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ANNUAL REPORT

IIt’s been another great year for business in Grand Rapids and the West Michigan community continues to grow as an attractive region. Twenty West Michigan firms were

named on the Inc. 500|5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies last year, and Grand Rapids recently earned a number two spot on the “Top 5 U.S. Cities for Advanced Manufacturing” list—boasting a 42% increase in jobs over the last five years. Forbes ranks the area 4th on the “Best Cities for Finding Employment” list, and Livibility places us among the “Top 100 Best Places to Live.”

All of these and many more accolades are well-deserved and demonstrate the initiative, innovation, and inspiration of Chamber members. We at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce are honored to have assisted our members in business and the community over the last year.

It’s been rewarding to share insights into business issues and trends with you and watch our members develop new connections and meaningful relationships with each other. As your Chamber, we have promoted pro-business policies, fostered small business growth and supplier diversity, developed strong leaders, and helped you attract and retain diverse talent.

As we look to 2015 and beyond, we are focused on deepening the Chamber’s service by bringing innovation, influence, and access to you—our members—and increase connections, resources, and leadership within our community. Stay tuned as we launch and implement our new strategic plan.

Thank you for your continued involvement—whether it’s by participating in events and programs, by working on one of our committees, or simply by leveraging your membership to grow your business. Your investment in the Chamber is invaluable. After all, you ARE the Chamber and, together, we are working to enhance the economic environment and enrich the quality of life here in West Michigan.

Rick Baker President & CEO

PRESIDENT & CEOA Message from the[ [

We have a strong, bold vision—to lead the business community to create a dynamic, top-of-mind region—and we have developed strategies and tactics to help us move forward.

Starting in 2015, we’re focusing on three mission-based areas.

Strategic Plan

Innovation: To actively connect the Grand Rapids and West Michigan business community, we will deepen our knowledge of our members and provide innovative information and programming on issues impacting business success.

Influence: As the most influential business organization in West Michigan, we will further strengthen the voice of business by providing leadership on discussions shaping our region and broadening member engagement in developing the policies, relationships, and leaders for unprecedented economic growth.

Access: Because providing access to resources, information, training, talent development, business connections, and policy makers is key to the Chamber’s work, we will use input from the business community, industry trends and data to continue to develop, improve, and deliver high-value opportunities for our members.

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DIVERSE TALENT & COMMUNITY LEADERS

Your Chamber Connects

The Chamber is invested in helping you attract, retain, engage, and

develop diverse talent. In 2014, our many programs and services

offered ways for members to grow leaders and cultivate community,

collaboration, and cultural knowledge.

875 people participated in OutPro and MAP networking events

43 professionals went behind the scenes with Inside Grand Rapids

161 attendees mingled, met, and enjoyed the annual Grand Rapids House Party

Individuals utilized the Chamber to advance their leadership skills, enhance their community awareness, and expand their connections

TALENT & LEADERSHIP 2,251

Attendees improved their cultural competency through Chamber events and trainings

215 celebrated the annual Diversity Visionary Award95 participated in the Institute for Healing Racism program

72 attended the second annual Diversity & Inclusion Forum

468

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

1,047 participants engaged in leadership development opportunities, events, and programs through the Center for Community Leadership (CCL)

125 professionals attended Board Connect 2014, an event that provided area non-profits with the opportunity to connect with potential board members, committee members and volunteers.

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The Chamber is very helpful. It’s a resource; it’s a connector; it’s an ambassador for our city to new companies and new employees. Their promotion of our city and our economics has helped all of us. Being in business in Grand Rapids is a great thing.

—Mary Witte, President & Owner, r.o.i. Design

BUSINESS & WEST MICHIGAN

Your Chamber Fights For

With 2014 being an election year, the Chamber provided a strong voice

at the national, state, and local levels to advance pro-business policies,

provide guidance on candidates, and tackle issues impacting

members and West Michigan companies.

KEY ISSUES & OUTCOMES

connected with elected officials and other members through advocacy events

1,913 participants

RELENTLESSADVOCACY

• Advocated for legislation to eliminate the Personal Property

Tax (PPT) on small business and manufacturers

• Improved flexibility in the Michigan Merit Curriculum

• Advocated and secured a cut in Health Insurance Claims Tax

• Joined the Detroit Regional Chamber to announce support for including LGBT protections

in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act• Supported passage of the $65 million Early

Childhood Education expansion; included language to strengthen private sector competition

for the additional dollars

• Stopped legislation that eroded the Certificate of Need process

• Advocated to reform the process for veterans to receive credit at community colleges

• Lobbied in support of legislation to extend the Grand Rapids’ Smartzone and create a satellite Smartzone in Holland

• Hosted Street Summit II with Grand Valley Metro Council to build support for a long-term solution to transportation funding in Michigan

• Completed the West Michigan Competitiveness in Logistics Study to support a possible intermodal facility that could offer competitive advantages for moving products

Ballot Box Results

69% Voted to pass Proposal 1 in August, solidifying important PPT reforms

Of Chamber endorsed candidates were successful in the general election, including GRPS and GRCC board elections

90% 66% Of the public voted yes to pass the local Fix Our Roads Campaign

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber helps me learn about the new taxes and regulations that impact our business as well as connect with elected officials and local businesses.

— Tom Bylenga, President, Star Truck Rentals“ “

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BUSINESS GROWTHYour Chamber Fosters

The Chamber supports a robust business community by offering the

information, contacts, resources and opportunities needed to flourish.

