Letter from Pam McConeghy, President & CEO

Dear Chamber Members:

Without question, this is one of the most exhilarating moments in the life of the Chamber. We are moving closer to our new residence at 218 E. Grand River. The architect for the new building, Lindhout Associates Architects, has finished their daunting duties and as of today, the selected contractor, Corrigan Oil/Construction, has begun demolition on the inside of the building. This is an exciting time for us. It is spring, and as seeds are budding into new life, so is this Chamber.

We’ve been active. We’re collaborating, cooperating and launching many new programs and initiatives in Livingston County with our neighboring Chambers, Howell and Hartland, as well as Cleary University, SBTDC, SCORE and more. Leg-Up!, a program for Entrepreneurs at Cleary University, has shown growth each month. Advantage Livingston, the County’s Strategic Growth Initiative, will be distributed to attendees at the April 13^th event. Livingston Promise, an initiative program recognizing the need for preschool for every child, will also launch this month. There is a lot happening!

In addition, there’s the Chamber Day in Lansing, the Power of Women in Business Day and the Home Based Business EXPO - all marching your way this spring.

We’re putting together a host of new civic events for summertime, beginning with Brighton’s Trinket to Treasure Sale! This event will be followed by Brighton’s Local Live Block Party – A Summer Kick-off! You’ll find information on all of these events and more inside of this newsletter.

We hope that you enjoy reading this issue of Update! Stay tuned for more articles of interest in the coming days!

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce's Women's Business Network

When I first became involved with the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, I was amazed how I was greeted and treated each and every time I needed help from the Chamber. The Chamber is my business resource for all the local connections to better my business. Each time I moved companies or made a career switch all together, I knew my membership with the Chamber was the first to update.

My goal as the Chair of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Network is to empower and educate women through local and worldly speakers, networking and engaging with other local business owners who are working through similar situations. I want each woman to feel good about who they are in business and to look to the WBN as a resource to achieve their goals. Every time we host a WBN Luncheon, business relationships and friendships develop that could last a lifetime; the energy is contagious! Our March 2011 networking event at Memories Restaurant was a great success and we want to continue to grow! If you are interested in joining the WBN committee, we will welcome you with open arms as we are always looking for fresh ideas and many hands make light work! Please contact Michelle Miller at the Chamber for more information. She can be reached at 810-227-5086 or michellem@brightoncoc.org.

We are very excited for our Power of Women in Business – Come Celebrate event which will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Lakelands Golf and Country Cub. At this event you will have the opportunity to shop from local merchants, listen to great speakers, enjoy great food, sip on a glass of wine and wrap up the day with a little golf if you so desire. Put this event on your schedule and if you are interested in reserving a booth, please let the Chamber know.

Warm Regards,
Candice Montie, Chair
Professional Insurance & Investments

Advantage Livingston – A plan for thriving together in the New Economy

A Strategic Plan for Livingston County
April 13, 2011
Crystal Gardens
Doors open at 7:00 am
Program will begin at 7:30 am and end at 9:00 am.

The completed strategic plan for Livingston County will be discussed and distributed on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Crystal Gardens. The morning will be packed with information on the year long endeavor. There have been numerous meetings and workshops designed to answer the question of what it will take to create and sustain prosperity in Livingston County. You will soon have the answer.

The Howell Area, Hartland Area and Greater Brighton Area Chambers of Commerce have joined forces with Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute to develop the plan which has been named “Advantage Livingston.”

Bill Rustem, Director of Strategy for Governor Rick Snyder, will be the keynote speaker and will deliver a message on the future of Michigan, as well as the importance of having a plan and collaborating across all lines. Others will share their insights into the 5 broad strategies that will make this initiative successful.

Special recognition goes to Maria Stuart of LivingstonTalk.com and The Write Hand, who designed and edited the publication, and the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus who is printing and distributing it. Both of these organizations graciously dedicated their services at no charge to the group.

Local residents, business people, government officials and non-profits are encouraged to attend. Reservations are not necessary, but requested. To RSVP please contact The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce at 810-227-5086 or info@brightoncoc.org; the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce at 517-546-3920 or chamber@howell.org; or the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce at 810-632-9130 or info@hartlandchamber.org.

