April 2010 Volume 30, Issue 4
My Business Advocate
Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses
April Multi-Chamber Speed Networking
The next speednetworking event
for members only is April 16th
and will be hosted by Hudsonville
Chamber of Commerce at
Hudsonville City Hall (lower level),
3275 Central Blvd., Hudsonville.
Informal networking and
registration begins at 7:30 am.
Leading in a New Economy — Tips Every Leader Should Know
The challenges of leadership in Professionals. “Their success as a
today’s economy are many. Some leader and as a company depends
are tried and true, while others on it.” These four tactics can be
are unlike any in recent history. beneficial in that process.
Regardless, leadership is what will
separate the good from the great Be Flexible. Today’s successful
as our country works to rebuild a leaders realize that a heavy-hand
thriving, stable economy. Today, approach can be counterproductive.
businesses everywhere are ramping The best leaders will be the ones
up to come out of this recession who aren’t afraid to say “I’m not
stronger than before and rise above entirely sure, what do you think?”
the rest. or “Hey, let’s try something new
and see if it works.” The changing
“As the economy and business economy brought uncertainty to the
market changes, it’s essential workplace, so a flexible leadership
for business leaders to grow style can help navigate in this new
and develop with it,” said business environment. Leaders who
Robert A. Funk, co-founder and are open-minded are more likely to
CEO of Express Employment capitalize on new ideas.
Highlights of Coming Events
Lunch 'n Learn LinkedIn Part 2 4/1
Kentwood K-12 Career Expo 4/14
Sport of Words Speech Contest 4/14
Multi Chamber Speed Networking 4/16
3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon 4/16
3rd Fridays! Networking Luncheon 5/21
30th Annual South Kent Swing Golf Outing 6/11
Calendars on Pages 6 & 7
Log on to www.southkent.org for details.
Friday & Saturday, August 27 & 28, 2010
Participants must be present by
8:00 am to be included. We will
start promptly. This event is free
to chamber members and is
not open to guests or not-yet-
members. To register go to www.
southkent.org and log in. Or email
sue@southkent.org or call her at
616-531-5990.
Delegate Tasks and Trust Others.
Most people in upper management
worked hard to get where they
are by doing things themselves.
So, they often rely on continuing
to do things the same way. But,
effective leaders understand the
importance of equipping their team
members to accomplish individual
goals. Micromanagers will not only
have difficulty thriving in this new
environment, but they may also
lose valuable employees in the
process.
Hire for Success. Hiring for
success means hiring based on skill
sets a leader lacks. Because a great
leader knows their limitations,
they’re not afraid to admit their
faults. In order for business leaders
to achieve desired results, they
must put the right people in place.
Employees who will compliment
the skills of the entire team. Being
surrounded by the best employees
will ultimately be a boost to any
leader – and will set the entire
company up for success.
Coach Regularly. Mentoring
employees has always been an
important part of leadership,
but now more than ever, it’s a
continued on page 3
 YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
2010 Board of Directors
*indicates Executive Committee Member

