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August 11, 2026

The Chamber is thrilled to welcome Natalie Rufener as the new Membership Coordinator!

"My husband and I have been married for five years. We are a busy blended family with five super-active teenagers! I lived in the city of Grand Haven for 12 years before relocating to Fruitport, where my husband and I are both originally from.

My main hobby is watching my kids do their hobbies. Fortunately, it’s one of my favorite things to do! I can almost always be found on a field, at a court, or at a practice. My husband and I serve on our church praise team, and in all my free time, I create balloon décor and chocolate-covered treats on the side.

I am excited to be part of the Chamber because I love meeting new people! I look forward to making connections and becoming a go-to person our members can count on. With a background in administration, coordination, events, and people-facing roles, the Chamber seemed like the perfect fit!

My kids attend GHAPS, so although I live in Fruitport, a large part of my heart is Buccaneer blue and gold. One of my parents teaches in the SLPS district, and my siblings are alumni, so I have strong ties to both communities! I can’t wait to become even more involved throughout Northwest Ottawa County and serve the current and future members of the Chamber!

Welcome, Natalie, to the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg!

You can contact Natalie here.

Thank You to Our Chamber Challenge Golf Sponsors!

The Chamber Challenge Golf Outing is officially sold out with 133 golfers, and we couldn't be more excited for a great day on the course together!

A heartfelt thank you to all 36 of our sponsors for partnering with us on our largest fundraiser of the year. Your support makes this event possible and helps us continue serving and strengthening the Northwest Ottawa County business community.



We truly couldn't do it without you. Thank you for your partnership, generosity, and commitment to the Chamber!

BOOMERANG 2026

Have you secured your company's booth yet?

BOOMERANG connects local employers with high school juniors and seniors, helping students explore career opportunities right here in Northwest Ottawa County. By showcasing careers in manufacturing, healthcare, skilled trades, technology, construction, and more, BOOMERANG strengthens our local talent pipeline and encourages students to build their future close to home.

Date: October 13, 2026

Location: Grand Haven High School Field House

Community Conversations That Matter

The Chamber Forum Series

The big picture: Today's conversations shape tomorrow's workforce, economy, and quality of life.

Join local leaders as we tackle some of our region's most pressing topics:

• Healthcare & Mental Health
• Housing
• Transportation
• HR & Talent Development

Why attend: Gain insights, connect with decision-makers, and help influence the conversations impacting your business and our community.

Why sponsor: Demonstrate leadership, increase visibility, and support meaningful dialogue on the issues that affect Northwest Ottawa County's future.

Be informed. Be engaged. Be part of the solution.

Register or become a sponsor today.

Supporting the work of the Chamber is an investment in the future of Northwest Ottawa County. Sponsorship of the Chamber Forum Series helps make these important conversations possible by connecting business and community leaders around the challenges and opportunities shaping our region. Your support enables high-quality programming, encourages collaboration across sectors, and helps drive solutions that strengthen our workforce, businesses, and community for years to come.

Contact Heather here to discuss how you can continue to invest in the work of the Chamber.

Celebrate Women in Leadership at ATHENA 2026

Join the Chamber Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce for ATHENA on the Lakeshore Awards 2026, an inspiring annual celebration honoring outstanding women who lead, serve, and make a meaningful impact throughout our communities.

Two remarkable women will receive ATHENA awards during this year’s luncheon, recognizing their leadership, service, and commitment to opening doors of opportunity for others.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Trillium Event Center | Spring Lake

Come celebrate the talented women making a difference across our region and help us recognize this year’s ATHENA finalists and award recipients.

Sponsorship Opportunities under $500

Business Recognition Luncheon - Partner Sponsor $500

BASH Host (2027) - $300

Chamber Challenge Golf Outing - Small Business Partner $500

Holiday BASH - $500

Early Bird Breakfast – 4 min $400 and Expo Tables $300

E-News - Banner ad $75, Content Block ad $150 and Member Spotlight $250, average open rate: 52%

Networking at Noon - Expo Table $150, Event Sponsor $400

Industry Trends Report - Supporting Sponsor $500

Chamber Forums - $500 Small businesses under 10

Leadership Connect - Lunch Sponsor $500

Government Affairs - Annual Sponsor $500

When you support the Chamber by sponsoring an event or a program, your investment has a ripple effect impacting the entire membership. As a non-profit, investments are always returned to benefit the membership as a whole. The more we grow together, the greater the impact we all can have on the business and nonprofit community here in Northwest Ottawa County. A stronger economy provides a stronger community for all.