Crystal Gardens is graciously hosting this event, and because of their generosity, there is no charge to attend!

Entrepreneurs Coming Together

Imagine sitting at a kitchen table enjoying a hot cup of coffee and an oatmeal raisin cookie with entrepreneurs who are much like yourself, and who have a similar story to tell? Now turn to the person sitting across the room from you, and notice it is a representative from either the Brighton, Hartland or Howell Chamber of Commerce, or the SBTDC, SCORE or Cleary University, and who are there to network with you, and to promote the bringing together of business and educational resources for entrepreneurs in the area. Sound like you should be there – you should! Sound like a winner – it is!

Attendance to these meetings is free, and we welcome you to our monthly LEG UP! sessions held every second Wednesday of the month at Cleary University’s Johnson Center in Howell.

On April 13^th at 6:30 p.m. the LEG UP! collaborative will be hosting an Entrepreneurial Café. For those of you who have never been to such an event, it will be an informative opportunity for local entrepreneurs to roll up their sleeves, ask questions, suggest ideas and provide valuable input for gaining access to vital business resources in Livingston County. The LEG UP! meetings are designed to bring entrepreneurs together, to network with one another, to exchange business information and specialties, and to promote prosperity in the region, and from the feedback we are receiving - it’s working!

Last month, we had two rooms filled with entrepreneurs listening to small business tax expert Jeff Sabolish share valuable tips regarding the IRS and filing tax returns. In January and February, we had two very successful entrepreneurs share their real life experiences about their business journey, their ups and downs, what they’ve done best, and the lessons they’ve gained the most benefit from. At times, anyone could hear a pin drop in the room as the presenters delivered palpable encouragement while speaking at a level of sincerity that everyone could openly appreciate and relate to.

The meetings encourage each individual entrepreneur to introduce themselves, share why they are there, what it is they are looking for, and what product or services they provide to everyone in attendance. As the facilitator of these meetings, I encourage everyone to take notes and identify who it is that they should be talking to during the networking sessions. For those of you who have attended, my message is “It’s not net-sitting, it’s not net-eating, it’s networking,” and then the chairs fly back and the energy of introductions and entrepreneurs coming together creates a wonderful atmosphere.

Looking forward to May, our guest speaker will be Rick Scofield from the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE), and in June it will be Nancy Johnson, the Livingston County Director of the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC). To learn more about LEG UP! and how you can get involved with other entrepreneurs, go to www.leguplivingston.com and become part of a group that is building on tomorrow’s prosperity, and is leveraging key resources for individuals just like yourself.

Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there.

Stewart Brannen
Business Management Faculty
& Micro-Business Director
Cleary University

Chamber Ambassadors

I have to say that becoming an Ambassador for the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce has to be one of the smartest moves I’ve made in my life. I’ve had the opportunity to meet, greet and become friends with some of the most fantastic people and businesses that are driving our city forward in tough economic times. Best of all is watching a new business develop and grow due to its membership and involvement within the Chamber.

One in particular comes to mind instantly. This business owner joined a few years ago. Actually a little more than a few years ago, depending on your definition of “few”. I’ve had the pleasure of developing not only a business relationship with this business but a personal friendship with its owner.

My very first impression of this owner, standing off by herself at a networking function: she was somewhat shy, a little timid, and unsure of how to promote her product and a little scared to approach anyone. Ted and I walked over and introduced ourselves and began the usual easy topics of discussion used by everyone until you “know, like and trust” that person or business. We found out later that we were the very first people she met after joining the Chamber.

Over the ensuing years, this business has grown, not only financially, but personally as well. By frequenting Chamber events, networking opportunities, and learning luncheons, this owner has given herself every opportunity possible to help her business grow. Remember the “know, like and trust”? She got out there and became a familiar face and trustworthy volunteer for the Chamber.

This young woman went beyond the usual membership. She became an Ambassador herself, chaired and co-chaired events and joined us in a Ribbon Cutting as a small home based business. A wall flower gone wild! Her confidence flourished and other friendships developed.

What a triumph for her business - and kudos for the Chamber.

