June 2009 Volume 29, Issue 6
My Business Advocate
Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses
Marketing in a Recession - How To Survive and Thrive
Marketing your products or services experiencing lower results from
during a recession is always difcult. your marketing spending, but you
Every business, regardless of industry are better off making deeper cuts
or maturity should advertise their elsewhere.
products and services to create a
favorable sales environment and Cutting back during a downturn
generate qualied prospects. There can be like throwing away your
are two things survivors do with equity. Maintenance today costs
their marketing during a recession. much less than rebuilding tomorrow.
1. Maintain or Increase Marketing Another perspective to consider is
Spending and 2. Focus on Smarter that advertising is a cumulative effort.
Marketing Maintaining brand recognition should
be considered an “on-going business
Maintain or Increase Marketing investment” and the moment
Spending. Study after study after it stops, it begins to lose power
study says businesses that maintain immediately – and future sales are
their marketing spending during a in jeopardy. Increasing advertising
recession increased market share spending during economic expansion
and had higher sales protability often yields no improvement in
than those that reduced marketing market share, because 80% of your
spending in both the short-term and competitors are also increasing their
long-term! Increasing marketing spending. Conversely, at least half
spending during a recession offers of businesses reduce their adverting
even greater benets. THIS MAY spend during an economic downturn,
SEEM DIFFICULT TO DO as you stated the Association of National
have pressure to cut costs everywhere Advertisers in a recent article.
you can to survive. You may be
Focus on Smarter Marketing.
Customers are not in a risk-taking
Inside This Issue mood. If they are not in your market
now, they won’t be until economy gets
Survive and Thrive 1 better. This is not the time for try to
Opinion by John 2 grow the market for your product or
South Kent Swing 3 services. You need to offer very deep
Member Recruiting 4 price discounts today to generate trial
ChamberPartners 5 -– loss leader pricing will put you out
Real Estate Update 8 of business today. Today’s customer
eTool Developers 8 wants VALUE in the products and
Ambassadors' Corner 9 services that they MUST buy.
Road Cosntruction Info 9 Discretionary purchases are being
Cruise Corner 10 delayed. This means you should
Metro Merchant Info 10 ADVERTISE THE “NEEDS”, NOT
Membership Value 11 THE “WANTS” YOU OFFER in today’s
environment.
Calendars on Pages 6 & 7
Log on to www.southkent.org Focus on encouraging current
For details. customers to increase the frequency
or size of purchase and to purchase
other products or services from you
(cross sell/up sell) that they haven’t
done historically. Consider adding
a Frequent Buyer Program to build
customer loyalty. On-going customer
communication (Newsletters, reminder
postcards, and courtesy phone calls)
is more important than ever, so they
know you are still in business. Live by
the old marketing saying, “If it works,
do more of it – if it doesn’t, stop doing
it.” Use proven advertising media that
works for you and other businesses
in West Michigan to promote the
business. Don’t take a risk with
unproven “fringe” advertising vehicles.
TARGETED Direct Mail Advertising
works in any economic environment
if done properly. Focus on generating
referrals from customers and others
in your sphere of inuence. Attend
every networking event you can.
Join a referral group like BNI or The
Catalyst Group to maximize your
marketing spending ROI.
In a business climate like today where
decision makers want to buy, not be
sold, you need to be a farmer, not a
hunter. This means taking a low–
pressure, highly visible, relationship
approach to your marketing.
Keep a good attitude and good luck in
your marketing in the near future…the
recovery is right around the corner.
Blair Entenmann is President of
MarketingHelp!, a Grand Rapids
based marketing firm specializing
in helping clients catch and
keep customers with better
marketing strategies, programs
and implementation. For more
information, visit www.mktghelp.
com or call 616-866-1198.
 YOUR CHAMBER MANAGEMENT
2009 Board of Directors
*indicates Executive Committee Member
*John Crawford - President & CEO
*Todd Duncan - Consumers Energy, Board Chair
