Business Exchange 2010-11 Season starts September 9!
The Business Exchange Luncheon 2010-2011 season has kicks off next week! Networking is the name of the game at the Chamber’s monthly Business Exchange Luncheons, our #1 networking event. Business Exchange provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to showcase their business, promote products, and let others know how you can serve their business needs.
Where else can you network with more than 100 people in one room? Bring plenty of business cards and get ready to make a lot of new connections. The first luncheon of the new season is next week, so register TODAY!
Date | Thursday, September 9
Time | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location | Western Michigan University, Downtown Campus
200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids
Cost | $18/member early registration, $23/member after 5 p.m. Sept. 3. $23/future member (can only attend once).
Register online or by calling 616.771.0303.
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September 30 is 21st Annual ATHENA Award Luncheon
Join us on Thursday, September 30 as we celebrate the 21st Annual ATHENA Award Luncheon in Grand Rapids. Marsha D. Rappley, M.D., Dean of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University will be honored as the 2010 ATHENA Award Recipient. The 2010 ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient will also be named at the Luncheon.
To attend this inspirational event, make your reservation at 616.771.0303 or visit www.grandrapids.org/athena.
Sponsorships are still available! Contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org for sponsorship information.
Date | Thursday, September 30
Time | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location | Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Ambassador Ballroom
Cost | $50/Chamber members, $75/future members, $700 Corporate tables of ten
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Register to attend the 2010 West Michigan Policy Forum, September 16 & 17
Forum topics to include:
Michigan's Recovery
Education: Cradle Through Career
State Budget and Spending Priorities
Infrastructure & Trade
Taxing Michigan
Health Care
And much more!
Location | DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom
Cost | $575/members
$750/ future members
Register at www.grandrapids.org/wmpf-registration.
Visit, www.grandrapids.org/wmpf to view the agenda!
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Sign up for the CEO Roundtable Program
As the CEO, President, Partner or Owner you are able chose from the following types of CEO Roundtables: Original (mix of industries), Family-owned, Non-profit or Manufacturing. If you are a senior level manager, you can be involved in the CEO Roundtable program by taking advantage of one our specialized Roundtables: Sales, Marketing or Finance. Roundtables meet once a month and have 10-13 participants, cost is $60 per year.
Deadline for new participants was Friday, September 3, but limited space is available! Applications and more information available at http://www.grandrapids.org/ceo-roundtable-program or by contacting Bridget Meyers at meyersb@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0342.
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Experience ArtPrize: Graffiti Crawl
The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP), Center for Community Leadership (CCL) and Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions (BL²END), invite young professionals to Experience ArtPrize through a Graffiti Crawl!
The Graffiti Crawl will kick-off at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 23 at the Bite/Ottawa Tavern where you’ll be given an official graffiti crawl t-shirt and a marker to create wearable art on yourself and others! Participants will crawl as a group to three ArtPrize venues – The B.O.B., Stella's Lounge, and McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, where they’ll receive drink specials exclusive to graffiti crawl participants. We’ll wrap up the event with our own ArtPrize competition as we recognize the best artwork created on the graffiti t-shirts.
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to socialize, network, and view the art displayed at some of Grand Rapids’ favorite local establishments!
Date | Thursday, September 23
Time | 5:15 p.m.
Locations | Bite/Ottawa Tavern (check-in location), 151 Ottawa Ave. NW
The B.O.B, Stella's Lounge, McFadden's Restaurant & Saloon
Cost | $5 at the door (cash only)
Register for the Graffiti Crawl at www.grnow.com. Questions? Call 616.771.0303 or email events@grandrapids.org.
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Meet the Board. Meet the Artists. ArtPrize Open House!
ArtPrize buzz is in the air. Join the Chamber Board of Directors for an ArtPrize Open House for networking, conversation and to see the ArtPrize entries we have on view. You can also meet the artists who have created these incredible custom works.
Date | Tuesday, September 28
Time | 5 – 7 p.m.
Location | Chamber Office, 111 Pearl Street NW
Cost | No cost & you can enter to win a 42” inch Plasma-HD TV from Comcast!
