CHAMBER CONNECTION - September 12, 2018
FEATURED EVENT 
k
l

 
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, September 13, Noon
HEALTHY LIVING EXPO
Senior Center, Sterling Heights

Tuesday, September 18, 6 pm
YOPROS WINE TASTING
Filipo Marc Winery, Clinton Township

Friday, September 28, 7:30 am
STATE OF THE CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS
Macedonian Cultural Center, Sterling Heights
Thursday, October 4, 5:30 pm
AFTER 5
Gator Jake's, Sterling Heights

Tuesday, October 16, Noon
YOPROS IN THE FOMO ERA: HOW TO DE-STRESS AND START LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT
Dave & Buster's, Utica
SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday, October 25, 6 pm
$10,000 REVERSE RAFFLE
Zuccaro's Banquet Center, Chesterfield Twp.
GET YOUR $10,000 REVERSE RAFFLE TICKET TODAY!
DON'T FORGET: Get your ticket before 
Friday, September 28  to be entered in the 
$500 Early Bird Drawing!
SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR CHAMBER BOARD

The Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce is looking for potential candidates for our open board of directors positions. We are currently seeking board seat nominations for three-year terms covering 2019 - 2021, and we invite members to run for a seat on our board of directors. Serving on the Chamber's board of directors is a great way to become more engaged with the organization, connect with the regional business community and stand out as a leader among your peers.
 
Current Directors whose terms expire in 2018 are Ron Chriss, Al DeFlaviis, Brad Lukas, Angie Lommen, Dr. Christine Johns, Mike Kramer, John Winter and Mark Vanderpool. We currently have no vacant seats, so we will be filling eight (8) spots to three-year terms.
 
Directors and members with an interest in serving on our board can submit nominations for consideration by our Nominating Committee.  Please contact Chamber President Melanie Davis at 586.731.5400 x22 or [email protected] , for more information and to obtain the necessary application.
 
Criteria/Eligibility and Election Process
CHAMBER CHAMPION

 
CHAMBER REWIND...

We are so proud to have  presented  Six Rivers Land Conservancy  with a check for $360 from our Fla-Mingle After 5 event back in July at our Food Truck Rally this past Thursday. Thanks to Nick Gasiorowski from  Manpower , presenting sponsor of the Fla-Mingle After 5 event, for helping make it possible. And to Chris Bunch, executive director for Six Rivers - keep up the great work!

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for a full recap video of the Food Truck Rally! It was a great success! PS, you might be in the video!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Company: Filipo Marc Winery
Mai n Contact: Gerard Giacona
Category: Winery / Brewery
Member Since: 2004

MEMBER TIP: 
CONNECT THE DOTS
by Sandler Training

Leo, a new sales hire, was having a hard time making quota. He asked his colleague Sam for some help.
Sam asked, "Can I sit in on your next presentation?"

"Sure," said Leo. "You can come along to my presentation appointment tomorrow. It's an account I've been working on for a while. Let me know how it sounds."

Sam agreed and sat in on Leo's meeting, which ended with a "Thanks, but no thanks," response from the prospect. During the car ride on the way back to the office, Leo asked Sam for constructive feedback.

MEMBER BENEFIT OF THE WEEK:  
AAA:  10-13% off Personal Home & Auto Insurance rates.

MEMBER NEWS
PAYCHEX FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Paychex is a recognized leader in the Human Capital Management industry. We assist companies with recruiting and applicant tracking, payroll and tax services, Worker's Compensation, health and benefits, 401ks, all the way up to a full scale Human Resource solution. Paychex is way more than just a payroll company, and I would love the chance to show you how our services can help your business!  From now until December 31, 2018, I am offering a 35% discount and ½ off the set-up for Chamber Members and their referrals. Call me today to schedule your appointment!  Jamie Dunn 248.804.6831.