*Steve Marshall- MAS Advisory Service, Chair, Fin. & Budget
*Norine Mulvihill - Option 1 Credit Union, Sr. V. Chair
*Kathey Batey - Priority Health/Spirited Presentations
*Brent Holland - Chameleon Ltd.
*Skip Knapp - EdwardJones Investments
*Tom Kruisenga - W. MI Business Group, Past Chair
*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk PLC,
Legal Counsel
Community Relations Division (Blue)
*Kathey Batey - Vice Chair
Tommy Brann - Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille
Dan Van Dyke - PCO Associates, LLC
*Brent Vander Kolk - Vander Kolk & Vander Kolk,.PLC
Lillian VanderVeen - Lenger Travel Services
Member Relations Division (Red)
*Brent Holland - Vice Chair
Richard Chrisman - Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter
Danna Mathiesen - Mercantile Bank
John Schwartz - AT&T
Membership Development Division (Gold)
*Skip Knapp - Vice Chair
Rob Wells - AXA Advisors
Diane Zandstra - W. MI Center for Family Health
Financial Development Division (Green)
*Norine Mulvihill - Sr. Vice Chair
Betsy Artz - Loeks Theaters (Celebration Cinema)
Joel Iakiri - Huntington Bank
David Szidik - Proforma Innite Marketing
Matt Uhl - National City
Ex-Ofcio
Carol Sheets - City of Wyoming, Mayor
Richard Root - City of Kentwood, Mayor
Curtis Holt - City of Wyoming, Manager
Bill Doren - Chamber Foundation Chair
My Business Advocate,
Copyright 2009
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce
590 - 32nd Street SE
Wyoming, MI 49548-2345
Tel: 616-531-5990
Fax: 616-531-0252
Newsletter/Advert Information: sue@southkent.org
Opinion by John
June 2009
By John J. Crawford
President & CEO
Feel Like You’re Winning Again
Michigan, and indeed our country, are going through
big changes right now and it can be un-nerving to
watch the news. Always remember, though, that life
is about change and that business success can be
achieved in any market condition. Many millionaires
began making their fortunes during economic down
cycles.
Very successful business people, in fact, are in a
buying mode right now because there are great deals on
business assets in today’s market. What do they know
that maybe I don’t? Well, (in addition to having some
liquidity that I don’t), they know that the economy will
eventually be climbing again. They position themselves
to win as the economic cycle begins to pick up during
the slow times.
It Starts With Your Mindset
The journey begins with your decision to win and to
DO something about your own position. In most cases,
the farthest distance you’ll have to travel on this trip is
six inches – the distance between your ears. Getting
your attitude set starts by being around a bunch of
like-minded winners.
The Chamber. Now, more than ever.
Your W-K Chamber of Commerce is the perfect
place to launch your journey or to give your trip a
boost! NOW is the time, more than any other, to join
The Chamber, to get involved and to invite friends
and colleagues to join you in The Chamber. The
enthusiasm of the 75 people at our Speed Networking
event with our friends from the Grandville-Jenison,
Hudsonville and Lowell Chambers captured it all!
I promise you, as Business Community Leaders in
the area, by sticking together and keeping each other
encouraged, we’re working wonders as a Chamber and
building our businesses to new and better heights!
Feel like a Winner again!
• Join The Chamber
• Get Active in The Chamber
• Invite a Colleague to Join You in The Chamber
And that’s my Opinion by John!
 Get Ready to SWING into Summer Networking
Our 29th Annual Located at
South Kent 5050 Byron
Swing Golf Center SE
Outing will in Wyoming.
be on Friday, The Pines
June 12th at has been a
The Pines Member since
1994.
Golf Course.
Sponsorships still Available:
Registration begins at 10 am with Packages can include advertising:
an 11 am shotgun start. on the course, carts, volunteer
The day includes use of the driving
shirts and in the program. Some Golf Prize Alert!
packages also include a marketing Put your business in the spotlight
range and putting green, 18 holes
booth on the course, golng spots when you donate a prize or prizes
of golf, cart, refreshments on the
and website advertising. Prices for our 29th Annual South Kent
course, a box lunch and dinner at
range from $100 to $1000. Contact Swing Golfers. We love the big stuff
the end of the day for only $85 per
julie@southkent.org or call 616- but we need items for the Golfers'
golfer. NO REFUNDS after June 5,
531-5990. Goody Bags too!
2009.

