Sep | Oct 2012 - Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce

a publication of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce
insight
September–October 2012
eye opener breakfast
55 years
Bosker Brick Company
Shaw Funeral Home, Inc.
20 years
Rose Pest Solutions Division
of Bio-Serv Corp.
15 years Roger & Susan Lewis
5 years Regional Medical Laboratories, Inc.
tell
us
your story
Tell us your story. We want
to know your history with the
Battle Creek Area Chamber
of Commerce. 100 years at
a glance. We want to show
decade-by-decade highlights
of the leaders, innovations,
Tuesday, October 9th
Oh the Places Chamber Members Will Go!
Business is changing, diversifying, and strengthening. To help our members compete, your chamber of
commerce is striving for a deeper awareness and connection. Advocates of chambers of commerce have
long believed that when a company is active in its local chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for
the business but for its own success as well.
What does being 101 mean? A new strategic direction with new
strategic achievements to strive for. On October 9, 2012 at the Eye Opener
Breakfast Program the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce will be
announcing a new direction, new mission statement, new vision, new
board, and new programs with measurable goals to the membership; you
won’t want to miss it!
Join us on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Burnham Brook Community
Center (200 W. Michigan Ave) from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. for our big unveiling.
We will start the program at 7:00 a.m. with a free business to business expo
and networking, and at 7:30 a.m. the program will begin. Don’t forget to bring
your business cards for structured networking activities and more.
Contact the chamber office to reserve a spot today! Call (269)962-4076 or
email adavis@battlecreek.org. Reservations are requested by October 1st.
Save the date! November 13 — Eye Opener Breakfast and Expo.
Check www.battlecreek.org for updated information.
partnerships and events that
have defined the 100 years of
Battle Creek Area Chamber of
Commerce and where we have
been at this special recognition
event. We’ve come a long
way from the original Retail
Merchants Bureau - Chamber of
Commerce!
269.962.4076
Monday–Friday 9am–5pm
One Riverwalk Centre, Suite 3A, 34 West Jackson Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017
www.BattleCreek.org
chamber corner
September – October
Monday, September 3
Friday, September 21
Chamber Closed for the
Labor Day Holiday.
Chamber 100 Year Anniversary
Celebration, 5:30 p.m., Southern
Exposure Herb Farm.
Thursday, September 6
Eye Opener Committee Meeting,
9:00 a.m., Chamber Boardroom.
Friday, September 7
Chamber Golf Committee Pizza
Party, 11:00 a.m.,
Chamber Boardroom.
Tuesday, September 11
Eye Opener Breakfast/Business
Expo, 7:00 a.m., Burnham Brook.
Wednesday, September 12
Ambassador Committee Meeting,
11:45 a.m., Michigan Tile & Carpet.
Wednesday, September 12
Membership Services Committee,
12:00 p.m., Chamber Boardroom.
Tuesday, September 18
Chamber Board Meeting,
12:00 p.m., B.C. Community
Foundation Boardroom.
Wednesday, September 19
Silent Observer Committee
Meeting, 8:00 a.m., Battle Creek
Enquirer Boardroom.
Thursday, September 20
Business Leaders Luncheon,
11:30 a.m., Location TBD.
Thursday, September 20
IMPRESSED. GRATEFUL. THANKFUL.
Kara E. Beer, Executive Director
Impressed, grateful, thankful. Those three words
were my response when asked how I would describe
what my first year was like as the Executive Director of
the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, September 26
Military Affairs Committee
Meeting, 8:00 a.m.,
Battle Creek Unlimited.
Thursday, October 4
Eye Opener Committee Meeting,
9:00 a.m., Chamber Boardroom.
Tuesday, October 9
Eye Opener Breakfast/Business
Expo, 7:00 a.m., Burnham Brook.
Wednesday, October 10
Membership Services Committee,
12:00 p.m., Chamber Boardroom.
Thursday, October 11
Party Politics, 5:00 p.m.,
Holiday Inn Battle Creek.
Tuesday, October 16
Chamber Board Meeting,
12:00 p.m., B.C. Community
Foundation Boardroom.
Wednesday, October 17
Silent Observer Committee
Meeting, 8:00 a.m., Battle Creek
Enquirer Boardroom.
Thursday, October 18
Business Leaders Luncheon,
11:30 a.m., Location TBD.
Chamber Mixer/Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony, 4:00-6:00 p.m.,
Goodwill Industries Financial
Opportunity Center, and Kellogg
Community College Downtown
Office Entities.
Friday, October 19
Friday, September 21
Tuesday, October 23
Chamber Member Orientation,
8:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom.
Ambassador Committee Meeting,
11:45 a.m., Sir Pizza.
