Economic Forecast Breakfast for NW Ottawa County | | |
Join us for the 2026 Economic Forecast Breakfast. Dr. Isely will share his annual analysis of national, state, and regional economic trends - and what they mean for Northwest Ottawa County. From workforce and housing to inflation and consumer behavior, discover how upcoming shifts in the economy could impact your organization. Dr. Isely will prepare a personalized forecast specifically for our community.
This is more than a forecast - it’s your roadmap for planning ahead. Whether you’re refining your business strategy, preparing budgets, or exploring growth opportunities, Dr. Isely’s data-driven insights will help you make informed decisions for the year to come.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Paul Isely joined GVSU in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. and M.S. in Economics from Purdue University. With research rooted in West Michigan data, his work explores innovation, sustainability, and the forces shaping our regional economy.
| | Sponsorship Opportunities | | |
What does 'Sponsoring' a Chamber event mean?
It means sharing about your business to an average of 104 early risers and go-getters once a month, over 130 growth-minded professionals, almost 200 community leaders and partners celebrating the past year's accomplishments, or close to 4,000 recipients of our weekly e-newsletter.
It means initiating conversation between economic leaders, thought-provoking professionals, and dedicated teams in and around NW Ottawa County.
It means investing in community partnerships that strengthen everything from downtown shopping districts to housing and transportation to the schools educating our children.
It means choosing better when so many are settling for less.
If 2026 is the year to grow, expand, invest, and celebrate together, then join the Chamber of Commerce in supporting economic vitality in NW Ottawa County with these events:
The Early Bird Breakfast on January 16 at The Kirby House
The Economic Forecast Breakfast on February 3 at the Spring Lake Country Club
The Early Bird Breakfast on February 20 at Holiday Inn, Spring Lake
The Early Bird Breakfast on March 20 at Holiday Inn Spring Lake
The Annual Chamber Meeting and Celebration on April 30
Reach out to Heather here to secure the opportunity to share about your business.
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Meet Chamber member, Beyond26!
"Beyond26 supports adults with disabilities in finding employment through individualized advocacy and networking. We do this by reaching out to local businesses, finding volunteer opportunities, and growing our community. Our faith-based endeavor reaches a wide range of jobseekers and employers in West Michigan, letting us put our faith to work.
For many individuals with disABILITIES, traditional educational support ends at age 26, often leaving them without a clear path forward. The name of our organization reflects this critical reality.
While transitioning to employment should be the next step, such opportunities are often scarce.
Beyond26 bridges the gap between local businesses and a community of excited and available jobseekers through networking and advocacy, ensuring these individuals have access to the resources they need for purpose and independence.
Operating as a 100% community-funded organization, Beyond26 relies entirely on the generosity of the community and partners rather than government mandates, allowing for a highly personalized and flexible approach for the job search.
To provide diverse opportunities, Beyond26 has developed in-house programs that offer both valuable services to the community and hands-on training for jobseekers: the Shredding Program and the Pew Busters Program.
The Shredding Program offers a secure document destruction service, while the Pew Busters Program specializes in light cleaning and maintenance for local churches. These initiatives enable jobseekers to develop professional skills, gain confidence, and demonstrate their reliability in real-world settings.
One of their shredding programs operates in Grand Haven at Covenant Life Church, offering easier access and localized support for families and businesses along the Lakeshore.
By nurturing these connections, Beyond26 is not merely filling job openings; they are transforming the culture of the West Michigan workforce. With the community's support, they continue to demonstrate that when barriers are removed, every individual has the potential to make a significant contribution to their community’s success.
Secure Shredding in Grand Haven
Are you looking for a secure way to dispose of sensitive documents while supporting a great cause? The Grand Haven location is ready to help!
By utilizing their shredding services, you are directly providing meaningful work and vocational training for their jobseekers.
| | The Chamber’s publication of Grand Living 2026 is live and available online. This edition of Grand Living focuses on powering progress, strengthening business, and building community. Read about the Chamber, Chamber Programs, businesses in our community making a difference, community events, the membership guide, and the buyer’s guide. This is a vital resource for our business community! Click here for the digital copy. | | |
Making the Most of Chamber Events in 2026
Whether you’re new to the Chamber or looking to deepen your connections this year, our events are one of the best ways to build relationships, grow your network, and get involved in the community. We know that walking into a room full of people you don’t know can feel intimidating, but you’re never walking in alone.