Attention Junior Golfers! Some suggestions include, but

are not limited to, electronics, gift
certicates or cards, gift baskets,
The Kent Optimist Club invites Junior Golfers ages 12-18 to join us for golf accessories, golf balls and
our local qualifying tourney for the Optimist International Junior Golf tees, sunscreen and bug repellant.
Championship on June 15 at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club. Contact julie@southkent.org
to make a contribution. We'll
Registration form and details available at acknowledge your business in the
www.grandrapidskentoptimists.org golfers' programs and at the Awards
or call Harry at 616.475.1167 Banquet at the end of the day.

The Grand Rapids Champter of SCORE can provide the tools and
knowledge you need to start or improve your business. Contact
SCORE for more information on free counselling opportunities
and low cost workshops. A SCORE Representative, Ernie Birge Contact julie@southkent.org or
is available to meet with you by appointment. Contact him at drop off prize donations before
616-771-0305 or log on to www.scoregr.org for more information. Wednesday, June 11 at 5pm.

Put the Power of Pizza

working for your Business!
One flyer delivered with every pizza delivered by
Domino’s Pizza during July and Aug!
Many WKACC Group Health Plans to Wyoming-Grandville delivery area!
choose from. Ad size 2” X 3 ¾”
For you and your employees. Contact Only $70, Two Spots For $125!
Contact Jerry Fennell, 334-5150
janine@southkent.org for plan pricing and jerry@28thStreet.biz
work and residential eligibility requirements.

Meet Pat Pols - Owner of
Re/Max Lifestyles and
Chair of the 2009 Member
Recruitment Committee
Pat Pols is an Associate Broker
and one of the owners of RE/
MAX Lifestyles. She works as a
team with husband, John who
is the Broker. John and Pat
have both attended Chamber
functions.
Her daily activities at Re/Max
Lifestyles include listing and
selling properties, recruiting
and mentoring agents, and
ofce management. She has a
BC in Accounting. Her business
qualications include:
• ABR, Accredited Buyers
Representative
• GRI, Graduate Realtor
Institute
• ASP, Accredited Staging
Professional
• Certied Mentor, Training,
Mentoring for Agents
In addition John and Pat have 4
children - 2 boys, 2 girls (3 are
married) and 4 grandchildren - 2
boys and 2 girls.
!!! News Flash !!!
Citadel Broadcasting to provide Members with great incentives!
"Congratulations
on being a part
of the Wyoming-
Kentwood Area
Chamber of Commerce, an
organization dedicated to
building the West Michigan
economy and helping your
grow your business. We
look forward to working
with you in the coming
year."
Kate Conley, Citadel West
Michigan
MEMBER RECRUITING
Member Recruiting
Pat Pols, co-owner of
Re/Max Lifestyles.
Pat assures us she
still has time for her
hobbies and her
interests including
biking, walking,
camping, reading, and
traveling.
Pat's Chamber Activities include
but are not limited to Chamber
Ambassadors, Member Recruiting
Committee (chair), and the After Hours
Committee (a sub-committee of the
Chamber Ambassadors).
When we asked what her biggest need
was, she responded "We're looking for
new ideas! I would like to invite any of
our members who can spare an hour
in the morning on the rst Thursday
of the month to join our committee."
Add your ideas to the mix. The
Member Recruiting Committee meets
on the rst Thursday of each month
at 8 am at the Chamber Ofce. New
members of the group are welcome at
any time. Come and help us grow the
Chamber. Contact sue@southkent.
org or call 616-531-5990 for more
information or to rsvp for the
meeting.
New Members will receive
broadcast and web
advertising through Citadel
Broadcasting, a package
valued at $1500.00, with
their new membership!
Renewing Members will get
recognition on the Citadel
Website and a 10% discount
on all advertising purchased
on any Citadel Grand
Rapids Radio Station. Some
restrictions apply to both
Several members made referrals
during the months of April
and May. The winner of a two
night stay at Woodland Creek
Apartments. will be announced
at the June 3rd Fridays!
Networking Luncheon.
Stay tuned for our next Bi-
Monthly Recruiting Challenge.
If your business would like
to donate a prize to support
member recruitment contact
sue@southkent.org. Ask her
how providing a incentive prize
can benet your business.
It's easy to make a referral.
Contact the Chamber at 616-
531-5990 or email sue@
southkent.org and share the
name of the business, a contact
name and phone number or
email address. We'll make the
contact. As soon as we activate
your referrals membership,
you'll receive $25.00 in
Chamber Bucks Credit and have
and entry in the next drawing.
of these offers. Please
contact sue@southkent.
org or julie@southkent.
org for information on how
to claim your incentive
from Citadel Broadcasting.
Don't delay, call us today!
The Chamber.
Now, More Than Ever.
Pass It On!

