The annual report summarizes the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce's activities and accomplishments in 2014. It highlights that West Michigan continues to see strong economic growth and recognition as an attractive business region. The Chamber assisted its members through business advocacy, leadership development programs, and events that promoted connections and business growth. Looking ahead, the Chamber outlined new strategic priorities around innovation, influence, and access and a calendar of upcoming programs and initiatives to further support the business community in 2015.

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ANNUAL REPORT

2. IIt’s been another great year for business in Grand Rapids
and the West Michigan community continues to grow
as an attractive region. Twenty West Michigan firms were
named on the Inc. 500|5000 list of America’s fastest-growing
private companies last year, and Grand Rapids recently earned
a number two spot on the“Top 5 U.S. Cities for Advanced
Manufacturing”list—boasting a 42% increase in jobs over the last
five years. Forbes ranks the area 4th
on the“Best Cities for Finding
Employment”list, and Livibility places us among the
“Top 100 Best Places to Live.”
All of these and many more accolades are well-deserved
and demonstrate the initiative, innovation, and inspiration of
Chamber members. We at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber
of Commerce are honored to have assisted our members in
business and the community over the last year.
It’s been rewarding to share insights into business issues
and trends with you and watch our members develop new
connections and meaningful relationships with each other. As
your Chamber, we have promoted pro-business policies, fostered
small business growth and supplier diversity, developed strong
leaders, and helped you attract and retain diverse talent.
As we look to 2015 and beyond, we are focused on deepening
the Chamber’s service by bringing innovation, influence, and
access to you—our members—and increase connections,
resources, and leadership within our community. Stay tuned as
we launch and implement our new strategic plan.
Thank you for your continued involvement—whether it’s by
participating in events and programs, by working on one of our
committees, or simply by leveraging your membership to grow
your business. Your investment in the Chamber is invaluable.
After all, you ARE the Chamber and, together, we are working to
enhance the economic environment and enrich the quality of
life here in West Michigan.
Rick Baker
President & CEO
PRESIDENT & CEO
A Message from the
[ [
We have a strong, bold vision—to
lead the business community to
create a dynamic, top-of-mind
region—and we have developed
strategies and tactics to help us
move forward.
Starting in 2015, we’re focusing on
three mission-based areas.
Strategic Plan
Innovation: To actively connect the
Grand Rapids and West Michigan
business community, we will deepen
our knowledge of our members and
provide innovative information and
programming on issues impacting
business success.
Influence: As the most influential
business organization in West
Michigan, we will further strengthen
the voice of business by providing
leadership on discussions shaping
our region and broadening member
engagement in developing the
policies, relationships, and leaders for
unprecedented economic growth.
Access: Because providing access
to resources, information, training,
talent development, business
connections, and policy makers is key
to the Chamber’s work, we will use
input from the business community,
industry trends and data to continue
to develop, improve, and deliver high-
value opportunities for our members.

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4. DIVERSE TALENT
& COMMUNITY LEADERS
Your Chamber Connects
The Chamber is invested in helping you attract, retain, engage, and
develop diverse talent. In 2014, our many programs and services
offered ways for members to grow leaders and cultivate community,
collaboration, and cultural knowledge.
875 people participated in OutPro and MAP networking events
43 professionals went behind the scenes with Inside Grand Rapids
161 attendees mingled, met, and enjoyed the annual Grand Rapids
House Party
Individuals utilized the Chamber to advance their leadership
skills, enhance their community awareness, and expand their
connections
TALENT &
LEADERSHIP
2,251
Attendees improved their cultural competency through Chamber
events and trainings
215 celebrated the annual Diversity Visionary Award
95 participated in theInstituteforHealingRacismprogram
72 attended the second annual Diversity & Inclusion Forum
468
DIVERSITY
& INCLUSION
1,047 participants engaged in leadership development
opportunities, events, and programs through the Center for
Community Leadership (CCL)
125 professionals attended Board Connect 2014, an event that
provided area non-profits with the opportunity to connect with potential
board members, committee members and volunteers.