This flourishing business, by participating in events, networking within the Chamber, and the list goes on, has gained confidence and knowledge. Her business has grown. I write about none other than Mama Bear Productions and Mary Beth Potrykus. If you haven’t met her yet, introduce yourself.

Follow Mary Beth’s lead and watch your business flourish and your friendships grow. I thank her for her friendship. Ask Mary Beth sometime what her membership in the Chamber has done for her!

Suzanne Richardson
Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Dealer

DTE Energy to provide free programmable thermostats to its natural gas business customers

DETROIT - DTE Energy is reaching out to help its natural gas business customers become more energy efficient.

DTE Energy will provide free programmable thermostats (including installation) to the first 6,000 businesses that contact the company. The free thermostats are available only to DTE Energy's natural gas customers.

"Adjusting temperature settings with a programmable thermostat for just eight hours a day can help businesses save as much as 10 percent on annual heating and cooling bills," said John Lobbia, DTE Energy marketing program manager. "While savings can vary depending on a number of factors, programmable thermostats enable businesses to easily and consistently reduce energy usage during non-business hours."

The thermostat giveaway is part of DTE Energy's Your Energy Savings initiative, which is designed to help customers save money and help the environment by using less energy.

The Your Energy Savings program provides incentives that reduce the up-front cost of installing more efficient equipment and make it easier for businesses to invest in energy efficiency.

The program offers incentives for an array of energy-saving technologies. Customers can pick from a menu of "prescriptive" measures with predetermined incentive rates and energy saving estimates, or can submit their projects for custom measures which are calculated on a case-by-case basis.

"Since a portion of energy costs are a controllable operating expense, every dollar saved can make an impact to a business's bottom line," Lobbia said.

Natural gas business customers interested in participating in the program can call (866) 796-0512 (option 3) or e-mail YourEnergySavings@kema.com.

MITN - Michigan Technology Network

The Michigan Technology Network (MITN) is a statewide organization of professionals whose business is related to technology. Our Livingston County chapter is dedicated to bringing these technology-focused individuals together at networking events and training seminars. We had a fantastic start to 2011 with 5:01 networking events at Chili’s of Brighton and Burrough’s Tavern. Good food and drink was shared among friends and some great networking took place. You don’t have to be a “technology-focused” business to join us, just have an interest in technology and the desire to network with others.

We are excited for our upcoming events! On Tuesday, April 26th, MITN will team with AXIS for an exciting event at Cleary University in Howell. Scott Simpson from Google Adwords will speak on how online advertising can positively affect your business. There will be a 5:01 networking event following Scott’s presentation at Bennigan’s Restaurant in Howell. Turtlehut Internet Marketing is sponsoring this event. Later this summer we will have a representative of Facebook come to teach us more about what their website has to offer. A Techno Expo is our main focus this fall. It will be open to all technology-related businesses and is designed to help tech companies showcase their technology as well as network with other businesses. The Expo will be held on September 16^th and 17^th at St. Patrick’s North Campus in Brighton. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or showcasing your technology, please let us know!

If you are interested in learning more about MITN or are interested in joining MITN, please visit our website www.mitn.org or contact Jamie Lynn Portnova at jamielynnp@brightoncoc.org or Jim Mitte at jim@turtlehut.com.

Have a fantastic Spring!
Jim Mitte

AXIS

AXIS, the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals group continued its momentum from a great 2010 with a busy start to 2011! In February, AXIS invited CPA Ken Elkins from W.R. Thompson to put on an educational seminar for small business owners on tax law changes. In March, AXIS hosted a networking event at Leaf Barley & Vine where attendees were able to enjoy some great wine & conversation with other local professionals. Both events allowed the opportunity to interact professionally and socially with other attendees to help build relationships that will help grow their businesses. Late in March, AXIS teamed up with the American Red Cross for their 3^rd annual blood bus drive at Livingston Community Bank. 30 pints of blood were collected for the community --- a HUGE success.

