Special Events

The Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce offers several events for our members to network and learn.

Business After Hours

Business After Hours highlights a different Chamber business on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. The business that sponsors the event opens its doors for Chamber members to get a behind-the-scenes look at its operation. It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase an organization to the community and to mix and mingle with business leaders.

Cost to attend: FREE for Chamber members. $10 for Non-Chamber members

2009 Schedule
6/4/09 6/18/09
7/16/09
8/6/09 8/20/09
9/3/09 9/17/09
10/1/09 10/15/09
11/5/09 11/19/09
12/3/09 12/17/09

Sponsor information: Contact Susan Franck at 517-782-8221.

Good Morning! Greater Jackson

Join radio personality Greg O'Connor and co-host Ric Walton as they interview sponsors live on 970 AM WKHM from Bella Notte Ristorante from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Good Morning! Greater Jackson takes place on the 4th Tuesday of every month. Members can sponsor a portion of the show (up to 4) or the entire show.
Cost to attend (includes breakfast): $10 for Chamber members. $20 for Non-Chamber members

2009 Schedule
6/23/09
7/28/09
8/25/09
9/22/09
10/27/09
11/24/09
Sponsor information: Contact Susan Franck at 517-782-8221.

Economic Club Luncheons

The Economic Club Luncheon, put on by the Chamber's Economic Club, gives busy professionals the chance to keep up to speed with important issues facing Jackson business. Enjoy an informative speech and a delicious meal. Presenters are chosen based on the benefit and information they can provide to Jackson's business community.

Cost to attend (includes lunch): $25 in advance, $30 at the door for Chamber members. $45 in advance, $50 at the door for Non-Chamber members.

Thank you to our 2009 sponsors:
Baker College, Coin Op Services Inc., Comerica Bank, Commonwealth Associates Inc., CP Federal Credit Union, Culver's, Envirologic Technologies, Inc., Eye Services, LLC., Fifth Third Bank, Jackson Community College, Jackson County Convention & Vistors Bureau, Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers, McDonald Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. Inc., MSU Extension Jackson County, RJ Michaels Inc., South Central Michigan Works!, Spring Arbor University, Walton Agency,Inc., Willis & Machnik Financial Services, WKHM-K 105.3-WIBM

2009 Schedule:
3/16/09 - Luther K. Snow - Author of The Organization of Hope: A workshop for Rural Asset-Based Community Development
4/20/09 - Randy Yagiela with SCMW! - "The Partnership for for Regional Solutions Center"
5/26/09 - Ben Taylor from the U.S Chamber of Commerce talking about Card Check - Employee Free Choice Act
6/29/09 - Jonathan Greene - Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority
NO JULY ECL
8/10/09 - Economic Club Luncheon at Michigan International Speedway
9/21/09 - Patty Kaufman - President of Baker College
10/15/09 - JAXPO Economic Club Luncheon - Allskate Fun Center

2010 Sponsorships
To download the 2010 Economic Club Sponsorship form, click here

If you have an idea for a future Economic Club Luncheon: Contact Angela Machnik

For Further information: Contact Angela Machnik at 517-782-8221.

Chamber Annual Meeting

SAVE THE DATE: January 21, 2010

Held on the 3rd Thursday each January, the Chamber's annual meeting is an evening event that attracts more than 500 business leaders. It includes the installation of Board members and the presentation of the following awards:

ATHENA Award (sponsored by Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers)

Brick Award (presented by the Ambassador Committee)

Entrepreneurial Vision Award (sponsored by South Central Michigan Works)

Past Recipient of the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award:
Brian Surgener, Jackson Coffee Co.

Small Business Person of the Year Award (sponsored by Flagstar Bank)

2010 Annual Meeting Sponsors

Award Sponsors
Flagstar Bank, Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers Inc., South Central Michigan Works!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

To download the 2010 Annual meeting sponsorship opportunities, click here.

For more information: Contact Angela Machnik at 517-782-8221.

JAXPO

JAXPO 2009 will be at Allskate Fun Center on Thursday October 15, 2009.

To download the JAXPO Registration brochure, click here.

Thank you to our 2009 Sponsors!
Title Sponsor
Anesthesia Business Consultants
Gold (Lunch) Sponsor
CP Federal Credit Union
Silver Sponsors
Jackson Magazine, JTV, RJ Michaels, Inc., WKHM-K-105.3-WIBM
Bronze Sponsors
106.9 HOME.fm, Hammond Hardware/Kelly Fuels
Business After Hours Sponsor
Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, P.C.

