July/August 2016 - Livonia Chamber of Commerce

July/August
2016
REGIONAL
BANQUET
RETURNS
OCT. 4
Jacques Panis, the president of
Shinola, will be the featured
speaker at the fourth annual
Western Wayne Business
Leadership Banquet to be held
on October 4 at the Ford Motor
Company Conference and
Event Center in Dearborn.
Shinola, a newer Detroit
company that is best known
for manufacturing designer
watches and leather products, is
growing on the strength of its
products, marketing, and trendy
operation, and its management
is proud to call Detroit Shinola’s
home.
Hundreds of business leaders
will gather for this evening of
influential networking and
regional promotion. The event
is presented by Bank of America
and Beaumont Health. Crain’s
Detroit Business Publisher,
Mary Kramer. returns as the
emcee.
The event is coordinated by
the Conference of Western
Wayne in partnership with the
Livonia Chamber, and several
other neighboring chambers.
Visit www.livonia.org or call
734.427.2122 for more details.
INSIDE
Upcoming Events..................2
New Chamber Members....3 & 4
Ribbon Cuttings....................5
Renewals..........................6&7
Livonia Reaches Out……........10
Bridges to Other Cultures.....12
Ambassador Briefs...............15
Chamber
News
Livonia’s Business Connection
#WEBACKLIVONIABLUE
GRASS-ROOTS CITY EFFORT BEGINS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR LIVONIA POLICE
Many
watching
television the night of
July 7 were shocked
when they heard
initial reports of
police officers being
targeted in Dallas with
bullets as they
provided protection
during a community
rally. The horror only
Dan West, President/CEO
grew as we learned
five Dallas police
officers were killed in the ambush.
Ten days later, it happened again in Louisiana
when three Baton Rouge officers were killed and
three were wounded in another ambush by a
gunman.
We can only imagine the uneasiness felt by police
officers around the country and here in Livonia
in the days after these tragedies. Livonia Police
Chief Curtis Caid points out officers are more
attentive to their surroundings but as committed
as ever to doing their work; however, it is their
families that are having the tougher time
processing these events.
In Livonia, we have a police force that is
professional, effective, and community minded.
Our city should take a moment to acknowledge
the role our police play in ensuring Livonia is an
exceptional place to live, learn, work, and play.
Our community will have a chance to show our
gratitude at an event planned for Monday, Sept.
12, during an afternoon gathering where Livonia
residents can visit the LPD, shake hands with
officers, and show displays of appreciation.
The effort will begin this month when six
churches will have their congregation sign
banners with the motto: #WeBackLivoniaBlue.
After displaying these signed banners in their
churches for a few weeks, each pastor will
present these banners to Livonia Police at the
Sept. 12 gathering as a public display that our
community is grateful and supportive of our
first responders, police and fire personnel.
At a time when so much national attention to
police is disproportionately critical, it is
important that we take an extraordinary step to
show our support for police officers, who
constantly take extraordinary measures to
confront harrowing situations. This effort will be
another example of Livonia’s amazing
community spirit.
ASIAN PACIFIC, LIVONIA CHAMBERS
GATHER FOR FIRST ‘GLOCAL’ EVENT
Some 60 people gathered Thursday at Sigma
International Headquarters in Livonia for the
first joint-networking event for the Asian Pacific
American and Livonia chambers of commerce.
“Going Glocal” connected
business people from both
chambers with a focus on
encouraging more multicultural
interaction.
“It is helping the Michigan
economy by staying local but yet
doing business on a global scale.”
said Van Nguyen, executive
director for the Asian Pacific
American Chamber of
Commerce (APACC), which moved to a new
office in Livonia last winter. “APACC members,
such as Sigma, is the epitome of going ‘glocal,’
and it opens new doors for small
business owners in Livonia.”
‘Glocal’ continues on page 13.
Chamber News
2
2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair
KAREN SANBORN
Madonna University
Chair Elect
DAN LAIBLE
NYX, Inc.
Treasurer
CHARLES DARDAS
AlphaUSA
PAUL BOHN
Fausone Bohn, LLP
BRENDA DURLING
Schoolcraft College/VisTaTech Center
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TERRY CROUSON
The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit
VANESSA DENHA-GARMO
Denha Media Group
DENISE FAIR
Henry Ford-Livonia Medical Center
STEVE FUTRELL
Technology Solutions
JOHN HILTZ
OHM Advisors
JAMISON JANDA
Embassy Suites
JOE MCCALLION
Lis, McCallion, Raymor & Co., P.C.