*John Crawford - President & CEO

*Norine Mulvihill - American Diabetes Association,
Board Chair
*Todd Duncan - Consumers Energy, Past Chair
*Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited
Presentations, Senior Vice Chair
*Matt Uhl - PNC Bank N.A.
*Danna Mathiesen - Mercantile Bank
*David Szidik - Proforma Infinite Marketing
Brent VanderKolk - VanderKolk & VanderKolk PLC,
Legal Counsel
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin Nichols &
Carter, Chair, Fin. & Budget
Community Relations Division (Blue)
*Kathey Batey - Sr. Vice Chair
Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols &
Carter
John Schwartz - AT&T
Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk,.
PLC
Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services
Member Relations Division (Red)
*Matt Uhl - Vice Chair
Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema)
Skip Knapp - EdwardJones Investments
Tom Kruisenga - The Kruisenga Agency
Membership Development Division (Gold) Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Nutrition-n-More held on Jan 21, 2010
*Danna Mathiesen - Vice Chair Future Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Schedule
Bob O'Callaghan - Citadel Broadcasting • Kathie Vallie
Joel Iakiri - Business Interconnect Group, LLC Shape Your Life
Financial Development Division (Green) Opening a new fitness center at
*David Szidik - Vice Chair 1290 36th Street in Wyoming
Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd between Michael and Burlingame
Carol Crawford - The Alternative Board Thursday, April 22, 2010 4 - 5 pm
Dan Van Dyke - PDS Group LTD
Denise Hughes - D2 Marketing • John Russo
Rob Wells - Vantage Pointe Financial John Russo's Wine Warehouse and Deli
Date and Location to be Announced
Ex-Officio
Jack Poll - City of Wyoming, Mayor • Michael Lichterman
Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor Lichterman Law
Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager Date and Location to be Announced
Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair If you are planning a Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting or
Dedication Ceremony, contact the Chamber. We'll invite
My Business Advocate, Chamber Members and Elected Officials to attend and be there
Copyright 2010 to help facilitate. No cost for members.
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
 Leading in a New Economy
continued from page 1
successful manager. Taking time
to coach employees will result in
higher productivity and increased
engagement. Many employees
have worked harder than ever this
past year, and showing employees
you’re invested in their career
development will foster loyalty and
respect. Leaders, even those who
generally don’t consider themselves
to be good mentors, will need to
coach their employees and help
them develop their careers.
The time for leaders to step up and
focus on being effective is now.
Those who achieve success will be
the leaders who grow, develop, and
LOSE BIG, WIN BIG!!
Take the Challenge
Are you up for it? There is a way
to shape up, have fun and make
money while supporting Kentwood
Fireworks and YOUR Chamber of
Commerce Santa Parade.
By joining an 8 week class on
nutrition and weight loss for only
$35, you will feel better, look better
and support two worthwhile events.
A portion of the registration fee will
go into a pot to reward the top three
losers.
Dorris Flockhart from Nutrition
'n More has issued a challenge to
our membership. Participants will
receive:
• A Personal Coach
• Free body analysis
• Group support
• Weekly prizes for most weight
loss
• Nutrition information
• New friendships, contacts and
fun
Challenges start soon so don't
delay. Contact Dorris at 616-455-
1775 and invite friends, family and
co-workers. The more the merrier
Chamber Foundation
Raffle Winners
change with the new economy. By Congratulations to Dale Van Dyke
focusing on coaching, delegation, from Family Vision Center. Dale
flexibility, and hiring right, leaders won the deluxe trip to the 2010
will create a strong workforce that Indy 500.
will outlast their competition and
create a company that will rise Second prize was a Wii game
above the rest. system and game. Brent
VanderKolk with VanderKolk &
To find out about your leadership VanderKolk, PLC won that prize.
style, contact your local Express Thanks to everyone who purchased
Employment Professionals office a ticket to support the Chamber
or go to www.myleadershipinstinct. Foundation.
com. Your local Express
Employment Professionals
Chamber Member is Casey
Jankoska. Contact her at casey.
jankoska@expresspros.com.
Map, Metro Guide Marketing Opportunities
Denise can be contacted at
Open sales for advertising space
dzander@harborhouse.com or call
in the Wyoming-Kentwood
her at 231-582-2814 ext 31.
Area Chamber of Commerce
Community Profile and Metro
For the Wyoming-Kentwood Street
Guide and the Wyoming-
Map contact Lisa Walli at NovoPrint
Kentwood Street Map will soon
be coming to a clsoe. If you have U.S.A. She can be reached at lisa@
novoprint.com or call her at 616-
been thinking about contacting
485-6748.
the sales representatives for
one or both of these community
Both of these publications are
publications, you should do it
distributed to libraries, hotels and
soon.
government offices while supplies
last. We include them in relocation
For the Metro Guide (chamber
directory) contact Denise Zander packets sent to people and
businesses moving into our area.
at Harbor House Publishers.
 Chamber to Explore
WKACC Career Paths
Your Chamber President, John
Education Crawford will be on site at Kentwood
Public School's K-12 E.X.C.E.L.
Committee Career Expo on Wednesday, April
14th at East Kentwood High School.
Extra He will be talking with students
Credit about business leadership and all of
the career pathways that are involved
in running a business.
Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll, Illustrator
Danny Jimenez from Rogers H.S. and The Expo is open to all students
Author Kathey Batey are presented K-12 and their parents. The event,
with this year's book selection to your held at East Kentwood High School,
Chamber Board of Directors in March. (located at 6230 Kalamazoo Ave
just north of M-6,) starts at 5 pm and
ends at 8 pm.