Just like the weather, things will be heating up for AXIS this spring! On Tuesday, April 26th, AXIS will team with MITN (Michigan Technology Network) for an exciting event at Cleary University in Howell. Scott Simpson from Google will speak on how online advertising can positively affect your business. Attendees are invited to attend a networking event at Bennigan’s Restaurant in Howell immediately following the presentation. On Sunday, May 1st, AXIS will participate in the March of Dimes March for Babies Event in Livingston County. Kensington Metropark is once again opening its gates so we can walk for a great cause. If you are interested in joining the AXIS team, or would like to donate please go to www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1465380. In August AXIS will host an After Hours Mixer-Volunteer Fair where attendees can learn how to become more involved with local non-profit organizations in the Livingston community area. Watch for more information coming soon.

If you are interested in learning more about AXIS or are interested in joining AXIS, please contact John Boylan at jboylan@lakesideservice.com, Jamie Lynn Portnova at jamielynnp@brightoncoc.org or Eric Righetti at eric.righetti@citizensbanking.com.

Best Regards,
Eric Righetti

Trinket to Treasure

Saturday & Sunday, May 14-15, 2011
11:00am-6:00pm & 11:00am-4:00pm

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce the anticipated Brighton’s Trinket to Treasure Sale as an annual civic event in downtown Brighton. The event will take place in the Hyne Street parking lot and adjacent Hyne Street on May 14-15, 2011.

Brighton’s Trinket to Treasure Sale has been designed to allow residents, businesses, merchants, neighborhoods, churches and more to have their own mini “garage” sale in the heart of downtown. This type of event has been very successful in other communities such as Royal Oak and Birmingham.

May is the perfect opportunity to “spring clean” as well as to purchase new items. Vendors will be selling almost anything one can think of including furniture, jewelry, vintage items, clothing, artwork, toys, baby equipment and so much more. The Chamber expects many shoppers to peruse participating vendor tables seeking good deals and steals.

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendor participation, and is accepting event/vendor space requests through May 9, 2011. Applications may be found on the Chamber’s website – www.brightoncoc.org, under the event calendar’s Trinket to Treasure page. You may also call the Chamber for an application form.

For more information about this event or if you are interested in obtaining a booth, please contact Becca Boss, Director of Civic Events, at beccab@brightoncoc.org or (810) 227-5086. The mission of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote and maintain a favorable environment and quality of life for the business and professional members of the community.

Learn how to become a sponsor or obtain a booth.

Art in the Park

Saturday, June 4, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Art in the Park to Celebrate 21 years!

It’s that time . . .time to get ready to kick off the summer season of activities and events with Pinckney-Lakeland-Hamburg-Hell (PLHH) Chamber of Commerce’s ART IN THE PARK event. Art in the Park (which is always the weekend following Memorial Day) takes place in Putnam Township Square in downtown Pinckney. Pinckney is small, and sits next to unique and quirky Hell, Michigan.

Over 125 fine artists and crafters will be on hand to demonstrate and sell their wares, including some expanded booth areas on the street offering some of our artists more space for their work. Continuous free entertainment will take place all day both days in the Gazebo. This iconic event brings over 15,000 spectators into our village and into Putnam Township Square for two days of exciting shopping, entertainment, food and more.

The CAPS fair will be close at hand on Saturday with a petting zoo and areas for the children. On Sunday we hope to bring a car show to the event.

Local Live Block Party
"A Summer Kick Off"

Saturday, June 11, 2011
11:00am-11:00pm

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 1^st Semi Annual event Brighton’s Local Live Block Party. This new event is sure to bring the community out of their homes after a long winter! With the sun shinning and temperatures rising, it is time to celebrate the change in weather! Brighton’s Local Live Block Party is part of the new 2011 civic events calendar. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce will now be hosting monthly civic events during every month from May to November in the Municipal Lot.

Celebrate the start of the summer with friends, family, delicious foods from our own local restaurants, and music to dance to at the first semi-annual Brighton’s Local Live Block Party in downtown Brighton’s Municipal Lot on June 11^th.

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off the summer season will local musicians, a cheeseburger cook-off between our downtown restaurants, a beverage garden and so much more! Start off the summer the right way with friends and family!

Admission is only $2, while those under the age of 21 will not be allowed in after 6pm. 12 & under are free until 6pm.

