April 2 0 0 9 Volum e 2 9 , I ssue 4

Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

Chamber Endorses Rapid Transit Millage
WYOMING-KE NTWOOD, MI - Th e
Wyom in g-Ken t wood Ar ea Ch a m b er
of Com m er ce h a s en d or s ed th e
In ter u r b a n Tr a n s it Pa r tn er s h ip 's
m illa ge r equ es t wh ich will b e voted
on in th e gen er a l election Ma y 5 .
Th e m illa ge will p r ovid e op er a tin g
fu n d s for a n ew Bu s Ra p id Tr a n s it
s ys t em , d u b b ed "Th e S ilver Lin e",
wh ich wou ld b egin op er a t ion s
in 2 0 1 2 u p on t h e p a s s a ge of th e
m illa ge. It will b e th e r s t Ra p id
Tr a n s it S ys tem in Wes t Mich iga n
a n d will r u n fr om Down town Gr a n d
Ra p id s a lon g Divis ion Aven u e,
t h e b or d er b etween Wyom in g a n d
Ken t wood for m u ch of th e r ou t e's
len gth .
"Ou r b u s in es s m em b er s a r e m or e
t h a n a little con cer n ed a b ou t th e
level of ta xa tion in Mich iga n a n d
b ega n s t u d yin g th is is s u e wit h a
ver y wa r y eye two m on th s a go",
s a id Ch a m b er Pr es id en t J oh n
Cr a wfor d . "Wh ile m a n y Ch a m b er
effor t s focu s on tr yin g to m a k e
Mich iga n a m or e a t tr a ctive a n d
cos t-com p etitive p la ce to d o
b u s in es s , we fou n d th a t Th e S ilver
Lin e is ver y lik ely to d o ju s t t h a t ."
Cr a wfor d n oted t h a t th e Ch a m b er 's
Gover n m en t Ma tter s Com m it tee
a n d its E xecu t ive Com m itt ee
b ot h r ecom m en d ed th e m ea s u r e
t o t h e Boa r d of Dir ector s , wh ich
u n a n im ou s ly a p p r oved th e
en d or s em en t a t its Ma r ch m eet in g.
"Th e m illa ge t o op er a te Th e S ilver
Lin e will r elea s e $ 4 0 Million in
Fed er a l a n d S ta te gr a n ts in to th e
Com m u n ity t o b u ild th e s ys t em
for s t a r ter s ", Cr a wfor d s a id . "Th e
a d d ed con ven ien ce of a d d in g a
Ra p id Tr a n s it S ys tem con n ectin g
ou r s ou th er n s u b u r b s to Down t own
Gr a n d Ra p id s cou ld s p a wn a s
m u ch $ 1 6 0 Million in p r iva te s ect or
in ves tm en t a n d econ om ic a ctivity in
th e r s t 4 or 5 yea r s t h a t th e BRT
is r u n n in g. We h a ve d et er m in ed
t h a t th is is on e in fr a s tr u ct u r e
in ves tm en t th a t will p a y for its elf
with in a s h or t p a yb a ck p er iod ."
"In s h or t, th is m illa ge r equ es t is
a good , s u s t a in a b le job s -cr ea tin g
d ea l for ta xp a yer s ." Th e fed er a l
a n d s ta te m on ey h a s a lr ea d y b een
a lloca ted a n d will go els ewh er e
if voter s d eclin e th is op er a tin g
m illa ge. Th e Wyom in g-Ken twood
Ar ea Ch a m b er u r ges a YE S vote
Ma y 5 .

