and not-yet Kentwood Area Chamber of
when investing in fixed assets
members. Catch up with friends Commerce for 6 years, serving
like property or machinery. The
after the holidays and make new as both chair and co-chair of
program will protect investors
friends and business contacts. various committees, including
who bought the loans from primary
lenders if borrowers fail to pay. most recently, chair for the 2009
You may choose to promote your
The SBA expects the program to Chamber Ambassadors.
business with a showcase table for
start soon; however, they don't only $35. Contact julie@southkent. Express Employment
currently have a set date. org. Professionals is the bridge between
BusinessWeek.com - Jan. 8, 2010
people looking for good jobs
Chamber Connections and companies looking for good
Join us to learn how your people. This business has been in
Manual Typewriters membership with the Chamber the Kentwood/Wyoming area for
for Nicaragua benefits your business, and how the past 14 years. Express is a
franchise, where clients get to enjoy
to maximize the return on your
We recently received a request investment in the Chamber. working with the local owner and
from Sharon Brinks from Brinks operator, but also have access to
& Associates, PC. Sharon returned February 11, 2010 4:30pm at The the resources and experts at the
from Nicaragua in September where Hyatt Place - RSVP by February 8. international franchisor. If you are
she has worked for over 10 years as a company looking for top talent,
February 19, 2010 11:00am at
a North American Coordinator to a please give Casey a call at 616-281-
Applause* - RSVP by 2/15/2010
partnership with attorneys providing 0611.
*Lunch at the 3rd Friday's!
legal assistance to the poor.
Networking Luncheon immediately
Over a dozen "Houses of Justice" following is included. Please contact
operate on a budget of less than julie@southkent.org or call 616-
$100 per month. The services they 531-5990 to register.
provide are crucial and very much By Lisa Calhoun, Chamber Ambassador
needed. Sharon shared some of the Director of Sales
stories and she'll be glad to share Hilton Grand Rapids Airport
them with you. 616-957-0100 x 7533
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For You,
Many of the areas these attorneys
work in areas without electricity and
and
Amanda Lewis, Chamber Ambassador
Your Employees and
are in need of manual typewriters. Co-Owner, Their Families!
If you have one you'd like to donate, eTools/Framework Sites
contact Sharon Brinks at 616-656- 616-451-2335 Contact janine@southkent.
1090 or email her at brinks.law. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. org for plan pricing and work
firm@prodigy.net. Find her on the and residential eligibility
web at www.brinkslawfirm.com requirements.
Join us on the 3rd Fridays! Luncheon for lunch by any representative
know it is the best of your company. Miss up to 3
3rd Friday each
monthly networking lunches in 12 months and still
month January bargain around. And they save!
through March at know that networking is
more effective when it is Add a Showcase Table
consistently done. anytime. It's simple to add
a showcase table to your
In the spirit of helping lunch admission pass. Just
our businesses grow their call or email the Chamber
bottom line, the Chamber and let them know you'd like
is offering a 3rd Fridays! to pay $35 to showcase your
The 3rd Fridays! Networking Annual Pass for only business with your paid lunch.
Luncheon is on the move again. $126.00. That's a 25% savings
Join us on Friday, January 15, off the monthly early registration
for our first networking event at charge for lunch and it guarantees
Applause Banquet Center located your automatic reservations at the
at 2728 Birchcrest Dr SE, behind next 12 consecutive 3rd Fridays!
Frequent
Pietro's on 28th Street, just west Luncheons. Networking
of Breton. Cost is still only $15
for early member registration. Be Contact us if you can't attend. No is
sure to register before noon on need to call ahead or forgetting to
register on time to beat the early Good
Tuesday, January 12 and save.
registration deadline. We'll only Business!
Annual Pass Saves Networking need to know if you can't make it.
Dollars. Members taking Can't always make the luncheon?
advantage of the monthly The pass is issued in YOUR
networking opportunities at our COMPANY NAME and may be used
Member Spotlight Renewing Members
Board Executives meet monthly and select the
outstanding volunteer and Committee for their • Bubble Magic Laundry • Michigan Lake to Lake Bed &
effort and results on behalf of WKACC. • Byron Bank Breakfast Assoc.
• D2 Marketing • Mini Storage Depot
January Volunteer • NAI West Michigan
• Disabled American Veterans
of the Month • Pheasant Ridge Apartments
• Draftsmen, Inc
• Duthler Truck Center, Inc • Precision Property Management
Judi Holland from Chameleon Ltd • Servpro
• Fruit Basket Flowerland
has been selected as our January • Silver Bullet Firearms &
• Holy Name of Jesus
Volunteer of the Month. Judi worked Training Center
Elementary School
on the Annual Meeting and Silent • Sunhill America, LLC
• ITP (The Rapid)
Auction Committee again this year. • Total Quality, Inc
• Mary Kay Cosmetics –
She has worked on this event for • Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk,
Whitesell
several year now. In addition, she PLC
• Michigan Building &
volunteers as a Chamber Ambassador • William F. Idema
Mechanical
and works on our Chamber After • YMCA of Grand Rapids
Hours Projects with that group.
Judi is married to Brent Holland, one
of the members of our 2010 Board of
Welcome New Members
Directors. Chameleon Ltd has been Clear Channel Radio, Tim Harold Mast Consulting, LLC,
a member of the Chamber since 2000 Feagan - (616) 459-1919 Harold Mast - (616) 262-7268
and both Judi and Brent are very
active volunteers in many different Cindy Summers, Cindy Local First, Elissa Hillary - (616)
capacities. Summers - (616) 884-0888 808-3788
Congratulations to Judi on this very
Fifth Third Bank - Business
well deserved award, and thank you to
Banking Group, Michael Hay
the entire Annual Meeting Committee
- (616) 653-5089
for a wonderful event in January.
January Committee
of the Month WKACC Board Chair Appointed to KCHD
Your Chamber Ambassadors Health Advisory Committee
received the nod from the Executive
Committee as Committee of the 2010 Board Chair, Norine Mulvihill with the American
Month in January. Diabetes Association, has recently been appointed to a seat
with the Kent County Health Department's Health Advisory
Working with Amanda Lewis from Committee. Congratulations Norine.
gNetworks/Framework Sites, in
the Lead role, this committee has
begun working on an Orientation
Program for new members which is
expected to debut on February 19
and is restructuring their Member
Call procedures to make them more
efficient and effective.
Chamber Ambassadors are our
Chamber Members direct link
to information about Chamber
programs and events. Your Ambassador
can help you tie into the business
community and direct you to events
and programs that can help you
grow your business. Make sure
you get to know your Chamber
Ambassador.
See You At The Movies!
Join us on February 13 for one of two showtimes!