December 2015 newsletter

Issue #41 December 2015

CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY

Photos by Chamber Staff

Keweenaw Business Ball RSVP Today! info@keweenaw.org or 906.482.5240

Inside This Issue Letter from the Executive Director Renewing Members New Members NEW Website Broadband Regional Roundtable HEET Tips Events

Our Superior Partners. Thank You!

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Cheryl Fahrner, Executive Director Cheryl.Fahrner@Keweenaw.org

Annual Meeting & Board Elections Collaboration is what members and the community have been asking for and the Chamber has been a leader in many over this past year. Brian Donnelly, Vice President of the Chamber Board began the meeting talking about the Chamber’s Strategic Plan and the four main goals for the Chamber: Membership, Operations, Communications/Marketing and Collaboration. Highlighting collaboration, Donnelly states that the Chamber is hosting the upcoming Keweenaw Business Ball with the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), Keweenaw Young Professionals (KYP) and the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce.

The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director, Cheryl Fahrner continued with additional successful highlights from 2015 and the vision for 2016. Fahrner had the opportunity to speak in front of Broadband experts and FCC attendees at the Connect MI Broadband Conference, allowing the Chamber to feature the areas high tech universities in the Upper Peninsula, service gap areas and needs for rural Michigan. The KCVB had the opportunity to feature the Keweenaw Mobile App which also highlights the Keweenaw. Less than three weeks after the conference, the FCC announced the State of Michigan will receive 30 million dollars a year for the next six years to improve Broadband in rural Michigan. For 2016, look to see more Lunch and Learns on Social Media, QuickBooks, Customer Service and other business related topics. The Leadership Keweenaw program is a leadership development program for up and coming leaders and will begin in August 2016. In an effort to continue collaboration, there are plans to organize a regional business expo with all of the Chambers in the Regional Chamber Alliance and businesses in the Western UP.

2015

The Chamber Board of Directors Elections consisted of one incumbent up for re-election, Matt Thyer, Owner of Up and Running Technology Solutions, as well as Virginia ‘Jan’ Cole a Managing Partner of Edochi, LLC and Calvin Larson Marketing Specialist at UP Health Systems – Portage. All three were unanimously voted to the board – congratulations! Fahrner stated “that the Chamber will miss the valued input from our two past board members, Lisa Dunnebacke and Lonie Glieberman, but also looks forward to working with the Chamber’s newly elected board members”.

We want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank a couple of out outgoing board members.

Lisa Dunnebacke with the Chamber for five years!

Lonie Glieberman with the Chamber for one year.

Thank you for the time you volunteered to the organization.

Wishing you all GREAT Business Success!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

WELCOME

RENEWED!

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize the dedication of our renewed members!

Community Partners!

MEMBERS

Board of Directors Greg Seppanen, President Vice President, Trust & Financial Services Superior National Bank and Trust gseppanen@snb-t.com

Advance Tec Auto Body

Brian Donnelly, Vice President

Attorney Kevin L. Mackey

Branch Manager River Valley Bank, Houghton bdonnelly@rivervalleybank.com

Bill Fink Communications, LLC Culver’s of Houghton Eagle River Sunset House Family Chiropractic Center Isle Royale Line, The Isle Royale National Park Service Keweenaw Co-op Mine Shaft & Rock House Tavern Mount Bohemia, Aqua Log Cabins Sherwin Williams

Matt Thyer, Treasurer Owner Up and Running Technology Solutions matt.thyer@uartechsolutions.com

Karin Van Dyke, Secretary Vice President for University Relations Finlandia University karin.vandyke@finlandia.edu

Lisa Dunnebacke Associate Member ladunneb@mtu.edu

Lonie Glieberman

Thank you for your continued support!

Your Brochures Are Requested!

Owner Mount Bohemia lonieg2@yahoo.com

Darrell Guitar Agent Century 21 / North Country Agency darrell.guitar@century21.com

Beth Hoy Assistant Director, Business & Program Development Great Lakes Research Center Michigan Technological University elizabeth@mtu.edu

Carrie Richards Dual Career Program Coordinator Michigan Technological University carrie@mtu.edu

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WELCOME

MEMBERS

Julio Contracting Company Julio Contracting proudly serves the Hancock, MI area – providing commercial crane services at competitive rates. We have been in this line of work since 1947, giving us not only experience but expertise as well. We are dedicated to providing prompt, professional service because we believe you deserve nothing less. At Julio Contracting, we guarantee our work and your satisfaction.

Lawrence Julio| 21021 Royce Road - Ripley, Hancock, MI 49930 www.juliocontracting.com (906) 482-2650

Pat’s Motor Sports Motorsports – Snowmobile sales, rental, repair. ATV / side by side sales & repair.