5. “
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The Chamber is very helpful. It’s a resource; it’s a connector; it’s an
ambassador for our city to new companies and new employees.
Their promotion of our city and our economics has helped all of
us. Being in business in Grand Rapids is a great thing.
—Mary Witte, President & Owner, r.o.i. Design

6. BUSINESS
& WEST MICHIGAN
Your Chamber Fights For
With 2014 being an election year, the Chamber provided a strong voice
at the national, state, and local levels to advance pro-business policies,
provide guidance on candidates, and tackle issues impacting
members and West Michigan companies.
KEY ISSUES & OUTCOMES
connected with elected officials and other
members through advocacy events
1,913 participants
RELENTLESS
ADVOCACY
• Advocated for legislation to
eliminate the Personal Property
Tax (PPT) on small business and
manufacturers
• Improved flexibility in the Michigan
Merit Curriculum
• Advocated and secured a cut in Health
Insurance Claims Tax
• Joined the Detroit Regional Chamber to
announce support for including LGBT protections
in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
• Supported passage of the $65 million Early
Childhood Education expansion; included
language to strengthen private sector competition
for the additional dollars
• Stopped legislation that eroded the Certificate
of Need process
• Advocated to reform the process for veterans
to receive credit at community colleges
• Lobbied in support of legislation to extend the
Grand Rapids’Smartzone and create a satellite
Smartzone in Holland
• Hosted Street Summit II with Grand Valley Metro
Council to build support for a long-term solution
to transportation funding in Michigan
• Completed the West Michigan Competitiveness
in Logistics Study to support a possible intermodal
facility that could offer competitive advantages for
moving products
Ballot Box
Results
69%
Voted to pass Proposal 1 in
August, solidifying important PPT
reforms
Of Chamber endorsed candidates
were successful in the general
election, including GRPS and GRCC
board elections
90% 66% Of the public voted yes to pass the
local Fix Our Roads Campaign

7. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber helps me learn about the
new taxes and regulations that impact our business as well as
connect with elected officials and local businesses.
— Tom Bylenga, President, Star Truck Rentals
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8. BUSINESS GROWTH
Your Chamber Fosters
The Chamber supports a robust business community by offering the
information, contacts, resources and opportunities needed to flourish.
In 2014, we offered 131 well-attended events and programs— from
networking lunches to ribbon cuttings to signature celebrations
and awards.
10,461
Discovered the power of membership through six New
Member Connections
Grew business and leadership insights at monthly Business Matters
Series and workshops
Bolstered their business and community connections
at networking events
Connected at events designed for cultivating minority business
development opportunities
LEARN, CONNECT
GROW
1,119
580
228
7,330
Celebrated business successes with ribbon cuttings
78
Diverse professionals and business leaders:
total attendees at 131 Chamber events programs
53 Received direct assistance with federal, state and local issues
Learned leadership lessons at bi-monthly ATHENA Leadership
Forums and annual ATHENA Awards Celebration1,126

9. The Chamber helps us to make the RIGHT connections that
enable us to continue to grow. I would encourage other
companies to engage the Chamber and the resources early in
their development and growth stage.
— Gary Schuler, Owner, MyWay Storage
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ANNUALREPORT2014

10. LOOKING AHEAD
Each year, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber helps entrepreneurs grow
their businesses, professionals lead their organizations, and community
leaders expand their reach.
Here’s a preview of what lies ahead for 2015.
• Diversity Visionary Award Celebration: March 5
• Center for Community Leadership 30th Anniversary: April 30
• EPIC Awards: June 1
• The Chamber Open: June 11
• Grand Rapids House Party: August 26 (tentative)
• ATHENA Awards Celebration: September 17
• Healthcare Summit: September 25
• Diversity Inclusion Forum: November 20
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR
• Launching new PeerSpectivesTM
roundtable for second
stage businesses
• Kicking off new Institute for Healing Racism (IHR) alumni
programing
• Leveraging the Minority Business Showcase to foster strong
growth and supplier diversity
• Promoting new campaigns to highlight member stories
and the West Michigan business community
GROW BUSINESS,
DEVELOP TALENT
TOP POLICY
INITIATIVES
• Long-term transportation funding
• Reliable, competitive and affordable energy policy
• Lowering health care costs by resisting new mandates and improving the ACA
• Reforming air toxics regulations that currently limit business growth
• Comprehensive statewide recycling plan
• Create access to intermodal opportunities in West Michigan
• Accountability and reform in talent development and education policies

