Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber

The weather was perfect Sunday for the Chamber’s Corporate Duck Challenge at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. People lined the Huron River to watch the Corporate Ducks compete for the coveted traveling trophy.



Thirty-six “athletes” competed in the 2010 Corporate Duck Challenge with three heats of 12. Manchester & Associates, Cueter Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Signs By Tomorrow took first, second and third respectively in the first heat. In the second heat Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, Ypsilanti District Library and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority took first, second and third respectively. In the third heat Stark Funeral Services, A. F. Smith Electric and Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition took first, second and third place.





The competition for the final heat was intense as the top thee placers from the preliminary heats prepared for battle. Each contender was announced to the cheering fans before taking their position in the Huron River. The crowd loudly counted down from 10 and the race began. It was close at the start until Stark Funeral Services began to pull away from the pack. It was a photo finish for second and third place.



The 2010 Corporate Duck Challenge Champion was Stark Funeral Services, second place went to the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority and finishing in third was the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition.



For more pictures from the 2010 Corporate Duck Challenge please visit our Facebook page.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber

Haworth, iscg and Competing Values co-hosted a Chamber Member Reception at The Innovatrium on Thursday, August 19. Several Chamber members were in attendance to tour the unique space, mix & mingle and enjoy the delicious spread of appetizers provided by Vassel’s Main Street Catering.



Designed as a high performance learning and collaborative space, The Innovatrium acts as an idea market, think tank and research lab to stimulate innovation projects. The Innovatrium focuses on corporate growth through the development of innovation practices and innovation leaders. What makes the Innovatrium unique is that it synchronizes an organization’s purpose, practice and people to make innovation an integral part of its DNA by drawing innovation out of corporate isolation into a community space.



The Innovatrium was started by Haworth, a global leader in the design and manufacture of organic workspaces including raised floors, movable walls, furniture and seating, iscg, Inc., a leading Ann Arbor corporation striving to improve the workplace environment and Competing Values, a top consulting and training firm founded by leading business school professors, consultants and former executives.



Chamber members were able to mix & mingle with Dr. Jeff DeGraff, Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan at the Member Reception. Dr. Jeff DeGraff, often reffered to as the “Dean of Innovation”, is the Managing Partner of Competing Values.



The next Member Reception is Thursday, October 28 at Hile Design from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.



Megan Crosbie

@A2Y_Chamber

The Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber and The Whole Brian Group are pleased to announce an Affinity Program that will provide additional cost saving opportunities to Chamber members.



The Whole Brain Group is offering four web packages to Chamber members for a significant discount. All four web packages include website hosting, installation of Google Analytics, basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Planning, and social media integration capability, as well as several other features and available add-ons.



In addition to the four web packages, The Whole Brain Group, who partnered with the Chamber and Arbormoon Software last year to create the A2YChamber iPhone Application, is also offering ChamberMobile, a discount management system for mobile devices. ChamberMobile can be customized as a “branded app” with logos and custom color schemes.



“We’re so excited about this new program because it really showcases the Chamber’s commitment to helping local businesses compete in the internet economy,” states Marisa Smith, President of The Whole Brain Group. “Social media and smart phones are really changing the game and opening up incredible opportunities for companies to generate buzz about their products and services, but they have to have an easy way to get started and learn best practices without spending time and money they can’t afford to waste.”



For additional information on this new Affinity Program, please contact Lindsay McCarthy at (734) 214-0109.



For additional information about The Whole Brain Group, please contact Marisa Smith at (734) 929-0431.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber

The Chamber is recruiting volunteers for the fall Total Resource Campaign, set to kick off on Monday, September 20th, 2010. The Total Resource Campaign is an ambitious, volunteer-driven campaign to share the important resources and benefits offered through our newly combined regional chamber, identify new sponsorship opportunities and gain new Chamber members.  It’s the perfect opportunity to bring our communities together to support the further growth and enhanced impact of the Chamber.



As a volunteer Team Member, you can be a part of something big!  You can make a contribution on several levels/roles and as your schedule permits.  In total, the Chamber is looking for approximately 200 Team Members for this ten-week campaign.  As a volunteer you can earn cash incentives for your sales efforts and the opportunity to increase your leadership skills.