JAXPO 2009 Vendors:
Premier Booths:
Manpower, Kentwood Office Furniture, Jackson Community College, Blake Woods Medical Park, Anesthesia Business Consultants - TITLE Sponsor, Best Buy, CP Federal Credit Union - Gold (Lunch) Sponsor, Spring Arbor University, Allegiance Health

General Booths:
Hammond Hardware/Kelly Fuels - Bronze Sponsor, TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers , WKHM/K-105.3/WIBM -Media/Silver Sponsor - Broadcasting Live, Birmingham Cosmetic Centers, Priority Health, Rapid Refill Ink, U.S. Rehab Services, Baker College, The Ballooney Bin, 106.9 HOME.fm Bronze Sponsor, RJ Michaels, Inc./Jackson Magazine - Media/Silver Sponsor

Non-Profit Booths:
American Red Cross of South Central Michigan, American Cancer Society, Jackson Commercial Contractors Association, March of Dimes , Michigan Theatre of Jackson, The Dahlem Conservancy, Lifeways, The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc.

If you have questions please contact Angela at (517) 782-8221 or angela@gjcc.org.

September Golf Outing

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
The fall golf outing will be at Arbor Hills Golf Club on Monday September 14, 2009.

Schedule of Events
8:00 am Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00 am Shotgun Start
Hot Dogs at the Turn
2:00 pm Lunch and Awards

Congratulations to the winners:
1st Place:
2nd Place:
3rd Place:

Thank you to our sponsors and teams. As of 6-25-09
Sponsors:
Baker College, CP Federal Credit Union, CertainTeed Corporation, Citizens Bank, Jackson Community College, Priority Health

Teams:
American Office Solutions, Best Buy, Fifth Third Bank, Hirst Electric, Michigan International Speedway

To download the Fall golf outing brochure, click here.

For information: Contact Angela Machnik at 517-782-8221.

Spring Golf Outing

The 2009 spring golf outing was held at the Country Club of Jackson on Monday May 18, 2009.

Schedule of Events
11:30 am Registration Begins
12:00 Noon Lunch
1:00 pm Shotgun Start
6:00 pm Dinner and Awards
The Country Club of Jackson
3135 Horton Rd.
Jackson, MI 49203

Congratulations to the Spring Golf Outing winners:
1st Place
Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers (-14)
2nd Place
Citizens Bank (-11)
3rd Place
Lally Group CPA's (-11)

Thank you to the following participants: As Of 5-18-09:
Accident Fund Insurance Company of American - Sponsor
American Office Solutions – Participant, Golf Cart Sponsor
American Title Company – Participant, Sponsor
Arbor Hills Golf Club - Sponsor
Art Moehn Chevrolet Honda – Hole-In-One Sponsor
Augustine Group at Smith Barney – Hole-In-One Sponsor
Aunt Millie's Bakeries – Participant
Baker College – Participant
Bank of America - Participant
Brooklyn Bridal & Prom - Goodie Bag Sponsor
CP Federal Credit Union – Participant, Goodie Bag Sponsor
Capital Region International Airport - Sponsor
CertainTeed Corporation - Participant
Christner Insurance Agency - Participant
Citizens Bank – Participant, Sponsor
Comerica Bank - Participant
Commonwealth Associates, Inc. - Sponsor
County National Bank – Participant
Dawn Food Products, Inc. – Mulligan Sponsor
Edward Jones Investments – Horton Rd. - Participant
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Sponsor
Fifth Third Bank – Participant
Flagstar Bank - Goodie Bag Sponsor
Heartland Health Care Center – Beverage Cart Sponsor
Hirst Electric – Participant, Golf Cart Sponsor
Humana – Michigan - Participant
Inosencio Fisk, PLLC - Participant
JTV – Participant
Jackson Coffee Company - Sponsor
Ladwig's Culligan - Goodie Bag Sponsor
Lally Group CPA's – Participant
Lee Bisbee Travel Service, Inc. – Participant
Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers - Participant
Markowski & Company CPA's - Participant
Michigan International Speedway – Participant, Sponsor
Mobley Solutions/Employment Plus – Participant
Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, P.C. - Participant
Physicians Health Plan of Mid-Michigan - Participant
Priority Health - Participant
Rehmann – Participant
Re/Max Mid-Michigan - Participant
South Central Michigan Works! - Sponsor
Spring Arbor University - Participant, Golf Cart Sponsor, Goodie Bag Sponsor
The Country Club of Jackson – Host of Event, Participant, Sponsor
TDS Metrocom - Participant
Walton Agency – Participant
Willis & Jurasek PC - Participant
Willis & Machnik Financial Services - Sponsor
Winslow Construction - Participant

Contact Angela Machnik at 517-782-8221.