BETSY MCCUE
Huntington Bank
JOHN MURPHY
Commercial Lawnmower
ANDREA OQUIST
Livonia Public Schools
DAVID SPIVEY
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
MARK TAORMINA
City of Livonia
BEN TISEO
Tiseo Architects
KIMBERLY VAN VLIET
Ford Motor Company
Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
Thursday, September 8
Connecting Cultures
to Business Luncheon
Sponsored by NYX, Inc.,
Schoolcraft College, PNC Bank, and
Fausone Bohn, LLP
Schoolcraft’s VisTaTech Center
(18600 Haggerty Road)
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Featuring representatives from the
Chaldean American Chamber,
Michigan Hispanic Chamber,
Asian Pacific American Chamber,
and American Chamber in Germany
Tuesday, October 4
4th annual Western Wayne
Business Leadership Banquet
Sponsored by Beaumont Health
and Bank of America
Ford Motor Company Conference
& Event Center
(1151 Village Road, Dearborn)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
$1,500 Corporate Table Package
$100 per person
Featuring Jacques Panis of
Shinola as keynote speaker
Thursday, September 22
Fall Into Opportunities
Champps
(19470 Haggerty Road)
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
$15 per member
Fall into new business
opportunities
Wednesday, September 28
Brewin Business
Sponsored by
Community Alliance Credit Union
BIGGBY Coffee
(37403 Ann Arbor Road)
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Pop in for a cup of coffee and
networking on your way to work.
PETER VENTURA
Principal Associates
STAFF
DAN WEST
President/CEO
DAWNNE TOPPA
Vice President/CCO
DEBBIE FERENSIC
Office Manager
NOVEMBER
Thursday, November 3
Brewin Business
Sponsored by
Community Alliance Credit Union
Location TBA
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Pop in for a cup of coffee and
networking on your way to work.
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, November 10
Annual Member
Appreciation Reception
Embassy Suites
(19525 Victor Parkway)
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Members are invited to enjoy a
fun evening on us as a thank you
for a great 2016!
Have you activated your www.livonia.org login to
register for events online?
It’s easy! Contact the chamber by calling 734.427.2122
or emailing [email protected] to get started!
LAURA TAHMOUCH
Director of Marketing & Events
RACHEL FETTER
Marketing Assistant
LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
33300 Five Mile Road, Suite 212
Livonia, MI 48154
734.427.2122
734.427.6055 (Fax)
www.Livonia.org
www.facebook.com/
LivoniaChamberofCommerce
@djwest777
@livoniachamber
www.youtube.com/
TheLivoniaChamber
Chamber News
3
NEW MEMBERS FOR JUNE
- JULY 2016
Congratulations to the following organizations for recently
investing in the work of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
9Round 30 min
Full Body Kickbox
Category: Health & Fitness
Contact: Slava Royzenblat
15404 Haggerty Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170
734-720-4743
9Round.com
Alkevicius Breads
Category: Bakery
Contact: David Alkevicius
33825 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
313-806-4354
AM Data Service, Inc
Category: IT Consulting Services
Contact: Rich Miller
33133 Schoolcraft Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
734-744-5300
www.amdataservice.com
Bellabay Realty Tri-Counties
Category: Real Estate-Residential
Contact: Yvonne Haywood
37361 Eight Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-274-6614
248-876-3212 (Fax)
Bellabaytricounties.com
Bigg Burger
Category: Restaurant
Contact: Michael Soave
19055 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
248-987-2553
248-987-2556 (Fax)
www.BiggBurger.com
BorgWarner
Category: MFG: Fabricated
& Metal Products
Contact: Krs Gfell
32059 Schoolcraft
Livonia, MI 48150
734-458-8483
734-261-9281 (Fax)
www.borgwarner.com
Bounce Brothers Inc.
