Chamber Blog

There has been a lot of discussion about the Chamber’s work recently. I’ve talked with many of you about important and sensitive topics. These discussions have been informative and compelling. Your passion to foster a vibrant business climate is unmatched across the state. Our work is member driven and we are better with your input. […]

For the upcoming November general election, a trio of ballot proposals will be considered by Michigan voters. While the Chamber does have stances on these three proposals, our primary objective is to ensure that our members are educated on what exactly these proposals entail for our community. “The Chamber takes our positions on public policy […]

We all have unconscious biases that we bring with us into our places of work. Triggered by our brains making quick judgments of people and situations, these subconscious attitudes can span race, gender, age, wealth, appearance, and much more. They are influenced by our background and personal experiences and can impact everything from the clothes […]

Entrepreneurial. Progressive. Innovative. Collaborative. West Michigan has proven time and time again that we are EPIC. On October 30, 2018, at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Grand Rapids Chamber will be hosting the EPIC Awards, where local organizations and professionals are recognized for their outstanding success stories and contributions to West Michigan’s thriving economy. I Want […]

Autumn is finally upon us, so pick out your pumpkins and bring out those cozy sweaters. To get into the spirit of the season, the Chamber teamed up with Karen Breckon, Partnership Director for the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA), to put together the ultimate guide for the best fall ever. The WMTA is a […]

The Grand Rapids Chamber is known as one of the most influential business organizations in Michigan. Our influence comes in part from our engagement in the difficult and controversial work of endorsing candidates. We intentionally engage in this work to advance our West Michigan business community priorities.  As we do this, we are leading a […]

GR Chamber Efforts Allow for Policies to be Improved Last week, at the urging of the Grand Rapids Chamber and the statewide business community, the Michigan Legislature adopted the mandatory paid sick leave and minimum wage ballot proposals. Both proposals make Michigan less competitive. The minimum wage proposal would result in our state having one […]

Although a natural part of life, anger is not an emotion we are usually comfortable with or know how to manage skillfully. While often seen as “bad”, anger is the body’s way of signaling something is wrong and creating energy so you can effectively deal with a problem or get out of the way of […]