Features
Diversity Visionary Award nominations due December 17
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 Diversity Visionary Award! Nominate a deserving person or organization today. Established in 2003, the Diversity Visionary Award celebrates a person’s or organization’s exemplary leadership, accomplishments, and sustained commitment to foster the inclusion of diversity.
Anyone can make a nomination! If you believe a person or company is deserving of this recognition, complete and send the brief nomination form by December 17. The nominee will then receive a packet of information to complete if they wish to compete for the award. Self nominations will be accepted as well.
Visit www.grandrapids.org/visionaryaward or email diversity@grandrapids.org for a nomination form.
The Diversity Visionary Award is celebrated every other year. Past recipients include:
- Robert Woodrick, 2003
- James Hackett, 2005
- Cascade Engineering, 2007
- Warner Norcross & Judd, 2009
The 2011 Diversity Visionary Award recipient will be honored at a dinner event on March 29, 2011 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this inspiring celebration!
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“Managing Your Message: A Panel Discussion” is last Chamber U of 2010
A panel of three Chamber member experts will share what they are doing to manage their message. Areas covered include:
• Redefining your message
• Branding
• Social media marketing
• Tapping into new multicultural/diverse markets
• And More!
Panelists:
Roberta King, Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Rhonda Lubberts, Grand Valley State University
Kateri Johnson, Cortexx Salon
Date | Wednesday, December 15
Time | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Location | The Rapid Central Station, 2nd floor, 300 Ellsworth Ave. SE
Cost | $20/Chamber members, $35/future members, includes continental breakfast
RSVP to this event by calling 616.771.0303 or www.grandrapids.org/chamber-university.
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Enhance your company’s public profile with sponsorship
From Chamber events to programming, we have a variety of ways for you to showcase your business and support the Chamber’s goals through your sponsorship.
Advantages of sponsorship are many. Not only do you help the Chamber bring quality programming to all our members, but your company receives recognition and shares your message with nearly 2,800 Chamber member companies that represent 175,000 employees in the Grand Rapids area.
Click here for more information or contact Leslee Fritz at 616.771.0357.
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Upcoming Events & Programs
FYI Session: “The Ideal Client and Referrals: Gateways to Success”
Are you attracting the right business and continually adding to your customer base? Referral business is the best business, next to repeat business! Michael Hillsey of Successful Pathways and Cindy Hillsey of Virtual Partnering will share their expertise for success. FREE for Chamber members!
Take-aways include:
• Discuss the difference between Ideal Client, Target Market, and Niche Market
• Why the Ideal Client is important to your business
• How discovering the Ideal Client can facilitate and improve your marketing
• Discover the difference between active referral gathering and incidental referral gathering
• How the Ideal Client can help you generate referrals
• Methods for generating referrals
Date | Tuesday, December 14
Time | 8 - 10 a.m.
Location | Chamber offices, 111 Pearl Street NW
Cost | FREE, RSVP by calling 616.771.0303
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Business After Hours is Dec. 20
Thanks to host GRAM and sponsor Universal Forest Products, Chamber Members will be able to enjoy the “Diana” exhibition at no charge. In addition, join in showing your appreciation for our federal elected officials and their staff at a reception sponsored by Amway. Click here to learn more
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Watch your mail for the Chamber’s 123rd Annual Meeting Invitation!
Invitations are in the mail to all Chamber member companies for the 123rd Annual Meeting that will be held on January 18. Highlights of the meeting will include:
• A look at what’s ahead for the Chamber in 2011
• The installation of Meg Goebel, President of Paul Goebel Group, as chairperson of the Chamber’s 2011 Board of Directors.
• Keynote speaker Barbara Corcoran on “How to Build a Business Using Innovation, Branding, Leadership & Guts.”
Click here for more information or to register. Questions? Contact Bridget Meyers at meyersb@grandrapids.org.
Show your support of this event and the business community by attending or sponsoring. Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event starting at $250. Contact Leslee Fritz at fritzl@grandrapids.org or 616.771.0357.
Date | Tuesday, January 18
Time | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location | Steelcase Ballroom, DeVos Place
Cost | $50/members, $75/future members, $700/corporate tables of 10.
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New Advertising rates for 2011!
There’s never been a better time to put your membership to work for you by using low-cost Chamber advertising opportunities! Reach thousands of members of the business community with your message through our website, The Chamber News, the M2M eNews, or this publication! Click here for details.
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Community News
The Rapid Employer Survey
The Rapid is proposing to create a free, voluntary association to bridge the gap between transit alternatives and employer-offered benefits. The new association, The Rapid’s Employer Connection (TREC), would be designed to keep employers informed on transportation options available to their employees, provide sustainable commuting incentives, offer expanded rideshare resources, employer support, and gather information about your transportation needs.
In order to tailor the new association to best serve employer needs, The Rapid has put together a brief online survey. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce encourages members to enter your thoughts and opinions. Survey must be completed by December 10, 2010.
Questions? Please contact Kevin Wisselink, The Rapid’s Business Transportation and Public Outreach Coordinator at 616.774.1159 or kwisselink@ridetherapid.org.
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