ANNUALREPORT

2018

CELEBRATING125 YearsOF SUPPORTING BUSINESS

Community Promotion Community Leadership

Valued Member Services Inclusive Business Advocacy

MISSIONThe mission of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce is to sustain an environment for business success through

community leadership, promotion, inclusive business advocacy and valued member services.

The Chamber takes a long-term view of community growth and prosperity by encouraging innovative regional solutions for economic development on Michigan’s West Coast.

Installed permanent anniversary exhibit at

the Heritage Museum, hosted a celebration with hundreds of attendees and promoted historical moments throughout the year.

Welcomed 10 port of calls this summer,

introducing over 2,000 passengers and crew

to beautiful Muskegon for the first time.

Held 12 trainings in total during 2018,

certifying 278 individuals, and 44 students. Since inception, 1378 STARs have been

trained!

INCLUSIVE BUSINESS ADVOCACY

The Chamber provides the voice of all businesses for all quality enterprises: multicultural, large and small, local, regional and global. The Chamber works to influence government and other local institutions to provide the best inclusive business climate

possible for business growth and development.

Muskegon in Focus leadership program included 65 presenters at 23 area locations,

and graduated 31 professionals.

Hosted over a dozen tours for media and VIPs,

including the Governor of Michigan.

Completed a pocket park and continued efforts to beautify Sherman Boulevard, as part

of the Watch Muskegon Campaign.

Hosted second annual Economic Summit,

bringing business and government together.

Promoted Silent Observer by presenting to nine different community groups, creating a new website and producing a promotional

video.

Updated the economic vision statement for

Muskegon County, expanding the goals to a global view.

Continued to advocate for updated bus routes and for business and community

transportation needs.

Interviewed over 20 election candidates and continued to push for the voice of business in

government.

Continued regional work and collaboration with the West Michigan Chamber Coalition

to promote the voice of over 6,000 West

Michigan businesses.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

LATEST VALUED MEMBER SERVICES

The Chamber promotes the area as the best place in Michigan to live, work and play.

The Chamber offers quality business information, member referrals, cost-saving benefits, networking opportunities and affordable training.

Lakeshore Art Festival received two national awards, installed temporary kayak art

sculptures, and extended the festival footprint with a record number of applicants.

Continued with three additional years of supporting and managing the Watch

Muskegon campaign.

Cindy Larsen accepted the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “2017 Newsmaker of

the Year” award, recognizing Muskegon’s redevelopment.

Mailed 149 relocation/visitor packets to locations all over the country. The Chamber website (muskegon.org) had over 5 million

total page views!

Exceeded goal of 400 members on the MLCC Member Connect Facebook group and

launched a Chamber Instagram page, which

has over 800 followers.

Worked with the City of Muskegon to win “America’s Strongest Town” and helped

facilitate a visit from the President and CEO of

Strong Towns.

What a year! Multiple events sold out, from the lunch training series to the Chamber

Classic golf outing.

Each member averaged 2,119 views on the Chamber website (muskegon.org) and the

online business directory had over 4 million uses!

Welcomed Morgan Carroll, Advocacy and Manufacturing Member Retention Specialist

and Bre McCarthy, Marketing Specialist to the Chamber team.

7 Entrepreneurs of Excellence

13 ATHENA Women

91%Retention Rate

41Chamber Events

4211Event Attendees

26Member Celebrations

143New Chamber Members

1254Total Chamber Members 15 Outstanding Young Professionals

COMMUNITY PROMOTION

BY THE NUMBERS...

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

The heart of the Chamber is the work of the board and volunteer committees. Committees are formed to meet the needs recognized by members for the benefit of business and the community.

ThankYou!

Cindy Larsen, President

Dawn Johnson, Vice President of Membership

Carla Flanders, Vice President of Marketing Morgan Carroll, Advocacy and Manufacturing Member Retention Specialist

Marie Chabotte, Accounting & Administrative Manager

Sue Carpenter, Member Relationship Manager Jodi Kittle, Communications ManagerKristin Knop, Events Director

Bre McCarthy, Marketing SpecialistPati Webster, Front Desk ManagerMeg Boertman, Lakeshore Community Cash ManagerPat Shafer, Muskegon In Focus Program Manager

Chamber Staff

Andy Price, Board Chair, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc. Tom Schultz, Vice Chair, Tyler Sales Company, Inc.Steve Olsen, Secretary, Northern Machine ToolRandy Filbrandt, Treasurer, H&S Companies, PC Gary Allore, Mercy Health

Chris Baker, Betten-Baker Auto GroupShawn Buckner, Meijer

Anna Duggins, Parmenter Law

Michelle Harris, Harris Hospitality

Dave Hazekamp, Hazekamp’s Premier Foods

Amy Heisser, Arconic

Angie Nelund, Wasserman’s Flowers & GiftsJim Rudicil, Muskegon Winter Sports ComplexJohn Swanson, Swanson Pickle Co.Jay Wallace Jr., Edward Jones Investments