Civic Leaders Tour, 7:00 a.m.
Friday, October 19
Fall into the Arts, 5:00 p.m.,
Downtown Battle Creek.
Friday, September 21
IMPRESSED at how well the Board of Directors and the
capable staff here at the chamber keep the membership
out in front of the issues. In short, their ability to reach out to members, so
that members can all reach for better solutions in our community, this is
an impressive skill set to manage. The chamber will improve its ability to
do this work with the membership through its focus on building a core
of committed volunteers in key areas that keep the Battle Creek Area
Chamber of Commerce on top of current trends/solutions. That core will
be surrounded by even more in the years to come, allowing the broader
membership to tap into this resource when needs arise. This system of
concentric volunteer engagement will serve Battle Creek Area Chamber of
Commerce members will in the years ahead.
GRATEFUL for the insights from such a talented group of leaders from across
the county. Selfishly, I think this may be the best part of the experience,
to learn from the great work being done by my peers in our community.
I walked away from every chamber meeting/event with an insight that
improves our organization at home. And it’s a great reminder of the
resources we have in our organization, facilitated by face-to-face interactions
and by our capability to build a stronger network. Another reminder: There
is a lot here to help your career, business, and your chamber, but it requires
your initiative.
THANKFUL for the impact your businesses are having on this community’s
economic prosperity. I have been exposed to a number of innovations that
drive our community forward and are often born through the vital businesses
and organizations within our community and I am so thankful that I have
been in the know and a part of them. It’s a passion and a responsibility that
should drive us all to be better leaders.
So, in turn, I say thank you for making the first year…remarkable, as well
as ask you to dream big, expect the best, and do it! I am grateful for the
opportunity to serve this community and for the new friendships and
colleagues that I have made in this first year here at the Battle Creek Area
Chamber of Commerce. Chamber work has never been a job; it’s always
been a passion of mine.
All my best!
Public Policy, 10:00 a.m.,
Chamber Boardroom.
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Staff
Kara E. Beer – Executive Director
Debbie Baker – Executive Assistant / Office Manager
Alicia Davis – Program and Special Events Manager
Kristi Trader – Manager of Leadership
Jennifer Blank – Bookkeeper
Chamber Refund & Cancellation Policy
Please visit www.battlecreek.org for our complete policy details.
2 | Visit us online at BattleCreek.org
Newsletter design by:
GreenStreet
ADVERTISING & M ARKETING
269.963.9922
| greenstreetmkg.com
Image courtesy of Conway Photography
member’s business spotlight
Members of the Brass Band of Battle Creek
Featured in World Famous Performances!
The Brass Band of Battle Creek is
comprised of some of the world’s
best brass and percussion
musicians. Most recently, three
BBBC musicians performed with
the Boston Pops during the
4th of July celebration! Richard
Kelley, Terry Everson and Hans
Bohn all took center stage with Jennifer Hudson during the televised
broadcast of the Pop’s Fireworks Spectacular! The BBBC also has ties to
the Olympic Games in London. BBBC tenor horn, Jim Fletcher, took to the
field during the opening ceremony with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Contact information: (269)789-2222, bbbcinfo@gmail.com.
Shaw Funeral Home Welcomes Brian Wells
Shaw Funeral Homes of Battle Creek and Bellevue,
Michigan is pleased to announce the affiliation
of Brian E. Wells as a licensed funeral director.
Prior to funeral service, Wells – who is a native of
Lansing - was involved with business management
of manufacturing companies. Brian is married to
Theresa, a registered radiographer and diagnostic
sonographer and adjunct instructor of ultrasound at
Lansing Community College. Contact information:
(269) 979-3838, (269) 763-9511(Lehman Chapel),
www.shawfuneralhome.com.
Food Protection Training Program
Earns Accreditation
The International Food
Protection Training Institute
announced today that its
signature training program,
The Fellowship in Food Protection: Applied Science, Law, and Policy, has
received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). The Training Institute, an initiative of the Battle Creek-based Global
Food Protection Institute, is the leader in delivering career-spanning,
standards-based food protection training policy. Contact information:
(269) 441-2992, www.gfpi.org.
Dr. Andert Receives Distinguished Award
Jeffery Andert, Ph.D., ABPP was the recipient of the
2012 Distinguished Psychologist Award presented
at the Spring Convention of the MI Psychological
Association in East Lansing, MI. The annual award
recognizes a Michigan psychologist for outstanding
contributions in advancing the profession and science
of psychology. Dr. Andert is with the Michigan Health
Management Group, LLC located on North Avenue
in Battle Creek. Contact information: (269) 968-2811,
www.psycmi.com.