Limited Time, Reduced Price Networking

Inside This Issue
Ra p id Tr a n s it Milla ge
Ba r ga in Networ k in g
Op in ion b y J oh n
S ou th Ken t E xp o
Refer r a l Ch a llen ge
Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s
Gover n m en t Ma t ter s
Ad voca te Ad ver t is in g
Am b a s s a d or s Cor n er
Th e Cr u is e Cor n er
E d u ca tion Com m it tee
Mem b er Miles t on es
Mem b er S p otligh t
Lett er to th e Pr es id en t
2 0 0 9 Mem b er S ign s
Ca len d a r s on Pa ges 6 & 7
Log on to www.s ou t h k en t.or g
For d eta ils .
Th e 3 r d
1 Fr id a ys !
1 Pla n n in g
2 Com m ittee
3 a n d Dia n n e
4 Cih a k a t
5 Craigs
Cru is e rs in vite you to join oth er a r ea
8
b u s in es s lea d er s for a d eliciou s
8
lu n ch b u ffet a n d n etwor k in g on ce
9
a m on th on th e 3 r d Fr id a y of th e
10
m on th .
11
12
Du r in g Ap r il, Ma y a n d J u n e,
12
regis ter ea rly a n d on ly p a y $ 1 2 for
13
lu n ch . You 'r e goin g t o wa n t to make
13
early reservations. (Members r egis ter in g
a ft er 5 p m on Wed n es d a y, Ap r il 1 5
will p a y $ 2 1 .0 0 . Not -yet-m em b er
r a te r em a in s a t $ 2 1 .0 0 ). Re gis t e r
o n -lin e at www.s o u t h k e n t .o rg.
"Atten d a n ce n u m b er s h a ve b een
gr ea t s in ce th e r s t of t h e yea r ,"
Lis a O'Ca lla gh a n , com m it tee ch a ir
t old u s . "We h op e t h e s p ecia l r a te
for th e n ext 3 m on t h s , will r es u lt
in s om e n ew fa ces a n d s a ve ou r
m em b er s a little m on ey".
April, May an d J u n e
Me m be rs : Early Re gis t rat io n
Pas t a, Piz z a, S alad, De s s e rt ,
Be ve rage Bar, an d Ne t wo rk in g
all fo r o n ly $ 1 2 !
Late registration an d n on -m em ber
r a te is s t ill on ly $ 2 1 .0 0 .
S h owca s e - Ad d 'l $ 3 5 .0 0 , s p a ce
is lim ited .
Ta b le In fo - Ad d t 'l $ 1 5 .0 0 .
To r es er ve a S h owca s e Ta b le
em a il s u e@s ou th k en t .or g for a n
a p p lica tion or ca ll h er a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -
5 9 9 0 or go to www.s ou th k en t .or g.
 YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
2 0 0 9 Bo ard o f Dire c t o rs
*in d ica t es E xecu t ive Com m it t ee Mem b er
*J oh n Cr a wfor d - Pr es id en t & CE O
*Tod d Du n ca n - Con s u m er s E n er gy, Boa r d Ch a ir
*S teve Ma r s h a ll- MAS Advisory Service, Chair, Fin. & Bu dget
*Nor in e Mu lvih ill - Op t ion 1 Cr ed it Un ion , S r . V. Ch a ir
*Ka th ey Ba t ey - Pr ior ity Hea lth / S p ir ited Pr es en t a t ion s
*Br en t Holla n d - Ch a m eleon Lt d .
*S k ip Kn a p p - E d wa r d J on es In ves tm en ts
*Tom Kr u is en ga - W. MI Bu s in es s Gr ou p , Pa s t Ch a ir
*Br en t Va n d er Kolk - Va n d er Kolk & Va n d er Kolk PLC,
Lega l Cou n s el
Co m m u n it y Re lat io n s Divis io n (Blu e )
*Ka th ey Ba tey - Vice Ch a ir
Tom m y Br a n n - Br a n n s S tea k h ou s e & Gr ille
Da n Va n Dyk e - PCO As s ocia tes , LLC
*Br en t Va n d er Kolk - Va n d er Kolk & Va n d er Kolk ,.PLC
Lillia n Va n d er Veen - Len ger Tr a vel S er vices
Me m be r Re lat io n s Divis io n (Re d)
*Br en t Holla n d - Vice Ch a ir
Rich a r d Ch r is m a n - Hu n gerford, Aldrin , Nich ols & Ca rter
Da n n a Ma th ies en - Mer ca n tile Ba n k
J oh n S ch wa r t z - AT&T
Me m be rs h ip De ve lo pm e n t Divis io n (Go ld)
*S k ip Kn a p p - Vice Ch a ir
Rob Wells - AXA Ad vis or s
Dia n e Za n d s t r a - W. MI Cen ter for Fa m ily Hea lth
Fin an c ial De ve lo pm e n t Divis io n (Gre e n )
*Nor in e Mu lvih ill - S r . Vice Ch a ir
Bet s y Ar t z - Loek s Th ea ter s (Celeb r a t ion Cin em a )
J oel Ia k ir i - Hu n tin gton Ba n k
Da vid S zid ik - Mon ey Ma iler s of S E Ken t Cou n ty
Ma t t Uh l - Na tion a l Cit y
Ex-Of c io
Ca r ol S h eets - Cit y of Wyom in g, Ma yor
Rich a r d Root - Cit y of Ken twood , Ma yor
Cu r t is Holt - City of Wyom in g, Ma n a ger
Bill Dor en - Ch a m b er Fou n d a tion Ch a ir
My Bu s i n e s s Ad voc a t e ,
Cop yr igh t 2 0 0 9
Wyom in g-Ken twood Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce
5 9 0 - 3 2 n d S t r eet S E
Wyom in g, MI 4 9 5 4 8 -2 3 4 5
Tel: 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0
Fa x: 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -0 2 5 2
News letter / Ad ver t In for m a t ion : s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g
Opinion by John
April 09
By John J. Crawford, Chamber President
De pre c iat io n an d Appre c iat io n
Ta lk of d ep r ecia tion s eem s s o com m on th es e d a ys .
Hom e va lu es , 4 0 1 K s , m on ey m a r k ets , wa ges , IRA s a n d
s o on . Ma n y im p or ta n t th in gs in ou r lives h a ve d ep r eci-
a ted in th is r eces s ion . Aga in , th a t s n or m a l in a n y eco-
n om ic d own tu r n , b u t it s u r e is d is cou r a gin g!
On e s a d ca s u a lty t h a t often a ccom p a n ies tou gh tim es ,
t h ou gh , is th a t we d ep r ecia t e th e people a r ou n d u s a s
ou r a s s ets d ep r ecia t e. E a ch of u s is en or m ou s ly va lu -
a b le a n d ou r va lu e a p p r ecia tes ever y d a y! Wor k in g a t
t h e Ch a m b er , we get to s ee th a t in th e m a n y s u p er s ta r
volu n teer -m em b er s wor k in g on d ozen s of p r oject s ! Th ey
a r e a m a zin g a n d a r e a lwa ys s m ilin g!
Mak e t h e Tim e t o Appre c iat e Eac h Ot h e r!
I r em em b er h ea r in g a r ep or ted ly tr u e s t or y a lon g t im e
a go a b ou t t wo 5 t h Gr a d e s tu d en t s b oth n a m ed Tom m y
in t h e s a m e cla s s r oom . On e Tom m y wa s a lwa ys well-
b eh a ved , p a r ticip a ted in cla s s , tu r n ed h is h om ewor k
in on t im e a n d ea r n ed good gr a d es . Th e ot h er Tom m y,
well, d id n ot. He s t r u ggled wit h h is gr a d es a n d wa s
a lwa ys d is r u p tin g t h e cla s s . He wa s a h a n d fu l for h is
t ea ch er .
At th e p a r en t -t ea ch er con fer en ces t h e b a d Tom m y s
m oth er m et r s t with th e tea ch er . S h e a s k ed h ow Tom -
m y wa s d oin g in cla s s . Th e t ea ch er , con fu s in g th e t wo
b oys , r ep lied I ca n t b egin to tell you wh a t a joy Tom m y
is in m y cla s s ! He is s o h elp fu l a n d s t u d ies ver y h a r d ! I
r ea lly a p p r ecia te h a vin g h im a s a s t u d en t m y r oom !
S ta r tin g t h e n ext d a y, th e Ba d Tom m y ca m e in with
h is h om ewor k a ll d on e, p a r ticip a ted in cla s s a n d b ega n
to p a s s h is tes t s wit h yin g color s ! He m a d e a d r a m a t ic
t u r n -a r ou n d , b eca m e a s tella r s t u d en t a n d gr a d u a ted
fr om h igh s ch ool a s h is cla s s va led ictor ia n .
Du r in g h is gr a d u a tion s p eech , h e cr ed ited h is 5 t h Gr a d e
t ea ch er for t ellin g h is Mom h ow m u ch h e wa s a p p r eci-
a ted . He h a d n ever felt a p p r ecia ted in a n y cla s s b efor e
t h a t a n d fr om t h a t d a y for wa r d felt com p elled to m ea -
s u r e u p to th e exp ecta tion a n d to th e a pprecia tion .
We Appre c iat e YOU!
Let s m a k e s u r e, es p ecia lly in th es e ch a llen gin g tim es
t h a t we go ou t of ou r wa y t o a pprecia te ea ch ot h er ,
en cou r a ge a n d lift th os e a r ou n d u s u p . Rever s in g ou r
a s s et d ep r ecia tion ca n t b e fa r b eh in d t h a t , ca n it?!
At lea s t , t h a t s m y op in ion b y J oh n !

Plan to Exhibit and Attend the South Kent Community Expo
Ch a m b er Mem b er s t h r ou gh ou t
s ou th er n Ken t Cou n ty will exh ib it
t h eir p r od u cts a n d s er vices to
con s u m er s a t t h e 1 s t An n u a l
S OUTH KE NT COMMUNITY E XPO
on S a tu r d a y, Ap r il 1 8 t h fr om 1 1 :0 0
a .m . to 5 :0 0 p .m . a t Wo o dlan d
S po rt s a t 2 1 0 0 2 8 t h S tr eet S E .
We a r e exp ectin g th ou s a n d s of
a tt en d ees fr om th e a d ver tis in g
ca m p a ign cr ea ted b y Bla ir
E n ten m a n n of Mark e t in gHe lp!
a n a ct ive ch a m b er m em b er on
t h e E xp o Com m itt ee. Re ge n t
Bro adc as t in g, th e even t s Pla t in u m
s p on s or , will b e a ir in g over 2 2 0
com m er cia ls a n d p r om ot ion a l s p ot s
in th e 1 0 d a ys p r ior to th e E XPO on
t h r ee of th eir s ta tion s a n d h old in g
a 2 h ou r live r em ote b r oa d ca s t
t h e d a y of th e even t . Th er e a r e
a ls o fou r a d s r u n n in g in Co ffe e
Ne ws , d is tr ib u t ed a t 1 2 0 loca t ion s
in s ou th er n Ken t Cou n t y, a n d in
s ever a l Fr id a y or S a t u r d a y ed ition s
of Th e Gran d Rapids Pre s s . You
will a ls o s ee h u n d r ed s of b r igh t
SPECIAL EVENTS
yellow E XPO p os ter s in b u s in es s
win d ows , on ya r d s ign s a n d on
s tr eet b a n n er s th r ou gh ou t th e
a r ea a s we get clos er to th e even t .
As Den n is Ka va n a gh of Ce n t ral
Pay m e n t S y s t e m s , th e E xp o
Com m it tee Ch a ir s a id r ecen tly,
Y ou w ill h a ve to b e d ea f a n d b lin d
n ot to k n ow a bou t th is EXPO!
Ca r ol Cr a wfor d of Th e Alt e rn at ive
Bo ard, th e Ch a ir p er s on of t h e
Bu s in es s Gr owth Com m ittee, s a id ,
W e a re n ot on ly try in g to h elp ou r
m em bers grow th eir bu s in es s es
in th es e tu rbu len t tim es , bu t w e
a re d oin g s o w h ile bein g good
com m u n ity citiz en s . S h e p oin ts
ou t a k ey fea tu r e of th e Com m u n it y
E xp o is a DONATION PRIZE
DRAWING. Atten d ees ca n en t er a
d r a win g t o win 6 HOURS OF GOLF
LE S S ONS (a $ 5 0 0 Va lu e) fr om
S cot t S eiffer lein , PGA Golf Gu r u
of www.Gr a n d Ra p id s GolfLes s on .
com a t Th e High lan ds (a n ew
ch a m b er m em b er ) a n d Ot h er
Va lu a b le Pr izes wit h a Ca n n ed or
Pa ck a ged Food Don a t ion t o t h e
UCOM Fo o d Ban k or a Gen t ly
Us ed Clot h in g Don a t ion t o In
Th e Im age or Give Blood t o t h e
Mic h igan Co m m u n it y Blo o d
Ce n t e rs a t t h e E XPO. Dem a n d s
on t h es e ch a r it ies a r e h igh er t h a n
ever , s o b r in g a d on a t ion or t h r ee
t o t h e E XPO.
Bob O Ca lla gh a n , Mem b er S er vices
Ma n a ger , wa n t s to r em in d ou r
m em b er s th a t exh ib it s p a ces a r e
lim ited to 1 3 0 a n d t h er e a r e on ly a
few s p a ces left t o ll. Mem b er p r ice
t o exh ib it is on ly $ 1 3 0 a n d n on -
m em b er p r ice is $ 1 8 5 . Th e la s t d a y
t o s ign u p for exh ib its is Mon d a y,
Ap r il 1 3 t h . B u t d on t w a it u n til th e
la s t m in u te, w e'll proba bly be s old
ou t by th en , Bob wa r n s .
Exh ibit s pac e is lim it e d, s o
ple as e c all t h e Wy o m in g-
Ke n t wo o d Are a Ch am be r o f
Co m m e rc e at 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0
A.S .A.P. if y o u wan t t o e xh ibit .