Category: Events / Rentals
Contact: Tim Hall
Livonia, MI 48154
248-427-0988
www.BounceNow.com
Buca Di Beppo
Category: Restaurants & Catering
Contact: Julie Emerson
38888 Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
734-462-6442
734-293-4359 (Fax)
www.bucadibeppo.com
Champps
Category: Restaurants & Bars
Contact: Kristin Norris
19470 Haggerty Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152
734-591-3334
734-591-3851 (Fax)
www.Champps.com
Collins Einhorn Farvell PC
Category: Attorney at Law
Contact: Patrick Crandell
4000 Town Center Suite 909
Southfield, MI 48075
248-355-4141
248-355-2277 (Fax)
CEFlawyers.com
Comfort Keepers
Category: Home Health Care
Contact: Erin White
32985 Hamilton Ct. Suite 202
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-919-8760
248-234-6346 (Fax)
www.FarmingtonHills1005.comfortkeepers.com
Comprehensive
Healthcare Associates
Category: Medical
Contact: Asha Manoharan
15645 Farmington
Livonia, MI 48154
734-464-7600
734-464-9797 (Fax)
www.drambakrishnan.com
Dalton Floorz
Category: Flooring
Contact: Mike Hamie
32104 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
734-466-3000
734-466-3003 (Fax)
www.DaltonFloorz.com
Debbie Felton's
Academy of Dance
Category: Dance Studio
Contact: Debbie Felton
18732 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-987-4680
www.FeltonDance.com
FDX Pure Sole LLC
Category: Dance Studio
Contact: Keichea
Shauntee-Wilson
16312 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-466-5050
www.fdxpuresole.com
Johnny's Ribs and Pizza
Category: Restaurant
Contact: Christie Mouzourakis
19333 Victor Parkway
Livonia, MI 48152
734-855-4852
734-855-4869 (Fax)
www.johnnysribsandpizza.com
New Members continue on page 4.
Chamber News
4
NEW MEMBERS FOR JUNE
First Oriental Therapy Center
Category: Health & Wellness
Contact: Lucy Li
29520 Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
734-234-0745
734-743-5082 (Fax)
www.naturacupuncture.com
- JULY 2016 CONTINUED
Livonia Family Pharmacy
Category: Pharmacy
Contact: Alex Chehab
15983 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-744-7636
734-743-5327 (Fax)
Sigma International
Category: Manufacturing
Contact: Christopher Naidoo
36800 Plymouth Rd.
Livonia, MI 48150
248-230-9681
248-230-9682 (Fax)
sigmaintl.com
NextHome Metro
Lawrence J. Fisher,CFP Category: Real Estate-Residential Stevens Worldwide Van Lines
LPL Financial
Contact: Kate Hitt
Category: Moving & Storage
Category: Retirement Planning
29777 Telegraph Rd
Contact: M.J. Brunswick
Contact: Lawrence J. Fisher
Southfield, MI 48034
3663 Elizabeth Lake Road
19575 Victor Parkway Suite 190
734-255-3086
Waterford, MI 48328
Livonia, MI 48152
nexthomemetro.com
248-681-0601
734-838-6290
www.StevensWorldwide.com
734-953-2458 (Fax)
Panamera Motors
www.WeHelpYouRetire.com
Category: Auto Dealership
Tin Cup Bar & Grill
Contact: Mike Hamoudi
Category: Restaurants & Bars
Lawrence
35085 Plymouth Rd
Contact: Beth Burr
Technological University
Livonia, MI 48150
20500 Newburgh Road
Category: Schools & Education
734-744-4450
Livonia, MI 48152
Contact: Jim Jolly
888-505-6236 (Fax)
248-426-0967
21000 West Ten Mile Road
www.PanameraMotorsMI.com
www.tincupbar.com
Southfield, MI 48075
248-204-2414
Phoenix
248-204-2318 (Fax)
Freerunning Academy
www.ltu.edu
Category: Health & Fitness
Contact: Eric Zimmerman
Lisa Laing, Aflac Agent
12936 Farmington Road
Category: Insurance
Livonia, MI 48150
Contact: Lisa M. Laing
734-744-6220
2240 Middlebelt, #217-3
734-744-6221 (Fax)
Garden City, MI 48135
www.phoenixfreerunning.com
734-812-2900
Radiant Wholesale
Livonia Community
Category: Wholesale / Retail
Acupuncture
Contact: Connie Haywood
Category: Health & Wellness
34171 Schoolcraft
Contact: Aaron Li
Livonia, MI 48150
36616 Plymouth Rd
734-206-2011
Livonia, MI 48150
734-881-9279 (Fax)
734-421-7100
www.radiantflowers.us
www.LivoniaCommunity
Acupuncture.com
Rels Homecare Corp
Category: Myrna Moss
Contact: Non-Medical Home Care
9206 Middlebelt
Livonia, MI 48150
734-215-2211
www.relshomecare.org
Chamber News
LIVONIA RIBBON CUTTINGS !