The Alternative Board Offers Business Growth Advice
ChamberPartners can help
you grow your business
while saving money on
necessary products and
services.
Your business can save money on
products and services you need,
support other members and provide
a source of non-dues revenue for
the Chamber every time you work
with a ChamberPartner. (It's the
best way we know to keep dues
dollars low).
How Do I Become a
ChamberPartner?
The Committee looks for Members
that provide services that benet
The Alternative Board
TAB offers business owners
peer advice, at a discounted
rate, to empower you and your
organization to achieve your
business vision.
TAB has been a ChamberPartner
since 2008 and recently renewed
their partnership for another
year.
The Alternative Board helps you
grow your business, make more
We are very pleased to be able
money and work fewer hours.
Contact Carol Crawford at 616-
301-8081 or email her at carol@
tabmichigan.com.
CHAMBERPARTNERS
WKACC Members at a discounted
price that will help improve our
members’ prots by helping reduce
their expenses for items they need
to run their business.
A ChamberPartner must also
provide the Chamber with another
diverse source of non-dues revenue.
Member to Member
Discount Programs
You don't have to be a Chamber
Partner to advertise your Member
to Member Discounts. (This is not
the same as Hot Deals). Member
to Member Discounts are offered
for as long as the business cares
to run them for the low cost of only
$25.00 per month.
Your Member to Member
Discount Package includes:
• Advertising in My Business
Advocate for the month(s) the
discount applies.
• A listing on the Chamber
Website for the month(s) the
discount applies.
• An email blast announcing your
Working
with a
ChamberPartner
is
Good
Business!
Being
Active
on a
Chamber
Committee
is Good
Business!
offer at the beginning of each
month the discount applies.
•
Contact sue@southkent.org to list
your M2M offer in My Business
Advocate and on the Chamber
Website for only $25.00 per month.
For info on Hot Deals, log on to
www.southkent.org or contact the
Chamber Ofce.
Plan to join us after your
lunchtime networking.
The Committee meets on the 3rd
Friday each month immediately
following the 3rd Fridays! Luncheon
at the same location.
If you would like to help develop
programs that increase Membership
Value, Chamber Non-dues Revenue
and Membership Numbers this
committee welcomes your input.
For a list of participants in
the ChamberPartner Program,
information on becoming a Chamber
Partner or to join the committee
contact sue@southkent.org. or call
616-531-5990.
Eagle Administrators
offers a fully insured limited
benet (mini-medical) group
health insurance plan for
both full-time and part-time
employees typically unable to
access group health coverage
due to cost and/or eligibility.
The plans offer quality coverage
on a guaranteed-issue basis
and are affordable enough for
virtually any employee. Plans
can be set-up on a 100%
voluntary basis, costing the
employer nothing! Supplemental
Vision and Dental plans are
also available. Contact Jason
Russell, Broker Director at
jason@eagleadministrators.
com. More info at www.
eagleadministrators.com.
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Staff Meetings 1 Noon 2 4p
3 8:15a 4 8a 5 6
on the Gov Matters at Ambassadors Chamber Recruiting
Thursday the Chamber Foundation Committee
before 3rd 4p
Fridays! and Education
on all other Comm @
Fridays at Celebration
10am Cinema South