Party Politics

The Jackson community received a chance to mingle with political candidates and have their voices heard on several key issues less than a week prior to the November 4 election.

The Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce hosted Party Politics on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Gene Davis & Sons Banquet Center. The format was that of an educational and informational format that more than 300 Jackson residents attended.

In keeping with past tradition, a mock election was held for those races with broad interest and participants got a chance to vote on any statewide proposals.

All candidates running for U.S. Senate & House Seats, State Senate & House seats, County Commissioners and JCC Board of Trustees were invited by the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce to participate.

No speeches were given during the event, but voters had an opportunity to talk to the candidates in one-on-one and group situations. At the end of the evening, voting was tabulated and announced.

Cost was $5 at the door. Attendees enjoyed complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

Thank you to this year's Sponsors:
Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers, Lowe's, Spring Arbor University, Vista Grand Villa/Trellis Gardens

To view the mock election results click here

To view sponsorship opportunities,
click here or contact Angela at 517-782-8221 or Angela@gjcc.org.

MLK Diversity Breakfast

January 15, 2010 at 7:30 a.m.

The Eighth Annual Martin Luther King Diversity Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010 at Gene Davis & Sons Banquet and Convention Center (3575 Francis Street).

The event is coordinated by the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Human Relations Commission and featurs a guest speaker. The MLK committee also provide a wrap-up of the 2009 Challenge Day project with 7th grade middle school students.

Our mission is to promote community collaboration to Dr. King's dream and to motivate youth for service and excellence.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2010 BREAKFAST SPONSORS:

YOUTH TABLE SPONSORS:

THANK YOU TO THESE 2009 CHALLENGE DAY SUPPORTERS:

To download the MLK Diversity Breakfast Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.

Challenge Day
If interested in the Challenge Day project please visit the Challenge Day website for more information.

If you would like to support this year's Challenge Day Program(Nov. 9-13, 2009)

To download the Challenge Day support brochure, click here.

For more information please contact Angela at 782-8221 or angela@gjcc.org.

Leadership Academy

To download the Leadership Academy brochure, click here.

To download Leadership Academy sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Why Should YOU Register for the
Leadership Academy?
Accelerate your leadership skills development
Expand your knowledge of the Jackson community
Identify personal passions and leverage skills to meet the emerging needs of the community
Have a positive impact on those around you both at work and in your community
Inspire you to become active in community efforts that will make Jackson a better place to live
Understand how to function in a changing workplace
Create personal goals which will allow you to reflect and assess leadership concepts and skills for your future development

Why Should You Send Your Staff Through The Leadership Academy?
Empower your employees to achieve all of the points listed above as well as preserve institutional
knowledge, enhance diversity, and develop the skills that will allow your employee to go above and beyond for you and your customers. This will also allow you to provide challenging, growth orientated and rewarding opportunities for your employees. Your business will see an immediate return on investment from employees who are Leadership Academy graduates.

Are your employees worth this investment?

Expectations of Leadership Academy Participants
To get more out of your Leadership Academy experience, participants are required to complete the following activities during the program:

Attend all class sessions (4 hrs per month which equals 16 sessions)

You must work with a mentor. We'll help you find one if needed. Please write a 1 page report describing your mentor.

Attend one Jackson City Council meeting

Attend one Jackson County Commissioners meeting

After graduation, spend time volunteering on a committee or on a board of directors at a non-profit of your choice.

Attend one of the Chamber of Commerce Board meetings

Attend one Legislative Committee Meeting

Attend two (2) Business After Hours during September ~ April

Attend two (2) Ribbon Cuttings during September ~ April

Commitment:
Leadership Academy takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from September to April. The classes are from 8 - 10 am at Spring Arbor University downtown site 2nd floor, 113 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson. Breakfast and coffee are provided during each session.

You can call the Chamber at 517-782-8221 or email Angela at angela@gjcc.org for more information.

The Leadership Academy committee is always looking for knowledgeable and creative speakers for the following sessions:
Business and Professional Image
Understanding Yourself and Others
Workplace Ethics
Conflict Resolution
Team Building
Role of Nonprofits in the Community
Public Speaking
Public Service
Time Management
Marketing and Media
Developing Your Strategy

If you are a knowledgeable and creative speaker or know someone who is please contact Angela at 517-782-8221 or angela@gjcc.org.