January 2011 Volume 31, Issue 1

My Business Advocate
Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses
30th Annual Meeting Honors Business, Members and Volunteers
and area businesses at our 30th
Annual Meeting and Awards
Dinner.

It's easy to respond via email or

phone to the invitation you will
be receiving in the mail in early
January. Pay for your reservations
when you register on-line with your
Visa or MasterCard.

Donate to the Silent Auction held

We'll fill these seats to honor
during the evening. Your donated
outstanding businesses and members
item will help us raise non-dues
and to welcome our elected 2011 Board
of Directors. revenue to support 2011 Chamber 2011 Silent Auction
Programs. And your high bid could Donations Needed!
Plan to join 200 other members result in scoring a great bargain Check the closets, rifle the drawers
of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area on goods and services you can use and shake the piggy bank when
Chamber of Commerce at the in your business or in your home. you consider donating something
Hilton Grand Rapids Airport Donation forms are available on desirable for our Silent Auction.
Hotel's beautiful Grand Ballroom line or by emailing sue@southkent.
on Friday, January 28 at 6 pm. org. Consider a cash donation if you
Respond early. Reservations for this Get the Details for both of these don't have something nice laying
gala annual event are only $50.00. great events happening in one gala around. The Committee will turn
evening. Reserve your seats for only that cash into an item that could
We'll enjoy a delicious meal, $50.00 each. Register and pay on- earn more than you originally
wrap up 2010 business, gear up line at www.southkent.org or email invest in the donation. It happened
for 2011 and recognize special [email protected] for assistance. last year!
accomplishments by volunteers
Your donation of cash, desirable
goods or services will:
Highlights of Coming Events • Support 2011 Chamber
programs and events.
• Build Brand Recognition for
01/21 3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon - 11:30 am, Carrabba's Your Company
01/28 Annual Meeting/Silent Auction -6 pm @ Hilton Grand Rapids Airport • Get Your Business Listed in the
02/02 B.O.S.S.Series Seminar 7:45 am - 11:30 pm @ Celebration Cinema S. Auction Catalog
02/10 Chamber After Hours - 5 - 7 pm, WAVE ROOM, Celebration Banquets • Get Your Item(s) and Business
02/11 Multi Chamber Speed Networking - 7:30 am @ Brann's Name in our On-line Catalog at
02/18 3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon - 11:30 am, Carrabba's Italian Grill www.southkent.org
03/02 B.O.S.S.Series Seminar 7:45 am - 11:30 pm @ Celebration Cinema S.
03/10 Chamber After Hours - 5 pm - 7 pm, Location TBA Contact [email protected] for
03/18 3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon - 11:30 am Carrabba's Italian Grill more information or to submit
a donated item. We request
Calendars on Pages 6 & 7 that items donated not require
Log on to www.southkent.org for details additional cost to redeem after
Pay Event Fees On-line with Visa or MasterCard! purchase.
Showcase Your Business At 3rd Fridays! or Chamber After Hours for only $35.00!
 YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
Last Chance for 2011 Metro Guide
2011 Board of Directors
*indicates Executive Committee Member Promote your business in this high quality
*Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited publication with a full year of circulation
Presentations LLC, Board Chair 2,000 copies will be distributed—In addition to
* Rob Wells - VantagePointe Financial, Sr. Vice thousands of unique page views monthly in the
Chair Chamber’s website.
*Ken Malik - President/CEO
*Norine Mulvihill - American Diabetes Association, By advertising in this important publication your
Past Chair company will gain valuable exposure to thousands of
*Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema) individuals, companies and prospects that will use this
* Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd tool to make their buying decisions over the next year. In
*Denise Hughes - D2 Marketing addition, with your support, your Chamber can produce
*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk this high quality too to be used for economic and
PLC, Legal Counsel business development.
*Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin Nichols &
Used by the people who want to be your customers
Carter, Chair, Fin. & Budget
•Well written
Community Relations Division (Blue)
•Beautifully illustrated
*Rob Wells - Sr. Vice Chair
•Full color, magazine style
Vic Krause - Metro Health
•Designed for easy use and readability
Jerry DeGood - Auto Finance
•Coffee table quality, the user will use over and over
again
Member Relations Division (Red)
•One low cost gets a full-year of selling your services and
*Denise Hughes - Vice Chair
products
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols &
Carter Used by the Chamber of Commerce to
Anna Kruse - workpaths.com
Bob O'Callaghan - Citadel Broadcasting •Stimulate interest in the Wyoming-Kentwood area
•Fulfill information requests
Membership Development Division (Gold) •Provide visitors and residents with a useful buyer’s
*Brent Holland - Vice Chair guide to local businesses
Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille •Promote the Wyoming-Kentwood area business
Amanda Lewis - gNetworks community both inside and outside of the area
•As an economic development tool
Financial Development Division (Green) •As a device for business recruitment
*Betsy Artz - Vice Chair •As a business-to-business sales tool
Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services
The publication is designed to both stimulate interest
Jessica Ann Tyson - Celebration Cinema
and fulfill requests for information
Ruth Gaudard - AT&T
•2,000 targeted copies distributed
Ex-Officio •Useful directory and community profile to local
Jack Poll - City of Wyoming, Mayor business and industry
Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor •Chamber member listings
Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager •This is THE tool used by the Chamber to promote
Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair business recruitment and retention
Extensive and highly targeted distribution
My Business Advocate,
Copyright 2011 •Full Chamber membership
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce •Business prospects
590 - 32nd Street SE •Trade shows
Wyoming, MI 49548-2345 •Information requests
Tel: 616-531-5990 - Fax: 616-531-0252 •Educational and financial institutions
Publisher: Ken Malik, [email protected] •Governmental agencies
Newsletter/Advert. Information: [email protected]
•Visitors to the Wyoming-Kentwood area
Building Better Communities by •Newcomer packets
Building Better Businesses Contact Diane Zander at 800-491-1760 or
[email protected]
 2011 Event Committees Now Forming, Volunteers Needed

