The Women’s Resource Center’s 2009 Pillar Awards luncheon saw Executive Director Sharon Caldwell-Newton (second from right) present the award to representatives of three organizations: Jeffrey Connolly of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Jenny Shangraw of The Right Place Inc. and Ron Nelson of YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.
Business Journal Spotlight
21st Annual Pillar Awards
March 17, Amway Grand Plaza
The Women’s Resource Center 21st Annual Huntington Pillar Awards luncheon ceremony honors three local companies for efforts to recruit, retain and advance women in the workplace. The award-winning organizations are selected from a pool of applicants and are honored at a luncheon attended by 500 business community leaders.
11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ambassador Ballroom, Amway Grand Plaza. Cost: $50. Registration: www.grwrc.org or (616) 458-5443.
Mar 9
Grand Rapids Bar Association program “Diversity Roundtable: Retention of Diverse Attorneys.” Keynote speakers: Robert J. Grey Jr., partner, Hunton & Williams, and Cynthia Thomas Calvert, Hastings College of Law. 8 a.m.-noon, GVSU, Loosemore Auditorium, 401 W. Fulton St. Cost: $25. Information/registration: www.grbar.org.
Mar 9
Inforum luncheon “Benchmarking Women’s Leadership,” presented by Marie C. Wilson, founder and president, The White House Project. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., University Club of MSU, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing. Cost: $30/members; $40/members; $350/table of 10. Information/registration: www.inforummichigan.org.
Mar 10
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Member Orientation. Noon- 1 p.m., Chamber Offices, 111 Pearl St. NW. Free, lunch provided. Registration: www.grandrapids.org or (616) 771-0303.
Mar 10
Interchange program “Bridging 96: Newsmakers from East and West,” presented by Carole Valade, Grand Rapids Business Journal, and Mary Kramer, Crain’s Detroit Business. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Press Club of Grand Rapids, 10th floor, Fifth Third Center, 111 Lyon St. NW. Cost: $15/students; $20/members; $30/nonmembers. Information/registration: www.interchangewmi.org.
Mar 10
The Employers’ Association program “Dealing with Garnishments, Credit and Collections for HR Professionals,” presented by Randall Groendyk, Varnum Law. 8:30-10:30 a.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $65/members; $90/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.
Mar 10
The Employers’ Association program “Disciplined Problem Solving & Corrective Action,” presented by Randy Lubbers. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $205/members; $265/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.
Mar 10
The Employers’ Association program “Managing Conflict.” 8:30 a.m.-noon, 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $95/members; $135/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.
Mar 10
Varnum Consulting Leadership Development program “Speak Up & Be Effective.” Information: (616) 336-7070 or www.varnumconsulting.com.
Mar 11
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Business Exchange Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Applause Catering & Events, 2728 Birchcrest Drive SE. Cost $18/members in advance, $23 after 5 p.m. Mar. 8; $23/future members (can only attend once).
Mar 11
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Intro to GROW Orientation. First step for anyone who wants to enroll in additional classes. Noon-1 p.m., GROW, 25 Sheldon SE, Suite 210. Cost: free. Information/registration: (616) 458-3404 or www.GROWbusiness.org.
Mar 11
Michigan Business & Professional Association program “Elite Suite Series: Creating a Successful Formula for Engagement.” 8:30 a.m., Davenport University, Lettinga Campus, Meeting Hall B, 6191 Kraft Ave. Cost: $20/members; $25/nonmembers. Information/registration: www.michbusiness.org.
Mar 11
Van Andel Global Trade Center 12th Annual Automotive Supplier Symposium. 7:30-11:30 a.m., GVSU Bicycle Factory, 201 Front St. SW. Cost: $150. Information/registration: www.vagtc.org or (616) 331-6811.
Mar 11, 18
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women “Start Smart 1” and “Start Smart 2.” Two-part class allows participants to self-assess their business readiness and is a pre-requisite for “Minding Your Own Business” program. 6:30-9 p.m., GROW, 25 Sheldon SE, Suite 210. Cost: $70. Information/registration: (616) 458-3404 or www.GROWbusiness.org.
Mar 11, 18, 25
Ken Soper’s Work Search Roundtable, a career assurance and transition club. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Thu.., Spring Arbor University, 1550 East Beltline Ave. SE, Suite 230. Cost: $5. Information: www.kensoper.com, kensoper@yahoo.com or (616) 698-3125. Also meets Wed. evenings at Beverly Reformed Church, Wyoming. See Web site for details.
Mar 12
The Employers’ Association program “American Heart Association First Aid & CPR Certification,” presented by Michael Bowens, Emergency Response Training. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 5570 Executive Parkway SE. Cost: $45/prepaid members; $50/members; $60/nonmembers. Information/registration: (616) 698-1167, training@teagr.org or www.teagr.org.
Mar 12
Women in Successful Enterprises (WISE) program “Women Leadership Conference – Bridging the Gap from Good to Great.” Keynote speaker: Rita Woodruff, Gill Industries. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Davenport University, 6191 Kraft Ave. SE. Cost $125/members; $139/nonmembers (includes continental breakfast and box lunch). Information/registration: www.wiseconnections.org, www.miceed.org or (616) 929-7201.
Mar 12-14
Kohler Expos presents West Michigan Women’s Expo. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., DeVos Place. Cost: $8/adults; $6/children 6-14; free/children 5 and under. Information: www.kohlerexpo.com
Mar 13-14
Rental Property Owners Association and Real Estate Investors of Michigan Annual Conference and Expo. Keynote speakers: Lou Brown and Jeffrey Taylor. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., DeVos Place. Cost: $89/members; $109/nonmembers (until Mar 12); $99/members; $119/nonmembers (after Mar 12). Includes breakfast, lunch, keynote speakers, roundtable discussion and four breakout sessions. Registration: (800) 701-7762 or contactrpoa@rpoaonline.org.
Mar 15
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Great Decisions Lecture Series. Topic: “The New Face of Global Crime And Steps to Prevent It,” by Andy Arena, FBI, Detroit Office. 6-7:30 p.m., Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1607 Robinson Road SE. Cost: $7/members and students with ID; $15/nonmembers.
Mar 16
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women Executive Series workshop “SBA Loan Opportunities for Small Businesses,” presented by Brian Picarazzi, Michigan SBA, and Doris Drain, United Bank. 6-9 p.m., GROW, 25 Sheldon SE, Suite 210. Cost: $40. Registration: (616) 458-3404.
Meetings & Conventions
Information: Janet Korn, (616) 233-3545 or jkorn@visitgrandrapids.org.
Mar 11-13
Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning. 2010 Annual Conference. Amway Grand Plaza/DeVos Place.