GLMI Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Great Lakes Microsystems, Inc. (GLMI) is proudly
celebrating 30 years of serving the home health
and hospice community. Founded in 1982, GLMI
provides comprehensive agency management
solutions to assist organizations in the successful
delivery of home care and hospice services. GLMI has
helped dozens of agencies expand their capabilities and become leading
home care providers. They are looking forward to a bright and innovative
future! Contact information: (269) 963-1040 or www.GLMI.com.
Junior Achievement Announces 2012
Scholarship Winners
Junior Achievement of
Southwest Michigan (JA)
announced today that
two local high school
students have each
received a scholarship
from the organization. The
scholarships were awarded
to two local high school
seniors who have served
as JA program volunteers teaching elementary school students about
business and economics. Both students were awarded a $500 scholarship.
The 2012 JA Scholarships were awarded to Mollie Gordier from Athens
Area High School and Jasmine Miller from Union City High School. Contact
information: (269)968-9188, swmichigan.ja.org.
Chamber Insight September – October 2012 | 3
Alicia Davis
Program and Special Events Manager
Highland River Adventures celebrated their “Grand Opening”
on Thursday, June 12. To find out more information on guided kayaking
tours, certification classes, as well as kayak rentals, contact Scott Fraser at
(269) 339-0771, www.HighlandRiverAdventures.com.
Union National Mortgage Co. celebrated the “Grand
The Humane Society of South Central Michigan
Sam’s Club celebrated their “Grand Re-Opening” on July 20, with the
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. They have a completely new
photo lab, updated restrooms, a new member service area and upgraded
fresh areas. Contact Sam’s at (269) 979-5327, www.samsclub.com.
celebrated their “Ground Breaking” Ceremony for the Cat Solarium on
Wednesday, June 13, with the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.
They can be reached at (269) 963-1796, www.hs-scm.org.
Opening” of their Battle Creek office on July 13 with the Battle Creek Area
Chamber of Commerce. For more information on one of the leading
mortgage lenders in the country call (800) 767-4684, www.unmco.com.
Calhoun County Visitors Bureau
September – October Event Listing
Korean Martial Arts-Hap Ki Do Academy celebrated the
2012 World Martial Arts Championship with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
on June 6. Contact information for the Academy is (269) 963-5425,
www.koreanma.com.
Sir Pizza celebrated their “2nd Year of Business” at their new location,
on the corner of Columbia Avenue and Vale Street, on June 21 with a
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Contact information for this family owned and
operated business is (269) 963-5553, sirpizzabc.com.
4 | Visit us online at BattleCreek.org
September
• September 8 – 9: Historic Home Tour – Downtown Marshall
• September 22: Festival of the Forks – Downtown Albion
• September 29: Bakers Dozen Beer Run – Marshall
October
• October 5: Bonteboktoberfest – Binder Park Zoo
• October 12 – 28: Zoo Boo – Binder Park Zoo
• October 13 – 28 (weekends only): Haunted Adventures
– Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
• October 13: Crane Fest - Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area
• October 19: Fall into the Arts – Downtown Battle Creek
• October 20: Calhoun County Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer – Bailey Park
• October 27: Spooky Science Saturday – Kingman Museum /
Leila Arboretum
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Party Politics
Holiday Inn Battle Creek
At WMU’s College of Aviation
Learn to Live Your Dream
& experience life beyond expectations.
(12812 Harper Village Drive Battle Creek)
The Battle Creek business community will get the chance to mingle with
political candidates and have their voices heard on several key issues less
than a month prior to the November 6th election.
The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host Party
Politics 2012 on Thursday, October 11 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at
Holiday Inn Battle Creek. The format is that of an “old time” political
rally and expectations of more than 200 Battle Creek residents are
expected to attend. A mock election will be held for those local races
with broad interest and participants will get a chance to vote on the
presidential election as well.
The Chamber will invite all candidates running within our service
territory. Candidates will not give speeches during the event, but will
be on hand to talk to voters. At the end of the evening, voting will be
tabulated and announced.
Cost is $5 at the door and is open to the general public. Attendees can
enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities contact Kara Beer at
(269) 962-4076 or kbeer@battlecreek.org.
We help students live their dreams. With a dedicated
group of professional faculty, students enrolled in the
aviation maintenance, administration or flight science
degree programs soar to success. Visit us at the W.K.
Kellogg airport in Battle Creek for a tour to see how you
can start living your dream in aviation.
237 North Helmer Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037-7917
wmich.edu/aviation | 269.964.6375
home mortgages
new home? refinancing?
We have a loan solution for you!
Finish your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
with Siena Heights University on the
campus of Kellogg Community College!
Contact Us Today!
Phone: (269) 965-3931 ext. 2950
Email: battlecreek@sienaheights.edu
Web: www.sienaheights.edu/kcc
At KCFCU, we offer many real estate loans, all
designed to meet your special circumstances.