7 8 8a 9 10 11 12 8a 13
Gov Matters at PAC
Kentwood 11a
City Hall Shotgun Start
South Kent
Swing Golf
Outing at
The Pines

14 15 16 11 a 17 8a 18 7:30a 1911:30a-1p 20
Santa Parade Activation & CEO Exchange, 3rd Fridays!
Committee Retention 9a Craig's Cruisers
10a, Finance Business (Recession
11:30a, Growth Buster Price
Executive only $12.00!)
Committee 1p
Chamber
Partners
21 22 23 24 25 Board
11:30a 26 27
of
Directors
Meeting
4p
3rd Fridays!
Planning
Committee

28 29 30

www.edwardjones.com Member SPIC

 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Staff Meetings 1 8:15a 2 8a 3 Independence 4 Independence
on the Chamber Recruiting Day Holiday Day Holiday
Thursday Foundation Committee Observed
before 3rd 4 pm Chamber Office
Fridays! and Chamber Closed
on all other
Fridays at
10am

5 Noon
6Gov Matters 7 4p 8 9 10South8aKent 11
at Ambassadors
the Chamber PAC
4p 9-11 a
Education S.C.O.R.E.
Comm @ (by appt)
Celebration
Cinema South

12 13 8a 14 15 8a 16 7:30a 17 18
Gov Matters at Activation & CEO Exchange, 11:30a-1p
Wyoming City Hall Retention 9a 3rd Fridays!
10a, Finance Business Networking
11:30a, Growth Location TBD
Executive 1p
Committee Chamber
Partners

19 20 21Santa11a
Parade
22 23 Board
11:30a
of
24 25
Committee Directors
Meeting
4p
3rd Fridays!
Planning
Committee

26 27 28 29 30 31

Plexicase, Inc.
Acrylic Fabrication - Display Fixture Design
CNC Machining - Screen Printing
PH 616-246-6400 2431 Clyde Park SW
Fax 616-246-6404 Wyoming MI 49509
www.plexicase.com e-mail: sales@plexicase.com

