December 2009 Volume 29, Issue 12

My Business Advocate
Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses
Silent Auction to Support 2010 Events
Donations are now being accepted
at the Chamber Office for our next
Silent Auction Fundraiser. We
are looking for merchandise, gift
cards and gift baskets that will
encourage our members to bid
high and bid often. All proceeds
benefit 2010 Chamber Programs.
You may receive a call from
someone on the committee asking
for your donation. We hope you
can take advantage of this fun
opportunity to remind those
attending the Annual Meeting
and Awards Dinner that you're a
member.
Plan to join us on Friday evening, in your RSVP right away. Don't
January 22, 2010 as we gather
at Noto's Old World Italian
Dining located at 6600 28th
St SE in Cascade for our 29th
Annual Meeting and Awards
Dinner.
We'll wrap up 2009, gear up
for 2010 and recognize special
accomplishments by volunteers and
area businesses at our 29th Annual
Meeting and Awards Dinner.
There will be bidding at the Silent
Auction during the evening, up
until we present the Business of
the Year Awards. Proceeds will be
used to benefit 2010 Events as
outlined in the Program of Work
completed by your newly elected
Board of Directors.
Watch for your invitation in the
mail in early January and send
forget to make reservations for your
guests at the same time.
Unlike many things lately, the
cost to attend the Annual Meeting
remains $45 per person with your
reservation before January 15.
Reservations are only $65 from
January 16. Cost at the door will
be $85. Many sponsorships include
reservations for dinner.
Your donated auction items will be
displayed with your company name
and/or logo and include a mention in the
Auction Catalog. Companies donating will
be mentioned from the podium during the
Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner.
Get the details and register on
line at www.southkent.org or email
sue@southkent.org for assistance.
Sponsorships Available
Sponsoring the Annual Meeting and
Silent Auction means high visibility at a
price meant to fit your business budget.
With your pre-paid sponsorship, your
company name will appear on all the
pre-event publicity, in press releases,
on nearly 500 event invitations and on
a banner at the event.

Community Roundtable
Group Now Forming
Coming Events Mishelle Bakewell from Metro Health
Hospital will be chairing WKACC's
Santa Parade 12/5 2010 Community Roundtable.
Finance and Executive Board 12/9 Meetings start in January. This
Board of Directors 12/17 committee is just forming.
3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon 12/18
Chamber Office Closed 12/24,25 & 12/31-1/1/10 Community Roundtable is an
3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon 1/15/10 informal forum for business,
Annual Meeting and Silent Auction 1/22/10 government and educational sectors
Chamber After Hours 2/11 to come together monthly to discuss
3rd Fridays Networking Luncheon 2/19 relevant issues and concerns.