Rock City Music Company
celebrated their grand opening on June 18.
They are located at 33425 Five Mile Road,
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be reached at
734-744-5462. www.rockcitymusicco.com
Parkside of Livonia
celebrated their grand opening on June 23.
They are located at 28815 Jamison Street
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be reached at
734-522-1151. www.parksideoflivonia.com
Dalton Floorz
celebrated their grand opening on August 5.
They are located at 32104 Plymouth Road,
Livonia, MI 48150 and can be reached at
734-466-3000. www.daltonfloorz.com
Premier Children Center
celebrated their grand opening on June 22.
They are located at 29721 Six Mile Road,
Livonia, MI 48152 and can be reached at
734-744-9399. www.premierchildrencenter.com
Bellabay Realty Tri-Counties
celebrated their grand opening on July 29.
They are located at 37361 Eight Mile Road,
Livonia, MI 48152 and can be reached at
248-274-6614. www.bellabaytricounties.com
Livonia Family Pharmacy
celebrated their grand opening on August 5.
They are located at 15983 Middlebelt Road,
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be
reached at 734-744-7636.
5
Chamber News
6
RENEWALS JUNE
-
JULY 2016
Thank you to the following organizations for continuing to invest in the Livonia Chamber.
14 Karat Jewelers
Fred Wood Funeral Home
Livonia Woods Nursing & Rehab
Affordable HomeCare
Functional Floors
LPL Financial Services
All Night Auto
G & D Accounting, Inc.
Luigi’s Pizza Café
AlphaUSA
George H. Pastor & Sons, Inc.
Mango Plumbing
Angel Food Catering
George’s Senate Coney Island
Marsh & McLennan Agency
Apartment Services Company
Goodwill Industries
of Greater Detroit
McLaren Performance
Technologies
Henderson Glass
Metro Agency, Inc.
Hines Park Lincoln, Inc.
Michael Shuster Photography
Hunt’s Ace Hardware
Michigan Schools & Government
Credit Union
Arconcepts Architects
Bank’s Vacuum SuperStores
Belfor USA
Bill & Rod’s Appliance, Inc.
Clarenceville School District
Infineon Technologies
Jacobsen Steel Rule Dies
Michigan Tax &
Business Services, Inc.
JD Candler Roofing Company
Michigan.com
Joe’s Produce
MJ Creative Printing
Comfort Inn of Livonia
KelseyPromo, partnering with
Bankers Advertising
Modern Mind Technology
Commercial Lawnmower, Inc.
Kentwood Office Furniture
Community Publishing
& Marketing
Klisz Law Office, PLLC
Cole, Newton & Duran CPA’s
Collins Einhorn Farvell PC
Comcast Spotlight
Complete Auto Restoration
KTX America, Inc.
Las Palapas
Correct Care
Family Chiropractic
Leo D. Neville, PLLC
Cruise Planners
LIV Open MRI
Culver’s of Livonia
Livonia Chrysler Jeep
D & G Heating
& Cooling Co., Inc.
Livonia Civic Chorus
Dave & Busters
Derenzo & Associates
Don Knapp - Attorney at Law
FedEx Ground
Filter Technology LLC
Livonia Dental Group
Livonia Family YMCA
Livonia Jaycees
Livonia Little Tots Day Nursery
Livonia Montessori School
Livonia Post 3941 V.F.W.
National Realty Centers
Oakmont Livonia
OHM Advisors
Performax Physical Therapy
Pete’s Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Plymouth Physical
Therapy Specialists
Primerica – Wolters
& Associates
Quality Line Services
Quality Metalcraft
Ralph Thayer Automotive
Real Estate One
Roto-Rooter
Sacred Heart Byzantine
Catholic Church
Chamber News
7
CONGRATULATIONS !
Congratulations to the Evolution AVS Audio Video Security team
on their 30th Anniversary! Pictured above: Kevin Pacynski,
Keith Bunetta, Dale Pacynski, Sherry Pacynski and Jeff Sly.
RENEWALS JUNE
-
The community gathered July 12 as former Mayor
was honored for his leadership and support of the
Community Recreation Center. Above, the Kirksey
and Mayor Wright unveil the new name of the
Jack E. Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center.
Kirksey
Livonia
family
center:
JULY 2016 CONTINUED
Security Designs, Inc.