 

JACK'S PLACE FOR AUTISM TO HOST A TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER
JACK'S PLACE for Autism Foundation is holding a Trivia Night Fundraiser.
 
All proceeds from the event will benefit JACK'S PLACE for Autism Foundation and Team GUTS. Both organizations are Michigan 501(c) 3 Non-Profits.
 
JACK'S PLACE is dedicated to providing support, education, compassion and a comprehensive array of services to assist Michigan families cope with the everyday challenges of Autism. More details can be found on our website.

 

MEN OF MACOMB CHARITY CALENDAR
Do you live or work in Macomb?  21 or older?  Are you amazing?
 
Then we want you for the First Annual Men of Macomb Charity Calendar for 2019! This is a fun social media competition supporting the work of Helping Hands Gifts.  The man with the most likes and shares will be on the cover and one month in calendar, plus his charity will receive 20% of calendar sales!  Go to our website for more info.
 
We are also looking for sponsors for the calendar which will be on sale by Thanksgiving! The Bro and The Dude packages available. Don't miss out on the opportunity to reach people of all ages who want to see the marvelous Men of Macomb!  
 
Contact us via email or at 248.872.7778.

 

PANTRY ITEMS TO BE COLLECTED BY WOMAN'S LIFE CHAPTER 911
Looking for businesses that would like to help us collect boxes of cereal for churches and pantries all across Macomb County for the month of September! If you would like to organize a collection at your business or be a drop off location, please contact Lynn Karnes.

Woman's Life Chapter 911 is a group of volunteers who come together to make a difference in our community through volunteer service projects and fundraisers. We help individuals in need from house fires, medical or funeral expenses and more. We also support nonprofit organizations near to our hearts.

 

STERLING HEIGHTS LIONESS CLUB ONLINE FUNDRAISER
The Sterling Heights Lioness Club is hosting an online fundraiser through Global Giving, from September 10 through October 2, 2018. Our club holds fundraisers throughout the year to help charities that support the hearing and visually impaired, like Penrickson Center for Blind Children, Seedlings (Braille Books for Children), Leader Dogs for the Blind, etc.  Please click the button below to help support this cause.   

 

GO BIG TIME ONLINE 30-DAY CHALLENGE
Did you know that search queries (the words that users type into a search box) can make or break your business? 

It's true. When your business comes up as one of the top search results, you get more website visitors and subsequently more customers. 

This is Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short, in a nutshell. And we'll help you tackle it, simply and effectively in our next free 30 Day Challenge, Go Big Time Online. 

The Challenge is four weeks, with one task per week. The easy and achievable to-do's are specially designed to help you and your biz get found in the top search results.   

 

OKTOBERFEST AT CARPATHIA CLUB
Oktoberfest is at the Carpathia Club on  September 14, 15, 16!

Get ready for Bavarian fun, from daily Beer Stein Holding competitions to tasting a great assortment of Oktoberfest beers.  Live music, folk dance performances, German food, huge fest tent, bounce houses for kids, Ceremonial Keg Tappings, Beer Stein Holding and Sauerkraut Eating Competitions each day. Carpathia Kickers soccer games all weekend on a huge European-sized soccer field! Relax on the beautiful property by the river. Expect to see lots of girls in dirndls and guys in lederhosen. Feel the Prost!

Find more information at our website.

Hours are Friday 6-11 pm, Saturday 4-11 pm and Sunday 12-9 pm
Carpathia Club is located at 38000 Utica Road, just north of 16 Mile between Schoenherr and Hayes.

 

SULLIVAN & SON FUNERAL DIRECTORS HONORED BY NFDA
Utica's William Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors has been honored by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) with the 2018 Pursuit of Excellence Award. They have received this honor every year since 2003.  Sullivan is one of 159 firms from around the world receiving this recognition.
 
The criteria include compliance with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in the funeral service profession; promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs and adhering to the association's ethical standards. 