Calendars on Pages 6 & 7 Contact Mishelle at (616) 252-4779

Log on to www.southkent.org for details. or email mishelle.bakewell@metrogr.
org.
 YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
2009 Board of Directors
*indicates Executive Committee Member
*John Crawford - President & CEO
*Todd Duncan - Consumers Energy, Board Chair
*Steve Marshall- MAS Advisory Service, Chair, Fin. &
Budget
*Norine Mulvihill - Sr. V. Chair - American Diabetes
Association
*Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited
Presentations
*Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd.
*Skip Knapp - EdwardJones Investments
*Tom Kruisenga - The Kruisenga Agency, Past
Chair
*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk
PLC, Legal Counsel
Community Relations Division (Blue)
*Kathey Batey - Vice Chair
Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille
Dan Van Dyke - PCO Associates, LLC
*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander
Kolk,.PLC
Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services
Member Relations Division (Red)
*Brent Holland - Vice Chair
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols &
Carter
Danna Mathiesen - Mercantile Bank
John Schwartz - AT&T
Membership Development Division (Gold)
*Skip Knapp - Vice Chair
Bob O'Callaghan - Citadel Broadcasting
Rob Wells - VantagePointe Financial Group
Financial Development Division (Green)
*Norine Mulvihill - Sr. Vice Chair
Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema)
Joel Iakiri - Huntington Bank
David Szidik - Proforma Infinite Marketing
Matt Uhl - National City
Ex-Officio
Carol Sheets - City of Wyoming, Mayor
Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor
Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager
Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair
My Business Advocate,
Copyright 2009
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce
590 - 32nd Street SE
Wyoming, MI 49548-2345
Tel: 616-531-5990
Fax: 616-531-0252
Newsletter/Advert Information: sue@southkent.org
Building Better Communities by
Building Better Businesses
Opinion by John
December 2009
By John J. Crawford, Jr.
President & CEO
Thanksgiving and Other Thoughts
This has been an amazing year of Hope for many and
Change for others.
I hope you are looking at winding up 2009 with a big
finish and are making plans for a better 2010.
I am sure that there are many people that you know that
are heading into the holidays with a little fear, anxiety
and depression. My Pastor at church correctly pointed
out that it’s impossible for Anxiety, Depression and
Gratefulness to co-exist in the same heart at the same
time.
As we are coming off a great Thanksgiving weekend, it’s
my hope that you can think about that idea for a couple
minutes.
Fear is a powerful paralyzer, but now is the time for
each of us to take positive actions in building our
businesses. Taking time to reflect, to give real thanks for
the opportunities that you do have and for the myriad
of other gifts, blessings, people and friends in your life.
That’s often the prescription you need to allay anxiety
and doubt. From there, you’ll be ready to go - taking
action on your plan shouldn’t be far behind.
A huge gift in my life that I’ll remain grateful for is the
opportunity to work with so many passionate, dedicated
people in the Chamber and in our Community. This is
truly a unique seat to hold and the view has been great!
The active members in this Chamber are fantastic! Need
a lift? Get around some WKACC members a few times!
Santa Parade Dec 5, 10:00 AM
I urge you to do a couple things – get involved on a
Chamber Committee or Project and recommend a
company or colleague that you know to join you in
Chamber Membership. You’ll be well on your way to
building new and lasting friendships and business
relationships. You’ll have a lot of fun and, when you
look back on it, a wealth of people and experiences to be
thankful for!
If you want to get in the right frame of mind, have a lot
of fun and show off your Company, contact the Chamber
NOW at 616 531-5990 to arrange to participate in the
Santa Parade THIS Saturday, Dec 5! Details can be
found at www.southkent.org.
Thanks for all that you do! It’s important and it’s
appreciated!
At least that’s my
Opinion by John.
 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce
Nominate Businesses of the Year 2009
Economic Development Activity
The Chamber’s Businesses of the to be a nominee or to submit a nomi- that resulted in the creation of jobs
Year Awards will be presented on nation. Contributions of the nomi- or an increase in wealth or capital
Friday evening, January 22, 2010 at nees must have been in the 2009 investment in the Wyoming-Kent-
the Chamber’s Annual Meeting. This calendar year. Submission deadline wood Area.
is our chance to recognize exceptional is Monday, December 14, 2009.
area businesses in each of three cate- Education Development or partici-
gories for going above and beyond the Award Nomination Criteria. pation in training and education pro-
call of duty. This has been another Business Operations Activity that grams resulting in a better-trained
great year for many enterprises and exemplifies community leadership workforce either currently or for the
the Chamber wants to celebrate by and/or exceptional customer service future.
recognizing outstanding businesses in a retail, service or manufacturing
business. Humanitarian Efforts Activities
in these classes. or significant contributions that re-
The Chamber Executive Committee Areas Include: sulted in the improvement of human
serve as the judging committee and Chamber Support Activity or con- conditions anywhere in the world.
will be looking at several areas of tribution which is above and beyond
the call of Chamber membership and Quality of Life Coordination of any
contribution. It is possible to win with local project or activity that improved
contributions in just one area. which helped the Chamber of Com-
merce further its mission in some the quality of life for residents of the
significant way. Greater Wyoming-Kentwood com-
Although it is encouraged and will
munity.
likely be used as a tie breaker, Cham-
ber Membership is not a requirement
Forms must be received at the Chamber offices by 5:00 pm on
Monday, December 14, 2009. You may also e-mail form to sue@southkent.org
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce  590 32nd Street SE  Wyoming, MI 49548