Our leadership is in place, now we off big in building your business org or [email protected]. You
need you! If you've been thinking relationships. Volunteering an can also volunteer by talking
about getting more involved, the hour a month to work with a to any Board Member or
timing couldn't be better than now. committee will help you build Ambassador. They will be sure
your referral base. your request is passed along to
We are looking for ideas for a better the appropriate committee chair
Metro Cruise or a brain storm to Working as a volunteer is a or staff person. Contact us at
help grow the Santa Parade. We proven way to build strong 616-531-5990 or email ken, sue
need you. Perhaps you have a business relationships with or julie @southkent.org if you'd
favorite golf course and would like a other Chamber members. We like more information. Make the
say in where we play this year. Now encourage you to find an area most of your dues investment
is the time to step up and invest that interests you and step up and give your business a face
your time. That investment can pay by contacting julie@southkent. by volunteering today.

$
2.00 Discover What’s New.
See The World.
OFF
ONE REGULAR WEEKDAY
ADULT ADMISSION
Present this coupon at the box office for
$2 off one Regular Weekday Adult Admission.
Not good with any other coupon.
Valid Thursday & Friday only.

GRAutoShow.com
 3rd Fridays! Committee says Let's Do Italian!
so on each of the 3rd Fridays dur- small investment of only $35,
ing the first quarter of 2011. in addition to the lunch fee, you
The really great news is that will be able to talk to everyone
the price for lunch does not that attends as they come to
change. Register before Janu- your table to introduce them-
ary 18 and pay only $15.00 for selves to you and ask about your
a great Italian lunch. Members display. We’ll provide the table.
registering late and not-yet-mem- Businesses that would prefer
bers pay only $21. Invite your to distribute literature on the
not-yet-member (nym) guests chairs around the tables may
and show them what Chamber do so by mentioning this at the
Membership is all about. registration desk and paying a
$15 fee.
If you love good Italian cooking Don’t forget about Chamber
you don’t want to miss the first 3rd Bucks. If your nym guest de- Register early to take advantage
Fridays! Luncheon in 2011, or the cides to join the Chamber you of the $6.00 savings. You can
second or the third. The hard work- will receive $25 in Chamber register on-line at www.south-
ing volunteers that plan this very Bucks credited to your Chamber kent.org and pay fees with your
popular monthly networking oppor- account. The credit is good for Visa or MasterCard. You may
tunity have asked the management future event admissions or show- also email [email protected]
at Carrabba’s Italian Grill on 28th case fees. or [email protected] and ask
St just east of E. Paris to open their them to add your registration to
doors for lunch, especially for us. A perfect opportunity to show- the attendance roster. Ask us
They very generously agreed to do case your business. For the about annual pass savings for
3rd Fridays! Luncheons.