There will be drawings throughout the

event to give participants a chance
to win some really nice prizes. If
you would like to donate something
for the drawings, contact Julietta
Brothers at (the Kentwood Public
Stephanie Leonardos; CEO at Schools Guidance Office 616-698-
Amerikam, reads "I Can Eat Fuzzy 6700. Snacks or a hot dog meal will
Caterpillars, But I Don't" to second be available at the Expo.
grade students at Holy Name of Jesus
School. Stephanie reads every year and
Ms VanStrien's 2nd grade class at Holy
seems to enjoy the experience as much
Name of Jesus School pose with
as the kids do. Thank you Stephanie!
Stephanie Leonardos, Amerikam after
learning about healthy eating during
Business 'n Books Days.

Business Growth is Record Number Register for Sport of Words

Planning Fall Expo This year, eleven
our 4th Annual Sport of Words
Speech Contest.
Volunteers Needed Now! 5th and 6th Join us Wednesday, April 14
graders will at 6 pm in the choir room at
compete for the East Kentwood High School and
top score at encourage our future leaders.

If you can spare an hour

a month to attend our
committee meeting, we would
love to have you join us. SAVE THE DATE
Contact sue@southkent.org AUGUST 27 & 28
MILES AND MILES OF COOL CARS
for a meeting reminder.
 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
Contact Carol Crawford at 616-
empower you and your
organization to achieve your 975-0125 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.
If you would like to be part of the
Chamber Partners Committee and
help us recruit businesses that
offer business building discounts
to our members or if you know
someone that would make a good
Chamber Partner, contact sue@
southkent.org and someone will
contact the potential businesses.
Chamber Partners meet on the 3rd
Friday of each month immediately
following the 3rd Fridays! Networking
Luncheon at the same location as
the luncheon. Meetings last about
an hour and your input would be
appreciated.
Are You
Saving $$
with a
Chamber Partner?
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

April 2010
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 8a 2 3
P.A.C.
Chamber Office Hours 11:30 a
Monday -Thursday Lunch 'N
Learn
8am - 5pm Hilton GR
Closed Friday Airport

4 5 Noon 6 4p 7 8 9a 9 10
Gov Matters at Ambassadors Business
the Chamber Growth
4p
Education
Comm @
Celebration
South

11:30 a-1 p
11 12 8a 8:15 a
13 Chamber 14 10 a, 15 163rd Fridays! 17
Gov Matters at Finance
Foundation 11:30 a, @Crossroads
Wyoming
Executive 1p
City Hall
Committee Chamber Partners
6pm JUNE
Sport of Words NEWSLETTER
Speech Contest DEADLINE
@EKHS

18 19 20 9 am 21 22 7:30 a 23 24
Communications CEO Exchange
Committee 10 a
@ the Chamber 3rd Fri! Comm
4-5 pm
Shape Your Life
Ribbon Cutting

25 26 11:30 a 27 28 29 30 Don't Miss!

Community April 14
Roundtable 5pm - 8pm
@ Chamber
Office
K-12
Career Expo
East Kentwood
High School
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2010
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Chamber Office Hours
Monday -Thursday
8am - 5pm
4
Closed Friday

9a 8a
2 3 Noon 4 4p 5 Business
6 P.A.C.
7 8
Gov Matters at Ambassadors
the Chamber Growth
4p
Education
Comm @
Celebration
South

8:15 a 13 15
9 10 8a 11 Chamber 12 14
Gov Matters at
Kentwood City Foundation
Hall

17 18 9 am 10 a, 20 7:30 a 22
16 19 21 Speed
Communications Finance
Committee 11:30 a, Networking!
Executive 11:30 a-1 p
Committee 3rd Fridays!
@Crossroads
Banquet Ctr
1p
Chamber Partners
7:30 a 28
23 24 11:30 a 25 26 27
CEO Exchange
29
Community
Roundtable @ 10 a
Brann's 3rd Fri!
Comm
11:30 a
30 31 Board Mtg @
Brann's