Businesses of the Year 2009

NOMINATION FORM

Category (check one):  Retail  Manufacturing  Service

Nominee’s Company Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

City, State: _____________________________________ Zip: ___________________

Contact Name: _____________________________ Phone: ________________________

Nominator’s Name: __________________________Relationship to Nominee: _________

Nominator’s e-Mail: ___________________________ Phone: _______________________

Please provide a detailed description of the nominee’s contributions on a second sheet of paper. Explain when
and under what circumstances these contributions were made. Please provide as much detailed information
as possible relative to career, family, education and volunteer commitments. A judging committee shall review
each nomination and select a winning organization in each category. The judges’ decisions shall be final.
Complete and return the form to Sue Bynum via mail to the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce,
590 32nd Street SE, Wyoming, MI 49548-2345, or fax to 616-531-0252 or e-mail to sue@southkent.org.

WKACC
Education Committee
Extra
Credit
Business 'n Books, Event will happen in
March 2010. We'll need volunteers to read
to 2nd Grade Classrooms in Wyoming and
Kentwood Schools! Sport of Words Speech
Contest will be Wednesday, April 14, at
E. Kentwood HS Auditorium as a featured
event at the EXPO!
Don't Forget!
Marketing
incentives available
from Citadel
Broadcasting to all
new and renewing
Members:
Make it a point to renew your dues
on time or even early if you can.
There is a great bonus advertising
benefit from Citadel Broadcasting
for timely renewals. Ask Sue, Julie
or John for all the details before
your Membership is due.
Refer a New Member and
receive a $25.00 Chamber Bucks
Credit toward your next invoice.
Contact the Chamber with your
referral information and when
your referral joins you will
receive the credit. Don't forget to
mention the marketing package
valued at $1500. from Citadel
Broadcasting.
Kentwood Public Schools and WKACC
Education Committee Plan
Area-wide Career EXPO, Speech Contest
Kentwood Public Schools
would like to invite members
of the Wyoming-Kentwood
Area Chamber of Commerce
to join other businesses and
organizations in the South Kent
County area in an area wide K-
12 Career Expo.
Mark your calendar for
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 and
help us show our future work
force what career options are out
there.
The event is a great opportunity
for students to interact with
professionals in a variety of
career areas. There is no fee to
participate in the Career Expo.
Do You Know Your Ambassador?
The Ambassadors would like to
thank everyone that came to the
Fall 2009 Chamber After Hours.
In October, we had about 65
people that came to Sarah Care
in Wyoming and in November
about 60 to the Ramada Plaza
in Kentwood. It was great to see
lots of news faces and to also see
our regulars. Thank you to our
hosts at Sarah Care and Ramada
Plaza!!
Our next Chamber After Hours
will be on February 11 and March
11. More details coming soon.
Just a reminder about our
Ambassador roles and our
purpose: We serve as official
hosts for WKACC and represent
the Chamber at open houses,
Your participation includes:
• The use of 1 display table per
business.
• The use of a tablecloth and 2
chairs.
• EXPO Education Packet
(helpful suggestions for talking
to students).
• Opportunity to represent
your company to hundreds of
students and their families.
Electrical outlets are available but
limited and will be assigned as
requested.
Consider donating a door prize
or gift certificate ($15 value or
more) for the Career EXPO Prize
drawings.
ribbon cuttings, Chamber After
Hours and other official Chamber
sponsored events.
We also promote the projects
and public relations efforts at the
WKACC. Our role is also to attract
and retain ACTIVE members. One
way we retain active members
is to serve as the members voice
and act as a liaison between the
membership, Board of Directors
and Chamber staff.
Please make yourself available to
your Ambassador when you get
that phone call from them. We
want to hear your feedback about
how the Chamber is doing, what
we can do better, or learn more
about what the Chamber can
provide to Build Better Businesses.
Display your membership sign!
When an ambassador, board
member or staff person spots it,
you'll get a free business card
sized ad in The Advocate!
 CHAMBER PARTNERS
These WKACC Members are offering
discounts to Members on products
and services that you need to run
your business. Using a Chamber
Partner will help you increase your
bottom line while you support
members and the Chamber at the
same time.
Chamber Partners have agreed to
provide non-dues revenue to the
Chamber for every member that
uses their services in addition
to special rates to the member-
customer.
Choice Business Services
As a Chamber Partner, Choice Business Services offers
any member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber
of Commerce a significant discount on all office support
services.
CBS provides professional business support through Business Address,
Conferencing Services, Clerical/Administrative Support services.
Telephone Answering, Temporary and Permanent Office Leasing and
much more…..You give us the task we figure out the best way to
complete it! Contact Debra Bates at deb@choicebiz.com or call 616-975-
0100 for discount details.
TAB has been a ChamberPartner
since 2008 and recently renewed
their partnership for another year.
The Alternative Board helps you
grow your business, make more
TAB offers business owners peer money and work fewer hours.
advice, at a discounted rate, to
empower you and your Contact Carol Crawford at 616-
organization to achieve your 301-8081 or email her at carol@
business vision. tabmichigan.com.
Take the Benefits Challenge!
1) It would be beneficial to have an Employee Benefits plan that
‘ b e n e f i t e d ’ all employees - including our lower-paid hourly and
part-time staff at NO-COST to me, the employer.
TTrruuee // FFaallssee
2) I’d like our group health insurance rates to decrease by 40%
immediately and remain stable into the future.
TTrruuee // FFaallssee
Let us show you something new.
JJaassoonn A
A.. R
Ruusssseellll
Broker Director
(616) 490-0911 - direct
WKACC Chamber Partner
Jason@eagleadministrators.com
You're getting real value when
you use a Chamber Partner. Only
products and services that will
help you grow your business for
less money are endorsed by the
Chamber Partner Committee.
If you would like information on
becoming a Chamber Partner
contact sue@southkent.org or
carol@tabmichigan.com for a copy
of the Affinity Program and answers
to any questions you may have
about applying for a Chamber
Partner Endorsement.
Member 2 Member
Discounts
A program of WKACC Chamber
Partners for any Member in Good
Standing. Contact sue@southkent.org
or dszidik@proforma.com to list your
Member 2 Member Discount.
Save on Ink and Toner!
Mark Schabacker - Owner
(o) 616-818-5555 (f) 616-987-3018
grandrapids@thecartridgedepot.com
www.TheCartridgedepot.com
20% OFF initial orders for
New Customers
Lower your Toner & Ink Costs Today!
FREE Pick Up and DELIVERY for local
Businesses,
SAVE up to 50% On Ink & TONER needs!
Locally Owned & Operated
Michael DeVries from
Principal Financial Group
is offering Members of the
Wyoming-Kentwood Area
Chamber of Commerce significant cost
savings on Disability Insurance and only
for our Chamber Member Employers
and their employees. Contact Michael
at 616-942-1251 ext 3020 for price and
coverage details.
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 11 a 2 8:15a 3 8a 4 5
Santa Parade Chamber Recruiting
Committee Foundation Committee
4p 10a
Ambassadors 3rd Fridays!
@Park Center Planning
Lanes Committee 10 a
Santa Parade