In 2014, we offered 131 well-attended events and programs— from

networking lunches to ribbon cuttings to signature celebrations

and awards.

10,461

Discovered the power of membership through six New Member Connections

Grew business and leadership insights at monthly Business Matters Series and workshops

Bolstered their business and community connections at networking events

Connected at events designed for cultivating minority business development opportunities

LEARN, CONNECT & GROW

1,119 580 228

7,330

Celebrated business successes with ribbon cuttings 78

Diverse professionals and business leaders:

total attendees at 131 Chamber events & programs

53 Received direct assistance with federal, state and local issues

Learned leadership lessons at bi-monthly ATHENA Leadership Forums and annual ATHENA Awards Celebration1,126

The Chamber helps us to make the RIGHT connections that enable us to continue to grow. I would encourage other companies to engage the Chamber and the resources early in their development and growth stage.

— Gary Schuler, Owner, MyWay Storage

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Bolstered their business and community connections at networking events

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LOOKING AHEADEach year, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber helps entrepreneurs grow

their businesses, professionals lead their organizations, and community

leaders expand their reach.

Here’s a preview of what lies ahead for 2015.

• Diversity Visionary Award Celebration: March 5

• Center for Community Leadership 30th Anniversary: April 30

• EPIC Awards: June 1

• The Chamber Open: June 11

• Grand Rapids House Party: August 26 (tentative)

• ATHENA Awards Celebration: September 17

• Healthcare Summit: September 25

• Diversity & Inclusion Forum: November 20

MARK YOURCALENDAR

• Launching new PeerSpectivesTM roundtable for second stage businesses

• Kicking off new Institute for Healing Racism (IHR) alumni programing

• Leveraging the Minority Business Showcase to foster strong growth and supplier diversity

• Promoting new campaigns to highlight member stories and the West Michigan business community

GROW BUSINESS, DEVELOP TALENT

TOP POLICY INITIATIVES

• Long-term transportation funding

• Reliable, competitive and affordable energy policy

• Lowering health care costs by resisting new mandates and improving the ACA

• Reforming air toxics regulations that currently limit business growth

• Comprehensive statewide recycling plan

• Create access to intermodal opportunities in West Michigan

• Accountability and reform in talent development and education policies

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Imperial Design CompaniesIrwin Seating CompanyJ & H OilKent Companies, Inc.Knape & Vogt Manufacturing CompanyKPMG LLCL - 3 Avionics SystemsLake Michigan Credit UnionLittle River Casino ResortMary Free Bed Rehabilitation HospitalMercantile Bank of MichiganMVP Sports ClubsPaul Goebel GroupPlante Moran, PLLCPriority HealthProCare Systems, Inc.Rhoades McKee PCRockford Construction Company, Inc.RoMan Manufacturing, Inc.Schupan & Sons Inc.Superior Asphalt, Inc.TeleperformanceThe RapidTotal Plastics Inc.University of Michigan Business Engagement CenterUPSVan Andel InstituteWalgreens Store #9131Waters Building, LLCWilliams Distributing Co.WindstreamWOOD TV8/WXSP/WOTV

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT & INVOLVEMENTYou ARE the Chamber. We value and appreciate all of our members. Your contributions to your employees, your business, your community—and yes, your Chamber—really do matter. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a vibrant top-of-mind business community in Grand Rapids.

Visionaries

Partners

AmwayBlue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganFifth Third BankMeijer, Inc.Spectrum HealthSteelcase Inc.

InvestorsConsumers EnergyForemost Insurance CompanyHuntington BankLacks Enterprises, Inc.Mercy HealthMetro HealthSpartanNashStoryPointWarner Norcross & Judd LLPWolverine Worldwide, Inc.

American Seating CompanyAmway Grand Plaza HotelBucher Hydraulics, Inc.Cascade Engineering, Inc.Crystal Flash EnergyDP Fox Holdings, LLC/Fox MotorsGE AviationGrand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids DriveHaworth, Inc.Huizenga GroupLaw WeathersMercy Health Physician PartnersMerrill LynchMichigan State University College of Human MedicineMiller JohnsonMLive Media Group / The Grand Rapids PressPine Rest Christian Mental Health ServicesPNC BankPridgeon & Clay, Inc.Red Cedar Insurance AgencySmith Haughey Rice & Roegge, PCTanger OutletsVarnum LLP

a.j. Veneklasen, Inc.AAA MichiganADAC AutomotiveAdtegrity.comAmerica's Transportation Resources, LLCAquinas CollegeAT&T MichiganAutocam MedicalAutodie LLCBank of AmericaBeene Garter LLPBISSELL Inc.Blackmer, A Dover CompanyBlue Care Network of MichiganBouma CorporationCalvin CollegeCHASECherry HealthChristian Reformed Church in North AmericaComcastComerica BankCOMLINKCountry Fresh, LLCDaniel & Pamella DeVos FoundationDave Cole Decorators, Inc.Davenport UniversityDematic Corp.Eaton AerospaceErnst & Young LLPETNA Supply CompanyFarmers Insurance GroupFishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C.Founders Bank & TrustFour Winds Casino ResortFranklin Partners LLCGMB Architecture & EngineeringGoodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.Grand Valley State UniversityGrandville Printing CompanyGreat Lakes Heavy Haul, Inc.GrotenhuisHeartland - Greenview #4202Herman Miller, Inc.Hope NetworkHylant of Grand Rapids, LLC

Trustees

111 Pearl St. SW | Grand Rapids, MI 49503grandrapids.org Annual Report Underwriter