The 2011 Premiere Chamber Golf Classic

Monday June 27, 2011
Oak Pointe Golf Courses - Honors Course (Difficult) & Championship Course

The Chamber’s Golf Classic has been known throughout the years as one of the premiere golf outings in Livingston County and this year is no exception. New event chair, Gary Nickerson from Michigan Commerce Bank, and vice chair, GT Nickerson from GT Nickerson Properties LLC, will be taking this golf outing to the next level by focusing on everything related to the game we love to play!

At the golf outing you will receive bag services, locker room privileges, a box lunch, and complimentary driving range privileges. On the course there will be closest-to-the-pin and closest to the line drive contests with beverages both on and off the course. Following the round there will be a putting contest, a chipping contest, and long drive contests.

In addition, there will be cars awarded for holes in one for both courses.

In the evening, there will be numerous delectable food stations and convenient drink locations while special events are taking place along with awards, celebrations, and prizes for guests.

We are asking that you please register early, because it is first come first serve for your choice of course. Last year this was a sell-out event requiring the use of both of Oak Pointe’s golf courses. This outing offers a great opportunity to invite clients, employees, family and friends. Great networking opportunities are ensured throughout the day as you enjoy the beautiful and pristine terrain of Oak Pointe’s course, as well as the warm ambiance of the new Club House.

If you are interested in achieving the highest visibility at the Chamber Golf Classic, consider sponsoring the event. The Chamber is offering sponsorship opportunities that will be seen by the business leaders while networking on the course.

Learn how to become a sponsor or register your team.

A big thank you to the 2011 Big Moola Ball supporters & sponsors!

The Big Moola Ball has been an event that continued to evolve and change over time, and has always been known as a fun evening out with friends, family, and associates. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce has many individuals and businesses to thank for all the time and energy that has been invested into this fundraising event for the Chamber.

First and foremost it is important to recognize our annual sponsors whose contributions are vital to the organization of all of our events. These sponsors are: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan & Blue Care Network, First National Bank, GM Milford Proving Ground, Comcast Business Class, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Green Oak Village Place, Cobb-Hall Insurance, and Lewis & Knopf. Another significant division of our Annual Sponsors comes from our media outlets who promote our events in their own unique ways. These media sponsors include WHMI 93.5 FM, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, The Marketeer, and Unique Screen Media.

This year we had numerous event sponsors who helped us add new elements to this year’s Big Moola Ball. These event sponsors include American Laser Centers, Lake Trust Credit Union, Advanced Orthopedic Specialists, Livingston Community Bank, Brighton Tropi-Tan, Texture 7 Salon & Spa, Memories Restaurant, and Countryside Veterinary Hospital.

Special recognition is also warranted to the following businesses and community members: Crystal Gardens Banquet Center staff, St. Mary Magdalen, Cooper & Binkley, Mike Marino & Jon King (WHMI 93.5FM), Brighton Tux Shop, Sign-A-Rama, W-4 Signs, Shar Covers It All, Art in Bloom, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Beastman Creative, and Steve Kalabat of Brighton Plaza. Everyone’s distinctive contributions to the event made the night extra special. Thank you!

With a night that is all about money, our Chamber staff and committee would not be able run this event alone! It takes many bank volunteers to support the Big Moola Ball, who protect and count the moola assets during the evening. Thank you both First National Bank and PNC Bank. A special thank you as well goes out to Jane Sutterfield who once again donated her expertise and time.

And last but not least, we must say thank you to our hard working committee. Jennifer Parkyn, owner of Texture 7 Salon & Spa, stepped up to the plate and served as this year’s committee chair. Thank you Jennifer for bringing new ideas to the table! Also to be thanked are committee members Jeremy Jones, Dan Schifko, Jessica Clum, Joe Thomas, Dawn Boss, Trevor Brooks, Melissa Stone, Eric Righetti and Matt Ikle. We would also like to thank our traditional cast of characters - Dave Beauchamp (former Chairperson), Reed Kittredge, and Dan Mulvihill, for sharing the history and tradition of this treasured event. Thank you all for your input and expertise!

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Not a member of the Blues? Please contact Michelle Miller, Director of Administrative Operations, Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce or your independent agent to learn more about specially designed small business programs available through the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Copyright 2010, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, used by permission.