WKACC Street Map On-line is Interactive

Simply by accessing www. In addition to the new interactive version
southkent.org and clicking on the of the map on-line, there is a supply of
Interactive Map information you full color, large printed maps available at
can zoom in for a close-up view the Chamber Office. Pick up one or one
of any destination in Wyoming, hundred at no charge. The maps are
Kentwood or the immediate free.
surrounding area. If you have
access to the Internet, you have The WKACC Street Map is a perfect
detailed driving instructions at promotional item to distribute to your
your fingertips anytime. clients/customers. There should be one
in every car or truck in your company
A PDF version of both the Wyoming fleet.
and Kentwood maps is also
available when you click on the Maps are also available at both City
map icon on the home page. Once Clerks offices at City Hall in Wyoming
you've opened the map it's easy to and Kentwood. We encourage member
get back to the Chamber Website. hotels to have them on hand for their
Simply click on HOME at the top of guests. Let us know how you intend to
the page and you will be returned use your free maps.
to WKACC's home page.
If you would like a supply of these
maps put aside for you, contact Sue
Wyoming-Kentwood Online Street or Julie at the Chamber Office and let
Map - Detailed interactive street them know when you can pick them up.
map for the cities of Wyoming Contact them @southkent.org or call
and Kentwood Michigan and the 616-531-5990. You can also stop by the
surrounding area. office and pick some up if you're in the
neighborhood.
 Free Networking Builds Your Referral Base
Thursday, February 10 plan to Ambassadors will be selling 50/50
join us after work at Celebration tickets to help raise money for their
Banquets and Catering's WAVE 2011 programs.
Room at Celebration Cinema -
North. We'll be there from 5 pm to The committee is looking for
7 pm for some informal after hours hosts for the March, October and
networking. November Chamber After Hours
Events. If you would be interested
We'll have some light refreshments in providing a site for our next
and lots of space for showcasing gathering, contact sue@southkent.
your business. There is no cost to org or call her at 616-531-5990.
attend this popular networking event
and we can reserve a showcase table If you would like more information
for your business for only $35.00. on what it takes to host a Chamber
After Hours event, log on to WAVE ROOM
Come when you can but try to stay www.southkent.org and find the located at 2121 Celebration
to the end as we'll have some really application and information under Dr. at the E. Beltline and
nice drawing prizes to give away the Chamber Docs logo or contact Knapp St.
and you must be present to win. [email protected] for details.

South Kent Chambers of Commerce Meet for

Shared Speed Networking Events
Plan to join the Hudsonville,
Grandville-Jenison, Byron Center
and Cutlerville-Gaines Chambers
of Commerce for a FREE Speed
Networking Event.

Here is a testimonial from

one of the Grandville-Jenison
participants at a past event;
“Speed networking helped me to
We will be continuing the popular
meet new people and practice my
Multi-Chamber Speed Networking
‘elevator message’ in a fun, fast-
events during 2011. The first one
paced environment. I recommend
this year is scheduled for Friday,
Face to face and one on one, Multi it for anybody looking to meet
February 11 beginning at 7:30 am
Chamber Speed Networking is a great people in the area and quickly
sharp at Brann's Steakhouse & tool for building your business referral improve their [pitch delivery].”
Grille on S. Division. Late arrivals resources and expanding your business
will not be able to participate in service area.
David Hodge, CFA
the speednetworking portion of this
Chief Compliance Officer Security
meeting so plan to arrive by 7:30 You must be a member of one of Analyst
am. the participating Chambers to Gimbal Capital Management
be able to register for this event.
There is no cost to attend. Registration is not open for not- Contact [email protected] or
Just prepare your 1.5 minute yet-members (nym) or nym guests. log on at www.southkent.org to
commercial and be prepared to We encourage you to invite guests register. You must preregister for
share it with someone new every 3 to 3rd Fridays or Chamber After this event.
minutes between 7:30 am and 9:00 Hours Events.
am.
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Chamber Office Hours
Monday -Thursday
8am - 5pm
Closed Friday

2 3 Chamber
4 5 6 9 am 7 8
Business
Office Closed Growth Comm

4 pm
Ambassadors

9 10 8 am 11 12 13 14 15
Gov Matters at
Wyoming City
Hall

16 17 18 19 10 am 20 21 11:30 am
3rd Fridays!
22
Finance @ Carrabba's
11:30 am Italian Grill
Executive JANUARY
Committee NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE

23 24 25 26 27 10 am 28 29
3rd Fri!
Planning 6 pm
Comm Annual
Board Mtg Meeting,
11:30 am Awards Dinner
Brann's & Silent
Auction
30 31

