TCN First Quarter 2018 Issue WHAT'S INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Five Facts Our The Chamber Video: Members Will Guide to About Black Love About the 6 18 Valentine's Day in 24 Women Connect New Office Grand Rapids PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE MEMBERS CONTENTS First Quarter 2018 Issue 4 130th Annual Meeting A Day in the Life of Chamber 10 Government Affairs Pine Rest Offers Psychological "First Aid" Across the U.S. VISIONARY MEMBERS 21 IN EVERY ISSUE 16 | Member Spotlights 28 | Ribbon Cuttings 29 | Chamber Calendar 32 | Newsflashes 34 | Recently Joined The Chamber News Editorial Policy Articles written by outside authors do not necessarily reflect the view or position of the Grand Rapids Chamber. The position of the Chamber will be clearly stated. The Chamber reserves the right to reject advertising based on content and does not accept advertising that conflicts with a position of the Chamber. The advertising of products and services in The Chamber News does not necessarily represent endorsement by the Grand Rapids Chamber. The Chamber News is published quarterly by the Grand Rapids Chamber. 250 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. p: 616.771.0300 | f: 616.771.0318 | www.grandrapids.org 2 First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The start of the New Year always brings conversations surrounding resolutions, goals and new beginnings. At the Grand Rapids Chamber, it’s the real deal. A new look, a new building, new initiatives….all primed and ready to help CREATE GREAT businesses for our members in 2018 and beyond. Our new marketing team couldn’t be more pleased to be along for this ride as we refresh and revamp our new brand for you, as reflected in this first TCN of 2018. We hope you’ve already noticed some visible chang- es in our marketing efforts – more photos, more video, engaging social media content and more Chamber storytelling. As a new staff member, I was surprised at the amazing member stories I hear each and every day. I look forward to sharing more of these stories throughout the year, like this issue’s highlight of Pine Rest’s heroic efforts after the Las Vegas shootings, or the member spotlight on how Flirt Fitness’s owner started her unique business. I hope you enjoy watching our recap of last quarter’s incredibly successful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and the video highlight of our program, Black Women Connect. Every member has a story, and we are here to share it, while keeping you engaged and informed about all the Grand Rapids Chamber will do for you in 2018. Let’s get started! Sarah Cavanaugh Editor-in-Chief The Chamber News THE TCN EDITORAL TEAM “Two Eagles Marcus”/ Women’s Lifestyle Magazine Sarah Cavanaugh Sam Suarez Anna Young Editor-in-Chief Lead Writer & Editor Designer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (616) 771-0339 (616) 771-0337 (616) 771-0338 First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 3 130th Annual Meeting Reflecting on 2017 & looking forward to 2018 4 First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 130th Annual Meeting Reflecting on 2017 & looking forward to 2018 Five facts about the new Chamber Office 2017 Annual Report Members React to Annual Meeting First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 5 FIVE Facts MEMBERS WILL Love ABOUT OUR NEW CHAMBER OFFICE I’m sure you’ve heard the big news - the Chamber is relocating to 250 Monroe Ave. on March 1st. The modern and fresh building, with tons of windows overlooking the DeVos Place Convention Center, will be the new epicenter for business, resources, and collabora- tion for more than 2,500 Grand Rapids Chamber members. Here are five facts about the new Chamber office that our members will love: 1 The Chamber office will have a “work cafe,” complete with free Wi-Fi, unlimited local cof- fee, and relaxing background music. The cafe can be used as a casual meeting space, a remote “break room” in between ap- pointments, or just a place to catch up on emails. The cafe is also a great way to capture on-the-spot networking opportunities with other members and more face-to-face time with our Chamber staff. It’ll be our members’ home away from home! 2 Construction is 100% supported by local West Michigan companies. Of the $1.1 million project, close to $300,000 will be completed by companies owned by minority and women-owned businesses, well exceeding the Chamber’s original goal of 25%. 6 First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 3 8,000 square feet of the 11,000 square foot location will be dedicated to mem- ber services, including a large, flexible educational, social space, a variety of seating and meeting rooms for concentrating or collaborating. “Through intentional design, we will provide our members with a space to col- laborate, connect, and grow their business,” said Chamber President and CEO, Rick Baker. “By using the modern work environment, we will reduce the footprint required for staff work and reallocate the space for member programming and services.” 