South Kent
Communit y
Find LOCAL Sources for the Products and Services You Need at Fair Prices!
APRIL 18th 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at
2100 28th Street SE
Check Out Over 100 Exhibits from Loc al Businesses
Enter a Drawing to Win 6 HOURS OF GOLF LESSONS (a $500 Value) from Scott Seifferlein of www.grandrapidsgolflesson.com
at The Highlands and Other Prizes with a Canned or Packaged Food Donation to the a Gently Used
Clothing Donation to Give Blood to the at the EXPO

Lunch, Snacks and Beverages Available from the Woodland Spor ts Food Conc ession.
Presented By

Best Choice Lawn Care

Two Men and a Truck
FASTSIGNS
 MEMBER RECRUITING

YOU R Re fe rra l M e a ns Cha m be r Buck s for YOU R Busine ss

Mo re is de n it e ly be t t e r
wh e n it c o m e s t o Ch am be r
Me m be rs h ip. High er m em bers h ip
n u m b er s m ea n m or e a ffor d a b le
d u es cos ts , b ett er n etwor k in g
a n d a wid er r a n ge of r es ou r ces
an d opportu n ities for you r Bu sin ess.
In a d d ition , m or e Bu s in es s es
in volved in th e Ch a m b er m ea n a
lou d er voice wh en we n eed t o b e
h ea r d .
It 's e as y t o m ak e a re fe rral.
Con ta ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t
6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il b ob @
s ou th k en t .or g a n d give h im th e
n a m e of th e b u s in es s , a con ta ct
n a m e a n d p h on e n u m b er or
em a il a d d r es s . He'll con ta ct you r
r efer r a l t o s et u p a n a p p oin t m en t
a t a tim e con ven ien t t o t h em ,
t o t a lk a b ou t t h e op p or t u n ities
a n d b en e ts of Ch a m b er
Mem b er s h ip . On ce th e
a p p lica tion is r eceived in ou r
of ce a n d p a ym en t is p r oces s ed
we will is s u e a cer ti ca te for $ 2 5
in Ch a m b er Bu ck s t o t h e r efer r in g
m em b er , wh ich ca n b e r ed eem ed
a s cr ed it towa r d n etwor k in g
even t fees , s h owca s e fees , d u es
r en ewa l fees or n ea r ly a n y oth er
Ch a m b er in voice, (exclu d in g GVHP Mem b er Refer r a ls fr om WKACC
Pr em iu m s ). Mem b er s r es u lt ed in t h e
followin g n ew m em b er s s in ce
Add y o u r ide as t o t h e m ix. Th e J an u ary 1, 2009:
Mem b er Recr u itin g Com m it tee
Bat t e rie s Plu s
m eet s on t h e r s t Th u r s d a y of ea ch
ITT Te c h n ic al In s t it u t e
m on th a t 8 a m a t th e Ch a m b er
Be s t Ch o ic e Lawn Care
Of ce. New m em b er s of th e gr ou p
Tu lip Cit y De t ail Plu s
a r e welcom e a t a n y tim e.
Mape s In s u ran c e
S even ou t of 2 8 n ew WKACC Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs
m em b er s s ign ed on s in ce J a n u a r y Win gs o f Ho pe
1 s t of th is yea r wer e r efer r ed b y
Wh o d o y ou k now t h a t
Ch a m b er Mem b er s th r ou gh t h e
s h ould be a m em ber?
Ch a m b er Bu ck s Pr ogr a m .
Get in on th e Bi-Mon th ly
Th e Feb ru a ry -Ma rch In cen tive Ch a llen ge for t h e m on th s of
Aw a rd , fu rn is h ed b y Hy at t Plac e , Ap r il a n d Ma y. Th e m em b er
lo c at e d at By ro n Ce n t e r Ave an d m a k in g t h e m os t r efer r a ls will
M-6 , is an o v e rn igh t s t ay fo r r eceive a gift cer ti ca te for a n
t wo . Th e w in n er w ill b e a n n ou n ced over n igh t s ta y a t Wood la n d
in th e Ma y is s u e of My Bu s i n e s s Cr eek Ap a r tm en ts on E a s t Pa r is .
Ad voc a t e .

Premier Maximum
Impact Leadership
Simulcast
Get you r Tick et t od a y! Com in g live via s im u lca s t t o Re s u rre c t io n Life
Ch u rc h , 5 1 0 0 Iva n r es t Ave S W in Gr a n d ville. Pa r t icip a n t s in clu d e: Ke vin
Member-Only Info
Carro ll, For m er Nik e Cr ea t ive, a u t h or & s p ea k er ; Lin da Kaplan -Th ale r, YOUR Chamber Is
Cr ea t or of t h e AFLAC ca m p a ign , CE O, b es t s ellin g a u t h or of "Th e Power
of Nice"; Al We is s , Pr es id en t Wa lt Dis n ey Pa r k s ; J o h n C. Maxwe ll, Working Hard For
Lea d er s h ip E xp er t ; To n y Blair, For m er UK Pr im e Min is t er ; J ac k Nic k lau s ,
Golf Ch a m p ion ; Bill Ge o rge , Ha r va r d Bu s in es s Pr ofes s ion a l, for m er YOU!
Med tr on ics CE O, a u t h or ; Liz Mu rray , In s p ir a t ion a l S p ea k er , "Hom les s t o
Ha r va r d "; Mark S an bo rn , Bes t s ellin g a u t h or of "Th e Fr ed Fa ct or "; Ern ie
To a cces s Mem ber-On ly In fo,
J o h n s o n , Hos t TNT's in s id e t h e NBA. go to www.s ou th k en t.or g a n d
click on th e logo s h own a b ove
Lea d er s h ip is cu lt iva t ed wit h h u m ilit y a n d d is cip lin e. It m er ges t h e p a s s ion on th e HOME p a ge.
of t h e h ea r t wit h t h e a b ilit y of t h e m in d . Th is p r em ier s p ea k er lin e-u p
p la ces you in t h e cr a ft s m a n 's wor k s h op - h ea r in g wis d om a n d exp er ien ces We en cou r a ge you to ch eck
fr om t h e wor ld 's b es t lea d er s . You will b e in s p ir ed , r evived , a n d r efocu s ed . ou t th e op tion s a va ila b le
For t ick et or d er s con t a ct www.wb feven t s .com or ca ll (6 1 6 ) 2 6 1 -3 7 4 0 . E a r ly on YOUR Mem b er Pa ge a n d
Bir d Ra t e u n t il 3 / 2 2 is on ly $ 6 4 .0 0 , $ 7 4 .0 0 u n t il Ap r il 3 0 . Week ly r a t e for t o con t a ct u s if you h a ve
5 / 1 -5 / 8 is $ 8 4 .0 0 . Gr ou p s of 1 0 or m or e on ly $ 6 4 u n t il 4 / 3 0 . S t u d en t r a t e a n y qu es tion s or con cer n s
on ly $ 4 9 . For s p on s or s h ip in for m a t ion , con t a ct Deb Kir gis a t 6 1 6 -2 4 9 -3 7 3 1 a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il
or d eb k @r es life.or g. s u e@s ou t h k en t.or g or ju lie@
s ou th k en t .or g.