$8000 Tax Credit for New
Homebuyers
by Don Feikema
Real Estate 360 LLC
3790 28th St SW
Grandville, MI 49418
616-745-2356
dfeikema@grar.com
There has been a lot of news
coverage on the $8000 tax credit for
new homebuyers, and that includes
someone who has not owned a
home in three years. The tax credit
is good for homes $80,000 and
above, and would be 10 percent
of the value below $80,000—i.e.
$70,000--$7000 tax credit.
eTool Developers - Ofcial Website Sponsor of the Metro Cruise
eTool Developers is an internet
marketing and hosting company
focusing on the automotive
aftermarket industry which
includes manufacturers, warehouse
distributors and retailers.
While the current focus is primarily
in this industry sector, the eTool
team has also worked extensively
with local and national businesses
in other industries such as non-
prots, medical, conference, online
retail and many others.
The eTool eCMP platform allows
our clients to manage their web
site content and data in a web
environment. eTools has created
online catalogs, applications to
Advertise in the New & Improved My Business Advocate
Get Your Message in Front of 750+ Business and Community Leaders Each Month!
(These rates for Members Only. Non-members pay 150% of member rate).
Business Card ize Ad
B&W 4 Color
1X $ 40 $ 75
3X $ 108 $ 213
6X $ 192 $ 402
For more information, contact Sue Bynum at 616-531-5990 or at Sue@southkent.org
INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS
The Real Estate Corner
Currently, the homeowner cannot
use this as a down payment, but
can have their tax return amended
to receive the funds, or wait until
they le their 2009 tax return.
The government does not have the
entities in place (as of this writing)
to put the current “promise” of
being able to use the funds from
the tax credit as a down payment.
The deadline for the $8000 tax
credit is 12/1/2009. You qualify
if your modied adjusted gross
income is $75,000 or less for an
individual, and $150,000 and
under for married couples. There
is a percentage of the tax credit
available up to $95,000 for an
match parts to specic vehicles
and custom interfaces unique to
the individual companies. eTool
developed web sites come with
easy-to-use content management
and ecommerce capabilities.
Luanne Brown is the owner and
founder of eTool Developers,
celebrating its eighth year last
December. The eTool Developers
team is managed by Deign Hughes.
Denise Hughes works in sales and
marketing. Luanne worked with
this team for several years before
ofcially hiring them in October,
2008.
The ofce is located at 6095 28th
Street SE in Cascade.
Quarter Page Ad
B&W 4 Color
$ 55 $ 90
$ 147 $ 252
$ 264 $ 474
individual, and up to $170,000 for
married couples.
Restrictions include not purchasing
a home from a spouse, parent,
grandparent, child, or grandchild.
The home must be your primary
residence for 36 months after the
purchase date, or the taxpayer is
required to repay the tax credit. The
mortgage payments, however, can
be paid by someone else. I believe
land contracts may be available
too, but check with your CPA to
make sure. Contact a Chamber
Member loan ofcer or real estate
professional if you have further
questions.
Denise Hughes currently volunteers
at the chamber as Public Relations
chair for the 28th Street Metro
Cruise. eTool Developers is
developing and hosting the 28th
Street Metro Cruise® web site as
well.
The site can be found at www.
metrocruise.org. Check it out and
if you like what you see, give them
a call.
If you are looking for a professional
team to help you with your internet
marketing needs or for more
information, please contact eTool
Developers at 616-451-2335 or
email Denise Hughes at denise@
etooldevelopers.com.
Half Page Ad
B&W 4 Color
$ 90 $ 160
$ 243 $ 453
$ 432 $ 852
 AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE
Ambassadors Corner
June 2009
by Amy Pierce, Who are your Ambassadors?
Express Employment
Professionals Vickey Argo, Business Leadership Network
Ambassadors Corner Doug Bredberg, Crosby & Henry
Lisa Calhoun, Hilton GR Airport
The results are in…The 1st Annual Bob Carpenter, Complete Source
Grub Crawl was a success!!! The Carolyn Foote, Macatawa Bank
Ambassador’s are pleased that our Jim Gilbert, Creative Benet Systems
1st effort at planning a Grub Crawl Marcie Goldberg, Flagstar Ban
went off with very few hitches. Maurice Groce, Mercantile Bank
Nearly 350 tickets were sold, 11 Chris Gross, Chris’ Therapeutic Touch
restaurants participated, lots of Buz Helwig, The Grand Rapids Press
food was consumed, and many Brent Holland, Chameleon Ltd
drinks were poured. The event Judi Holland, Chameleon Ltd
certainly exceeded our expectations Casey Jankoska, Express Employment Professionals
for being an inaugural event and Dennis Kavanagh, Central Payment Corp
being a new event to the area. Katie Kober, Holiday Inn Select
Amanda Lewis, gNetworks
A committee will be forming again Danna Mathiesen, Mercantile Bank
to explore the options and to being Shawna Myers, Cambridge Partners
planned the 2nd Grub Crawl. Amy Pierce, Express Employment Professionals
Pat Pols, Re/Max Lifestyles
The Ambassadors would like to Jason Russell, Eagle Administrators & Mapes Insurance
thank the following businesses Matt Uhl, National City
that donated to the Business Expo Rob Wells, AXA Advisors
Balloon Explosion on April 18th: Julie Janes-Brown Chamber Staff
• Marge’s Donut Den
• Celebration Cinema
• Brann’s Steakhouse Road Construction Information Avalable
• Healthy Smile
• Bestway Cleaning
(AND THESE AMBASSADOR
The Michigan Department of
AFFILIATED BUSINESSES:) Transportation (MDOT) has
• Chris’s Therapeutic Touch provided WKACC a supply
• Empress Employment of maps detailing the road
Professionals repair projects going on in
• Macatawa Bank
• Cambridge Partners
Kent County this summer.
• Mercantile Bank
• Hilton 2009 Paving The Way Road
• ReMax Repair Projects is available at
• Grand Rapids Press the Chamber Ofce in limited
• Crosby & Henry
• GNetworks
quantities. Contact sue@
• Wyoming-Kentwood Area southkent.org or stop in.
Chamber of Commerce
Larger supplies for
distrubution to employees,
Remember to customers and clients, can
tell them be ordered at www.michigan.
gov/drive. An online version
"I saw it in the of the map is also available
Advocate!" on the same website.