Board of Directors

Tamica Fox, Co-Chair, ADAC Automotive

Tom Palmer, Co-Chair, Shoreline Insurance Agency Inc.Lisa Yager, Secretary, Comerica Bank

Lindsey Thorsen, Mentor Program Chair, My Social NetWorthScott Blease, Access HealthMeg Boertman, Steak N EggerGreg Borgman, GoodTempsKyle French, Merrill Lynch

Jeanette Harris, AflacJon Honore, Complete Restoration & Cleaning Services, Inc. Stephanie Hunter, Lake Michigan Credit UnionLori Johnson, Gems Near The LakeshorePaula Kendra, Kendra ConsultingTrinecia LeFear, Sanctuary at the Park

Brian Leibrandt, Parmenter Law

Dave Manley, CORE Realty PartnersKristine Mast, Muskegon Yoga CenterJerry Morlock, Staffing Inc.Kim Mulder, SERVPRO of Muskegon & HollandNatalie Pifer, Worksighted LLCAndy Price, McKenzie-Price Agency Inc.Juan Ramirez, Coldwell Banker Woodland SchmidtMary Beth Ramos, Ramos and Sons Body Shop

Russ Schuitema, Nexes Realty, Inc.Stephanie Stewart, Fricano’s Muskegon LakeJamie Sutton, Lamar AdvertisingMason Toothman, The KR Group, Inc.Jonathan Venlet, Modern Woodmen of AmericaAmy West, CUP-Health EAP ServicesCatherine Young, Environmental Resources Group, LLC

Ambassadors

Viktor Anderson, Chair, Structural Concepts

Eric Ringelberg, Vice Chair, Next I.T. Dave Alexander, Downtown Muskegon NowTim Arter, Brickley DeLong, PCRyan Bennett, Northern BoilerRyan Bryker, RehmannSteven Carey, Potomac Strategic Development

Wes Eklund, Fleet Engineers, Inc.Shannon Enders, Lakeshore Employee BenefitsKevin Even, Smith Haughey Rice & RoeggeLaura Fitzpatrick, Mercy Health

Amy Heisser, ArconicPaul Jackson, Warner Norcross & JuddAndy Johnston, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of CommerceWilliam Lievense, Capitol Group Consultants

Josh Lunger, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of CommerceGary Nelund, Gary Nelund Insurance AgencyDale Nesbary, Muskegon Community CollegeJonathan Pittman, The Lakes MallRobert Scolnik, Muskegon CountyDarryl Todd, Muskegon Area FirstJohn Workman, Eagle Alloy, Inc.

Government Affairs

Juan Ramirez, Co-Chair, Coldwell BankerMichelle Van Hemert, Co-Chair, Workbox StaffingJeanette Harris, AflacBrian Leibrandt, Parmenter Law

Chamber Classic Golf Outing

Tom Schultz, Chair, Tyler Sales Company, Inc.Paul Billings, WUVS/103.7 The Beat Greg Borgman, GoodTempsJim Christiansen, Muskegon CountyKelly DeVos, Shelby State BankDJ Hilson, Muskegon County Prosecutor’s OfficeSara Johnson, The Hope ProjectTom Johnson, Muskegon CountyJeffrey Lewis, City of MuskegonRandy Lundquist, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Rachel McCoy, The Health Project Martin Miller, Michigan State Police

Matt Mills, Parmenter Law

Jonathan Pittman, The Lakes MallBrandon Poel, City of Norton Shores

Michael Poulin, Muskegon County SheriffJosh Reece, Parmenter Law

Rob Roundtree, WUVS/103.7 The BeatTom Schmiedeknecht, Professional Med Team, Inc.William Wright, Baker College of Muskegon

Silent Observer

Pam Ackley, Craft/Artisan Food Market CoordinatorMarguerite Curran-Gawron, Muskegon Museum of ArtJohn Dumouchel, Logistics CoordinatorKirk Hallman, Muskegon Museum of ArtMegan Jones, Street Performer Coordinator

Dave Manley, Logistics CoordinatorMichael Ramsey, Volunteer Coordinator

Paula Ray, Fine Art/Fine Craft Coordinator Jacqui Robinson, Children’s Lane CoordinatorDeb Schaub, Craft/Artisan Food Market Coordinator Ken Sutton, Food Vendor Coordinator

Lakeshore Art Festival

Jennifer Scofield, Chair, Shoreline Vision

Carolyn Taylor, Vice Chair, Fifth Third BankCindy Achterhoff, PNC BankPamela Blake, The Chamber Grand Haven, Spring Lake, FerrysburgKris Collee, AgeWell Services of West MichiganBari S. Johnson, The Stanton GroupDwana Thompson, City of Muskegon

ATHENA on the Lakeshore