Nominations now being accepted for ATHENA and ATHENA Young Professional Awards
Do you know an outstanding professional who encourages the opening of leadership opportunities for women in the community’s workplaces?
The ATHENA Award recognizes and individual for their business or professional accomplishments, community service, mentoring of women and helping women achieve their full potential. Both women and men are eligible to receive the ATHENA Award.
The ATHENA Young Professional Award has criteria similar to that of the ATHENA Award; but nominees should be emerging leaders who serve as role models, are under 40 years of age and have a minimum of five years professional experience.
Nomination forms are available online at www.grandrapids.org/athena-award-program or by contacting Bridget Meyers at meyersb@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0342. Nominations are due June 1.
The 22nd Annual ATHENA Award Luncheon will be held on September 30, 2010, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
If you are interested in sponsoring this annual event or donating to the ATHENA scholarship fund, contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org.
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Attend the inaugural EPIC Awards on May 19
Celebrate the amazing Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative & Collaborative businesses and individuals throughout our community at the inaugural EPIC Awards!
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 19! Three existing events: the Small Business Celebration, Minority Business Celebration and Salute to West Michigan Business have been combined into one new celebration.
Finalists in each of the five award categories will be recognized and the award recipients will be announced that evening. Click for more information and to see our list of finalists!
Register online or by calling the RSVP hotline at 616.771.0303.
Date | Wednesday, May 19
Time | 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Location | JW Marriott Grand Rapids, 235 Louis NW
Cost | $60/Chamber members, $85/Future members, $750/Corporate Tables of 10
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Your Opinion Matters to the Chamber!
We're always trying to improve and become an even better resource for you -- our members, area businesses and the Grand Rapids community. So, we're asking for some input about how you use the communication tools we produce.
Can you help us by completing a short survey? It will take less than 7 minutes of your time.
Survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/26CZH8X
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Exit Strategies: Guiding the Family Business Through a Critical Transition
Families considering a generational transition of a business draw upon different tools than conventional businesses. Ownership and leader-ship succession planning are critical. This May 11 panel discussion will touch on a multitude of considerations with emphasis on ownership succession. Details…
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Opportunity for New Leaders in the Community: Inside Grand Rapids
The Center for Community Leadership will offer its community orientation program, Inside Grand Rapids, on May 12 – 14, 2010. This program is ideal for leaders new to the community of in new leadership roles who need to gain an understanding of the people, places, and initiatives shaping the future of Grand Rapids. Space is limited, register today! More: www.cclgr.org/programs/insidegr/.
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Better, Faster, Cheaper: The Business Case for Rebuilding Local Government
Visit www.regonline.com/MBGrandRapids for more information.
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May 24 Public Policy Breakfast Hosted by WMCAT
Join us for breakfast and a Q&A session with area elected officials.
Click to register.
Sponsored by: 
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SCORE presents no-cost seminars & business counseling to celebrate National Small Business Week
Join SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, for a morning of informative seminars covering innovation, building your business and more on May 24 at Celebration Cinema South. Event also includes an expo and the opportunity to sign up for free business counseling through the organization. Visit www.scoregr.org/ for more information.
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Health Care Passed, Now What?
Join the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care Committee for a special meeting with Robert Hughes of Advantage Benefits Group and congressional representatives to discuss the new health care legislation and what it means for you and your business.
Date | Tuesday, May 25
Time | 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Location | Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, Bridgewater Place
333 Bridge Street NW, 17th Floor
Cost | Free to attend
Click for details…
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FYI Session - 2010 Roth Individual Retirement Account Conversion Opportunities
2010 is unique in terms on conversion rules for IRAs. Molly Tupper-Chelovich, Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch, will share important info regarding Roth IRA conversion opportunities for 2010, including diversification strategies, estate planning and tax benefits. Hear the facts and bring your questions to this FREE "FYI Session" held over the lunch hour!
Date | Thursday, June 3
Time | Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Location | Chamber offices, 111 Pearl Street NW
Cost | FREE, bring your lunch, beverages will be provided
RSVP to this event by calling 616.771.0303.
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2010 Minority Summer Intern Reception
The Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP) and friends will roll out the red carpet to welcome summer interns of color to Grand Rapids. The annual reception provides interns a warm welcome and introduction to Grand Rapids, as well as the opportunity to connect to other interns, professionals of color and business leaders throughout West Michigan.
Thursday, June 10
Time | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location | The Grand River Ballroom, Bridgewater Place, 333 Bridge Street NW
Cost | FREE, pre-registration by June 7.
Register | Email events@grandrapids.org
Sponsorships range from $250 – $500. Contact Leslee Fritz for details at 616.771.0357.
Visit www.grandrapids.org/intern-reception for additional details.
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Calling All Golfers, Networkers & Networking Golfers!
Join us Tuesday, June 15 at Egypt Valley Country Club for The Chamber Open, a day of great fun, networking and golf! Gather your clients, customers or co-workers to round out your foursome and play this 18-hole scramble. Or, register as a single golfer and make new friends!
Chamber member companies will be receiving the postcard invitation in the mail this week but if you are ready to register or want more information visit www.grandrapids.org/the-chamber-open. Cost to play is $150/person or $600/foursome and includes18 holes green fees, cart rental, two meals and door prize ticket.
Want to be a part of the action without picking up a club? Be a sponsor and interact with the golfers all day long! We are also looking for companies that want to donate items for the golfer bags, door prizes and raffle items. General questions can be directed to Bridget Meyers at 616.771.0342 or meyersb@grandrapids.org. For sponsorship information and opportunities, contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org.
Date | Tuesday, June 15
Time | 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration, 9:00 a.m. Shotgun start
Location | Egypt Valley Country Club, 7333 Knapp St. NE
Cost | $150/person, $600/foursome
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Deadline Approaching for Leadership Grand Rapids applications
Applications are available for the 2011 class of Leadership Grand Rapids, the signature program of the Center for Community Leadership, and are due May 7, 2010. Leaders throughout the community are encouraged to apply for this nine-session community leadership development opportunity. The selected class will be announced in July, and will meet once a month from September 2010 – May 2011. Applications and more information are available online.
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New Leadership Program for Young Professionals Announced
The Center for Community Leadership is pleased to announce the addition of the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) to its portfolio of programs. Twenty-five young professionals will be selected to participate in the program that will offer leadership development, conversations with key community leaders, insights into innovative initiatives, and a complete board service training program over four half-day sessions. Young professionals are encouraged to apply for the program by May 28, 2010.
Program dates and more details can be found online at www.cclgr.org/programs/emergingleadersseries/.
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Family Business Alliance offers internship program to next-generation college students
Visit www.fbagr.org for more information.
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