Ladies and Gentleman "Start Your Engines..."
Only 100 days until the largest
spectator event in West Michigan,
the 5th Annual 28th Street Metro
Cruise®. The Cruise Corner wants to
thank all the Chamber Members who
have shown interest in becoming
involved with this year's Cruise.
We'd especially like to thank
the Members of the Chamber
Education Committee, the Chamber
Ambassadors and all the new
members that have expressed an
interest in getting involved. Thanks
to all of you and now the work really
begins.
Here is a partial list of the local
merchants that have become 2009
Metro Merchants
• Klingman's, a Designs for
Living Company
• Southland Auto Wash
• Flagstar Bank
• Gordon Food Service
• Consumers Energy
• Marge's Donut Den
• Country Inn and Suites
• Eagle security
• Howard Johnson's
• Holly's Back Door
• Citadel Broadcasting
• Action Tire
• Your Business Could be Here!
Be a part of the 28th Street Metro
Cruise®. Contact the Chamber
at 616-531-5990 or email julie@
southkent.org for more information.
Wanted! Volunteers to work at 2009
"Blues on the Mall" Metro Cruise®
Booth during the summer. Please
call the Chamber Ofce to volunteer
some of your time one night a week
or just one night.
28TH STREET METRO CRUISE
The Cruise Corner
Cost to participate as a Metro
Merchant depends on your
Be a Metro membership status and business
location.
Merchant!
• $100.00 - Chamber Members
and Not-Yet-Members located in
Your Business Name: the DDA District.
• will be posted on the 28th • $250.00 - All other Chamber
Street Metro Cruise® Website Members
• will be posted in the Metro • $375.00 - All other Not-Yet
Merchant Directory including Members
your coupons and/or discounts
• will be listed in the Day of Event Don't miss these opportunities to
Program get your business name in front of
• will receive two 4X4 static cling more than 300,000 people during
Metro Merchant window decals the largest Car Event in West
an invitation to attend a Seminar Michigan. Be a part of the 28th
entitled "Marketing My Business" at Street Metro Cruise®. Contact
one of three locations. the Chamber at 616-531-5990 or
email julie@southkent.org for more
information.
Ofcial Metro Cruise Website Sponsor
Denise Hughes
Phone (616) 451-2335 fax (616) 454-1250
6095 28th St SE, Ste 6, Grand Rapids MI 49546
Corp: 101 Washington St, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www/etooldevelopers.com
email: denisehughes@etooldevelopers.com
Citadel dropped the Green Flag...
on radio advertising on Memorial
Day 2009. Tune in today!
Event Radio Partner
Local Broadcasting from Citadel Broadcasting include
programming from WLAV-FM 97 Classic Rock, HOT
FM 105.3, WBBL Sports Radio, 1340 AM, Thunder
Radio 94.5 FM and WKLQ at 107.3 FM. Additional
Citadel Stations broadcast from Muskegon, Lansing,
Flint, Detroit and Saginaw.
 PUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO WORK
The iTis Group Offers Valuable Tips

