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Home > Events > Business Calendar > View the Business Calendar View the Business Calendar Add Your Event to the Business Calendar Send Page To a Friend JULY “The River Runs Through It” Friday, June 6 through Tuesday, August 12 Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce 115 West Huron Street, 3rd floor, Ann Arbor Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm River Gallery has created an exhibition of terrific contemporary art at the recently renovated site of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce and at the downtown location of Ann Arbor SPARK. Come to either location to see the beautiful art work that is on display and for sale. want more information? Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch Thursday, July 24 Liberty Plaza @ the corner of South Division & Liberty 12pm – 2pm Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor is rocking! Bank of Ann Arbor has teamed up with Ann Arbor's 107one and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce to serve Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch, an outdoor summer concert series at Liberty Plaza. Enjoy top local bands as they perform Thursdays from 12pm - 2pm from June through September. Downtown restaurants are offering lunch specials that you can bring to the park and catch all the music. Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch series is featuring Tumbao Bravo. want more information? Chamber Day at the Milan Dragway Thursday, July 24 Milan Dragway 10860 Plank Road, Milan 4pm – 8pm A Chamber of Commerce evening at the Dragway, open to all members of the Ann Arbor, Milan, Monroe and Ypsilanti area Chambers of Commerce. Bring your family and friends out for an evening of fun, food, beverages and friendly competition. Don’t miss the opportunity to win cool prizes. Race your “Mom Van" or your "Dad Truck,” or your hot sports car! How about a race against one of your business associates? Or, if you want to come and watch other fellow Chamber members try their hand at racing down the ¼ mile track, join us for guaranteed good time. want more information? New Enterprise Forum Thursday, July 24 Holiday Inn North Campus 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor Registration & networking 5pm; Program begins at 5:45pm "Unusual Entrepreneurs Share Wild Success Stories" Sometimes it’s luck and sometimes it’s timing – and yet other times it’s the sheer genius of a wacky idea. Hear from entrepreneurs who’ve discovered and capitalized on unusual or obscure market needs to build a business. Bruce Fridd – Founder, Cuttswright LLC: Bruce became a golf professional at age 17, eventually becoming Head Professional at Tecumseh Country Club in 1983. He was a member of the PGA from 1984 through 2007. In 2003, he formed Cuttswright to produce and market his patented golf hole location and cutting device, the Fridder Digger, which is now used on golf courses worldwide. Abhi Lath – Owner, Sensitile: As a graduate student in architecture, Abhi invented Sensitiles, award-winning pavers and tiles that use fiber-optics in a unique way to create changing light patterns. With a variety of applications and a global customer base, this Ypsilanti-based manufacturer has more than doubled its sales over the past two years. Brian Pearson – Founder, BPNC Distillery: As an energetic, entrepreneurial individual, Brian’s background has included college sports, pouring concrete, cooking, welding and 4 years with the United States Marine Corps. In 1998, he bootstrapped BPNC distillery, which focuses on bringing cutting edge packaging to the alcohol beverage industry, including Zippers Jell-O Shots, Zeus Juice and many others. Moderator: Jesse Bernstein – President & CEO, Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce: A long-time Ann Arbor resident with a strong track record of community involvement and business experience, Jesse is a guy who knows a good business when he sees one! Cost: Free for NEF members, non-members $20, Students $5 Greening Michigan Facilities - One City at a Time Monday, July 29 University of Michigan - Michigan Union 530 South State Street, Ann Arbor 8am – 10am Sponsor: Nichols Developing and operating green facilities is becoming the norm for commercial buildings and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Green Cleaning are important components. Green Cleaning is not just replacing current products with green chemicals; it is about examining the entire process of cleaning, identifying the areas that can be improved, developing a plan and the procedures to implement the plan, executing the plan and measuring the results. A sustainable Green Cleaning program also includes recycling, energy savings, pest management and social equity. Led by Stephen Ashkin, nationally known as the "Father of Green Cleaning," this educational session will review the components of a comprehensive green cleaning program and the role the cleaning industry plays in environmental responsibility. Operations, Facilities and Maintenance Managers, Building Owners, Buildings and Grounds Supervisors, Environmental Services Managers and Directors and any person interested in the built environment is invited and encouraged to attend. Cost: $25 want more information? Mitch Ryder Comes to Chelsea Thursday, July 24 Downtown Chelsea Under the Tent behind the Common