Tag Archives: Kentwood/Wyoming Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber awards announced

by Deb Havens

Over 4 thousand businesses are located in the Wyoming and Kentwood communities. But just three of them received awards at a recent ceremony sponsored by the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members recently gathered at the Hilton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel to celebrate the winners in the categories of manufacturing, retail and service. The event is considered a highlight of the Chamber calendar because the winners are first nominated by their business colleagues.

The recognized Businesses of the Year for 2015 were: Maple Creek Senior Living Center for Service, Woodland Mall for Retail, and Xibitz, Inc for Manufacturing.

Bob O’Callaghan, president and CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber, presented the awards to the winners. He noted that winners are selected based on not only their involvement with the Chamber of Commerce but their leadership in the business community. The awards are a way for the members of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber to thank these leaders for their contributions to the economic health of the community.

Maple Creek sign

Maple Creek Senior Living Center has provided elder care for the past 75 years. Executive Director Deerdre Vriesman says over 700 elderly receive caring services whether they require skilled nursing and assisted living arrangements or live independently. Accepting the award for Maple Creek, was marketing Director Elliott Talen.

Receiving the Retail Business of the Year, Tony Deluccia, General Manager of Woodland Mall, reminisced about the early days. “Back in 1966 I think there was only Sears and Penney’s and maybe one other small retail outlet,” he noted. Woodland Mall now boasts over 100 retail outlets as well as showcasing sculpture, events, and eateries.

CJ Newscast 1.29.15.Still003
Doug Bosma, Co-Founder, Xibitz: “Wyoming is a good home.”

Xibitz, Inc received the Business of the Year Award for Manufacturing. Xibitz, Inc has spent 25 years serving primarily international markets. The company has expanded from its original fabricator service to design, create, and install exhibits for museums, businesses, and other clients. Xibitz co-founder Doug Bosma accepted the award on behalf of his co-founders Lloyd and Bob Seeblink. “The future looks bright,” says Bosma. “Wyoming is a good home.”

Individual awards were the Daniel Van Dyke Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Gregg Howard of the West Michigan Promotional Group; the Daniel McLaren Committee of the Year Award presented to the Third Fridays Networking Committee; and the prestigious Gerald E Fessel Distinguished Service Award presented to Rick Chrisman of Hungerford Nichols CPAs.

Building Better Communities by Building Better Businesses

Join the Kentwood/Wyoming Chamber of Commerce

By Bob O’Callaghan

DSC00227The Chamber of Commerce’s mission has always focused on promoting the community and helping local businesses to profitably grow sales; we have always relied heavily on our dedicated network of volunteers who work tirelessly to support the Chamber and the local community.

Professional Development

Providing professional development opportunities through seminars, roundtables, and classes.

Networking

Provides a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year. If you are looking to build new business contacts, we encourage you to attend our monthly networking event.

Government

The Chamber is the voice for your business with Local, State, and the Federal governments.  The Government Matters Committee is a collaboration of our members working to identify important issues that affect our member’s businesses and community.

Community

The Chamber’s mission is building better communities by building better businesses. Our members are commited to the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.

 

The Chamber’s mission is building better communities by building better businesses.  The Santa Parade committee works all year to bring a wonderful celebration of the holidays and joy to the children of Wyoming and Kentwood with the parade on Division Avenue.

 

The Metro Cruise committee brings nearly 300,000 people to the 28th Street Corridor each August.  Join us on Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, 2014  for the 28th Street Metro Cruise! There are sponsorship packages for every business budget.