From low down payment FHA loans and conventional
mortgages to rural development and construction
loans. Refinance opportunities are also available.
At KCFCU we’ll find the right loan solution
to help save you money.
For more information, call or stop by one
of our convenient branch locations.
Save time and apply online today!
w w w. k e l l o g g c f c u . o r g | 8 0 0 . 8 5 4 . 5 2 41
Equal Housing Lender. Federally insured by the NCUA
Chamber Insight September – October 2012 | 5
Friday, October 19, 2012
5th Annual Civic Leader’s Tour
Hosted by the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce,
Military Affairs Committee
welcome
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
$40.00 per person (Chamber Member) $10.00 per person (Chamber Member – Breakfast Only)
$45.00 per person (Non-Chamber Member) $12.00 per person (Non-Chamber Member – Breakfast Only)
The tour includes:
• Transportation • Breakfast • Lunch • Snacks • Tour of Military Locations
new members
Austin Rinard
Battle Creek Masonic Center
Keith E. Wilkie
Union Electric, Inc.
Tour Departure: 225 W. Michigan Avenue (Parking Lot between Sports Page
and GreenStreet Marketing)
Deadline to register is Friday, October 12th.
This is a day-long tour of all local military and governmental installations. This is a rare
opportunity to see first-hand what our local military and defense activities provide to
Southwest Michigan and how they support our national and local economy.
Transportation will not be provided for those who are attending the breakfast only. Due to
security, please register by the date mentioned above
in order to obtain access to the Air National Guard Base located off of West Dickman Road.
There is also an opportunity for your business/organization to be a sponsor of this event.
For more information on how to sponsor and/or register please contact Alicia Davis
at (269) 441-9124, or adavis@battlecreek.org.
Neal VanderWaal, with Neal J.
VanderWaal & Associates, has been a Realtor
for over 26 years and a Battle Creek Area
Chamber of Commerce Ambassador since
2011. He has enjoyed networking with
other business owners and securing new
members for the Battle Creek Chamber.
Neal enjoys the outdoors, biking, and
volunteer activities with his Church. He
has been a teacher and church leader
for many years and continues in that role
today. Community supporters like Neal help
make the Chamber what it is today!
6 | Visit us online at BattleCreek.org
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269.746.4411
SILENT OBSERVER PROGRAM
The Silent Observer Program is a nationally recognized model
for community crime fighting and was first established in Battle
Creek. Since that time the program has been duplicated across
the world either as “Silent Observer”, or “Crimestoppers”. The
premise is simple. Only through citizen participation can law
enforcement solve crimes. Silent Observer offers citizens the
opportunity to provide police with vital information - yet remain
anonymous. Tipster’s can receive rewards of up to $5,000 for
providing information leading to the arrest of individuals who
are later bound over the trial.
Creative Initiatives
The Fugitive Program
Fast 50 School Based Program
Felony Gun Program
Reporting Process (All Anonymous)
•
•
•
•
Call (269) 964-3888
Text message to CRIMES (274637), then
enter “SOTIP” and text your message
Web www.crimereports.com
Download a Free “TipSubmit Mobile” app
for iPhone and/or Android cell phones
For more information on the
Silent Observer Program or to
make a donation, please contact:
Battle Creek Area Chamber Foundation
34 West Jackson Street, Suite 3A Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 962-4076 www.battlecreek.org
”It’s always my goal to
make a difference for
our customers.”
Theresa Ross
Group and Association Specialist,
and a WorkSafe Person
Our Goal Your Safety
• Up-front premium discounts
• The potential for annual dividends
• Loss control and safety awareness tools
www.accidentfund.com/groups
9823
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•
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Chamber Insight September – October 2012 | 7
insight
PRSRT. STD.
US POSTAGE
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce
PAID
One Riverwalk Centre, Suite 3A
34 West Jackson Street
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
BATTLE CREEK, MI
PERMIT NO. 619
ADDRESS AREA
Celebratin g 100 years of chamber success
Join us as we celebrate 100 years of the
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce!
Friday, September 21, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Southern Exposure Herb Farm
11269 N Drive North Battle Creek, MI 49014
Individual tickets: $60 Couple: $100
Includes a heavy Hors d ‘Oeuvres buffet, drink ticket (per person),
entertainment, historical highlights, party favors and more
Join the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce in its 100th Anniversary
celebration. For 100 years, we have sought innovative ways to improve local
business practices, the local economy, quality of life and development of
emerging and existing leaders by focusing on one person, one community
at a time. The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce believes that every
business and business leader needs a thriving place to call home.
*Individual tickets and corporate sponsorships available