Chamber Blog

“When you’re able to combine your job with your passion, you’d almost do it for free,” said Joe Matthews, Vice President of Purchasing and Diversity Officer for Gentex Corporation. “Don’t tell my boss that,” he added with a laugh. One look around Joe’s office and you can see he is passionate about his work. With […]

School’s out, warm weather is upon us, and the first official day of summer is just around the corner. That can only mean one thing in Beer City… patio season! With Grand Rapids’ ever-growing food and beverage scene, there’s no shortage of outdoor seating to enjoy Michigan’s summer weather. While there are many great options […]

The Chamber is proud to bring our members a variety of networking opportunities, including our beloved Business Exchange Luncheons, and the always-popular Chamber After Hours series. For many, networking events are an awesome place to make new connections, but for others, networking can be stressful. Does that sound like you? Never fear! We’ve brought in […]

Each year, the Grand Rapids Chamber recognizes individuals that are alumni of the Chamber’s leadership programs who exemplify what it means to be a devoted community trustee. This year’s honorees come from a variety of different backgrounds and have each contributed greatly to the Grand Rapids Community. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with […]

Grand Rapids has a rich history with the arts alongside strong support from the philanthropic community in West Michigan. Venues such as Van Andel Arena bring in popular musical performances for the masses, while ArtPrize attracts thousands to the city to celebrate various art mediums. One staple of Grand Rapids’ arts culture is the Grand […]

A Hand Up, Not a Handout After three months on the job, the new Executive Director of Exodus Place Tom Hyde says he’s still learning something new every day. That’s because, as Hyde says, there is never a dull moment at the transitional housing facility. With a capacity to house 140 men, leading the day […]

The Emerging Leaders Series, one of four leadership programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, is designed to help individuals grow their career and become actively engaged in the Grand Rapids community. This five-session program is built to engage participants in a variety of ways, from a bus tour of GR, to in-depth discussions about individual […]

Calling all creatives – from all industries! Are you passionate about creating great? Are you a doer, a maker, a creator, or a designer? If you have creativity and talent, but you’re looking for additional ways to grow professionally, we have an opportunity for you! The Grand Rapids Chamber has long supported the creative community, […]