Commerce Connection September 2013 A M O N T H L Y E - N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E H I L L S D A L E C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F Chamber Celebrates New Location, Membership Growth, and Reveals 2013-2014 Corporate, Executive, and Associate Level Sponsors INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pages 2-4 Upcoming Events Membership News How to Start Your Own Business Class Pages 5-9 2013-2014 Sponsors Golf Outing Thank You Member News Pictured left to right: Chamber Board Chairperson Cyndi Young, Board Member Amber Holden, Board Member Terry Rummel, Executive Director Christine Bowman, Board Member JJ Hodshire, Member Services Coordinator Stephanie Gordon. Not pictured: Chamber Board Vice Chairperson Eric Macy and Board Treasurer Eric Potes. At a Business After Hours event hosted by Current Office Solutions on Thursday, August 22, the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the move to our new office location inside Current Office Solutions, Downtown Hillsdale. Just prior to a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Board Chairperson, Cyndi Young, thanked the Chamber board and staff for their commitment, insight, and hard work during a time of transition for the organization. Executive Director, Christine Bowman, followed the ribbon cutting announcing 2013 membership had increased by 20%, split almost evenly between new and returning members. This growth, and the retention of existing members, is an expression of the confidence our members and the business community have in the course the Chamber has charted over the last ten months, said Bowman. The Hillsdale County business community believes the Chamber is making positive strides as evidenced by the growth in Corporate, Executive, and Associate level memberships. 2013-2014 Corporate Sponsors are Current Office Solutions, Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities, and Hillsdale Community Health Center; Executive Sponsors are Coldwell Banker Denny Groves and Associates, County National Bank, Nyloncraft, Olivia s Chop House/Saucy Dog s BBQ, Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, and Stillwell Ford Lincoln. Associate Sponsors are American Copper and Brass, Coffee Cup Diner, Edward Jones of Hillsdale County, Jim Knox Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Nonik Technologies, RE/MAX Preferred Realty Cathy Galloway, and VanHorn Eagle Funeral Home. These businesses have chosen to show their support by renewing their membership at investment levels beyond their basic membership dues. Their increased participation will further enhance the Chamber s rebuilding efforts, "said Bowman.
P A G E 2 SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2013 EVENTS Annual Golf Outing Friday 09/06-11:15 AM Hillsdale Golf and Country Club 1990 Ash Te Wette Beach Dr. Hillsdale Tuesday 09/10-7:45 AM Hello Hillsdale County Networking Breakfast Broad Street Downtown Market and Tavern 55 N. Broad Street, Downtown Hillsdale Thursday 09/11-7:45 AM Chamber Board Meeting 44 N. Howell St. Thursday 09/16-10:45 AM Chamber Chat WCSR Radio Saturday 10/05-11:00 AM Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Cake Thyme 59 N. Broad St., Downtown Hillsdale Tuesday 10/08-7:45 AM Hello Hillsdale County Networking Breakfast Location TBA Wednesday 10/09-5:30 PM to 7:30PM Business After Hours Hosted by: Hillsdale County Conservation Club Hillsdale County Conservation Club 3835 S. Bird Lake Road, Osseo Wednesday 10/23-5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Ribbon Cutting/Open House Hillsdale Optometry 43 S. Howell St. Check out www.hillsdalecountychamber.com to view the 2013 Chamber and Community Calendar Listings Membership Update To date, we ve welcomed 67 members to the Chamber family! This includes 35 new and existing businesses or non-profit organizations who ve never been Chamber members and 32 returning members (prior members whose membership lapsed for more than 1 year). Welcome New and Returning Members August 2013 4 Kings Marketing www.4kingsmarketing.com Bever Farms Cake Thyme www.cakethyme.com Hillsdale Health & Wellness TC3 www.tc3net.com Team One Food Store www.teamonefoodstore.com The Udder Side www.udder-side.com
P A G E 3 Hello Hillsdale County Networking Breakfast Tuesday, September 10, 2013 7:45 AM Broad Street Downtown Market & Tavern 55 N. Broad Street Downtown Hillsdale Special Guest Mike Jones, SCMW! Business Services Officer and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people around the world increase their public speaking and leadership skills. Discover how the Jackson County Chamber has been instrumental in the formation of several successful Toastmasters clubs and what would be required to start a chapter of this professional development club in Hillsdale County. $10 Per Person Chamber Members and Not-Yet-Members Welcome! RSVP by Thursday, 09/05 Call: (517) 439-4341 or email stephanie@hillsdalecountychamber.com
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P A G E 6 A Special Thanks to These Businesses for Their Generous Support of the 2013 Annual Golf Outing Corporate Sponsors Hole In One Sponsor Hole Sponsors 2nd Story Marketing Becker & Scrivens Bowman Remodeling Coldwell Banker - Megan Gollnick County National Bank Edward Jones - Brett King G & G Glass Hampton-Kurtz Funeral Home Hillsdale Chiropractic Hillsdale Optometry Jonesville Lumber Monarch Community Bank Osborne, March, Condon & Co., P.C. Playford Real Estate Powers Clothing Public Title Rapid Refill Sumnar-Scholl Insurance Agency VIP Autobody Walmart WCSR
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P A G E 9 Interested in Being a Chamber Board Member or Committee Member? The Chamber is seeking Board Member candidates. We re also looking for individuals interested in serving on various event and special project committees. Please contact the Chamber office for more information. 2013 Commerce Connection Advertising Rates 3 x 2 ½ Ad (You provide the ad in JPEG or PDF format) $25 12 ads (one per month) - 4 changes per year $175 3 x 5 Ad (You provide the ad in JPEG or PDF format) $42.50 12 ads (one per month) - 4 changes per year $410 3 x 7 ½ Ad (You provide the ad in JPEG or PDF format) $60 12 ads - one per month - 4 changes per year $510 The mission of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce is to promote Hillsdale County, our members and businesses, through programs and services that stimulate economic growth and foster commerce. 2013 Board of Directors Chairperson: Cyndi Young, WCSR Radio Vice Chairperson: Eric Macy, Nonik Technologies Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce 44 N. Howell Street P.O. Box 842 Hillsdale, MI 49242 PH: (517) 439-4341 info@hillsdalecountychamber.com Office Hours Monday thru Friday 10am to 3pm Other Hours Available by Appointment www.hillsdalecountychamber.com Treasurer: Eric Potes, County National Bank Member At Large: Amber Holden, Flagstar Bank Melissa Potter, Jackson College Terry Rummel, Current Office Solutions JJ Hodshire, Hillsdale Community Health Center Staff Christine Bowman, Executive Director christine@hillsdalecountychamber.com Stephanie Gordon, Member Services Coordinator stephanie@hillsdalecountychamber.com