sue@southkent.org
for more info
 Free Seminars For Business Owners “Taking Your Business to the Next Level”
Chamber Member Businesses are
providing a series of seminars for
business owners and decision
makers that will help take your
business to the next level.
April 14, 2010
How to select a bank and build
a strong working relationship /
PEO-HRO is it for you?
Presented by Eric Mills, Senior
VP of Huntington Bank Business
Banking Group
• This session will provide
background on the right questions
to ask in selecting a bank and what
expectations a good bank will have
for you and what expectations you
should have for your bank.
Presented by Daniel J. Mannes Sr.
Vice President, PEO Division The
Campbell Group.
• A Professional Employer
Organization (PEO) enables
employers to cost-effectively
outsource management of human
resources, employee benefits,
payroll and Workers Compensation
through a co-employment
relationship. Health Services
Organizations (HRO) allows many
Get Ready for Golf at Maple Hill Golf Course!
Our 30th Annual South Kent
Swing Golf Outing committee is
planning a great 4-person scramble
on June 11 at Maple Hill Golf
Course. Register yourself or your
foursome today and save! Only $65
per golfer with your registration
before May 28th. Only $85 per golfer
after May 28th.
Your day includes:
• 18 holes of golf,
• use of the driving range,
• games and prizes,
• putting contest
• on course refreshments
• box lunch
• dinner
• PURL’s, Variable Data, Mobile
Marketing and email to attract
attention of your prospective and
current clients.
Non Business Owners $50.00 and
of the same services but does CEO's, Presidents and Business
not require a co-employment Owners can attend this FREE
arrangement. series. Register TODAY at www.
tabmichigan.com or Call 616-975-
May 5, 2010 0125. Seminars are held at The
Direct Mail – NOT a Dinosaur: Campbell Group Building, 5664
How to Improve Results and Prairie Creek Dr. near M-6 and M-
Survival of the Fittest: A CPA's 37.
perspective on opportunities and
threats in Michigan's recovery
Presented by Richard L Chrisman
CPA, MST of Hungerford, Aldrin,
Nichols & Carter PC.
• The current economic
environment presents opportunities
for growth and expansion.
• There are things you can do that
will not only insure survival, but
also give you a competitive edge.
Presented by David Szidik of
Proforma Infinite Marketing
Solutions.
• Direct mail challenges in the
age of information overload. What
techniques can be used to improve
your ROI?
Take a day off of work to network even if you can't participate. (Some
on the golf course! Sponsorships sponsorships include golf spots.)
available from $5000 to $100 Log on to www.southkent.org for
with comparable marketing more information or contact sue@
packages included. Be present southkent.org.
 March Chamber After Hours Hits Attendance Record
Our Chamber After Hours
in March, hosted by
Celebration Cinema, hit
record attendance levels and
gave us the opportunity to
talk to more not-yet-members
than ever before. Staff will be
following up on those leads
and working to grow your
Chamber of Commerce.
David Szidik, Proforma
Infinite Marketing
Solutions and Judi
Holland from Chameleon,
Ltd. compare product,
price and service.
For You,
Your Employees and
Their Families!
Contact janine@southkent.
org for plan pricing and work
and residential eligibility
requirements.
Interested in hosting
our October event?
Contact sue@southkent.
org for an application. The
November host is already
booked and reservations
are coming in for showcase
tables in October. Reserve
yours today with an email
to sue@southkent.org.
A view from the balcony of part of our
80+ attendees. We filled the lobby at
Celebration invited not-yet-members
Celebration Cinema South! A record
Garibaldi's Restaurant to provide
eleven businesses showcased their
refreshments. Thank you! The guacamole
goods and services.
was better than outstanding!
SCORE Grand Rapids and FranNet
will present The Michigan Franchise
Forum in Grand Rapids on May 6.
Franchise experts from FranNet and
franchise executives will introduce
attendees to the world of franchises with emphasis on Michigan locations.
There will be an opportunity for Q & A and one on one time with FranNet
representatives and SCORE Counselors. There is no charge for these
forums and there are two sessions to choose from. Sessions will be held
at GRCC Leslie M. Tassel M-Tec Center located at 622 Godfrey SW, Grand
Rapids. Session one is from 2 pm to 4 pm and session 2 is from 6 pm to 8
pm. Required registration may be sent to https://www.123signup.com/
calendar?Org=scoregr or call our SCORE Representative; Ernie Birge at
616-780-6510, ebirge@att.net.
 2010 Santa Parade to Include WOTV's Maranda
The 4th Annual WKACC
Santa Parade is scheduled for
Saturday, December 4, 2010 at
10:00 am and WOTV's Maranda
will be making a guest appearance
as our Grand Marshall.
Children's pictures with Santa
will once again be available after
the parade at Brann's Steakhouse
& Grille on the parade route on S.
Division.
WOTV's Maranda
is famous in Kent
County for her Summer
Park Parties. Where
Maranda goes, the kids
will follow.
Israel's The Other Store to Close, Pave Way for Klingman's Expansion
No jobs will be lost in
restructuring
Responding to economic conditions,
real estate trends, and customer
preferences, Israels has implemented
a broadranging strategic plan to
improve the company's short and
long-term prospects.
Although the plan involves closing
The Other Store furniture clearance
center, no jobs will be lost in the
restructuring - because other uses
are immediately planned for this and
other Israel's properties. Company
officials believe that the improved