Whooo.....
WKACC Silent Auction
Proceeds support Chamber Programs
All Year Long! .....Do You
Know That
Donate Today! Should Be a
Plan to join us on Friday, January 28, 2011 Member?
[email protected]
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 7:45 am 3 4 5
to 11:30 pm
B.O.S.S. Series

Noon
6 7Gov Matters @
8 9 10 9 am 11 7:30 am 12
Chamber Business Multi Chamber
Growth Comm Networking @
5 pm Brann's
Chamber After
4 pm Hours Location
Ambassadors TBA

13 14 8 am 15 16 10 am 17 1811:30 am 19
Gov Matters at Finance 3rd Fridays!
Wyoming City 11:30 am @ Carrabba's
Hall Executive Italian Grill
Committee FEBRUARY
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE

22 23 24 10 am 26
20 21 3rd Fri!
25
Planning
Comm
Board Mtg
11:30 am
Brann's

27 28
Chamber Office Hours
Monday -Thursday
8am - 5pm
Closed Friday

[email protected]
for more info
 Community Gathers to Welcome Santa
The community turned out to welcome Santa
Claus to Wyoming and Kentwood at the 4th
Annual Santa Parade held on December
4th. Television personality, Maranda led the
procession of businesses and organizations
from Wyoming and Kentwood who provided a
great show for all of our excited spectators.

Plans are already underway for our next

Santa Parade. Mark your calendar for
Saturday, December 3rd, same time same
place. Chris Fuller from Comfort Suites
- South has agreed to Chair the Committee
again with Jerry DeGood, veteran Committee
member, in the position of Director over the
event. They are looking for volunteers to help
plan our 2011 event.
(Above) Grace Bible College made sure
everyone was aware of the true Reason for
the Season with their float reminding us of
the Birth of Jesus.

(Right) Crash, the popular mascot for the

West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Team,
spent the morning surrounded by his fans.
For one of the "Boys of Summer" he managed
very well in the cold December weather. It
must be that fur coat.

(Below) Beltline Bar stepped up with our

Marching Band Sponsorship. Godwin
Heights, Wyoming Park and Rogers
High Schools provided festive music for
the spectators along S. Division. Each school
received a check for participating to help
support their band programs

Waiting for Santa!

We would like to thank all of the businesses
and organizations that participated in our
parade this year and made it such a huge
success. We hope you will all be back again
next year.

If your business didn't get involved, consider

an entry for next year. We are looking for
floats, marchers, bands, animals, costumed
characters, anything that would promote your
business to the community.

You don't have to be a member of the

Chamber of Commerce to participate or
sponsor the parade but your membership will
save you money. Members receive reduced

(Above) The Rapid provided a Jingle Bell

Sponsorship and a Jingle Bell Bus for the
parade. This bus was one of the new hybrid
models that travel S. Division on a regular
schedule.

(Left) Endless Summer Lawn Care brought a

taste of the tropics with their inflatable Santa
in a hammock float.

(Below) Our guest of honor, Santa Claus

arrived in style in his very own sleigh
surrounded by many of his furry friends and
their owners.

rates for sponsorship packages and for entry

fees.

If you are interested in working with this

Committee or would like to register early for
next year's event contact [email protected]
or [email protected] for more information.

You don't have to be in the parade to support

it. Make sure you leave some room in your
business budget for a supporting sponsorship
for this and/or any other Chamber event
coming up in 2011.