Strong Veterinary Hospital
USA Hockey Arena / Drive In
Security101
The DeAngelo Team
Valaset Services LLC
Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
The Home Depot
VIP Truck Center
Siam Spicy 4, Inc
Thomas’s Family
Dining & Catering
Wayne State University
Sir Speedy
Skynar Bookkeeping
Stempin’s Lawn Care
& Landscaping
Sterling Office Systems
Thrivent Financial
TJ Brisbois –
Remerica United Realty
University of Michigan –
Livonia Health Center
West Bay Exploration
Woodland Lanes, Inc.
Wright Beamer, PLC
Zagata Agency
Chamber News
8
Phil Winkler, Dr. Wednesday Hall, Diane Trujillo and Stephanie Lamb
of Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists
Metro Agency’s Aaron Moore lines up
his putt with help from fellow golfer, Jason Egan.
2016 LIVONIA GOLF OUTING
More than 120 chamber members contributed to this year’s outing that took place on July 11 at Idyl Wyld Golf Course and 1 Under
Banquet Center. There was nearly 90 sponsors, including our presenting sponsor Mercy Elite Sports Performance and was sold out
with 147 golfers.
Fourteen golfers won the various contests throughout the course while ZF TRW (1st Place), Mercy Elite Sports Performance (2nd
Place) and Schoolcraft College (3rd Place) walked away with the top honors.
Thank you again to everyone who made the day a success and we look forward to seeing you next year. Save the Date: July 10, 2017!
Course Photos courtesy of Michael Shuster Photography
Johanna Alexander and Calla Cretney of
Dave & Buster’s greet golfers at their Exclusive Hole
with a fun game and a chance to win some prizes!
MJ Brunswick of Stevens Worldwide Van Lines,
Anita Mitzel of Graphicolor Exhibits,
Mike Follmer of Folco Communications and Tom Stroup of Valaset Services
Chamber News
9
CHAMBER SNAPSHOT
Sponsored by
Community Alliance
Credit Union,
a great crowd of
new and longtime
members attended
this summer’s
5 O’clock
Connection on
July 21 at Time Out
Sports Bar & Grill.
Thank You!
Thank you to all of the members who donated prizes for our annual
Livonia Golf Outing. Your support and contributions are truly appreciated.
Aegis Health Perspectives
Detroit Marriott Livonia
AlphaUSA
El Nibble Nook
BELFOR USA
Embassy Suites
Bright Side Dental
ETD Staffing Services
Buffalo Wild Wings
Fleming's Prime
Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Oakmont Livonia
George Murphy’s at the Creek
Panamera Motors
Goodwill Industries
of Greater Detroit
Residence Inn by Marriott
Cebella’s Pizza
Champp’s
City of Livonia Parks
& Recreation
Comcast Spotlight
Community Alliance
Credit Union
Culver’s of Livonia
Daly Restaurant
Dave & Buster’s
Hyatt Place Detroit, Livonia
Jimmy John’s
Gourmet Sandwiches
Lis, McCallion,
Raymor & Company
Lowe's
M.I. Slingers
MOD Pizza
Roger & Rod's Barber Shop
Schostak Brothers & Company
Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
Koney Island Inn
Thomas’s Family
Dining & Catering
Laurel Manor Banquet
& Conference Center
Tony Ba'lony's Submarines
Chamber News
10
LIVONIA REACHES
OUT IN DETROIT
Volunteers from the City of Livonia, Livonia Public Schools and
Livonia Chamber of Commerce joined other communities by
spending hours in Detroit’s Denby neighborhood helping to
clean it up as a part of the Life Remodeled project.
The project pulled volunteers from the Detroit neighborhood, as
well as several suburbs to clean up several blocks surrounding
Denby High School by removing trash and debris, boarding up
abandoned homes and removing brush and overgrowth all
throughout the neighborhood.
Randy Gasser, a member of Apostolic Christian Church and a
Livonia resident, worked with his daughter, Angela, and other
Livonia residents to clean up some brush across the street from
Denby High School Wednesday.
He said while the work is only for a week, it will be a rousing
success if it sparks continued work in the area by others.
“We said, ‘If this can just inspire someone to do their part, and it
inspires someone else and that inspires someone else and it can
just take off,’ I think that’s the Life Remodeled idea of concentrating on one neighborhood,” he said. “If a neighborhood can
get its pride back and can build on the foundation that’s laid this
week...hopefully they’ll see that at Denby.”