6 Noon
7Gov Matters 8 9 10a, 10 8a 11 7:30 - 9am 12
at Finance PAC Multi Chamber
the Chamber 11:30a, 9a Speed
4pm Executive Bus Growth Networking
Education Committee 5-7 pm 9a -6p
Comm @ 2010 Board
Celebration Planning Mtg
South

13 14 8a 15 16 8am 17 7:30a 18 11:30a-1p 19

Gov Matters at Activation & CEO Exchange 3rd Fridays!
Kentwood Retention 11:30 Hilton Hotel
City Hall Board Mtg @ 1p
Brann's Chamber
Partners
JANUARY
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
20 21 22 23 24 10 a 25 26
3rd Fri! Comm

MERRY
CHRISTMAS
Office open by Chamber Office
appt after 12 p Closed

27 28 29 30 31

Office open by
appt after 12 p

4641 N. Breton Ct., SE

Kentwood, MI 49508
Phone: 616.656.1090
E-mail: Brinks.Law.Firm@
Prodigy.net
WEB: BrinksLawFirm.com
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 2010
Sun


Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2

HAPPY
NEW YEAR
Chamber Office
Closed

3 4 Noon 5 4pm 6 8:15a 7 8a 8 9

Gov Matters at Ambassadors Chamber Recruiting
the Chamber @ Park Center Foundation Committee
4pm Lanes 10 a
Education 3rd Fri! Comm
Comm @
Celebration