For details on sponsorship opportunities

during the year log-on to www.southkent.org
and click on the Program of Work that will be
posted January 17, 2011.
 Member Spotlight Renewing Members
Board Executives meet monthly and select the
Outstanding Volunteer and Committee for their • Covenant Developments
effort and results on behalf of WKACC. • Fast Signs
• Grand Rapids Gravel Co
December Volunteer • ITT Technical Institute
of the Month • Manpower, Inc.
• Nutrition - N- More
Congratulate Chris Fuller, Manager • Petroleum Technologies Group
at Comfort Suites South, for his • Principal Financial Group
nomination as Volunteer of the Month • Proforma Infinite Marketing Solutions
in December. Chris is being recognized
• Ramada Plaza Hotel
for all his hard work on that fabulous
Santa Parade that marched down • United Church Outreach Ministry
S. Division the first Saturday in • Williamson Staffing
December. We look forward to next
year as Chris has stepped up to fill Welcome New Members
the seat again in 2011. Every year the
parade gets bigger and better and our
• Turbo Truck & Trailer Services, LLC. - Ivana
area businesses are very creative with
their entries. Chris' committee pulled Pasalic, (616) 464-0975
the diversity all together to build a fun • Peppino's Pizza - Jason Allard, (616) 554-8880
parade. (Chamber Bucks go to Betsy Artz for this referral).
• Ener Temp Inc. - Joel Teft, (616) 243-2752
December Committee • Vanduren-Irving West Insurance Agency, Inc -
of the Month Charles Vanduren, (616) 827-0816
Our 2010 Santa Parade Committee gets
the title of Committee of the Month in
December. Metro Health Extends Care for Under-Insured
Our Santa Parade, held the first and Un-Insured Women
Saturday in December, is a great Metro Health Hospital is survival rate. Screening is the
community outreach event that gets expanding its breast and cervical most cost effective and accurate
bigger and more creative every year. cancer prevention program for method to identify both of these
This year's event was oranized by: under-insured and non-insured cancers, which target primarily
• Chris Fuller - Comfort Suites women thanks to a grant from the women after 40 years of age.
South Metro Health Hospital Foundation.
• Betsy Artz - Celebration Cinema Last year, federal funding
South Metro currently participates in allowed Metro Health to screen
• Michael Barton - Valvoline Instant the federally funded Breast and 63 patients, but the need was far
Oil Change Cervical Cancer Prevention greater than the funding. With the
• Cindy Buist - Godwin Heights program, providing breast and additional grant funding Metro
Public Schools cervical cancer screeenings and Health can provide services for
• Jerry DeGood - Auto Finance Co diagnostic services to under- nearly 100 patients in 2011.
• Bill Doren - South Kent Kiwanis insured and non-insured patients.
• Amanda Lewis - gNetworks The $5,000 grant will allow Metro This program is available to under-
• Michelle Zick - Valvoline Instant Health to serve 50 additional insured or non-insured women
Oil Change patients in the community in who are at risk of developing
Also, big thanks to Julie Janes-Brown 2011. breast or cervical cancer and who
and Ken Malik - Chamber Staff. are 40-65 years of age and living
Many women eliminate screening in Kent County or surrounding
Many of these volunteers have already exams when it comes to trimming area. Contact Ellen Bristol at 616-
offered to return to work on the 2011 their health care costs, yet early 252-5033 for more information on
event. If you'd like to help with the next detection is shown to increase a this program.
parade contact [email protected]. breast or cervical cancer patient's
 Community Connections
Let us know how YOUR Business is building better communities. Submit
community improvement project announcements to [email protected].
Subject to space availability.

Trivalent Group VCIO Mark Hepinstall selected to represent Trivalent on new

Microsoft panel. One of Michigan’s largest technology firms, recently joined the
Microsoft Partner Research Panel (MSPRP), a new component of the Microsoft Partner
Network. The panel, which is open to a limited number of Microsoft partners, allows
members to help shape new products and programs by participating in ongoing
research studies with Microsoft. For more information, contact Trivalent Group at
(616) 222-9200 or visit www.trivalentgroup.com.

The Grand Rapids Chapter of SCORE can provide the tools & knowledge you
need to start or improve your business. How? Workshops and Free Counseling, for
starters. Workshops cover all aspects of starting or improving your own business.
Pre-registration is required. Register early by visiting our website at www.scoregr.
org and following the workshop registration links.

City of Wyoming employees generated over $14,800 in funds and

donations for local charities during 2010. Employees were asked to
participate in several different fundraising efforts throughout the year,
including annual giving campaigns and their employee payroll deduction
program. Wyoming Employees Community Outreach, raised more than
$8,000 in 2010. The funds will help 150 children from 52 families in the
Wyoming community purchase clothing and school supplies. Additional
donations were raised through programs like Toys for Tots and United
Way.

Lanser Broadcasting and JQ99 announce a stronger signal. Engineers

have recently installed a new antenna on the JQ99 Broadcast tower. This new
antenna is responsible for a much stronger signal. If you have experienced
trouble receiving JQ99 in the past, they encourage you to try tuning in again.
They are now available at work, home and play even further away then before.
Visit them at www.jq99.com

The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center

announces the opening of the Business Resource Center located at the
Kentwood Public Library. Business Resource Centers are one-stop locations
where current and future small business owners can receive small business
assistance and advice. The Center contains the latest computer technology,
hardware and software, and an extensive small business reference library of
hard copy books and publications. The Kentwood Business Center is located
at 4950 Breton Rd SE in Kentwood. Hours are Monday through Thursday
from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and
Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You can contact the library at 616-784-
2007.