Excerpts from Livonia Observer
Volunteers could be seen mowing grass and hauling cut branches
all through the neighborhood. Signs of support were ever
present, with motorists honking and waving to them as they
drove by.
Livonia Chamber
Member Ali
Sanders of
LegalShield
(left center)
brought her
nephews, students
at Churchill High
School, Zadrean
and Alregio to help
clean up the
neighborhood.
Pictured with
Mayor Wright.
Debbie Clark, a Livonia resident who works at the Botsford
Campus with the Beaumont Health System in Farmington Hills,
said Detroit’s well-being is still so important to the surrounding
communities as well.
“Livonia’s so close to Detroit. It’s a part of our community,” she
said. “I want to see it do well. There’s a lot of changes in Detroit.
We want Detroit to do well and thrive.”
Thank you to all our
Landmark Businesses
&
Trustee Members
for their continued support!
UNDERCOVER
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 Gated Entry
 Climate Control Units
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 Locks, Boxes & Packaging Supplies Available
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734-354-9855
www.undercoverselfstorage.com
Chamber News
11
Chamber News
12
CHAMBER EVENT TO FOCUS ON BUSINESS GROWTH
WITH BRIDGES TO OTHER CULTURES
A ground-breaking business program is coming to Livonia in
September to foster better local business relationships with
companies led by people from foreign cultures.
Connecting Cultures to Business is a Livonia Chamber of
Commerce luncheon set for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 8,
at the Schoolcraft College VisTaTech Center. The program
features a panel discussion with leaders of local business groups
supporting Asian Pacific, German, Chaldean, and Hispanic
communities.
The program is sponsored by NYX Inc., Schoolcraft College,
and Fausone Bohn LLP.
“Experts tell us that communities that do the best job of
welcoming foreign investment will have the best opportunities
for future economic development,” said Dan West, president of
the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “This is a step in better
positioning Livonia and our neighbors to welcome opportunities
here for foreign-based companies.”
The panel includes Van Nguyen, executive director of the Asian
Pacific American Chamber of Commerce; Reinhard Lemke, an
international business attorney who represents AmCham
Germany; Martin Manna, the president of the Chaldean
American Chamber of Commerce, and Camillo Suero, president
of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The panel
moderator will be Roop Raj, television reporter for WJBK-TV
(Channel 2).
Each panelist will describe the reach of their respective culture
across metro Detroit, discuss challenges for minority-owned
businesses, share ideas on how local policy makers can better
recruit and nurture business relationships with foreign
companies, and provide advice to improve their networking
skills with people of other cultures.
Nguyen said it is important for local leaders to proactively
improve their business relationships with people of cultures.
“What does that mean for the corporate, entrepreneur and the
overall population? It creates better leadership, better company
boards, a more creative and more productive workforce, and it
adds to the bottom line,” she said. “As an ethnic chamber
executive, it is my duty to educate the public on how to do
business with minorities and the benefits in doing so.”
Lemke added local companies need to build relationships with
foreign companies by connecting with the leadership personally.
There is a heightened emphasis now, he said, as more European
companies look to open operations in the U.S. and Michigan.
“It is important to tell small- and mid-size businesses that unless
you are able to communicate with other cultures, you cannot
create a business case for your product to them,” he said. “You
can’t compete on price alone. You want to relay how you can
service prospective customers, and you can only do that when
you are able to connect with them on a professional level.”
Seats for the Connecting Cultures to Business Luncheon are $30
for Livonia Chamber members, and $40 for guests. For more
information or to reserve seats, contact Laura Tahmouch at
[email protected] or at 734.427.2122.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!
The Livonia Chamber awarded seven Livonia high school seniors with $1,000
scholarships, pictured above with chair Karen Sanborn and president Dan West.
Sara Cable (Franklin High School-Wayne State University); Marco Antonio
D’Agostino (Stevenson High School-Lawrence Technologial University);
Joseph Luszcz (Franklin High School-Schooclraft College), Molly Modes
(Franklin High School-Schoolcraft College); David Schuit (Stevenson High
School-Eastern Michigan University); Justin Westphal (Churchill High SchoolEastern Michigan University); and Gabe Wilson (Franklin High School-Eastern
Michigan University).
WELCOME
RACHEL
TO THE
TEAM!