The Chamber is excited that Ted Schork and Mike Wynn have agreed to Co-Chair this all-volunteer effort.  Ted, Vice President and Relationship Manager at KeyBank, and Mike Wynn, Associate from Sandler Training, will lead the enlisting of new members, generation of program/event sponsorships, selling of advertising in Chamber publications and raising Chamber awareness throughout the region. The Chamber has also recruited Sharon McRill from The Betty Brigade, PJ Moffett from Real Estate One, Mike Kestly from Kestly Development and Dean Jeffery from Worknet Systems, all serving as a Vice Chair’s during the campaign.



“This has truly been an exciting time for your chamber. What a great opportunity we now have to share the new sponsorships, benefits and resources offered through the combined organization. With your help I’m confident that we will be successful and set in motion a very fun and sustainable Campaign. This will ensure the continued growth of the people, organizations and businesses that comprise our fantastic community. Together we can accomplish anything!” stated Ted Schork, Vice President Relationship Manager at Keybank.



“This is a great way for you to meet our region’s top CEOs and business owners while working directly with many of the area’s best volunteers,” stated Cheryl O’Brien, Membership Director of the A2Y Regional Chamber. For more information and to volunteer, please call (734) 214-0107 or email Cheryl O’Brien.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber

Do you want to grow your business? Are you looking for ways to save money? Are you interested in learning more about the many benefits of membership with the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber?



The Chamber is hosting Get Connected, a free informational and networking session, on Wednesday, August 11 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm at the Chamber. Whether you’re a new member, prospective member or current member looking to find out what’s new at the A2Y Chamber, this session will provide you with an overview of the products, programs and services available to members.



In addition, you will have the opportunity to network with other Chamber members and attendees as well as meet key staff members who can assist you in getting the most from your membership.



Get Connected is free and no advance registration is necessary. Join us on Wednesday, August 11. If you have questions, please contact Cheryl O’Brien, Director of Membership, at (734) 214-0107.



Megan Crosbie

@A2Y_Chamber

The theme of this month’s Morning Edition was all things U-M. The University of Michigan Athletic Department not only sponsored the June Morning Edition, but they also hosted us at the Junge Family Champions Center, adjacent to Crisler Arena. The morning speakers, all graduates of the University of Michigan, included Mitchell Rohde, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Quantum Signal, LLC; Jennifer Fike, Executive Director, Food System Economic Partnership; Adrian Fortino, Co-Founder & CEO, Shepherd Intelligent Systems and David Brandon, Athletic Director, University of Michigan.



Mitchell Rohde, COO of Quantum Signal, LLC was full of energy as he described his company. Quantum Signal has the luxury of choosing the projects they take on since the demand for them is so high. Mitchell explained that they choose projects with challenging technical problems and choose things they love. Quantum Signal does not advertise; you will never see a Quantum Signal billboard on I-94. They rely on word of mouth for their continued growth and success. Mitchell said that because of their growth they estimate they will need to hire up to 10 new people this year. For more information, visit their website.



Jennifer Fike, Executive Director of the non-profit, Food System Economic Partnership uses a regional approach to represent five counties in southeast Michigan. The goal of the Food System Economic Partnership is to help farmers farm profitably. They encourage business/restaurants to buy and consume locally grown food. They also work with schools to encourage local consumption of food. The FSEP worked with the University of Michigan South Quad to buy local apples from Dexter in 2006. As a result, apple consumption of students doubled! For more information about how you can buy and consume locally, visit their website.



Adrian Fortino, Co-Founder & CEO of University of Michigan company, Shepherd Intelligent Systems, explained the amazing technology to track the bus system. Through a text message you can find out when the bus will arrive at the bus stop, with a less than 30 seconds accuracy rate. How does it work? They install conventional GPS hardware on all of the vehicles, which picks up signals of their location. The University of Michigan Bus System experience a 22% increase in passengers after the system was put in place. Shepherd Intelligent Systems is also growing across the county and even the world. Adrian said they will always remain an Ann Arbor based company.



David Brandon, Athletic Director at the University of Michigan and former football player for Bo Schembechler, recognizes that there is more than one sports program at the University – 25 to be exact. David Brandon, who considers himself a ‘marketing guy’, explained that it is about the ‘game day experience’. The construction of the Big House suites is almost completed, which the audience was able to tour after the event.