10 11 8a 12 13 14 9a 15 11:30a-1p 16
Business 3rd Fridays!
Gov Matters at
Growth TBD
Kentwood
1p
City Hall
Chamber
Partners
FEBRUARY
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE

17 18 19 20 8am 21 7:30a
22 6pm 23
Activation & CEO Exchange Cocktail Hour
Retention 10 a 7-9pm
10a, 3rd Fri! 29th Annual
Finance Comm Meeting &
11:30a, Awards Dinner
Executive and Silent
Committee Auction

24 25 26 27 28 11:30 29 30
Board Mtg @
Brann's

31

IF YOU'RE NOT AT YOUR LAST JOB,

YOUR 401(K) SHOULDN'T BE EITHER.

To see why it makes sense to roll your 401(k) to Edward Jones, call today.
S.A. (Skip) Knapp III
Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
1801 Breton Rd SE, Ste E
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-942-5770
 South Kent Business Connections Expo a Success!
With a “standing room only” Lunch
‘n Learn workshop on Referral
Marketing by Penny Georgevich,
Executive Director of BNI -
Michigan and 45 showcase tables,
this year’s South Kent Business
Connections Expo on October
29th at the Applause Event Center
gave over 500 business owner and
executive attendees – about half
of them non WKACC members – a
reason to be excited about doing
business locally. Blair Entenmann,
owner of MarketingHelp! and this
year’s Expo Chair said, “The Expo’s
mission was to spotlight member
businesses to other businesses
in the south Kent County area in
a convenient venue. Based on
the feedback from exhibitors and
attendees, we accomplished our
mission!”
One exhibitor, Paul Bradshaw,
owner International Minute
Press, a commercial printer and
exhibitor says “I was pleased with
the turnout, there were certainly
enough people to connect and talk
with.” Theresa Peterlein, VP of Sales
and Marketing at Presort Services,
full-service direct mail business
and Silver Sponsor agrees, “This
is the best organized event of all
the local Chambers. Turnout was
great. This event keeps growing
and keeps getting better.”
Mark your calendars now for
the 2010 South Kent Business
Connections Expo on October 28th
because a Chamber volunteer will
be contacting you next Summer
about participating.

House Bill Would Extend COBRA Eligibility

A provision in a 2009 economic
stimulus law that requires the
federal government to pay 65% of
COBRA health care premiums for
employees who were involuntarily
terminated will expire at the end of
November if legislation to extend
the provision does not pass.
Under the current provision,
employees who lost their jobs after
Sept. 1, 2008 are eligible to receive
the subsidy for up to nine months.
Those who lose their jobs after Dec.
31, 2009 will not qualify. For You,
Your Employees and
The new provision would extend
the subsidy eligibility through Their Families!
June 30, 2010 and increase Contact janine@southkent.
COBRA coverage up to 15 months. org for plan pricing and work
workforceManagement.com - Oct. and residential eligibility
30, 2009. requirements.


 Klingman's


Beltline Bar
Grace Bible College
Huntington Bank
Family Fare


Hobart Sales & Service
Home Works Corporation
Lacks Enterprises

Lake Michigan Credit Union
 Tony's Tunes
Two Men and A Truck
 Auto Finance
Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille

  gNetworks
 Gordon Food Service
 Kent County Credit Union



 Free Seminars “Taking Your Business to the Next Level”
Chamber Member Businesses are
providing a series of seminars for
business owners and decision mak-
ers that will help take your busi-
ness to the next level.
December 2, 2009 7:45 a.m.
– 11:30 am: How to Capture More
Market Share in a Challenging
Economy! The Uncommon Sense
Sales Process Tony Rubleski
– President of Mind Capture Group
and Author of the #1 selling book
“Mind Capture: How You Can
Stand Out In The Age of Advertis-
ing Deficit Disorder” will discuss
How to generate referrals - How to
get ‘Mind Capture’ in a crowded
market - Effective ways to improve
Metro Guide Advertising Visible All Year - Community Wide
Your Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of
Commerce Community Profile and
Metro Guide is distributed, community
wide, to City Hall, Doctors Offices,
Libraries, Hotels and Restaurants.
Quantities are available for distribution
and use by your company
your marketing evidence - Proven
ways to stay in touch and generate
repeat business. Carol Crawford of
The Alternative Board will discuss
- Do you trust Sales as a process
or magic? Do you hold sales people
accountable? Do you have a Sales
Plan and work the Plan? Upgrade
your sales within your Organization
from Good to Great!
January 13, 7:45 - 11:30 am:
Michigan’s Economy/Business
Promote your business in
this high quality publication
with a full year of circulation.
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area
Chamber of Commerce is, once
again, offering advertising
opportunities for our 2010
publication.
Your Chamber Membership
includes a complimentary double
listing. Member Businesses are
listed alphabetically by the name
of the business and also in a
directory classified by the service
or product provided. There is no
cost to your business for these
listings but we need to have
current contact, address, phone
and email information about your
business.
Something new this year:
• Upgrade your listing.
In addition to display
advertising, business features
are available to those wishing
Outlook presented by Carole Va-
lade, Editor - Grand Rapids Busi-
ness Journal and John Crawford,
President - Wyoming-Kentwood
Area Chamber of Commerce.
CEO’s, Presidents and Business
Owners can attend this entire
FREE series. Register TODAY at
www.tabmichigan.com or Call
616-975-0125. Seminars are held
at The Campbell Group Building,
5664 Prairie Creek Dr. near M-6
and M-37.
to convey their message in an
editorial format
• This combination editoral/
advertising vehicle resembles
a magazine article in content
and appearance.
• Each business feature
consists of 100 to 150 words,
plus photography
Features are available in full and
half page sizes.
Ad space is available in all sizes
and at a price to fit any business
budget. Full and half-page
advertisers also receive a banner
ad on the Chamber website for
one full year at no extra cost.
For more information and
prices call 1-800-491-1760 or
book your ad on-line at www.
harborhouse.com/wyoming.htm.
Contact sue@southkent.org to
update your membership records
to insure your 2010 listing will be
accurate.