To attend, please RSVP at 616.771.0303.
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Register your new hires to attend “Welcome Home: A Reception Connecting Newcomers to Grand Rapids”
The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau are hosting a very special reception to welcome new employees to our grand community.
This event is intended to help professionals who are new to our area connect with those who already know the joys of being a Grand Rapidian. Our time together will include drinks, light hors d'oeuvres from Tavern on the Square and networking with friends old and new.
Date | Wednesday, September 29
Time | 4:35 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location | Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 185 Oakes Street SW
Cost | FREE
Parking | Available in the Ellis Lot, City Parking Lots Area 3 and Area 5.
To register, contact Jonse Young at 616.454.1751 x108. A ticket is required to attend the event.
Additional information is available at www.grandrapids.org/map.
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Secure Your Booth (Retail or Food) for Taste of the Chamber 2010
Taste of the Chamber 2010 is set for Monday, October 18. It’s everything you could ever want in a networking event: friendly folks who want to do business and tasty sample-size food that you can enjoy all evening long! We expect around 35 businesses will participate in this event, which is at the DeltaPlex Arena & Conference Center from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Considering having a booth – food OR retail!
FOOD BOOTH: Cost is $65. We ask that you prepare 300 ‘taste’ size samples for attendees. If you will be cooking food onsite, you will need a license from the Kent County Health Department.
RETAIL BOOTHS: Cost is $95. New for 2010, we welcome Chamber member retailers to showcase their offerings. We welcome cash and carry, but you must supply your own method of payment (i.e. credit card machine).
Download the exhibitor registration form at http://www.grandrapids.org/taste-of-the-chamber for more booth specifics. Questions regarding exhibitors? Contact Bridget Meyers at 616.771.0342 or meyersb@grandrapids.org.
Not a restaurant, caterer or retail and want to have a booth? Sponsor the event! Contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org.
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Sept. 10 “Fashion’s Night Out” Features Chamber Members!
Want to go shopping? For some of us the answer is always 'yes,’ but for many in West Michigan times are tough and every dollar counts. So on September 10, “Fashion's Night Out” will celebrate local fashion and the businesses that create it while aiming to restore consumer confidence, boost the local economy, and put some excitement back into shopping.
On September 10th, 12 Chamber member retailers and restaurants, along with nearly 50 other fashion and food-oriented businesses around Grand Rapids, will keep their doors open until 11:00 pm. Restaurants will be staying open until even later to keep the party going. During these extended hours the stores will create a party-like atmosphere within their retail space to give consumers an extra reason to enjoy the evening.
Please be sure to visit the following participating Chamber member businesses during the event:
AK Rikk’s/AKA @ 38
Bar Divani
Bistro Bella Vita
Crescent Street Floral
Groskopf’s Luggage & Gifts
JW Marriott Grand Rapids
Lamb
Leigh’s
Metal Art Studio Fine Jewelry
Renee Austin Wedding/Boutique
The BOB
The Winchester
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Register Today: Inside Grand Rapids Fall 2010
Do you have employees who need to plug in to the community to more effectively represent your company?
Inside Grand Rapids is a convenient 2 1/2 day community orientation program perfect for new leaders in the community, recently promoted individuals who require a better understanding of the community, or anyone who desires to successfully engage in Grand Rapids.
Participants gain comprehensive knowledge of key issues through interaction with community leaders, while networking with a diverse group of professionals. The spring session will take place on October 6-8, 2010.
Participants leave the program with a thorough understanding of how our community works, and the role your company can play in Grand Rapids. Space is limited - visit our website to learn more or register today
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Concerned about climate change and how it will impact Michigan?
The economic and environmental health of Michigan and communities across the Midwest are threatened by climate disruption. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, many communities have some climate mitigation policies but more must be done. Future Cities: Climate Strategies for Sustainable Communities, presented by GreenTown: The Future of Community, will host mayors from across Michigan to identify and implement the needed steps to mitigate climate disruption and the rising threat to Michigan's economy.
Click here to read more and to find out how you can attend the event on Friday, September 10 at Grand Valley State University's Eberhard Center.
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