Ea gle Adm inist rat ors Offe r Low Cost H e a lt h Ca re Opt ion
Th e Ch am be r Part n e rs
Co m m it t e e is ple as e d t o
in t ro du c e J as o n Ru s s e ll o f
Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs t o o u r
fam ily o f Ch am be rPart n e rs
fo r 2 0 0 9 .
E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s offer s a
fu lly in s u r ed lim ited b en e t (m in i-
m ed ica l) grou p h ea lth in s u r a n ce
p la n for b oth fu ll-tim e a n d p a r t -
t im e em p loyees typ ica lly u n a b le
t o a cces s gr ou p h ea lth cover a ge
d u e t o cos t a n d / or eligib ilit y. Th e
p la n s offer qu a lit y cover a ge on a
gu a r a n teed -is s u e b a s is a n d a r e
a ffor d a b le en ou gh for vir tu a lly a n y
em p loyee. Fu r th er , p la n s ca n b e
s et -u p on a 1 0 0 % volu n ta r y b a s is ,
cos tin g th e em p loyer n oth in g!
Th e 2 0 0 9
Ch a m be r Pa r t n e r
Com m i t t e e
Nor in e Mu lvih ill, (Divis ion Vice
Ch a ir ) fr om Opt io n 1 Cre dit
Un io n ;
Da vid S zid ik , (Dir ector ) fr om
Pro fo rm a In n it e Mark e t in g;
Ca r ol Cr a wfor d , (Com m it tee
Ch a ir ) fr om Th e Alt e rn at ive
Bo ard;
Lin d a S in ger , Mic h igan Lak e
t o Lak e Be d an d Bre ak fas t
As s o c iat io n ;
Am y S m it h fr om Mic h igan
Co m m u n it y Blo o d Ce n t e r; a n d
S u e Byn u m - wor k in g with t h e
com m ittee fr om th e Ch a m b er
Of ce S ta ff.
CHAMBERPARTNERS
E m p loyer s ca n u s e th e Hea lth y
Ba s ics p r ogr a m for th eir p a r t-tim e
s ta ff, t h os e fu ll-tim er s a wa itin g
eligib ilit y for t h eir com p r eh en s ive
p r ogr a m , a n d for t h os e em p loyees
wh o h a ve n ot elect ed to en r oll in
t h eir com p r eh en s ive p r ogr a m .
E m p loyer s m a y a ls o u s e t h is
p r ogr a m wh en n o ot h er gr ou p
p la n is offer ed . Ad d ition a lly,
a s s ocia ted in d ep en d en t con tr a ctor s
m a y a cces s cover a ge th r ou gh a
p a r ticip a tin g com p a n y.
Pla n s a r e fu lly cu s tom iza b le a n d
h a ve n o p r e-exis tin g con d ition s
cla u s es . E m p loyer s wit h over 5 1 or
m or e eligib le em p loyees m a y offer
t wo p la n s , a n d em p loyer s with over
2 5 0 em p loyees m a y elect t o offer u p
t o 3 p la n op tion s . S u p p lem en ta r y
m ed ica l p la n s s u ch a s Den t a l &
Vis ion p la n s a r e a ls o a va ila b le.
E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s In s u r a n ce
for th e Wa y You Live!
Co n t ac t J as o n Ru s s e ll, Bro k e r
Dire c t o r at Eagle Adm in is t rat o rs ,
ph o n e (6 1 6 ) 4 9 0 -0 9 1 1 , o r y o u
c an e m ail h im dire c t ly at
jas o n @e agle adm in is t rat o rs .c o m .
Working
with a
Chamber Par tner
is
Good
Business!
Plan t o jo in u s aft e r y o u r
lu n c h t im e n e t wo rk in g. Th e
Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Com m itt ee m eet s
on th e 3 r d Fr id a y ea ch m on th
im m ed ia t ely followin g th e 3 r d
Fr id a ys ! Net wor k in g Lu n ch eon a t
t h e s a m e loca t ion a s th e lu n ch eon .
If you wou ld like to h elp develop
p rogra m s th a t in crea s e Mem b ers h ip
Va lu e, Ch a m b er Non -d u es Reven u e
a n d Mem b er s h ip Nu m b er s th is
com m ittee welcom es you r in p u t.
For a lis t of p a r ticip a n ts in t h e
Ch a m b er Pa r tn er Pr ogr a m ,
in form a tion on b ecom in g a Ch a m b er
Pa r tn er or t o join th e com m ittee
con ta ct s u e@s ou th k en t.or g. or ca ll
616-531-5990.
Re ac h m o re t h an 7 0 0 po t e n t ial
c u s t o m e rs fo r o n ly $ 2 5 .0 0
pe r m o n t h . In a d d ition to
Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Pr ogr a m s th e
Ch a m b er Pa r tn er s Com m itt ee a ls o
offer s lim ited tim e d is cou n ts t o
m em b er s .
Wat c h t h is s pac e fo r Me m be r
t o Me m be r Dis c o u n t s (M2 M
Dis c o u n t s ) in fu t u re is s u e s .
Con ta ct s u e@s ou th k en t.or g to lis t
you r M2 M offer in My B u s in es s
Ad voca te a n d on th e Ch am ber
Website for on ly $ 2 5 .0 0 p er m on th .
Ho w Do I Be c o m e a
Ch am be rPart n e r?
Th e Com m ittee look s for
Mem b er s t h a t p r ovid e s er vices
t h a t b en e t WKACC Mem b er s a t
a d is cou n ted p r ice th a t will h elp
im p r ove ou r m em b er s p r o t s b y
h elp in g r ed u ce th eir exp en s es
for item s t h ey n eed to r u n th eir
b u s in es s .
A Ch a m b er Pa r tn er m u s t a ls o
p r ovid e t h e Ch a m b er with
a n oth er d iver s e s ou r ce of n on -
d u es r even u e.
For m or e in for m a tion con ta ct S u e
Byn u m a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or Ca r ol
Cr a wfor d a t 6 1 6 -3 0 1 -8 0 8 1 .
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat
1 8 :1 5 a 2 8a 3 4
Ch a m b er Recr u itin g
Fou n d a t ion Com m it t ee

5 6 Noon 7 4p 8 9 10 8a 11
Gov Ma tt er s a t Am b a s s a d or s S ou t h Ken t
t h e Ch a m b er PAC
4p 9 -1 1 a
E d u ca tion S .C.O.R.E.
Com m @
Celeb r a t ion
Cin em a S ou t h

12 13 8a 14 15Activa8 tion
a 16 7 :3 0 a 173 1rd1 :3Friday
0 a-1 p 18 11a - 5p
Gov Ma tt er s a t & CE O E xch a n ge, s! Southke nt
Ken t wood Ret en t ion 9a Craig's Cru is e rs Bu s in e s s t o
Cit y Ha ll 1 0 a , Fin a n ce Bu s in es s (Re c e s s io n Co n s u m e r Ex po
1 1 :3 0 a , Gr owt h Bu s t e r Pric e Wood la n d S p or t s
E xecu tive o n ly $ 1 2 .0 0 !) Cen t er
Com m it t ee 1p
Ch a m b er
Pa r t n er s
20 21 1 1 :3 0 a
19 11 a 22 23 Boa r d of
24 25
S a n t a Pa r a d e
Com m it t ee Dir ect or s
Meetin g
4p
3 r d Fr id a ys !
Pla n n in g
Com m it t ee

26 27 28 6p 29 30 5 -1 0 p S t aff Me e t in gs
S po rt o f Wo rds S o u t h k e n t Gru b o n t h e Th u rs day
Co n t e s t Crawl be fo re 3 rd
Hilt o n Gran d Friday s ! an d o n
Rapids Airpo rt all o t h e r Friday s
Ho t e l at 1 0 am
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat
S t aff Me e t in gs 1 2
on the
Th u rs day
be fo re 3 rd
Friday s ! an d
o n all o t h e r
Friday s at
1 0 am

3 4 Noon
5 4p 6 8 :1 5 a 7 8a
8 8a 9
Gover n m en t Am b a s s a d or s Ch a m b er Recr u itin g S ou t h Ken t
Ma t t er s a t t h e Fou n d a t ion Com m it t ee PAC
Ch a m b er **9 -1 1 a
S .C.O.R.E.