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Your Chamber Ambassadors Are Here to Help
At every event, you’ll see our Ambassadors at the registration table and throughout the room wearing blue name badges. They’re some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, and they are there to help you feel welcome, make introductions, and get connected. If you ever feel unsure about who to talk to next, just look for a blue badge, they’re always happy to chat.
General Networking Tips That Always Work
- Arrive with one goal. Maybe it’s meeting two new people or reconnecting with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
- Use the environment. Comment on the venue, the food, the turnout, anything that naturally opens a conversation.
- Ask easy questions. “How long have you been part of the Chamber?” or “What’s something exciting happening in your business right now?”
- Join a group already talking. A simple “Mind if I join you?” works every time.
- Share something memorable. A quick story, a recent win, or a fun fact about your business helps people remember you.
- Follow up. A short email or LinkedIn connection after the event keeps the momentum going.
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Remember:
Everyone is there for the same reason: to connect, learn, and grow. You belong in every room you walk into, and we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity.
Please feel free to reach out to April Tripp anytime by email or calling 616.846.3165. She's here to support you, answer questions, and help you make the most of your Chamber experience!
| | | The Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony | |
We are still accepting nominations for businesses and non-profits that are innovating, growing, driving transformation, setting new standards, and demonstrating an extraordinary impact on NW Ottawa County.
Nominate a business for one of the Chamber Excellence Awards:
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Mission in Action Award - recognizing non‑profits that demonstrate extraordinary impact and service.
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Entrepreneurial Excellence Award - celebrating small businesses (less than 30 employeese) that embody innovation, resilience, and growth.
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Strategic Success Award - honoring medium‑sized businesses (31-150 employees) that balance growth, community impact, and leadership.
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Business Innovator Award - spotlighting large businesses (over 150 employees) driving transformation and setting new standards.
Important Notes:
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All nominees must be current Chamber members in good standing.
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Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026.
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Congratulations to Love in Action on the ribbon cutting of their new storehouse location at 323 N. Ferry St - across the street from their medical and dental clinics and offices!
By renovating and opening their new storehouse, Love in Action more than doubled their square footage allowing them to better meet the growing needs of our community. Since 2017, the number of people served by LIA food pantries has nearly tripled.
The new storehouse offers more streamlined operations, including a drive-through donation drop-off for your convenience, a safer and more comfortable environment for their volunteers and staff, and a dedicated space for receiving and storing food donations.
Approximately 1,200lbs of food flow through the Love in Action Donation Processing Center to their food pantries each week.
Congratulations to the entire Love in Action community - staff, volunteers, and donors - for this important and necessary growth to meet the needs of our wonderful community.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit their website here.
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Join us in congratulating Tony Rubleski, President and Owner of the Mind Capture Group, on the publication of his 10th book, Don't Quit!
Don't Quit by Tony Rubleski has 50 lessons from 30 years of hustle. It is a book that you can pick up anytime you need perspective, a push, or a reminder that you've got what it takes.
Tony is a bestselling author, president of the Mind Capture Group, with over 25 years of professional development experience. He is an executive business coach, TEDx presenter, and in-demand keynote speaker who has given hundreds of presentations. He is the founder of the Life by Design Summit in Sedona, Arizona, and the annual Mind Capture Bootcamp in Grand Rapids, now in its 15th year. Tony is a long-time Chamber member.
Congratulations, Tony, on this prestigious achievement! We are thrilled to share in this exciting milestone. To purchase Don't Quit or any of Tony's books, order through The Bookman to support a local bookshop and Chamber member.
| | Community Impact Day 2026 | | Nonprofit organizations of NW Ottawa County are encouraged to submit volunteer opportunities for Community Impact Day 2026! We are looking for projects in and around your organization that need a few extra hands. Projects can be small and require only a few volunteers or large and require many volunteers. Projects should be able to be accomplished within a 4–6-hour time block. Not sure about your project? Contact Nicole by email or phone. To submit your project, please click here. | | |
Learn more about upcoming events by visiting our events calendar.
Curious about event sponsorship opportunities? Contact Heather Solomon by email or by calling 616.842.4910.
| | 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!
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Would you like to advertise in our eNews?
Contact Director of Marketing & Communications, Megan Tobin.
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