Sustaining an environment for

business success through community leadership,

promotion, inclusive business advocacy and

valued member services.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

BUSINESS ADVOCACY

MAY 24, 2014Championed campaign and conducted the grand opening of the $3.8 million downtown farmers market.

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Leaders Graduated Speakers HeardLocations VisitedDays Attended

GREEN & GROWING

Festival growth continued with the addition of interactive art for all ages and a recycling program which diverted half a ton of material from the landfill.

GOING REGIONALE-merge, established under Chamber leadership, grew in to a regional support network for entrepreneurs covering 13 counties.

HOSTED 260Chamber executives and volunteers at the inaugural Michigan Chamber Convention where the President & Vice President were recognized for their industry contributions.

248/654248 of the 654 crime tips received in 2014 came in via new technology set up by the Chamber.

Presented a GEE! (Governments Encouraging Entrepreneurs) Award to the City of Norton Shores for repurposing funds to benefit area businesses.

CANDIDATES RATEDon business friendliness in a primary and general election voter’s guide.

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SCHOOLEDHeld candidate school for those interested in running for local office.

GOVERNOR’S LUNCHEON

Hosted Governor Rick Snyder for a luncheon attended by 350 Chamber members.

PORT SUPPORTSupported initiatives that would improve access and development at the Port of Muskegon.

Chamber representatives attended West Michigan Day at the Capital and a Washington D.C. “Fly-In”.

STATE & NATIONAL

PROMOTING COMMUNITY & YOUR BUSINESS

SERVICES YOU VALUE

30/3,506 Number of Chamber events and event attendees throughout the year.

1,103 MEMBERS Number of members at the end of 2014 welcoming 99 new members and 2 new staff to better serve the members.Keeping Cash Local with a new gift certificate

program redeemable at nearly 50 businesses.

NEW ROUNDTABLES Added 2 business owner’s roundtables, hosting 5 total, providing business owners a peer support network.

100,284Number of unique visitors to the Chamber’s website. A 25% increase over last year!

DOUBLED REGIONAL NEWS COVERAGEof Chamber initiatives and programs and increased member news coverage through lead generation.

HOTJOBS!Promoted the Michigan Works! Hot Job opportunities list to attract and retain young talent.

MONTAGE!MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN

Produced a community keepsake in partnership with local businesses.4.1KSocial media followers; a

30% increase from 2013.

248/654

COORDINATING DIALOGUEfor Port City Industrial Park businesses to address issues related to recent park growth.

SHOW OFF! Increased Welcome Center information by 33% to show off more member businesses.

Created an online relocation toolkit with 1,300 views and distributed 183 relocation packets to executives and families looking to move to Muskegon.

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CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

Russ Schuitema, Co-Chair, Nexes Realty, Inc.Jennifer Scofield, Co-Chair, Shoreline VisionPatrick Andress, Redi-Rental Jessica Chandler, Merrill LynchDebra Fowler, Park Terrace ApartmentsTamica Fox, ADAC AutomotiveStacy Hollenbeck, Comerica Bank - Norton ShoresCaterina Holt, Morgan Stanley Wealth ManagementPaula Kendra, Kendra ConsultingDarlene Kuipers, Junior AchievementTrinecia LeFear, Sanctuary at the Park Brian Leibrandt, Parmenter O’TooleKim Mulder, SERVPRO of Muskegon & HollandTom Palmer, Shoreline Insurance Agency Inc.Andy Price, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc.Mary Beth Ramos, Ramos & Sons Body Shop Nancy Robbins, United Way of the LakeshoreJason Schmiedeknecht, Graphics Unlimited Inc.Paul Sheler, Commercial Cleaning, Inc. Lindsey Thorsen, ServiceMaster LakeshoreSue Vink, Fifth Third Bank - Terrace Street Celeste Wackerle, Workbox StaffingCatherine Young, Young Funeral Home

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEEWes Eklund, Committee Chair, Fleet Engineers, Inc.John Workman, Vice Chair, Eagle Alloy, Inc.Ryan Bennett, W. MI Plumbers, Fitters & Service Trade Local #174 Karen Brittner, Comerica BankShannon Enders, Lakeshore Employee BenefitsLaura Fitzpatrick, Mercy HealthDavid Gerdes, RehmannAndy Johnston, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of CommerceWilliam Lievense, Capitol Group ConsultantsWilliam Loxterman, Muskegon Community CollegeGary Nelund, Gary Nelund Insurance AgencyDale Nesbary, Muskegon Community CollegeRobert Scolnik, Mona Lake Productions, L.L.C.Jonathan Seyferth, Downtown Muskegon NowJJ Westgate, WESCOSteven Wisneski, Creative Benefit SystemsAdam Zuwerink, West Michigan Law P.C.

Larry Hines, Board Chair, Hines Corporation Lee Coggin, Vice Chair, Baker College of Muskegon Brenda Jacobs, Treasurer, Brickley DeLong, PC Andy Price, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc. Gary Allore, Mercy Health Chris Baker, Betten-Baker Auto GroupEd Garner, Muskegon Area First Tom Godfrey, Fifth Third BankMichelle Harris, Harris Hospitality Steve Olsen, Northern Machine ToolTom Schultz, Tyler Sales Company, Inc.Rex VanderLinde, Executive Air Transport, Inc. Bill Vanderweele, Weber Lumber John Workman, Eagle Alloy, Inc.

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LAKESHORE ART FESTIVALCarla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival DirectorPaula Ray, Fine Art Coordinator Deb Schaub, Craft/Food Market Coordinator Ken Sutton, Food Vendor CoordinatorJohn Dumouchel, Logsitics CoordinatorMichael Ramsey, Volunteer Coorindator Judy Hayner, Muskegon Museum of Art - Jury AssistanceBrittney Dial, Fit4Mom - Children’s Lane CoordinatorTJ Chappel, YMCA - Children’s Lane Coordinator

REALTORS® PROMOTING MUSKEGONEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:Brian McMurray, RE/MAX by the WaterTom Sanocki, Core Realty PartnersMarilyn Tucker, Nexes Realty, Inc. Mary Siemer, Greenridge Realty, Inc. Dan Vollink, First Stone Realty

Cindy Larsen, President Dawn Johnson, Vice President Marie Chabotte, Accounting ManagerKelli Hepler, Membership Marketing SpecialistCece Riley, Communications Director Rachel Stewart, Advocacy & Event CoordinatorAllison Wisneski, Member Relationship ManagerCarla Flanders, Special Events DirectorPat Shafer, Muskegon In Focus Program Manager

CHAMBER STAFF

SILENT OBSERVER PARTNERSCOMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES FROM:Baker College of MuskegonCity of MuskegonMercy HealthMichigan State PoliceMuskegon Area Intermediate School DistrictMuskegon Community CollegeMuskegon CountyMuskegon County Prosecutor’s OfficeMuskegon County Sherriff’s OfficeMuskegon Lakeshore Chamber of CommerceParmenter O’TooleProMedShelby State BankThe Hope ProjectThe Lakes Mall