Rachel
Fetter
began her time
with the Livonia
Chamber as our
marketing intern
in January 2016
through
the
Livonia Public
School's career intern program. After graduating
from Stevenson High School in May 2016,
Rachel joined the Livonia Chamber staff as a part
time marketing assistant. She is currently taking
classes at Schoolcraft College. She has interest in
fashion marketing, business management and
public relations. She is happy to help members
and residents with their questions, promote
member news on Facebook, take reservations for
the meeting or conference room and more.
Chamber News
13
LIVONIA, APACC CHAMBERS GO ‘GLOCAL’
Continued from front page
The event’s keynote speaker, Sigma CEO Chris Naidoo, shared
his story about growing up in South Africa and starting his own
business in the United States. Sigma produces moldings and
other parts for automobiles. Naidoo also owns Sigma Luminous,
a manufacturer of LED lighting systems for commercial
buildings.
Naidoo talked about the need to appreciate other companies and
ethnic cultures when building a business. “You can’t expect
people to conform to your market, you have to conform to their
market,” Naidoo said.
He talked about how his business needs to meet the elevated
expectations of his manufacturer customers, and it takes a
worldwide perspective to meet those expectations.
“Our customers want Swiss innovation, Japanese quality,
German engineering, Chinese pricing, and American
convenience,” Naidoo said. “That, to me, is glocalization.”
He added he is seeing a trend where more of his customers want
parts manufactured closer to their locations. Thus, Sigma will
soon open a new manufacturing facility in Eastpointe.
Livonia Chamber President Dan West said Thursday’s event was
the organization’s first step to promote more multicultural
interactions for business people in and around Livonia.
“It was a great opportunity for our chambers to branch out and
meet new people,” West said. “I think the group really enjoyed
hearing Chris’ story, since he is someone local who is pursuing
his vision of building a worldwide company.”
The Livonia Chamber’s next multicultural event is Connecting
Cultures to Business, a luncheon set for Sept. 8 at Schoolcraft
College. Nguyen, and her colleagues from the Michigan Hispanic
Chamber, Chaldean American Chamber, and AmCham
Germany will lead a panel
discussion about the
metro Detroit reach of
their respective business
communities.
Sigma CEO Chris Naidoo
also took time to answer
some questions from the
chambers’ members.
Pictured: Naidoo (left)
talking
to
Livonia
Chamber’s Gerald Bricker
of Aadvise Consulting LLC.
Chamber News
14
Western Wayne
Business Leadership Banquet
4th annual
The premier collaboration experience for Western Wayne County’s leaders.
presented by
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Ford Motor Company Conference & Event Center
5:00 pm Cocktail Reception
6:00 pm Dinner & Presentation
Featuring Keynote Speaker
Jacques Panis
President, Shinola
Crain’s Mary Kramer
returns as emcee
Photo: Michael Shuster Photography
Chamber News
15
AMBASSADORS OF THE MONTH
These featured members are honored as Ambassadors of the Month for their volunteer time for member
retention, member development and Chamber events.
JULY
AUGUST
Ken Kelsey, MAS
Brian Schuessler
KelseyPromo, LLC
(248) 474-5413
KelseyPromo.com
Edward Jones
(734) 261-0940
www.edwardjones.com
Ken is a proven marketing & branding leader with expertise in
finding custom marketing solutions that keep your product or
service top of mind, help you find new prospects, create
promotions that say ‘Thank You’ and by helping to find
appropriate solutions to increase bottom line profitability. A
continuous, active member of the Livonia Chamber, since
1973, Ken served on the Livonia Chamber Board 13 years (two
different times) and as Chair in 1999. He served on the
Promotional Products Association International board for 4
years, the last year as Vice-Chair. He loves connecting people
to other people and to the many great promotional ideas now
available, hence his company slogan People to People
Promotions. Ken coined NameInImage.com for a uniquely
new kind of calendar that puts the recipient’s name in each of
the 12 monthly photos. He markets it in U.S. and Canada.
Brian is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. His growing
practice is located here in Livonia on Middlebelt Road between
5 and 6 Mile. He helps individuals and business owners reach
their goals for retirement, education, or wealth protection with
a holistic approach to planning. Brian and his wife, Jenni, have
three children they raise here in Livonia. Benjamin (10), Julie
(7), and Micah (5) keep them busy and smiling. Brian enjoys
being active, spending time with his family, and meeting
other great people in the community.
If you are interested
in advertising in
Chamber News contact
Laura Tahmouch at
734.427.2122 or email
[email protected]
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