The University is looking to break records in a big way. On the night of 12.11.10 the University of Michigan Men’s Hockey team will face Michigan State University at the Big House hoping to break the record for largest crowd at a hockey game. (U-M played at MSU on 10.06.01, which ended in a 3-3 tie – I was there and I will be there again on 12.11.10!) Prior to the Frozen Four played at Ford Field earlier this year, Michigan State University has held this record. Over 100,000 tickets have already been sold. Ticket will go back on sale once the incoming freshmen arrive. There may be an opportunity to sell standing room only tickets, which means the University could also break the record for the largest crowd at the Big House history. The University has several events planned included club and local high school hockey games to be played at the Big House as well as the possibly of a community open skate.



David also discussed the many improvements that are being made to the Men’s and Women’s Basketball facilities. The $22 million basketball renovations will make Michigan’s facilities more competitive with programs such as Ohio State and Michigan State. David believes the Michigan’s athletic department is the marketing department of the University, citing that enrollment increased 23% after the 1997 University of Michigan Football team’s National Championship. David and his team are working hard to make the “Game Day Experience” the best it can be whether you are at a Men’s Gymnastics event or a Women’s Water Polo game.



Next month’s Morning Edition will return to Weber’s Inn on Wednesday, September 15.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of the upgraded A2YChamber iPhone application to boost the visibility of local businesses. The A2YChamber iPhone application extends the reach and accessibility of the Chamber’s Member-2-Member (M2M) Discount Program with an innovative mobile format. The A2YChamber iPhone application now includes an events Calendar, Blog and News section — tremendously increasing the visibility and exposure of Chamber members.






The release of the A2YChamber iPhone application is the development accomplishment of The Whole Brain Group, LLC and Arbormoon Software, Inc. in partnership with the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber. The demo of the upgraded iPhone application, available on the Chamber’s website, is powered by TorranceLearning’s eClickMap technology, and provides an interactive view and auditory description of the new features of the iPhone application.



Released in conjunction with the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Chamber’s merger, the A2YChamber iPhone application allows businesses to offer new discounts every week, while simultaneously providing users with convenient access to discount information “on the go.” Due to the unique partnership between all four organizations, the A2YChamber iPhone application is now available to the public as a free download from the iTunes App store and a business listing in the M2M directory is a complimentary service provided to Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber members.



The A2YChamber iPhone application features business listings searchable by category, as well as discount details with click-through links to visit the business website, email or dial the business, and view a Google map of the business location. Members may update their discount offers electronically through the Chamber’s website and the new information will appear weekly as an update on the iPhone. The A2YChamber iPhone application now features upcoming events including location, speakers and sponsors. The detailed news section increases exposure of Chamber members who send news and press releases to the Chamber for distribution.



For more information and to view a demo of the new A2YChamber M2M Discount iPhone application visit click here.



Thank you to our partners for making this possible and thank you to our Sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan!



The Whole Brain Group, located in downtown Ann Arbor, is a 100% woman-owned, web development company dedicated to helping its clients work smarter and greener. The company applies its philosophy of Integrated Thinking to develop balanced and sustainable websites, mobile and web applications; growing and adapting these systems with the client’s evolving needs.



TorranceLearning is an elearning design and development company that builds custom online training courses for large organizations to teach their employees, customers, or members when they can’t all be in the same place at the same time to attend a class. TorranceLearning combines instructional design, graphic design, audio and video production, and some technical magic to make learning engaging and effective.



Arbormoon Software, Inc. specializes in working with clients to building custom iPhone applications which showcase their brands. The company has years of experience working with a wide variety of clients, and looks forward to working with new clients to bring their brands into the mobile economy.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber



In celebration of the merger, the Chamber is having a contest during the month of June.



To be entered in a drawing to win one of several fabulous prize packages, members must:

• Become the Chamber’s fan on our new Facebook Page
• Join the Chamber’s new LinkedIn group
• Visit the Chamber’s revamped homepage and email Megan Crosbie indicating what’s new / different

Winners will be announced the first week of July!



Questions? Please contact Megan Crosbie, Marketing & Membership Coordinator at (734) 214-0108.



