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Nominations open for ATHENA Award and ATHENA Young Professional Award through May 27
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, and mentoring to help women achieve their full potential. Both women and men are eligible to receive the ATHENA Award.
ATHENA Young Professional Award has criteria similar to that of the ATHENA Award; the differences being that the recipient is an emerging leader role model who must be 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 Ashley Abbott at abbotta@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0341. The 23rd Annual ATHENA Awards will be held on September 14, 2011, 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 scholarship fund, contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org.
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Kent County Legislators invite you to a Michigan Education Forum
Join elected officials for an open discussion of Michigan's budget crisis, Governor Snyder's Budget Proposal, and what it all means for education. It is vital that members of the business community be involved in these discussions, and attending this Forum is a great place to start.
Date | Monday, May 8
Time | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location | V.F.W. Flat River Post 8303, 3116 Alden Nash SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Special Guest Moderator:
Suzanne Geha, Former WOOD-TV 8 Anchor
Legislative Panelists:
State Senator David Hildenbrand
State Senator Mark Jansen
State Representative David Agema
State Representative Brandon Dillon
State Representative Thomas Hooker
State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons
State Representative Pete MacGregor
State Representative Roy Schmidt
State Representative Ken Yonker
For more Information, please contact Jessica Scalabrino in the Office of State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons at 517.373.0846.
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18 Finalists…6 Awards…1 Great Night! Attend the EPIC Awards on May 18
Celebrate businesses and individuals that are Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 18 for the EPIC Awards! Finalists in each of the six award categories will be honored and the recipient announced that evening!
Visit www.grandrapids.org/epic-awards 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 18
Time | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Place | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Cost | $60/Chamber members, $85/future members, $750/Corporate Tables of 10
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Upcoming Events & Programs
“Connection” Lunch for New Employees of Color is May 10
The “New Employee Connection” lunch is ideal for employees of color that have recently relocated to the Grand Rapids area. While enjoying a casual lunch, a minimum of five professionals of color will share what they think is great about Grand Rapids and where to locate personal services, food and entertainment that caters to specific racial and ethnic communities. Luncheons are offered quarterly and can be arranged upon request.
Date | Tuesday, May 10
Time | Noon – 1 p.m.
Location | Bistro Bella Vita, 44 Grandville Ave. SW
Fee | $100 (includes a $50 MAP membership), complimentary for MAP Corporate members
Register | Contact Farris Withers, 616.771.0320 or withersf@grandrapids.org.
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Breakfast with Legislators is Monday, May 23 at MSU College of Human Medicine
This is your opportunity to engage your lawmakers in one-on-one dialogue on the issues that concern your business. Public Policy Breakfasts are some of the Chamber’s most anticipated events because of the direct access to elected officials and valuable networking opportunities.
Date | Monday, May 23
Time | 7:30 – 9 a.m.
Location | Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 15 Michigan St. NE
Cost | $15/person
To register, contact Contact Chris Glass at 616.771.0311 or glassc@grandrapids.org.
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Annual Minority Intern Reception is June 1
Want to enhance your talent pipeline efforts? Let MAP assist you! The Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP) will host the annual reception for interns of color on June 1, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The reception assists employers to connect minority interns to one another and to a community of diverse professionals.
To register, contact Farris Withers at withersf@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0320. Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available. Contact Leslee Fritz at fritzl@grandrapids.org for sponsorship information.
Date | Wednesday, June 1
Time | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location | Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 15 Michigan St. NE
Cost | No cost
To register, email diversity@grandrapids.org. For additional information, visit www.grandrapids.org/intern-reception.
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Want to take a trip? Join us for an info session about our November trip to Thailand and Hong Kong
Learn more about our exotic trip to Thailand and Hong Kong that includes transportation, meals and a personal tour guide! Come to an informational session in June to learn more about this incredible tour, which will be November 3-11.
Visit www.grandrapids.org/travel or call 616.771.0300 for more information.
Info session
Date | Wednesday, June 8
Time | 5:30 p.m.
Location | Chamber office, 111 Pearl St. NW
There is no cost to attend, but please call 616.771.0300 to let us know you’re coming!
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Calling All Golfers!
Join us Tuesday, June 14th at Watermark Country Club for a day of great fun, networking and golf! Gather your clients, customers or co-workers to round out your foursome and play in this 18-hole scramble. Or, register as a single golfer and make new friends! This year’s outing features two shotgun starts – morning and afternoon.
Chamber member companies will be receiving a postcard invitation in the mail soon, 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 includes the18 holes green fee, cart rental, meals and a 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 Wes Trimpe at 616.771.0342 or trimpew@grandrapids.org. For sponsorship information and opportunities, contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357 or fritzl@grandrapids.org.
Date | Tuesday, June 14
Time | 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. shotgun starts with lunch between
Location | Watermark Country Club
Cost | $150 individual golfer/$600 foursome
Registration | Call the RSVP Hotline at 616.771.0303 or visit www.grandrapids.org/the-chamber-open
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