Renewing Members
• Businesses listed on this
• AXIOS, Inc
• Holy Name of Jesus Elementary
School
• Kentwood Plumbing & Heating
• Mini Storage Depot
• Ramada Plaza Hotel
• Springrove Variety
• Timber Ridge Apartments
• Vanderveen's Dutch Store
• West Michigan Business Group
Renew on Time
for Bonus Benets from
Citadel Broadcasting!
Friday, June 19
11:30 am to 1 pm.
Our last Luncheon at Craigs Cruisers
in 2009. We more to a new location
and regular pricing in July. "Special
Ination Buster Pricing": Members pay
only $12 with early registration. Not-
yet-members and late registration is
still only $21.00
Showcase tables are available in
June while they last. Reserve yours
today for only $35.00. Contact sue@
southkent.org for more information
or download the application at www.
southkent.org.
Boost Your Brand Recognition
There are a multitude of ways to
advertise and market your business
through your Chamber Membership.
Consider an event sponsorship.
It's not a donation or a gift to the
Chamber but a comprehensive
marketing package for your business.
Sponsorship include marketing
packages to enhance your brand.
Those can include newsletter
advertising, website advertising,
signage, program advertising and
much more. Sponsorship levels vary
by event so there is something for
every business budget.
MEMBER NEWS AND NOTES
Member Milestones
page are marking a Member
Milestone. Please take the
time to welcome new members
and congratulate renewing
members, especially those
celebrating an anniversary,
on their continuing support of
YOUR Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on any
of these members log on to
www.southkent.org and click
on information request or call
616-531-5990 for more details.
Member Spotlight
Your Board Executives meet monthly and select the Volunteer and
Committee of the Month to spotlight outstanding volunteer effort and
results on behalf of your Chamber.
May Volunteer of the Month
Congratulations to Shawna Myers
from Woodland Creek Apartments
on being named Volunteer of the
Month in May. Shawna is a Chamber
Ambassador and worked hard on
the rst South Kent Grub Crawl.
Shawna made outstanding contacts
and successfully submitted an
impressive number of sponsorships.
Her contribution to the nal
success of this event was very much
appreciated by the Committee, and
the Staff, Board and Members of
WKACC. Thank you Shawna!
Take charge and boost your
brand.
Put your logo and company name
everywhere you can. In this economy,
you have to let them know you're out
there, you're doing business and you
are going to thrive, not just survive.
Let WKACC help you spread the word
and support Chamber programs at
the same time. Consider sponsoring
an event. Contact anyone at the
Chamber by calling 616-531-5990
and we'll be happy to talk to you
about what you need to build your
business.
Welcome New Members
AFLAC- John Rice, 616-261-
6200 Ext 32
Cartridge Depot - Mark
Schabacker, (616) 818-5555
EdwardJones Investments
- Ryan Ten Have, (616) 940-
0933
Who do You Know?
May Committee of the Month
The Committee of the Month is
a subcommittee of the Chamber
Ambassadors. The South Kent
Grub Crawl Committee took
a brand new idea and ran,
and we mean ran, with it. Our
congratulations to the following
Chamber Members for their
outstanding contribution to an
outstanding event:
• Vickey Argo, Business
Leadership Network
• Judi Holland and Brent
Holland, Chameleon Ltd.
• Bob Carpenter, Complete
Source
• Jason Russell, Mapes Insurance
and Eagle Administrators
• Amy Pierce, Express
Employment Professionals
• Amanda Lewis, gNetworks/
Framework Sites
• Katie Kober, Holiday Inn Grand
Rapids
• Danna Mathiesen, Mercantile
Bank
• Shawna Myers, Woodland
Creek Apartments (Cambridge
Partners)
• John Crawford and Julie Janes-
Brown, Staff
This committee plans to do it again
in the Fall in Wyoming!