LEARN what
y o u c a n D O. . .
...to KNOCK OUT FLU
How is seasonal flu different from H1N1?
Is a vaccine available?
How sick is too sick to go to work?
Free 1-hour presentations are available for community
groups, businesses, schools and child care centers to
learn about staying healthy during the upcoming flu
season. Presentations are for audiences of 20 or
more and can be tailored for all ages. To schedule a
presentation, call the Kent County Health Department
at (616) 632-7290.
TUJDLJUUPUIFGMVDPN
3rd Fridays!
Annual Pass Saves
Networking Dollars
Members taking advantage of the
monthly networking opportunities
at our 3rd Fridays! Luncheon know
it is the best monthly networking
bargain around. And they know
that networking is more effective
when it is consistently done.
In the spirit of helping our
businesses grow their bottom line,
the Chamber is offering a 3rd
Fridays! Annual Pass for only
$126.00. That's a 25% savings
off the monthly early registration
charge for lunch and it guarantees
your automatic reservations at the
next 12 consecutive 3rd Fridays!
Luncheons.
Contact us if you can't attend.
No need to call ahead or forgetting
to register on time to beat the early
registration deadline. We'll only
need to know if you can't make it.
Can't always make the luncheon?
The pass is issued in YOUR
COMPANY NAME and may be used
for lunch by any representative
of your company. Miss up to 3
lunches in 12 months and still
save!
Add a Showcase Table anytime.
It's simple to add a showcase table
to your annual pass luncheon
admission. Just call or email the
Chamber and let them know you'd
like to pay $35 to showcase your
business with your paid admission.
Showcase tables are available,
first-come-first-serve as long as
space allows.
Interested in a monthly
showcase table to go with that
lunch? We also have an Annual
Showcase Pass that will entitle
you to 12 consecutive showcase
tables at 3rd Fridays. Cost for the
showcase pass is only $396.00
and that includes an 8' table,
networking and lunch. Contact
sue@southkent.org to sign up or
for more information.
 Member Spotlight Renewing Members
• ATC Associates, Inc • Kent Rubber Supply Co.
Board Executives meet monthly and select the
• Batteries Plus • Kentwood Jaycees
outstanding volunteer and Committee for their
• Bouma Bros. Sales & Serv. Inc • L &D Growers
effort and results on behalf of WKACC.
• Celebration Banquet & • Lenger Travel Center, Inc
Catering • Main Street Pub
November Volunteer • City of Wyoming • Michigan Lake to Lake Bed and
of the Month • Comcast Breakfast Association
Blair Entenmann - • Covenant Developments • NovaCare
MarketingHelp! gets • Creative Benefit Systems, Inc • Paychex
the volunteer of the month award • Custom Upholstering • Proforma Infinite Marketing
for the second time in 2009. This • Dyna-Plate, Inc Solutions
time for heading the Business • Ecenbarger Eye Care • Real Pro Auto – 28th St.
Connections Expo subcommittee. • Express Employment • Scholtens Electric
Blair is a committee member on Professionals • The Alternative Board
the Business Growth Committee • Gordon Food Service • Van Dam Iron Works
and took the lead role in organizing • Harbor House Publishers • Western Districts Members
a crew and planning the Business • Hoekwater Family Dentistry Credit Union
Connection event at Applause • Huffman, Crown & Bridge • Willamson Staffing
Banquet Center in October. The Studio
attendance was outstanding and
our featured Lunch 'n Learn event Welcome New and Returning Members
was standing room only!
D2 Marketing - Denise Hughes, Food Design by Chef Brech -
November Committee 616-451-2335 (welcome back Steve Brechting, 616-735-3121
of the Month D2 Marketing)!
Health Motions Physical
Government Matters Committee
Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Therapy - Andrew Krietemyer,
Your Government Matters
Committee is the only committee Airport - Katie Kober, 616-285- 616-554-0918
that meets regularly twice a month 7600 (welcome back Holiday
Inn GR Airport)! Heartland Payment Systems -
to discuss issues on the local, Brian Justema, 616-498-2225
county, state and federal levels
of government that affect your Family Fare Supermarkets
MBS Enterprises, LLC - Bruce
business and our communities. - Terry Blanding, 616-878-2000
Schwartz, 616-271-3671
Nominated for the successful (Welcome Back Family Fare)!
Legislative Luncheon held in
October, this hard working
committee consists of:
• Dave VanHouten - HWC & Window
World (Chair)
• Tommy Brann - Brann's
Steakhouse & Grille Non-Chamber Event
• Kathey Batey - Priority Health &

•
Spirited Presentations
Vic Krause - Metro Health
Woodland Creek Networking Event
Hospital Benefits Toys for Tots
• Yoland Lewis - Consumers Energy
• Steve Middleton - Middleton December 10th 2009 5-7:30pm
Printing
Woodland Creek Apartments is hosting an
• Rusty Richter - Rietberg
Companies After Hours Networking meet up
• Roger Royer - DTE Energy to benefit Toys for Tots Grand Rapids.
• John Schwartz - AT&T We will have a silent auction
• John Stedman - Stedman and raffle as well as appetisers and drinks.
Insurance, Inc. Admission is one new unwrapped toy donation.
• Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk Registration is required
& Vander Kolk, PLC by emailing: b2b@mailcpi.com
• Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel
Center
 Lake Michigan Credit Union Offers 2010 Lloyd F. Hutt Scholarships
Enter the 2010 Lake Michigan Eight $2,000.00 Scholarships will More information is available by
Credit Union Lloyd F. Hutt be awarded. Enter today! contacting Lake Michigan Credit
Scholarship Competition. All your Union. Contact Vickie Smith at
student needs to do is write an For details, talk to your child's 616-242-9788 or download the
essay about the following topic: guidance office or any Lake application and brochure at www.
“Describe Your Best Day Ever - Michigan Credit Union branch lmcu.org/hutt.
Past, Present or Future.” location.

Chamber Foundation Offers Entertainment Bargains

Purchase your 2010 Entertainment ™ Passbook and support the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber
Foundation. Passbooks only cost $20 and they're chocked full of two-for-one coupons at local
restaurants, entertainment facilities and much much more. We have them at the Chamber office. Get
yours today by contacting Julie at 616-531-5990 or email her at julie@southkent.org. Books are also
available from any member of the WKA Chamber Foundation Board.

Your Chamber Foundation uses revenue to further programs in the community that promote business.
For more information contact john@southkent.org.