Grill, Chelsea Gates open at 7pm, concert starts at 8pm Chelsea State Bank presents Rock ‘N Roll Legend, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, with special guest, The Witch Doctors. For ticket information call the Chelsea Center for the Arts at 734.433.2787. Cost: $35 in advance, $40 at the door $100 for a special VIP Reception before the show at River Gallery & Chelsea Gallery to meet Mitch as well as a signed copy of Ryder’s book, It Was All Right Marketing Your Small Business 1 Tuesday, July 29 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 11:30am – 1pm This is the first in a series of three marketing workshops that will focus on the development of your sales and marketing plan. Part one will define your business, the competition and your target market. We will also be covering the components of an elevator speech and how to correctly brand your business. Throughout these workshops we will be taking a hands-on approach that will enable you to leave with the actual beginnings of your own sales and marketing plan. Cost: $10 want more information? Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Thursday, October 9 The Westin Southfield 1500 Town Center, Southfield 8am To nurture this sense of regional community, the Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition have partnered to create the Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards, which will honor individuals who are making important contributions to regional cooperation, progress and understanding in Metropolitan Detroit. Nominations are being accepted for the three Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards: • Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership • Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” Award • Dave Bing Future Leader Award Award winners will be selected by a panel composed of representatives of the Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. Recipients will be honored at a special breakfast ceremony and celebration on October 9, 2008. Anyone may nominate an individual for a Shining Light Award. Nominations may be submitted by mail, fax and online. Nominations are due by July 29, 2008 want to nominate someone? Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch Thursday, July 31 Liberty Plaza @ the corner of South Division & Liberty 12pm – 2pm Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor is rocking! Bank of Ann Arbor has teamed up with Ann Arbor's 107one and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce to serve Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch, an outdoor summer concert series at Liberty Plaza. Enjoy top local bands as they perform Thursdays from 12pm - 2pm from June through September. Downtown restaurants are offering lunch specials that you can bring to the park and catch all the music. Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch series is featuring Laith Al-Saadi. want more information? Practical Business Plans: An Essential Tool Thursday, July 31 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 3pm – 6pm Every existing or prospective business needs a plan, but every plan is unique. This workshop will help you understand the necessary content and best format for your business plan and show you the resources to create it. Cost: $30 want more information? AUGUST “All About … Green Business” Seminar Friday, August 1 Boardwalk Creative Center 2803 Boardwalk Drive, Ann Arbor 9am - 3pm Businesses today are under pressure from high energy prices, high raw material prices, and competition from all sides. Fortunately, there are straight-forward, practical strategies available HERE and NOW to simultaneously improve cost-effectiveness, reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and improve competitiveness, all while empowering and inspiring employees, customers, and the public. “Green Up” your business by learning about Washtenaw County and the Ann Arbor area’s energy efficiency options, recycling programs, reuse operations, recognition programs for waste reduction, and consulting experts on clean technology and green business strategies. Cost: $150 / $130 Chamber members! Use Discount Code “chamber”. Questions? Contact Ramsey Zimmerman at 734.461.9355. want to register? Vision to Reality: Introduction to Small Business Tuesday, August 5 Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce 115 West Huron Street, 3rd floor, Ann Arbor 3pm – 5:30pm Do you dream of starting a business but don't know where to begin? This session gives you the information you will need to start building a successful business strategy. Topics include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping and more. Cost: $30 want more information? Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch Thursday, August 7 Liberty Plaza @ the corner of South Division & Liberty 12pm – 2pm Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor is rocking! Bank of Ann Arbor has teamed up with Ann Arbor's 107one and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce to serve Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch, an outdoor summer concert series at Liberty Plaza. Enjoy top local bands as they perform Thursdays from 12pm - 2pm from June through September. Downtown restaurants are offering lunch specials that you can bring to the park and catch all the music. Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch series is featuring Bump. want more information? Marketing Campaign Focus Groups Monday, August 11 Ann Arbor Public School, Balas Administration Building 2555 Sout State Street 3pm The Ann Arbor Public Schools Communication Department invites you to participate in a focus group to assess new marketing campaign concepts. A new marketing campaign is scheduled to begin this fall to increase enrollment by attracting students who live in the district and those who may be relocating to Ann Arbor. The campaign will also be targeted to local employers who are attempting to attract new employees into the area. The focus groups will be asked to review and assess a series of campaign concepts. These responses will be used to select the final concept for the campaign. Two focus group times have been scheduled. You are asked to attend only one of the focus groups, the focus group session will be 90 minutes or less. Your candid assessment of the concepts presented at the focus group will be highly respected and appreciated. If you are able to participate in one of the focus group sessions please contact Liz Margolis or Judy Franklin at 734.994.2236. want more information? Art IN Sight Tuesday, August 12 Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce 115 West Huron Street, 3rd floor, Ann Arbor The beautifully adorned walls of the Chamber’s office will have a different, but just as exciting, exhibit of works by regional and local artists. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderfully talented artists in our area. So every few months Distinct Designs will be bringing in another great art exhibit for the Chamber staff and visitors to appreciate. Rotating art is a great way to have community involvement as well as improve staff morale and inspire creativity. want more information? Marketing Campaign Focus Groups Monday, August 12 Ann Arbor Public School, Balas Administration Building 2555 Sout State Street 6pm The Ann Arbor Public Schools Communication Department invites you to participate in a focus group to assess new marketing campaign concepts. A new marketing campaign is scheduled to begin this fall to increase enrollment by attracting students who live in the district and those who may be relocating to Ann Arbor. The campaign will also be targeted to local employers who are attempting to attract new employees into the area. The focus groups will be asked to review and assess a series of campaign concepts. These responses will be used to select the final concept for the campaign. Two focus group times have been scheduled. You are asked to attend only one of the focus groups, the focus group session will be 90 minutes or less. Your candid assessment of the concepts presented at the focus group will be highly respected and appreciated. If you are able to participate in one of the focus group sessions please contact Liz Margolis or Judy Franklin at 734.994.2236. want more information? Survival for the Seasonal Retailer Wednesday, August 13 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 7:30am – 9:30am How will you increase your foot traffic and make this holiday season a success? Are you ready to maximize your sales and profits? Are you ready for the all-important fourth quarter holiday push? Join us to discuss the upcoming holiday season and see how you can get the most out of it. Cost: $30 want more information? Team SBA Roundtable Thursday, August 14 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 9am – 12pm Are you trying to start, expand or purchase a business and need financing? Would you like to meet with bankers and SBA loan officers to discuss your needs? Do you want to learn how a lender analyzes your loan request and what they look for in a credit application? Would you like to ask all of your financing-related questions at one time, in one place? Team SBA is a roundtable session where you can learn what is required from a lender. You will have opportunities to meet business counselors who can help you prepare your loan request fro the bank and chances to network with other businesses owners. A session for those who have good credit, some money to invest in their business and who know how much money they need to borrow. want more information? Vision to Reality: Introduction to Small Business Tuesday, August 19 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 3pm – 5:30pm Do you dream of starting a business but do not know where to start? This session gives you the information you will need to start building a successful business strategy. Topics discussed include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping and more. Cost: $30 want more information? Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch Thursday, August 21 Liberty Plaza @ the corner of South Division & Liberty 12pm – 2pm Lunch in downtown Ann Arbor is rocking! Bank of Ann Arbor has teamed up with Ann Arbor's 107one and the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce to serve Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch, an outdoor summer concert series at Liberty Plaza. Enjoy top local bands as they perform Thursdays from 12pm - 2pm from June through September. Downtown restaurants are offering lunch specials that you can bring to the park and catch all the music. Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch series is featuring Jill Jack. want more information? Marketing Your Small Business 2 Tuesday, August 26 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 West Michigan Ave, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 11:30am – 1pm The second workshop in our sales and marketing series will focus on utilizing and reviewing the work that was done in the first session. From this you will develop the content of the marketing tools that you will need to communicate your message to your target audience. We will also cover public relations, advertising and marketing research. All of the work from the two workshops will be applied to a marketing plan outline. Cost: $10 want more information? Practical Business Plans: An Essential Tools Thursday, August 28 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 3p – 6pm Every existing or prospective business needs a plan, but every plan is unique. This workshop will help you understand the necessary content and best format for your business plan and show you the resources to create it. Cost: $30 want more information? EMU Tailgate Party Thursday, August 28 Outside EMU’s Football Stadium, Ypsilanti 5:30pm – 7pm Join the Ann Arbor Area and Ypsilanti Area Chambers of Commerce for a Joint Chamber Night at EMU's Football Stadium for EMU’s first home game against Indiana. Come network in a casual, family friendly atmosphere with members of both Chambers. Enjoy hot dogs, drinks and snacks in the Chamber tent. Exclusive offer for Chamber Members - $3.00 per ticket. Seats are limited so email Jennifer Coleman today to reserve your spot. For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Coleman at 734.214.0106. want to register? SEPTEMBER Free Accredited Continuing Education for Realtors Wednesday, September 3 Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce 115 West Huron Street, 3rd floor, Ann Arbor 9am – 2pm want more information? Dawn Farm’s 35th Anniversary Jamboree Sunday, September 7 Dawn Farm 6633 Stony Creek Road, Ann Arbor 1pm – 6pm The Dawn Farm Jamboree is an annual family event with free admission and free activities for all ages, including live music, hayrides, animals to pet, pony rides, a popular midway and other activities for children. Tours of the 74 acre farm are also available. There will be live and silent auctions with a variety of donated goods and services including: trips, art, electronics and hundreds more items. Our Founder’s Day award will be presented to a local supporter in recognition of his/her support of Dawn Farm and the recovering community. This event is a combination fundraiser and “friend-raiser;” our Jamboree provides an opportunity for Dawn Farm to give back to the community that for 35 years has supported us in our mission; to raise awareness of the tremendous power of recovery in the lives of individuals, families, and our entire community; and to raise funds that enable Dawn Farm to continue our mission to provide services for those who have no other resources. Dawn Farm welcomes the community to join them and share in celebrating their successes in helping addicts and alcoholics become part of the recovering community. Admission and activities are FREE. Food and beverages will be available at a nominal cost. Dawn Farm is the only residential treatment program in the area and funds raised from this event will help defray treatment costs for individuals who have no other resources. want more information? The 12th annual Women of Distinction Awards Thursday, September 11 Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest 1275 South Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti 11:30am The 12th annual Woman of Distinction Awards will be presented by Girl Scouts of the Huron Valley Council. Four to six Women of Distinction, women who exemplify the Girl Scout values of leadership, community service and decision-making skills, will be honored. This year's chair of the Women of Distinction Selection Committee is Ingrid Sheldon, former Ann Arbor mayor. For more information call 734.971.8800, Ext. 211. Virtual to Reality: Introduction to Small Business Tuesday, September 16 Ypsilanti District Library 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti 6pm – 8pm Do you dream of starting a business but do not know where to begin? This session gives you the information you will need to start building a successful business strategy. Topics discussed will include sources of assistance, market research, financing, business partners, taxes, record keeping and more. want more information? Annual Health and Wellness Fair Saturday, September 20 Four Points Sheraton 3200 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor 9am – 3:30pm The Ann Arbor Jaycees will host its first annual health and wellness fair. Several workshops and demonstrations will be available as well as featured guest speaker, Pete Thomas, of NBC’s The Biggest Loser 2. Many vendors will also be on hand throughout the day. To purchase vendor space visit their website. Cost: $5 want more information? Light the Night Walk Saturday, September 20 Huron High School/Gallup Park 2727 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor Registration at 6pm; Walk begins at 7pm Every 5 minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone loses their fight. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk is the nation's night to pay tribute to lives lost to cancer and to bring help and hope to thousands of patients still battling these diseases and their families. Join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for a 2-3 mile evening walk to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by blood cancers. want more information? Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert Roots Saturday, September 20 Michigan Theater 603 East Liberty, Ann Arbor 8pm In this season of commemoration, the A²SO completes its Naxos CD project with Felter’s Three Poems by Walt Whitman, a Bicentennial evocation of the yearning for innocence in times of war. Louis Nagel brings to life the raw intensity and rich sound of Ravel’s neoclassical Piano Concerto. Finally, the A²SO rounds out the concert with Dvorak’s cheery homage to his Bohemian roots, his Symphony No. 8. This concert is co-sponsored by Borders and Comerica Bank. want more information? Marketing Your Small Business 3 Tuesday, September 30 MI-SBTDC Region 12 301 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 101, Ypsilanti 11:30am - 1pm Using the internet effectively is a critical piece of many small businesses' marketing strategies. Learn about pay-per-click campaigns, search engine optimization, social media, blogs, podcasts and more in this informaton packed session presented by Ingenex Figital Marketing. Cut through the hype and learn which of these tools can help you grow your business. Cost: $10 want more information? OCTOBER Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Thursday, October 9 The Westin Southfield 1500 Town Center, Southfield 8am To nurture this sense of regional community, the Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition have partnered to create the Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards, which will honor individuals who are making important contributions to regional cooperation, progress and understanding in Metropolitan Detroit. The Shining Light Awards will honor individuals who are making important contributions to regional cooperation, progress, and understanding in metropolitan Detroit. Our purpose is to give broad exposure to people who are making the tough and often politically difficult decisions to further regional cooperation and, in that way, encourage others to follow in their footsteps. The inaugural Shining Light Awards were launched in 2007 in a special “naming ceremony” honoring individuals well known for their extraordinary contributions to metropolitan Detroit – Neal Shine, Marian and Michael Ilitch, Eleanor Josaitis, and Dave Bing. want more information? Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert Music of the Northern Lights Thursday, October 18 Michigan Theater 603 East Liberty, Ann Arbor 8pm Sibelius’ only concerto, the Violin Concerto, heats up the cold Scandinavian night. Danish composer, Carl Nielsen’s dramatic Symphony No. 4, known as The Inextinguishable, culminates with a powerful “battle between two sets of timpani.” Romantic Danish composer Gade was a friend of Mendelssohn and instructor of Nielsen and Grieg. Audience members will enjoy his Hamlet Overture, which is full of melodic beauty. This concert is sponsored by the Ray and Eleanor Cross Foundation. want more information? NOVEMBER Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert The Orchestra is Here to Play Sunday, November 9 Michigan Theater 603 East Liberty, Ann Arbor 4pm Join the A²SO and Gemini in this Family Concert as San and Laz share their warmth, humor and fun. Sing along wit music from around the world and original songs about growing up. Also, featured, you’ll hear Gemini’s entertaining and educational The Orchestra is Here to Play, which highlights the instruments of the orchestra for kids. Plus, our Ann Arbor connections continue wit a performance by the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, under direction of Shayla Hottinger Powell. The Family Concert Series is co-sponsored by Dickinson Wright and the Bernard L. Maas Foundation want more information? Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert Dances Scared & Profane Saturday, November 15 Michigan Theater 603 East Liberty, Ann Arbor 8pm Welcome to the stage Primor Sluchin, a world-class harpist and one of the only women to play in the famed Berlin Philharmonic. Handel’s only Harp Concerto offers improvisatory musing and exposed, rolling solos. By contrast, Debussy’s Dances Sacre et Profane is a chromatic exploration of Spanish and Portuguese dance. Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3 also has dance influences and presents a colorful and emotional “walk in a garden.” The Magic Harp by Schubert, also known as the Rosamunde Overture, is a warm-hearted and good humored work of a true master. This concert is sponsored by Toyota. want more information? DECEMBER Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Concert Sing-Along with Santa Saturday, December 6 Bethlehem United Church of Christ 423 South 4th Street, Ann Arbor 4pm The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has a special relationship with Santa. Each year he sleds in from the North Pole to meet with the children of Ann Arbor at the Sing-Along. He loves to see the youngsters and sing with them in all his favorite carols. This Family Concert will include music by an A²SO soloist, treats and photos with Santa! This concert series is sponsored by Dickinson Wright. want more information? Place your event on our Business Calendar