Brought to you by:
The Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce
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A Word from the Director
Happy Easter (and Spring Break for some of you)!
I hope you enjoy this new E-newsletter format. It's a work in progress, but hopefully a solid foundation to build on. As a new user of Constant Contact (did you know they offer it for free to non-profits?), I'm pretty excited about some of the capabilities!
For one thing, we have a lot of cleaning up to do in our contact lists. It's an ongoing process, but using Constant Contact allows us to organize your interests based on the links you click on throughout the E-Newsletter. Over time, this is going to help us target our audience more efficiently and effectively for each of our programs and events.
On another note - One of the best attributes of our job is the capacity to be flexible and the opportunity to get out in our community and work with YOU, our members. In addition to visiting with and learning about our members, we serve on many committees and groups that require attendance "away from the office". Due to pandemic related factors, we are currently operating with one full-time staff member (myself) and splitting time between off-site and in the office. However, I realize that can make it a bit difficult on some of you who prefer to drop by for a visit.
Effective immediately you will be able to find me in the office consistently on Monday & Wednesday from 11am - 3pm for drop-in visits. Otherwise, I am happy to schedule an appointment.
Also, don't forget as a Chamber Member, you have the EXCLUSIVE opportunity to place any brochures/pamphlets/business cards in the Welcome Center of our Chamber Lobby. We are located in the Armory Community Center at the corner of W. Main St. and M-66 in Ionia (439 W. Main). The building is open for you to stop by any time Monday through Friday 9am - 5pm and drop off your materials!
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Quick Poll - Your Feedback Matters! |
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What do you think of this E-newsletter format?
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It's different, but I will get used to it
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I'd prefer members news to be shared separately than Chamber news
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I don't have an opinion one way or the other
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What's Happening at the Chamber? |
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Spring is here but it doesn't quite feel right without seeing many of you at the Ionia Expo. We are hoping to be back on in the Spring of 2022, but in the meanwhile we are hoping to pack in as much in-person interaction as possible as we move into the warmer months.
We are excited to announce that the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT) has offered the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce an opportunity to partner during their Annual Community Day event on June 19, 2021.
The day starts with a 5K run on the airport followed by a pancake breakfast. The day continues with airplane rides, kids activities, door prizes, facility tours, and lots of food, leading up to the final event of the day - a live concert on the ramp! SMAT is hosting the Bruce Matthews Band which will play using the historic Ionia hangar as a bandshell. The free concert starts at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30.
New at the event this year, SMAT will present a "Community Showcase" featuring local businesses and organizations. They are expecting to have approximately 50-60 vendor spaces available and will be sending invitations to local businesses and organizations, selected per SMAT's discretion.
The Chamber has been offered the opportunity to not only support the growth of this family friendly and community focused event, but also to raise funds to offset a portion of the loss experienced due to the cancellation of so many of our other events in the past year. We are excited about our agreement to manage the certain aspects of this event, including; registration, vendor coordination, and some promotional activities. In exchange for this opportunity, the Chamber will donate a portion of each booth fee back to SMAT.
To learn more about SMAT, click the link below.
One more quick thing, don't forget to "Save the Date" for Thursday, August 12th for a Member Annual Celebration. This one is going to be outdoors, casual, and focused on connecting with each other (i.e. we will keep the program under 30 minutes). Did I mention fun? Our committee has decided on a tail-gate theme! More info soon to come.
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Upcoming Chamber Events
& Educational Opportunities
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Tuesday, April 13
S.B.A.M. Lunch & Learn
Are you up to speed on your SBAM member benefits? Have pandemic related questions?
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Monday, May 10
YCD Electronics
Grand Re-Opening
Open House (5-8pm)
& Ribbon Cutting (6pm)
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Friday, May 21
2021 Golf Classic
Teams are SOLD OUT.
Tee sponsorship available.
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Member Promotional & Advertising Opportunities |
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Deadline extended to advertise in Ionia's Annual Guide, the area's resource guide for resident's and visitors alike.
New this year, larger ad sizes at lower prices!
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Get your Company Name
and Logo
in front of a captive audience of over 140 golfers and volunteers
$80/Each
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Donate items to our Raffle
to be named in our Golf Classic programs & table tents.
Or donate Swag items and let our players rep your brand!
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Be our Special Guest on the Weekly "show" that is ALL about our Members and the Ionia area.
(Facebook Live/YouTube)
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Need to spread the word about an upcoming event, job opening, or promotion?
We can leverage our reach
to help!
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Please Help us Welcome Our Newest Members! |
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(Click logo for more info) |
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(Click logo for more info) |
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(Click logo for more info) |
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Interested in becoming a Member of the Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce?
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Arcanna Launches Recreational Cannabis,
Bringing Jobs and Top-Shelf Products
(Click on the logo to be redirected to the full story)
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Have News you'd love for us to share?
Don't forget to add it to the Member Information Center!
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Chamber Members, immediate family, and employees will receive $15.00 off non-covered eye exams & 10% off any non-covered glasses purchase.
(Click the logo to be redirected for more details)
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Have a Public or Member-Only Deal you'd love for us to share?
Don't forget to add it to the Member Information Center!
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Have an upcoming event you'd love for us to share?
Don't forget to add it to the Member Information Center!
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A COVID-19 vaccine is part of how we will ensure our businesses and workforce will move forward from this pandemic. As business owners, SBAM understands that you need to consider potential human resources implications.
SBAM has partnered with ASE to provide small business employers with two sample COVID-19 vaccination policies. Due to the changing environment related to COVID-19, these policies are designed to be advisory memos, rather than updates to an employee handbook.
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If your company is encouraging, but not mandating, that employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine, this document will assist you in communicating things like health insurance use, potential time off to receive the vaccine and vaccine distribution. |
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**IACC Member Benefit Spotlight** |
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The Member Information Center (MIC)
Exclusive access to free specialized tools to promote your organization
- Keep your Company it's Representative's Profile up-to-date
- Add Jobs, Events, News & Deals
- Network with fellow Members
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When you add Jobs, Events, News & Deals
to the MIC, your information will reach:
- Over 500 Weekly Website Page Visitors
- Nearly 800 E-Newsletter Subscribers
- Our Brick by Brick Audience via Facebook & YouTube
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As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments! |
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Kat Reed | Executive Director
Ionia Area Chamber of Commerce
(616) 527-2560
info@ioniachamber.net
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