4 New programming to be delivered in our very own space. We know you want transformational knowledge, and we now have the room to provide more workshops, seminars, and training in 2018. Our new Business Ser- vices and Talent teams have over 100 events planned for 250 Monroe Ave. This building will be the epicenter of learning and member interaction. 5 Brand new restaurant “Roam by San Chez” will be located on the ground floor of the building. Owners Dan and Cindy Schneider told Grand Rapids Business Journal, “The con- cept is roaming around the world and eating global street food.” What could be better than coming from a meeting at a productive coworking space and then treating yourself to a fabulous lunch? First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 7 2017 2017 YEAR IN REVIANNUALEW REPORT #GRC2018 100% Endorsed Candidate Wins in Cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Ribbon Cuttings West Michigan Workers and Kentwood Creating 264 Will Benefi t From Skilled New Jobs Trade Training Grants Assisted 50 Local Businesses with Gov. 75 7K Aff airs Issues RECORD OVER CONNECTIONS! Customized Meetings Connecting 165 Members with Resources OVER Ambassador Outreach Calls 400 and Visits to Members LARGEST OVER DEI SUMMIT in Chamber Guests Attended Six New History 800 Chamber Summits 300% INCREASE IN MEMBER ENGAGEMENT 300% INCREASE in engagement on ALL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS 300% INCREASE in frequency of 23 DIGITAL UPDATES TO MEMBERS 300% 300% INCREASE in page views of CHAMBER BLOG POSTS OTHER CHAMBER Created Business Services Team ACHIEVEMENTS Created Talent Development Team Recruited Subject Matter Experts 8 First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org CHAMBER MEMBERS react to THE 130TH ANNUAL MEETING The Grand Rapids Chamber’s ON THE NEW OFFICE: 130th Annual Meeting was a I’m excited about the collaborative landmark in our organization’s workspace at the new office. I think it’ll be cool to walk in and see members actually utilizing the history for many reasons: space. I’m especially looking forward to those accidental collisions that can happen when multiple businesses • Our 130th birthday marks are in the same room - and the connections that will the year of our big move come from that. to 250 Monroe. We show- cased our office features through a fun video featur- ing Chamber staff. ON THE KEYNOTE: Molly was amazing! I’m a really big sports fan, so hearing her speak • Keynote speaker, Molly was powerful and meaningful and I Fletcher, shared her suc- could really relate it to my current cess story and advice to role and my passions for the nearly 800 attendees. Joshua Verhulst future. Director of Development & Innovation • Along with the new Cham- Hope Network ber office came the unveil- ing of the new Chamber brand, including our new ON THE OFFICE: logo and fresh, new look! I can't wait to see it in person! I play “The Sims” all the time, so I like seeing something grow out of nothing. The excitement the community has been showing certainly adds to it, too! And those pictures - especially of the common area and the cafe - I'm so excited! Kasie Pickart Communications Specialist Cherry Health Click Meetingwatch video, ourhe AnnualincludingRe Chamber history, 2017to results, a sneak peek at 250 Monroe, the Mayor, AND an owl! Shlynn Rhodes Administrative Manager Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan First Quarter 2018 grandrapids.org 9 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHAMBER GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS If there's some strange policy in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? The Chamber Government Affairs Team! Chamber members may not realize that with their member- ship, they get three registered lobbyists advocating for them on local and statewide issues affecting businesses. Whether it's parking, signage, child care, health care, taxes, education or anything else, our Government Affairs Team is here to en- sure your interests are being represented in the various halls of government. Bottom line: if you’re not connected with our Government Affairs Team, you’re not making the most of your membership. To bridge that gap, we sat down with Andy Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs, and Joshua Lunger, Director Your Chamber Government Affairs Team of Government Affairs, and asked them about their work and (l to r) Josh Lunger (Dir. of Government Affairs), Alexa Rae Malesky (Public Policy Coordinator) & Andy Johnston (VP of Government Affairs). why members should reach out to them with an issue they may have - no matter how small. MEET ANDY JOHNSTON & JOSH LUNGER Give us some“Advocacy 101”! What exactly do you do, in the simplest terms? Josh: We represent members of the Grand Rapids Chamber and try to create the best business environment so they can focus on what they do best, like growing and running their businesses.