Chamber Blog

Results of the Grand Rapids Chamber’s 2020 Government Affairs Survey are in. A talented workforce, quality infrastructure, and regional housing supply are the top three issues for West Michigan businesses as we enter 2020 from more than 400 Chamber members. In this year’s survey, over 94% of respondents said that our West Michigan business climate […]

Once upon a time, women didn’t have the right to vote or drive… Today, after years of fiercely fighting for women’s rights, individuals are still challenging, inspiring and innovating their communities every day to be a strong force for change. At the 30th Annual ATHENA Awards Celebration, we will gather to celebrate these individuals. The […]

Leadership Grand Rapids (LGR) is designed to be unlike any other leadership program, where instead of analyzing leadership tactics and principles, participants are asked to use a systems thinking approach to tackle real issues facing our community. This approach to the programming is meant to foster community trustees who will leave the class with a […]

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 […]

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 […]

Leadership Grand Rapids, often called LGR, is the premier leadership program of Grand Rapids. The program boasts alumni who are some of the city’s top change-makers over the last 30 years. A quick Google search for Professional Development programs in Grand Rapids will come up with hundreds of results, but what makes LGR stand out […]

Today’s society is diverse in many ways and is growing ever more diverse by the day. But despite our growing diversity, racism is still pervasive in our culture. Racism is an issue on the minds of many at the moment, but many struggle to discuss it in an open and productive way. The Chamber’s Institute […]

Once upon a time, women didn’t have the right to vote or drive… Today, after years of fiercely fighting for their rights, they are challenging, re-inventing, and innovating their communities and are a strong force for economic change. Join us in celebrating some of these women at the ATHENA Awards Celebration! Congratulations to Jennifer Maxson, […]