10 11Gov Matters
8a 12 13 14 7 :3 0 a
CE O E xch a n ge,
151 1 :3 0 a-1 p 16
at 3 rd Friday s !
Kentwood City Hall 9a Craig's Cru is e rs
Bu s in es s Gr owth (Lim it e d Tim e
o n ly $ 1 2 .0 0 !)
1p
Ch a m b er
Pa r t n er s

17 19 11a 20 8a 23
18 S a n t a Pa r a d e Activa tion &
21 4p 22
3 r d Fr id a ys !
Com m it t ee Ret en t ion Pla n n in g
1 0 a , Fin a n ce Com m it t ee
1 1 :3 0 a , E xec
Com m

24 25 26 27 28 1 1 :3 0 a 29 30
Boa r d of
Dir ect or s
Meetin g

31
 COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Frost & Sullivan Name AT&T U-Verse 2009 "Product of the Year"
Gail Torreano: Michigan
viewers do well with law
Two yea r s a go, th e Legis la tu r e
m a d e a com m it m en t to Mich iga n
con s u m er s t h a t th e d oor s t o vid eo
com p et it ion wou ld b e op en ed b y
p a s s in g vid eo fr a n ch is e r efor m
legis la t ion . Tod a y, th ou s a n d s m or e
Mich iga n con s u m er s h a ve a cces s
t o vid eo ch oice t h a n ever b efor e,
com m u n ities a r ou n d t h e s t a t e
a r e b en e tin g fr om in ves tm en t in
u p gr a d ed n etwor k s a n d im p r oved
fu n d in g r es ou r ces .
In s h or t, vid eo r efor m is wor k in g
in Mich iga n a n d con s u m er s a n d
com m u n ities a r e r ea p in g t h e
b en e ts .
Un d er s ta n d in g th a t tech n ology is
ch a n gin g a t a b r ea k n eck p a ce a n d
Chamber Endorsement Follow Up
Th e p r op os ed legis la tion wa s
r eviewed b y th e Gover n m en t
Ma t ter s Com m itt ee a n d th e
r es u lt in g in for m a t ion wa s
s u b m itted t o ou r Boa r d in 2 0 0 7 .
YOUR Boa r d of Dir ector s voted to
s u p p or t th e legis la tion th a t m a d e
t h is p os s ib le.
J oh n Cr a wfor d
Pr es id en t & CE O
WKACC
AT&T is d ep loyin g ou r n ext
gen er a tion In t er n et Pr otocol (IP)
t ech n ology in m a n y Mich iga n
com m u n ities . Th is n ew, a d va n ced
con s u m er ch oice wa s t oo lim ited ,
t h e Legis la tu r e d ecid ed th a t r u les
n eed ed to b e u p d a ted t o r e ect
t od a y s com p etitive m a r k et . If th e
r u les wer e ch a n ged in Mich iga n ,
con s u m er ch oice a n d n et wor k
in ves tm en t wou ld follow.
An exa m p le of th e n ew a n d
in n ova t ive ch oices con s u m er s
h a ve a va ila b le to th em is U-ver s e,
d eliver ed b y AT&T. S in ce la u n ch in g
in p a r ts of 5 6 com m u n ities in t h e
Det r oit a r ea in Ma y 2 0 0 7 , U-ver s e
p r od u cts - in clu d in g AT&T U-ver s e
TV, AT&T U-ver s e High -S p eed
In ter n et a n d AT&T U-ver s e Voice
- a r e n ow a va ila b le in p a r ts of over
2 3 0 com m u n ities a cr os s th e s ta te.
Com p etition a n d ch oice a r e
b oom in g givin g con s u m er s th e
ch oice th ey lon ged for , wh ile
tech n ology is con tin u in g to evolve
a n d is b ein g u s ed t o d eliver s er vices
lik e ou r AT&T U-ver s e TV. 2 0 0 8
m a r k ed a yea r of s t r on g cu s t om er
gr owth , exp a n d ed a va ila b ility,
con tin u ed s er vice en h a n cem en ts
a n d in d u s t r y a ccola d es for AT&T
U-ver s e TV.
To n is h off th e yea r , Fr os t &
S u lliva n n a m ed AT&T U-ver s e its
2 0 0 9 Con s u m er Com m u n ica tion s
S er vice Pr od u ct of th e Yea r .
Mos t im p or ta n tly, a s we con t in u e to
exp a n d t h e a va ila b ilit y of IP-b a s ed
p r es er vin g vita l fea tu r es lik e
com m u n ity a cces s p r ogr a m m in g
a n d fu n d in g t o com m u n ities .
In fa ct, in J a n u a r y, th e Mich iga n
Pu b lic S er vice Com m is s ion
r ep or ted , vid eo a n d ca b le
com p et it ion is con tin u in g to gr ow in
Mich iga n , a n d m or e com m u n ities
h a ve a ch oice wh en it com es t o
a vid eo/ ca b le p r ovid er s a n d
cu s tom er s a r e b en e tin g fr om
m or e ch oices . Con s u m er ch oice
a n d m a in t a in in g fu n d in g for ou r
com m u n ities wer e two of th e m a jor
goa ls of t h a t 2 0 0 6 legis la tion , a n d
t wo yea r s la ter , th e PS C r ep or t
s h ows Mich iga n is s u cceed in g.
Wh en con s u m er s a n d com m u n it ies
a r e b en e tin g, it b en e ts a ll of u s .
Gail To rre an o ,
Pre s ide n t , AT&T Mic h igan .
s er vices , con s u m er s a r e b egin n in g
t o exp er ien ce th e b en e ts of TV, PC,
h om e p h on e a n d wir eles s s er vices
t h a t ca n b e in tegr a ted to a ll wor k
t ogeth er . On th a t n ote, a tt a ch ed
is a r ecen t La n s in g S ta te J ou r n a l
op -ed fr om Ga il Tor r ea n o, AT&T
Mich iga n Pr es id en t , h igh ligh t in g
t h e evolu tion of in cr ea s ed vid eo
com p et it ion in Mich iga n th a t is
b en e ttin g Mich iga n Con s u m er s .
J oh n S ch wa r tz
WKACC Boa r d of Dir ector s
AT&T