efficiencies and economies provided
by the plan will creat oportunities
that will allow the company to further
expand in size and employment.
"In times like these it is critical
to take a hard, objective look at
Sponsorships are available and
range from $1350 to $90 at
member rates. Not-yet-member
sponsorships and participation
rates are slightly higher.
Chamber Bookkeeper, Janine Burns
poses with our guest of honor, Santa
Claus, after our 3rd Annual WKACC
Santa Parade
Applications are available with an
email to sue@southkent.org.
Your business should be a parade
participant. We are looking for
antique or decorated vehicles,
school marching bands, marchers,
all aspects of our business to
determine how we can best allocate
all our resources," says Bob Israels,
the company's President.
The Other Store located at 769
Seward NW in Grand Rapids began
offering merchandise at store
liquidation rates on March 18,
2010. Proceeds will immediately
convert to working capital.
Plans are in the works to triple
floor space at Klingman's in
Wyoming for the Rock Bottom
Shop, currently offering clearance
merchandise.
"We believe by expanding the
clearance center in Wyoming, we
will attract customers who've never
shopped at that location," states
Lee Leithauser, Klingman's VP of
Sales.
floats and mascots to be in our
parade in December. We need
everyone to help us welcome
Santa to town and summer is
the ideal time to build those
floats to avoid having to work in
the cold.
Our 2009 parade had more than
50 participants and lasted about
an hour. Kids, parents and
grandparents attended from all
over Kent County. Some of them
may have been your customers
or potential customers. Don't
miss this unique community
marketing opportunity to grow
your business.
To help on the planning
committee contact janine@
southkent.org
Plans for the future. There
are plans to add Thomasville
Gallery to Klingman's inventory
in the near future. Thomasville
Gallery was a very popular line
at Klingman's of Michigan.
Israel's plans to bring the quality
furniture line back to it's
Wyoming Klingman's location on
28th Street.
For details or more information
contact Klingman's at 616-774-
8389.
 Member Spotlight
Board Executives meet monthly and select the
outstanding volunteer and Committee for their
effort and results on behalf of WKACC.
March Volunteer
of the Month
Amanda Lewis from gNetworks
was named Volunteer of the
Month. " I want to extend
CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda
for being voted as the Volunteer
of the Month. Amanda is the
Chairperson for the Ambassadors
and the Business Growth Committee.
The Linked In Lunch N Learn, a
project of the Business Growth
Committee, was one of the best
attended LNL's and effectively built
momentum for the April 1 event."
Danna Mathiesen, Mercantile Bank,
Chamber Board of Directors
March Committee
of the Month
Business Growth Committee is
the Committee of the Month.
Amanda led this team of
dedicated volunteers to plan
and coordinate one of the most
successful Lunch 'n Learn Events
ever at the Chamber.
Using social networking
techniques that were the topic
of the workshop, attendance
reached record levels and many
potential members benefitted
from the information shared.
Momentum began for the second
social networking workshop on
April 1 called LinkedIn 201 as
interest grew for the first event.
• Chair: Amanda Lewis,
gNetworks
• Betsy Artz, Celebration
Cinema
• Blair Entenmann,
MarketingHelp!
• Matt Uhl, PNC Bank, N.A.
• Susan Sasek, Tony's Tunes
Entertainment Services
• Norine Mulvihill, American
Diabetes Association
Renewing Members
• All Occasion Gift Baskets, • Plexicase, Inc
LLC • Presort Services, Inc
• Alta Lift Truck Services, • Prime Products, Inc
Inc • Principal Financial Group
• Arie Nol’s Auto Center, • Real Estate 360
LLC • Sanchez Income Tax and
• Basic Payroll Services Translation
• Brinks & Associates • Sarah Care Adult Day Care
• Broadmoor Motor Sales Center
• Detail Techonologies, Inc • Shape Your Life Studio
• Eagle Administrators • Springrove Variety
• Erwin Quarder • Steelcase, Inc
• Fibercare, LLC • Steve’s Antique Auto
• Grand Buick Center Repair
• Green Lake Calvary • Tigerlily Arabic Institute
Church • Tricon Engineering Group,
• Home Works Corporation Ltd
• International Minute Press • United Bank Insurance
• King & MacGregor Agency
Environmental • Valvoline Instant Oil
• Lisa Richardson Salon Change – 28th St SE
• Mary Kay Cosmetics • West Michigan Whitecaps
– Studrawa • Wyoming Self Storage
• Metro Health Hospital • Wyoming South Kent
• Net Options, LLC Kiwanis
Welcome New Members
Houlmont & Associates - Heinz Herzog, 616-784-2333
Michigan Tax - Pam Willemstein, 616 534-1110
Betty Denhof - Betty Denhof, 616-534-5268 - Referred by Carol
Crawford, The Alternative Board
Welcome Back Returning Members
General Motors Components Holding (Formerly Delphi) -
Edward Diennio, 616-246-2000
Members - Register for Events On Line!
If you are having trouble logging into
your Chamber account, staff will be
on hand during April to help. We can
give you login information you may be
missing and walk through the steps
with you to register on line for events.
We make it easy to be an active
member. If something on the calendar
Click on this logo on the www.
looks interesting, register while you
southkent.org home page for
directions on updating your
have it in front of you with just one or
two clicks of your mouse. We'll show
Membership Information and
you how.
Registering on line for events.
 Community Connections
Let us know how YOUR Business is building better communities. Submit
community improvement project announcements to sue@southkent.org.
Subject to space availability.