Megan Crosbie

@A2Y_Chamber



The historic merger of the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Area Chambers of Commerce becomes official today (June 1, 2010) forming the new Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber.



“We are proud of our new logo that symbolizes the two communities coming together and overlapping to cause a ripple effect throughout the county,” explains Diane Keller, Chamber President & CEO. “Today we launch not only our new logo, but a call to action. We hope businesses will understand the strength of numbers in public policy, buying power, networking, along with all that membership has to offer and join the Chamber,” continues Keller.



“We are pleased to have a collaborative board representing both communities,” says the new entity’s Chair of the Board Karl Couyoumjian. “The newly formed board will work closely together to create a Chamber that truly is an advocate for the area’s businesses.”



The new 2010 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Board will be comprised of:



Maudie Abraham, owner of Moments Like This Estate Sales, LLC

David Behen, VP/Public Sector & Education of GDI Infotech

Robert Boonin, Attorney at Butzel Long

Laurel Champion, Executive Vice President of AnnArbor.com

Karl Couyoumjian, President of TeL Systems

Larry Doe, Treasurer of Charter Township of Ypsilanti

Sean Duval, President of Golden Limousine

Paul M Ganz, Regional Manager of DTE Energy

Tom Harrison, President of Michigan Ladder Company

Mary Kerr, President of the Ann Arbor Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Sarah Kersey Otto, Acting Director of Career Services Center

Michael Kestly, Owner of Kestly Development

Rebecca Lopez-Kriss, MPP Student at the Ford School of Public Policy

Michael Manchester, Attorney at Manchester & Associates

Ron Maurer, Vice President of Administration for Zingerman’s

Ted McMullen, VP of Leasing for McMullen Company

William Nickels, City Council, Ward 2 of the City of Ypsilanti

Mark Ouimet, Washtenaw County Commissioner

John Petz, Director/Gov’t & Community Relations

Debra Power, President of Power Marketing and Research

Ted Schork, VP Relationship Manager at Key Bank

Christine Sing, CPA at Wright, Griffin and Davis

Pat Taylor, Dean of Student Support Services at Washtenaw Community College

Dennis Ticknor, Ellsworth Office Manager of Bank of Ann Arbor

Kevin VanKannel, President of University Office Technologies

Daryl C. Weinert, Executive Director of U of M Business Engagement Center



For more information about the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber please visit our website.



Megan Crosbie
@A2Y_Chamber

On Friday, May 21st, the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) is hosting its third annual day-long forum. This year’s event provides twice as many workshops, an excellent panel of high-powered business women, breakout sessions, and plenty of chances to talk amongst yourselves and form business connections (including a lengthy happy hour).



For those of you who’ve never been to a WXW event, attendees find that our format is different from most other business organizations. Our tagline is “Now We’re Talking” because we create every opportunity for our attendees to have meaningful conversations about their business successes and challenges. This means that our attendees talk openly and much of our meeting content is based on their questions, needs, and input. Often women who attend the events say, “Wow, I’ve never talked with anyone about these pressing work issues. It’s great to say these things out loud, get input, and figure out solutions!”



When we started WXW back in early 2008, Debra Power and I had no idea that the organization would catch on quite like it has. Clearly, women like to talk about business and they love the format. Since 2008,  we’ve hosted two annual forums that each drew over 225 attendees. We’ve also hosted numerous monthly events, built a mailing list of over 800 people, and helped women form all kinds of meaningful connections around the region. Wow, that’s so rewarding!



Speaking of rewarding, Debra & I and the awesome women of WXW went to Lansing on April 29th to join in the festivities at the 2010 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Ceremony. Thanks to a nomination by our local SBTDC office (hurray for Charlie Penner and Shannon Beeman!), we won the SBA’s “Women in Business Champion of the Year” award for the State of Michigan. Check our Facebook page for photos.



If you’re looking to improve your business, career, and/or life in the coming months, we’d love to see you at the WXW Forum10 on May 21st. You’ll benefit from two intensive, 2-hour workshops, as well as meet and talk with women business leaders from the region. We’re expecting a huge turn out this year, and workshops are filling up quickly, so register soon. We can’t wait to see you there!