 

WORKSHOP TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR NEW BID TARGETING SYSTEM
Nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses are currently serving the defense industry, but according to the Michigan Defense Center, there is room for more. To open up access, the center recently launched the Bid Targeting System (BTS), a web-based tool application designed by a former Department of Defense contracting officer that supports companies with government contracting experience and companies which have not done business with the government in the past. Through business intelligence and predictive analytics, the BTS helps organizations quickly identify and prioritize federal contract opportunities and save time and money in the pursuit of that work. The resource also scores companies the way a federal contracting officer would, giving small and medium-sized contractors the same advantages that large primes derive from their in-house experts. 

 

SCORE BUSINESS PLAN SERIES OF THREE WORKSHOPS
The seminar will provide you with the basics needed to prepare and write your Business Plan.  The Series includes:
 
BP 201 Research and Sales Planning,  Wednesday, September 12
BP 202 Start-up Costs and Financial Statements, Wednesday, September 19
BP 203 Writing Your Plan for Funding, Wednesday, September 26
 
The Seminars:
BP 201 covers the basics of a successful Business Plan plus instructions for your Research and Sales Plans.  BP 202 includes the basics of Business Plan Financials plus a case study approach to completing your own Financial Plan.  BP 203 is a discussion of how to write a successful Business Plan.  We also cover the sources of funding your venture.

 
Find more "Member News" on the Chamber website!

VISIT THE LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE BRAG

Please consider visiting the Longhorn Steakhouse BRAG group. They meet on Tuesdays at 8 am near the southeast corner of M-59 and Hayes Road. Their group consists of 10 members (and growing), and they love to have visitors and welcome them to come anytime (call one of the leaders below for more information).
 
They are a very dedicated group with a high percentage of closed business and many inspiring success stories. They have members who offer business propositions for the right company and provide a great potential for wonderful strategic alliances that will help you grow your business.

Very important - Longhorn's security policy prohibits group members, or anyone other than Longhorn management, from unlocking the doors during the meeting. You will be let in by a manager of the store.  Someone is usually at the door from 7:45-8:05 am.  For more clarification on this policy, please contact one of the leaders.
 
If you are looking to grow your business and make some great contacts, alliances and lasting business relationships, come check out the Longhorn BRAG group right away! This group is actively seeking the following categories: Estate or Divorce Attorney, Accountant, CPA, Plumber, Handyman, Carpet Cleaner, Commercial Realtor, Electrician, Graphic Designer, Florist, Window Cleaner, Business Machine/Equipment Repair and Heating & Cooling. Please contact the guest host of the group Scott Nadeau, Chemical Bank at 810.278.0793 or email to schedule a visit.



M-59 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE FROM MDOT:

The M-59 project, along with numerous other projects across the state of Michigan, have come to a temporary stop due to the ongoing labor dispute. Please understand that it is everyone's desire (MDOT, the union workers and the contractors) that these projects get completed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, until more information on the contract negotiations becomes available, it is not anticipated that any major work will be completed. If you see something that needs to be addressed, feel free to contact MDOT.


Like us on Facebook      Follow us on Twitter
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
40 Years
PNC Bank, Shelby Township

33 Years
DiSanto Travel Center

25 Years
Detroit Sportsmen's Congress

21 Years
M & R RV Storage
Thread-Craft, Inc.

19 Years
Home Depot, Sterling Heights

18 Years
Tri-State Flame Hardening & 
    Straightening Co.
 
12 Years
Mortgage One, Inc.
Paul Mitchell the School

9 Years
Bob's Landscaping Service, Inc.

6 Years
Michigan Insurance Source

3 Years
Vesper Construction / John Vesper

2 Years
Accurate Pay Systems, Inc.
Caliber Home Loans
Henderson Glass, Shelby Township
Michigan Schools & Government Credit 
    Union, Sterling Heights

1 Year
Hadrout Design for Business
For sponsorship opportunities, contact
Gina Rieck at 586.731.5400, x15 or [email protected].