Traverse Chamber Bulletin
Top Talk
February 22, 2017
Last Call for SBC Nominations
This Friday, February 24, is the deadline for nominations for the Chamber's 2017 Small Business Celebration. Nominate up to 10 of your favorite small businesses throughout the Chamber's 5-county service area to make them part of the region's leading small business recognition event. Businesses nominated for the Chamber's SBC will be contacted soon with information on how they can apply for this year's event. 

The application deadline is March 24, and all businesses that apply will be featured in the exciting SBC Candidates Showcase coming up April 5 at Northwestern Michigan College's Hagerty Center. Follow Chamber communications for details. 

The Small Business Celebration is presented by:







and media sponsors:




IMPACT | Advocacy for Business
Chamber Backs Park Place Expansion
A plan for more than $6 million in upgrades and renovations to the Park Place Hotel - including a new downtown convention center - were endorsed by the Traverse City commissioners this week with the support of The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Government Relations Director Kent Wood outlined the project's benefits to the community including: 
  • assisting with economic growth in our downtown
  • helps complete a long-standing piece of the downtown master plan
  • uses the state brownfield program for the benefit of our community's public infrastructure
  • helps the historic Park Place hotel remain a vibrant centerpiece downtown 
The City's Downtown Development Authority and the Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority have previously signed off on the plan. The brownfield plan goes to the Grand Traverse County Board for approval in mid-March. The plans include demolition and reconstruction of the hotel's conference center, pool and fitness center, plus streetscape, stormwater and utility upgrades.
CONNECT | Events and Programs
'Mo' Business Fun Coming Up
Thanks to everyone who came out for Business After Hours last week at Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern. It was so much fun we can hardly wait for our next BAH event coming up March 15 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Incredible Mo's and Sauce at 1355 Silver Lake Crossings Blvd. in Grawn. 

If you're a newcomer to Business After Hours or haven't been for awhile, there's a whole new group of fellow Chamber members waiting to connect with you and learn about your business. It's a great opportunity to network with other members of the business community, and there are plenty of exciting BAH venues coming up later this year. 

Business After Hours is presented by:

INSPIRE | Leadership Development
LGT Applications Due This Friday
The clock is ticking to apply for the Spring 2017 semester of Leadership Grand Traverse, the region's flagship leadership development program now in its third decade of cultivating a new generation of community leaders. Applications are needed by this Friday, February 24. Apply here.

Students of LGT learn about our community's most important and valued institutions, about local and state government, our cultural offerings and the region's natural resources. Orientation begins in early March and the LGT Day sessions continue through mid-May, culminating with the closing retreat and graduation ceremony on May 18. It's an invaluable experience that will make you a better professional and citizen. 

Chamber Leadership programming is supported by:


Partner News
Jobs for Vets Hiring Fair Next Month
The third annual J obs for Vets Hiring Fair is set for March 21 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Northwestern Michigan College's Hagerty Center. Business registrations are now available at a cost of $40 per business. 

The Jobs for Vets Hiring Fair targets men and women who've recently left the military service and are seeking employment, along with veterans seeking to find better employment opportunities in the region. The event is organized by the NMC Military and Veterans Services, Michigan WORKS! and the Traverse Area Human Resources Association. More information is available from NMC's Scott Herzberg at (231) 995-2526.
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In Case you
Missed it...
Get connected to more Chamber program info: www.tcchamber.org

Suggestions for topics you would like to read here? Email: info@tcchamber.org