Wyoming Parks & Recreation is Sponsoring a Spring Carnival. Proceeds

will benefit the Wyoming Dog Park and the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.
Come out to the carnival and enjoy a few days of rides, games, and food. Part of the proceeds
will benefit the Wyoming Dog Park where dogs and owners can run and play! The Carnival will
be located at 1400 28th St SW in the south parking lot of the former Studio 28 Theater. April
16-25. Open Mon-Thurs and Sunday until 10 pm, Fri and Sat until 11 pm. Questions should be
directed to 616-530-3164. Supported by Playworld Unlimited and Loek's Theaters.

Kentwood Cares - Middle School Mentoring Program impacts students

socially, emotionally and academically creating safer, healthier, more productive
citizens of our society. The focus of Kentwood Cares Mentoring Program is to create
caring relationships between students at the brink of success and positive adult role
models who will promote the growth and development of adolescents to help them
build a strong foundation for their future. For more information contact Terry Gates,
Kentwood Public Schools, at 616-455-1200 extension 32275 or email terry.gates@
kentwoodps.org.

Trivalent Group will host a no cost disaster recover workshop for the
business community on Thursday, April 22 from 10 am to 1 pm at 3145
Prairie St SW. Disaster recovery experts from Trivalent and a special
guest from Neverfail will share strategies to increase an organization's
survivability by building an effective business continuity plan. Program
includes lunch. Info at mrktadmin@trivalentgroup.com or call 616-301-
6301. The Better Business Bureau named Trivalent Group one of four
Integrity Award Winners in 2009.
Grand Office Supply (also a member of WKACC,) has been named
Small Business of the Year by the Grandville-Jenison Chamber of
Commerce. Grand Office Supply, 3061 Pine Ave. SW, through the
years has survived the arrival of national chain office suppliers to the
Grandville-area market. Chalk it up to “customer care,” owner Pam
Cortese said. Contact them at (616) 534-8400.

Pat and John Pols from RE/MAX Lifestyles were awarded

the RE/MAX of Michigan 2009 Broker/Owner of the Year Award,
and RE/MAX Lifestyles was awarded the Premier Market Presence
Award for Achieving Premier Market Presence by Providing
Superior Quality Services. Congratulations Re/Max Lifestyles!

John Russo's Wine Warehouse & Deli announces tickets are

now available in their store for the Primavera food and wine event
at Applause Banquet Center, Friday, May 7 at 6 pm. Tickets are
available in advance for $50 per person. Wines from great producers
like Villa Banfi, Rodney Strong, Bertani and more! Silent auction
benefiting Faith Hospice.