Adver tise in the New & Improved My Business Advocate

Get Your Message in Front of 750+ Business and Community Leaders Each Month!
(These rates for Members Only. Non-members pay 150% of member rate).
Business Card ize Ad Quar ter Page Ad Half Page Ad
B&W 4 Color B&W 4 Color B&W 4 Color
1X $ 40 $ 75 $ 55 $ 90 $ 90 $ 160
3X $ 108 $ 213 $ 147 $ 252 $ 243 $ 453
6X $ 192 $ 402 $ 264 $ 474 $ 432 $ 852
For more infor mation, contact Sue Bynum at 616-531-5990 or at Sue@southkent.org
 AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE

r e m a in a t ea ch loca tion for a s little Ma rc h Afte r Hours a t Wo o dlan d

or a s lon g a s t h ey d es ir e. For m or e Cre e k . We wou ld lik e to th a n k
April 2 0 0 9 even t in for m a t ion , s p on s or s h ip ou r S HOWCAS E ME MBE RS a t
b y Am y Pierce, in for m a tion , or to p u r ch a s e tick ets , t h e even t: Ce n t ral Pay m e n t
Exp res s Em p loy m en t Profes s ion a ls vis it www.gr u b cr a wls ou t h k en t.com . Co rp, Gillis Fam ily Ch iro prac t ic ,
Mic h igan Tu rk e y Pro du c e rs Co -
Ch a m b er Am b a s s a d or s a r e h er e S om e r ea lly gr ea t r es t a u r a n ts o p, Re / Max Life s t y le s , Wo o dlan d
t o h elp you get in volved b y h elp in g a r e on b oa r d for th e "Cr a wl", Cre e k , an d WKACC.
you u n d er s ta n d th e b en e ts of in clu d in g E l Ar r ier o, No t o 's Old
m em b er s h ip a s well d is cover Wo rld It alian Din in g, Lo n gh o rn Wh e n an d wh e re do t h e
wh er e you r ta len t s wou ld m a k e S t e ak h o u s e , Gr a n d Ra p id s Am bas s ado rs m e e t ? Th e
a n im p a ct! If you a r e u n s u r e of Br ewin g , TGI Fr id a ys , Texa s Am b a s s a d or Com m ittee m eets on
wh o you r Am ba ss a dor is , ca ll J u lie Roa d h ou s e, a n d S a yfees ju s t for t h e r s t Tu es d a y of ea ch m on th
J a n es -Brown a t th e Ch a m b er , (6 1 6 ) s ta r t er s . a t 4 :0 0 PM. Ou r m eet in g loca tion
5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 tod a y! t h r ou gh J u n e 2 0 0 9 is No t o s Old
Co s t is on ly $ 2 0 p er p er s on (or Wo rld It alian Din in g.
$ 1 5 p er p er s on in gr ou p s of ten
or m or e). Dr in k s p ecia ls m u s t b e Ba llo o n Dro p Priz e s
p u r ch a s ed s ep a r a t ely. are n e e de d for th e
Wh at is t h e pu rpo s e o f t h e S o u t h Ke n t Co n -
Am bas s ado r s c o m m it t e e ? Th e s u m e r Expo o n
Me m ber B u s in es s es prom otin g th e
"Gru b Cra w l" th rou gh s pon s ors h ip m is s ion of a WKACC Am b a s s a d or Ap r il 1 8 t h . Don a te
in clu d e Th e Al t e r n a t i ve Boa r d , is t o s u p p or t, p r om ote a n d en h a n ce YOUR BUS INE S S
Ch a m e l e on LTD, Me r c a n t i l e Ba n k t h e b en e ts , p r ogr a m s a n d lo go'd m er ch a n d is e. Con t a ct J u lie
of Mi c h i g a n , Ma c a t a w a Ba n k , and n e t wor k in g op p or tu n ities offer ed b y a t 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il h er a t
Bu s in es s Lea d ers h ip Net w ork . ju lie@s ou t h k en t.or g if you h a ve
t h e WKACC to its m em b er s h ip a n d
com m u n ity. s om eth in g(s ) to d on a t e.
Gru b Crawl S o u t h Ke n t , ou r
r s t even t of th is k in d , will b e on
Th u r s d a y, Ap r il 3 0 , 2 0 0 9 fr om
5 PM 1 0 PM. Gr u b Cr a wl is a
food s a m p lin g tou r of 1 0 1 2
Who are your Ambassadors?
r es ta u r a n ts . Vick ey Ar go, Bu s in es s Lea d er s h ip Networ k
Gr u b Cr a wler s Dou g Br ed b er g, Cr os b y & Hen r y
will b e Lis a Ca lh ou n , Hilt on GR Air p or t
t r a n s p or ted b y Bob Ca r p en ter , Com p let e S ou r ce
DADD's B u s Ca r olyn Foot e, Ma ca t a wa Ba n k
on a con t in u ou s cir cu it b etween th e J im Gilb er t, Cr ea t ive Ben e t S ys t em s
participatin g restau ran ts, with stops a t Ma r cie Gold b er g, Fla gs ta r Ba n
ea ch r es ta u r a n t ever y 1 5 -m in u tes . Ma u r ice Gr oce, Mer ca n t ile Ba n k
Hos t r es ta u r a n t s will h a ve food Ch r is Gr os s , Ch r is Th er a p eu t ic Tou ch
s a m p les for you to ta s t e a n d d r in k Bu z Helwig, Th e Gr a n d Ra p id s Pr es s
s p ecia ls t o p u r ch a s e t h r ou gh ou t Br en t Holla n d , Ch a m eleon Ltd
t h e even t. Gr u b Cr a wler s m a y J u d i Holla n d , Ch a m eleon Ltd
Ca s ey J a n k os k a , E xp r es s E m p loym en t Pr ofes s ion a ls
Den n is Ka va n a gh , Cen t r a l Pa ym en t Cor p
Visit Our Website Ka t ie Kob er , Holid a y In n S elect
Am a n d a Lewis , gNet wor k s
www.grubcrawlsoutkent.com D a n n a Ma th ies en , Mer ca n t ile Ba n k
Site Hosted and Developed S h a wn a Myer s , Ca m b r id ge Pa r t n er s
by Am y Pier ce, E xp r es s E m p loym en t Pr ofes s ion a ls
P a t Pols , Re/ Ma x Lifes t yles
J a s on Ru s s ell, E a gle Ad m in is tr a t or s & Ma p es In s u r a n ce
M a t t Uh l, Na t ion a l Cit y
R ob Wells , AXA Ad vis or s
Bo b O'Ca lla gh a n Ch a m b er S t a ff
J u lie J a n es -Br own Ch a m b er S t a ff
 28TH STREET METRO CRUISE

T he Cr uise Cor ner

City of Wyoming Endorses 2009 Metro Merchant Program
In Ma r ch t h e Wyom in g Down town $ 1 0 0 .0 0 - Ch a m b er Mem b er s
Develop m en t Au th or ity (DDA), a n d Not -Yet-Mem b er s loca t ed in
u n d er th e lea d er s h ip of Mega n t h e DDA Dis tr ict .
S a ll, E xecu tive Dir ector , a p p r oved $ 2 5 0 .0 0 - All oth er Ch a m b er
a n a d d ition a l exp en d itu r e towa r d Mem b er s
in volvem en t in th e 2 0 0 9 2 8 th $ 3 7 5 .0 0 - All oth er Not-Yet
S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e. Mem b er s
Th e Wyom in g DDA wa n ts t o Con ta ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t 6 1 6 -
en cou r a ge b u s in es s es loca t ed in 5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 for p r om ot ion a l id ea s
t h e DDA Dis tr ict (2 8 th S t r eet fr om in volvin g t h e "Cr u is e". Bob will
Byr on Cen ter t o S . Divis ion ) to d es ign a s p eci c p a ck a ge or p r om o
You r Bu s in es s Na m e:
p a r ticip a te in t h e Metr o Mer ch a n t t h a t is ju s t r igh t for you r b u s in es s .
will b e p os t ed on th e 2 8 th
Pr ogr a m . Bu s in es s es in th e a r ea
S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e Web s ite
will p a y a s p ecia l p r ice cou r t es y of Don 't m is s th is op p or tu n it y to get
will b e p os t ed in t h e Metr o
in cr ea s ed s u p p or t fr om th e DDA. you r b u s in es s n a m e in fr on t of
Mer ch a n t Dir ector y in clu d in g
you r cou p on s a n d / or d is cou n t s m or e th a n 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 p eop le wit h th e
Th er e a r e a lot of p r e-even t, la r ges t Ca r E ven t in Wes t Mich iga n .
will b e lis ted in t h e Da y of E ven t
a n d d a y of even t b en e ts to Be a p a r t of th e 2 8 th S t r eet Metr o
Pr ogr a m
p a r ticip a tin g in th e Metr o Mer ch a n t Cr u is e®.
will r eceive two 4 X4 s t a t ic clin g
Pr ogr a m .
Met r o Mer ch a n t win d ow d eca ls
a n in vita tion to a tten d a
S em in a r en titled "Ma r k et in g
My Bu s in es s " a t on e of th r ee
loca tion s .