To support the Chamber by sponsoring an event or program, please contact Heather here.

Paid Member Advertising

For marketing and advertising, please contact Megan here.

The Chamber is honored to introduce Blue Line Excursions as a new member.

Join us in celebrating the official launch of this new non-profit in Grand Haven with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 20 at 3:30 pm, at 219 N. Harbor, Grand Haven.

Michigan Youth Employment Law Updates

Michigan is changing how employers hire and manage workers under 18. For now, employers should continue using school-issued work permits, but beginning October 2, 2026, the process shifts to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity through a centralized online system. A reminder to also check your minor work schedules for 14- and 15-year-olds since work-hour limits changed in 2026.

Find the complete information on the LEO website at: LEO - Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA)

Exclusive Chamber Member Benefit:

Invest in Your Team with Cornerstone University

Did you know Chamber members and their immediate family are eligible for exclusive education savings through Cornerstone University?

Invest in your team while connecting with tomorrow's workforce. Chamber members receive a 10% tuition scholarship for employees enrolling in traditional undergraduate, SOAR™ adult degree, and online programs. Members can also post job openings at no cost on Cornerstone's job board, host interns, share industry expertise with students, and help shape future talent by serving on select program advisory boards.



Learn more about these valuable Chamber member benefits and start your application by visiting our website The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg.

Advance Your Career with SOAR™ by Cornerstone University

Earn an accredited business certificate 100% from your smartphone with SOAR™ by Cornerstone University.

Certificates are available for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Click here for more information.

Learn more and apply today through SOAR™ by Cornerstone University.

Through our Business Education Partnership, the Chamber had the opportunity to collaborate with Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) to showcase a new middle school curriculum to local manufacturing leaders.

MEERA (Manufacturing and Engineering Education Re-imagined For All) is launching at Lakeshore Middle School this fall for 7th and 8th grade students, introducing them to manufacturing and engineering careers through hands-on, competency-based learning.

This collaborative program connects education, industry, and the community to help build the future workforce for our region.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Mark Allen at The Chamber or Mary Jane Evink at GHAPS.

MEERA thrives on collaboration between education, industry and community stakeholders.

• The Avalune Group named to 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams
• Voters approve county parks millage renewal
• Sheriff honors parks employee for quick thinking during medical emergency
• 'An amazing outpouring of love and support': GH shows out for the Coast Guard
• Coworkers remember Mandy as ‘a beautiful gift to all our lives’
• Murder-suicide opens conversations about domestic abuse
• GH Twp. fire chief, on murder-suicide: 'Words can't describe it'
• Coast Guard honors fallen members at National Memorial Service
• Spring Lake Township bike path project to begin this week after delay
• GHACF celebrates area students
• Community Shred Day

Click here to view our most recent New Members!

Brews & Cheers

David Bos Homes

Michigan Sober Social

Mudpenny

Northern Initiatives

Papa's Tacos N More

PMI Golden Beacon

The Rooted Therapist MI

Three Fires Golf Club

Web Mines LLC

Wise Bear Creative

August

13 | BASH at WGHN

20 | Early Bird Breakfast at Holiday Inn Spring Lake

25 | Morning Brew at Consumers Credit Union

26 | Chamber Forum on Healthcare

31 | Chamber Challenge Golf Outing

September

1 | Chamber Business Growth Series: Finding, Hiring & Keeping Great Talent

1 | Chamber Takeover Happy Hour: Burzurk Brewing

10 | BASH at Consumers Credit Union

18 | Early Bird | Insight & Impact Breakfast at Spring Lake Country Club

22 | Chamber Forum on Housing

24 | Networking at Noon: Meet. Connect. Grow.

October

6 | ATHENA 2026

8 | BASH at Ivy Rehab

13 | BOOMERANG

14 | Business Recognition Luncheon

16 | Early Bird Breakfast at Spring Lake Country Club

20 | Chamber Takeover Happy Hour at Village Baker

28 | Chamber Forum on Transportation

Learn more about upcoming events by visiting our events calendar.

Have an event that you want to add to our calendar?

It's easy to submit an event!

From the Chamber homepage, go to 'Calendar,' and then you will find 'Submit Your Event' in the upper, righthand corner. After you submit it, Hanna will approve it and then it will appear on our calendar as a Community Event.

We would like to recognize our Premier Partners

Our office is open M-F 9AM - 4PM,

call at 616.842.4910, or email a staff member directly.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Would you like to advertise in our eNews?

Contact Director of Marketing & Communications, Megan Tobin.