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Imperial Design Companies
Irwin Seating Company
J H Oil
Kent Companies, Inc.
Knape Vogt Manufacturing Company
KPMG LLC
L - 3 Avionics Systems
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Little River Casino Resort
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
MVP Sports Clubs
Paul Goebel Group
Plante Moran, PLLC
Priority Health
ProCare Systems, Inc.
Rhoades McKee PC
Rockford Construction Company, Inc.
RoMan Manufacturing, Inc.
Schupan Sons Inc.
Superior Asphalt, Inc.
Teleperformance
The Rapid
Total Plastics Inc.
University of Michigan Business Engagement Center
UPS
Van Andel Institute
Walgreens Store #9131
Waters Building, LLC
Williams Distributing Co.
Windstream
WOODTV8/WXSP/WOTV
THANKYOU FORYOUR CONTINUED
SUPPORT INVOLVEMENT
You ARE the Chamber. We value and appreciate all of our members. Your contributions to your employees, your
business, your community—and yes, your Chamber—really do matter. Thank you for your continued support as
we work together to build a vibrant top-of-mind business community in Grand Rapids.
Visionaries
Partners
Amway
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
FifthThird Bank
Meijer, Inc.
Spectrum Health
Steelcase Inc.
Investors
Consumers Energy
Foremost Insurance Company
Huntington Bank
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Mercy Health
Metro Health
SpartanNash
StoryPoint
Warner Norcross Judd LLP
WolverineWorldwide, Inc.
American Seating Company
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Bucher Hydraulics, Inc.
Cascade Engineering, Inc.
Crystal Flash Energy
DP Fox Holdings, LLC/Fox Motors
GE Aviation
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Drive
Haworth, Inc.
Huizenga Group
LawWeathers
Mercy Health Physician Partners
Merrill Lynch
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Miller Johnson
MLive Media Group /The Grand Rapids Press
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
PNC Bank
Pridgeon Clay, Inc.
Red Cedar Insurance Agency
Smith Haughey Rice Roegge, PC
Tanger Outlets
Varnum LLP
a.j.Veneklasen, Inc.
AAA Michigan
ADAC Automotive
Adtegrity.com
America'sTransportation Resources, LLC
Aquinas College
ATT Michigan
Autocam Medical
Autodie LLC
Bank of America
Beene Garter LLP
BISSELL Inc.
Blackmer, A Dover Company
Blue Care Network of Michigan
Bouma Corporation
Calvin College
CHASE
Cherry Health
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Comcast
Comerica Bank
COMLINK
Country Fresh, LLC
Daniel Pamella DeVos Foundation
Dave Cole Decorators, Inc.
Davenport University
Dematic Corp.
Eaton Aerospace
Ernst Young LLP
ETNA Supply Company
Farmers Insurance Group
Fishbeck,Thompson, Carr Huber, Inc.
Foster Swift Collins Smith, P.C.
Founders Bank Trust
FourWinds Casino Resort
Franklin Partners LLC
GMB Architecture Engineering
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.
GrandValley State University
Grandville Printing Company
Great Lakes Heavy Haul, Inc.
Grotenhuis
Heartland - Greenview #4202
Herman Miller, Inc.
Hope Network
Hylant of Grand Rapids, LLC
Trustees

12. 111 Pearl St. SW | Grand Rapids, MI 49503
grandrapids.org Annual Report Underwriter