Cos t for YOUR b u s in es s to

p a r ticip a te a s a Metr o Mer ch a n t
d ep en d s on you r m em b er s h ip
s ta tu s a n d b u s in es s loca tion .

Con t a ct Bob O'Ca lla gh a n a t

Above: The crow d gets larger every 6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 or em a il b ob @
y ear. Nearly 300,000 people vis ited s ou t h k en t .or g t o get in volved !
28th S treet d uring the 2 d ay Metro He ca n s et you u p wit h a
Cruis e event in Augus t 200 8. S p on s or s h ip , A Met r o Mer ch a n t
Pa ck a ge a n d / or id ea s on h ow
Right: Clas s ics to Cus tom to
Contem porary and s om etim es all of you r Bu s in es s ca n get t h e
the above a t once. Every one w ants to exp os u r e on ly a va ila b le a t a
d is play their w heels ! You never k now h u ge even t lik e t h e 2 0 0 9 2 8 th
w h at or w ho y ou'll s ee at the 28th S tr eet Metr o Cr u is e.
S treet Metro Cruis e.

Sixty Volunteers Read to 1500+ Students
S ixt y 2 n d Gr a d e tea ch er s in vited
ou r Ch a m b er Volu n teer s in t o t h eir
cla s s r oom s to r ea d "W h e r e Ea g le s
Fly " to th eir s tu d en ts in Ma r ch . We
es tim a t e m or e th a n 1 5 0 0 s tu d en ts
in th e Wyom in g a n d Ken twood Ar ea
lis ten ed a s Bu s in es s Lea d er s fr om
a ll a r ea s of com m er ce exp la in ed
t h eir job s a n d wh y r ea d in g is s o
im p or ta n t to th em , r ea d t o t h e
s tu d en ts a n d d on a ted th e b ook to
t h e cla s s .
Ou r Bu s in es s S p on s or s m a d e it
p os s ib le to p r ovid e a b ook for ea ch
cla s s r oom lib r a r y.
Alt ru s a
Le n ge r Trave l Ce n t e r
Marge 's Do n u t De n
Sout h Godwin Ne igh borh ood As s oc
Vic Krau s e - Co n s u lt an t
Y ou r B u s in es s ca n s till be a pa rt
of S port of W ord s . Con ta ct s u e@
s ou th k en t.org for d eta ils !
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wr it ten b y Ka t h ey Ba tey, th e t h ir d
con tr ib u tion s h e's m a d e to ou r
Bn B lib r a r y in th e p a s t 3 yea r s , th e
b ook is a va ila b le a t t h e Au t h or 's
web s ite, www.s p ir ited p r es en ta tion s .
com or fr om S ch u ler Book s . Th e
oth er t itles a r e "Ex a g g e r a t ion
Ag g r a va t ion " (2 0 0 7 ) a n d "Ma t h is
Eve r y w h e r e " (2 0 0 8 ).
A s p ecia l t h a n k s to a ll of th e
m em b er s wh o offer ed to r ea d . You r
r es p on s e to t h is p r ogr a m wa s m os t
gen er ou s a n d m os t a p p r ecia t ed .
Ou r n ext E d u ca tion Com m it tee
even t will b e on Ap r il 2 8 t h a t t h e
Hilton Gr a n d Ra p id s Air p or t Hotel
on Pa t ter s on a n d 2 8 t h S tr eet.
We've in vited 5 th Gr a d er s t o cr ea te
a 2 -3 m in u te or a l p r es en ta tion
t o b e p er for m ed b efor e a p a n el of
d is t in gu is h ed ju d ges .
Us in g Toa s tm a s ter In tern a tion a l
gu id elin es , th e con tes ta n ts will b e
ju d ged b a s ed on a n u m er ic s cor in g
s ys tem . Th e t op two p r es en t er s will
b e a wa r d ed a $ 1 0 0 S a vin gs Bon d
t owa r d th eir fu tu r e ed u ca tion .
E ver y s t u d en t wh o p a r ticip a tes
will get a on e-on -on e cr itiqu e of
t h eir p r es en ta tion with con s tr u ctive
s u gges tion s a n d en cou r a gem en t
fr om ea ch ju d ge. Th e Com m itt ee
wou ld lik e to offer t h is in vita tion to
a tt en d ou r m eet in gs a n d wor k wit h
u s on fu tu r e E d u ca t ion Com m itt ee
p r ojects .
Readers and Teachers
Respond
Th e t h a n k you let t er s a n d let t er s of
en d or s em en t for Bu s in es s 'n Book s
h a ve ju s t s t a r t ed com in g in t o t h e
Ch a m b er Of ce. We'd lik e t o s h a r e a
few of t h em wit h you .
I ju s t wa n t ed t o t ell you wh a t a
won d er fu l exp er ien ce it wa s t o r ea d
Ka t h ey's b ook t o t h e k id s yes t er d a y! It
wa s a we-in s p ir in g t o wa t ch t h es e r s t
a n d s econ d gr a d er s get excited a b ou t
wh a t t h ey wa n t t o b e wh en t h ey gr ow
u p ! I t h in k ea ch a n d ever y Ch a m b er
m em b er n eed s t o t a k e/ m a k e t h e t im e
t o exp er ien ce t h is .
Su sa n Sa sa k
Ad m in is tr a t or
Ton y's Tu n es E n t er t a in m en t S er vice
Dea r Hea t h er Oys t i,
(Merca n tile Volu n teer)
I a m s o s or r y t h a t I m is s ed you r
r ea d in g of Wh er e E a gles Fly. Th e
s tu d en t s en joyed it a s d id m y t ea ch in g
a s s is t a n ts . Th a n k s s o m u ch for
b ein g h er e on t im e a n d s h a r in g
you r tim e wit h m y k id s . I t h in k you r
p r ogr a m is in va lu a b le a s you a r e a
con n ect ion t o t h e "r ea l wor ld " t h a t
va lu es r ea d in g .
As you m a y k n ow, Roger s La n e is
clos in g n ext yea r . Bu t I will s t ill b e
in Wyom in g Pu b lic S ch ools s om ewh er e!
S o p lea s e feel fr ee t o look m e u p !
Wh er ever I a m , I will welcom e you r
gen er ou s t im e of a good r ea d a n d t h e
gift of a good b ook !
Th a n k s a ga in !
Ca t h er in e Hor n
Roger s La n e E lem en t a r y, 2 n d Gr a d e
Wyom in g Pu b lic S ch ools
Th a n k you s o m u ch for a r r a n gin g t h is
for u s . Kevin S ch a fer fr om Mer ca n t ile
Ba n k wa s ver y good wit h t h e ch ild r en
a n d t h e b ook wa s won d er fu l. Wh a t a
won d er fu l op p or tu n ity for ou r s t u d en t s !
Den is e McLella n
E n d ea vor E lem en t a r y, 2 n d Gr a d e
(Ken t wood Pu b lic S ch ools )
 MEMBER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF INTEREST
Re ne w ing M e m be rs
All Occasion Gift Baskets, LLC
Alta Lift Tru ck Services In c.
Au stin -J ordan En gin es
Au to Con sider, In c.
Axa Advisors
Bagel Bean ery
Bran n 's Steakh ou se & Grille
Carrabba's Italian Grill
CBS Ou tdoor
Ch am eleon Ltd.
Dan Ch idester
Delios Com pu ter Solu tion s, In c.
Draftsm en , In c.
DTE En ergy
Fran klin Press, In c
Good GMC, In c.
Ham m ersm ith Equ ipm en t Co. In c.
Lau reen A Birdsall
Natu ral Ch oice Ch iropractic
P3 HR Con su ltin g & Services LLC
Plexicase, In c
R.L. Adam s Plastics, In c.
Real Estate 360
Regen t Broadcastin g Corp.
Reid Associates
Ruth Kohley - 5 YEARS!
Sn eller's Lan dscapin g
Steelcase In c.
Su n n yslope Floral & Gift
Tou ch ston e System s & Services, L.C.
Ma r ge a n d Gen e Wils on wou ld
lik e to let eveyon e k n ow t h a t th e
exten s ive r en ova tion s to Ma r ge's
Don u t Den a r e n ea r ly com p lete.
Big p la n s a r e u n d er wa y for a
3 4 t h An n iver s a y Celeb r a tion
com p lete wit h Rib b on Cu tt in g
a n d Red ed ica t ion of th e fa m ilia r
b u s in es s t h a t h a s b een a la n d m a r k
a t 1 7 5 1 2 8 t h S t S W.
Ma r ge wou ld lik e t o in vite you
t o h er p a r ty on Mon d a y, J u n e 1
fr om 1 1 a m u n til 1 p m . S top in a n d
con gr a tu la te th is Ch a r ter Mem b er
of WKACC!
M e m be r M ile st one s
Bu s in es s es lis ted on th is
p a ge a re m a rk in g a Mem b er
Miles ton e. Plea s e ta k e th e
tim e to welcom e n ew m em b ers
a n d con gra tu la te ren ewin g
m em b ers , es p ecia lly th os e
celeb ra tin g a n a n n ivers a ry, on
th eir con tin u in g s u p p ort of
YOUR Ch a m b er of Com m erce.
For m ore in form a tion on a n y
of th es e m em b ers log on to
www.s ou th k en t.org a n d click
on in form a tion requ es t or ca ll
6 1 6 -5 3 1 -5 9 9 0 for m ore d eta ils .
Member
Spotlight
Your Board Executives meet monthly and select the Volunteer and
Committee of the Month to spotlight outstanding volunteer effort
and results on behalf of your Chamber.
Fe bru ary Vo lu n t e e r o f t h e Mo n t h
Am an da Le wis
gNetworks/ Fram ework Sites
For d iligen t a n d con tin u ou s
volu n teer wor k on a m u ltit u d e
of p r ojects in clu d in g vice ch a ir
for th e Ch a m b er Am b a s s a d or s ;
volu n teer for 2 0 0 9 Gr u b Cr a wl
S ou t h Ken t, Activa t ion a n d
Ret en t ion Com m itt ee, S a n t a
Pa r a d e Com m ittee, S ilen t Au ction
Com m it tee a n d th e J a n 2 0 0 9
An n u a l Meetin g Com m it tee. Her
m a n y h ou r s of d ed ica tion a n d
s u p p or t of t h e Wyom in g-Ken twood
Ar ea Ch a m b er of Com m er ce a n d
ou r com m u n ity m a k es h er a s u p er
a ch iever a n d a n id ea l ca n d id a te for
t h is a wa r d .
Being
Active
on a
Chamber
Committee
is Good
Business!
We lc om e N e w M e m be rs
Apple wo o d De n t al
Dr . Kevin Ha h n - (6 1 6 ) 7 2 4 -1 7 8 0
No rt h e rn Mo rt gage S e rvic e
Gr eg Ka lu s h - (6 1 6 ) 5 3 2 -5 5 5 1
Prin c ipal Fin an c ial
Br ia n Don n elly - (6 1 6 ) 9 4 2 -1 2 5 1
S e rvpro
Tebeth a Velderm a n - (616) 662-9700
Win gs o f Ho pe
An n a Ru s s ell - (6 1 6 ) 5 5 1 -4 2 2 2
Zo u p!
Gr a n t Win k lem a n - (6 1 6 ) 2 6 1 -8 0 2 2
Fe bruary Co m m it t e e o f t h e Mo n t h
3 rd Friday s ! Exc h an ge Lun c h e o n
Co m m it t e e
Ch a ired b y Lis a O'Callagh an from
Cit ade l Bro adc as t in g u n d er th e
s u p ervis ion of Com m itte Director,
Dan n a Mat h ie s e n from Me rc an t il
Ban k a n d Dvis ion Vice Ch a ir Bre n t
Ho llan d from Ch am e le o n Lt d.
Com m ittee Mem b ers a re:
David Sz idik - Pro fo rm a In n it e
Marke t in g So lut io n s
Lin da Sin ge r - Mic h gian Lake
t o Lake Be d an d Bre akfas t
As s o c iat io n
J e an e Riple y - Cus t o m De s ign
Drape rie s by J e an e
De n n is Kavan agh - Ce n t ral
Pay m e n t Co rp
Referr ing
New
Members
Is
Good
Business!

2009 Membership
Signs and
Metro Guides
The 2009 Community Pro le and Metro
Guides are at the Chamber Of ce now. We
are only waiting for the delivery of your
2009 Membership Signs to get the mailing
out to you.
If you would like a copy of the 2009 Metro
Guide right away, stop in at the Chamber
Of ce and pick one up. We are located
at 590 32nd St SE between Eastern and
Madison. Our of ces are open Monday -
Friday from 8am until 5pm.
Watch the mail for your copy in the
weeks ahead and don t forget to post that
Membership Sign in a prominent location
in your business.
If a Staff Member, Ambassador or Member
of your Board of Directors spots your sign,
you will get a free business card ad in a
future issue of My Business Advocate. Just
ask the advertisers below how easy it is to
market your business with the Chamber!
THE 13 TH PAGE
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
Mr . J oh n Cr a wfor d , Pr es id en t Fr id a y, Ap r il 3 , 2 0 0 9
W/ K Ch m b er of Com m er ce
5 9 0 Th ir ty-S econ d S t S E
Wyom in g, Mich iga n 4 9 5 0 8
Gr eetin gs J oh n ,
S a tu r d a y, Ma r ch 2 1 s t, we wen t t o S t. Cla ir S h or es , Mich iga n t o view a
p er s on s p r iva te collection of a n t iqu e ca r s . 6 0 Bea u tifu l, gor geou s ca r s .
Wh ile th er e, a few p eop le ca m e u p t o m e, k n owin g t h a t I a m fr om t h e
Gr a n d Ra p id s a r ea a n d exp r es s ed t h eir a d m ir a tion for ou r 2 8 th S tr eet
Metr o-Cr u is e, la s t yea r , a n d h ow m u ch th ey en joyed it . Th er e s m or e
p lea s u r e in b ein g a t you r 2 8 t h S tr eet Metr o-Cr u is e th en b ein g a t ou r
Wood wa r d Aven u e Cr u is e.
Wa tch in g t h e Wood wa r d Aven u e Cr u is e fr om th e cu r b a s th e ca r s d r ive
b y is a ll on e ca n d o. Th er e s n o p a r k in g a r ea wh er e you ca n go, view th e
ca r s or ta lk with t h e own er s .
In Gr a n d Ra p id s , you h a ve p a r k in g a r ea s s et a s id e a ll a lon g th e r ou n te,
lled with a n tiqu e ca r s p lu s a m p le a r ea s for vis itor s to p a r k th eir
m od er n ca r s .
Th is m a d e m e feel ver y good .
J oh n , th a t s a BIG PLUS for t h e 2 8 th S tr eet Metr o-Cr u is e. I ju s t wa n ted
t o s h a r e th is wit h you , wh a t m y lis ten in g ea r s h ea r s .
Res p ectfu lly You r s ,
Len J oh n s on
Grand Rapids Antique Car Club
Let s Think GOLF!
The Pines
June 12th, 2009
11:00 Shotgun Start
Market Your Business with a Sponsorship. Contact
julie@southkent.org or call 616-531-5990. Log on to
www.southkent.org for more information. Get your
foursome ready or we can nd a team for you.