Yamaha Dealer, Polaris Dealer, Ariens Dealer, Cub Cadet Dealer, Tanaka. Clothing and accessories – Kilm, Divas, Polaris, Yamaha Kip McIntyre| 10612 Highway M36, Greenland, MI 49929 kip@patsmotorsports.com | www.patsmotorsports.com (906) 883-3536 | (800) 883-3380

NEW WEBSITE… The Chamber has converted our database over to new software and we are very excited for the membership.

We are now in the process of finalizing the look of the new website which will integrate our new membership database and will be going live soon. We have added great new features for our members! We’ll share more as we complete the conversion. *Hot Deals! Members will have the opportunity to post coupons. What is the deal you have going on this week? A buy one get one? A free item with purchase? Whatever it might be you will be able to post these as well. *Job Postings! One of your employees has just put in a two week notice and you need to find a replacement… You can list your opening on the website as well. (*There will be an additional minimal cost.)

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

The Keweenaw Chamber’s NEW WEBSITE is LIVE! Keweenaw.org

Trina Barrette, the Executive Assistant at the Chamber had the privilege of making this years’ big announcement! The Chamber unveiled their new website and benefits that it offers to Chamber Members. Barrette stated “I think that members will be happy with the improvements to the website features, as well as the Members Only Section. It is a great new feature for members and will help the Chamber be more efficient in the years to come.”

For Chamber Members or how to become a member, please contact Trina at the Chamber Office to learn more, or sign up for an informational session that will feature more detail about the website.

Chamber Website – What you need to know!

If you have an email on file with the Chamber you should have received an email from us for logging into the Chamber’s new website. Here you can update your business information, submit events, job postings and hot deals, register for events, pay for membership and events and so much more.

Additional Informational sessions: If you would like more information, we have scheduled a few sessions that will go into more depth about the added benefits that this new site adds to your membership. Upcoming session dates are as follows: Tuesday, December 8th 2-3 pm Wednesday, December 16th 4-5pm Monday, December 21st 2-3pm Please RSVP to Trina at the Chamber Office info@keweenaw.org or 906.482.5240 Space is limited to 12 people per session.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Please Nominate a deserving person or business!

You may submit a separate nomination for a person or business which you feel fits more than one category.

• Growth - Company that has seen significant growth in employment and/or sales during the previous year.

• Quality / Customer Service / Teamwork - Recognized by the community, other businesses, and customers for providing top quality products/services.

• Innovation / Transformation - New or existing company pursuing new products or services that hold great promise for local economic growth and employment. Or, that has made a significant change in how they conduct business or in the products/services they offer, which has produced significant outcomes.

• Community Development - A company, person, or activity that has had significant positive impact on the business community.

• Person / Project of the Year - A high impact person or project that is notable within the community and will provide lasting benefits to businesses and community members.

• Young Person of the Year - A person under the age of 40 who made significant strides in our community and in their profession in 2015.

Find a nomination form as an insert or visit https://form.jotform.com/52986814727167

Keweenaw Cash Gift Certificates Chamber’s Shop Local Program To order the perfect gift for your employees, customers or just the hard to buy for.

Simply call the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce and order KEWEENAW CASH Gift Certificates. ~ Easy and Convenient ~ Ready to give in a festive envelope ~ List of accepting businesses included with each gift certificate

Order Today! 482-5240 Personalization available for an additional charge.

We accept cash, check, Visa and Mastercard.

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BROADBAND (INTERNET/CELL PHONE) TECHNOLOGY ACTION PLAN FOR HOUGHTON & KEWEENAW COUNTIES

Connect Michigan Broadband Conference Lansing – October 20, 2015 (Efforts to expand Broadband) The Chamber collaborated with WUPPDR and ConnectMI and served as the “Community Champion” for the Houghton County, Connected Communities Award receiving a “Technology Action Plan” for Houghton County and one as well, for Keweenaw County.

The Chamber was asked by ConnectMI, to be a panelist for the “Technology in Tourism” breakout session, at the State of Michigan’s Broadband Conference in Lansing, held on October 20th. The Chamber asked ConnectMI to extend the panelist invitation to the Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau.

KCVB/Chamber started with the joint card, then into a launch party for the KCVB mobile app and jointly traveled to Lansing for the Broadband Conference serving as joint panelists. We both applied for the 2015 Community Project Grant Award and were selected as one of four finalists for a five minute presentation to the 400 conference attendees.

The Keweenaw Chamber and KCVB were able to feature service gaps and highlight the area through the joint KCVB/Chamber card and the KCVB mobile app, to influential broadband experts, including people like Matthew DelNero, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, Jay Elliot, who came from IBM to help Steve Jobs create Apple and others in the State of Michigan.

The Connect Michigan Broadband conference allowed us an opportunity to collaborate and network with key individuals. In addition, providing public relations and communications opportunities with national media through interviews, stories and national live streaming of the event. The Broadband conference brought awareness to improve the community and economic vitality of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Upper Peninsula and rural Michigan.

On November 6th it was announced that the State of Michigan will receive 30 million dollars a year for six years to expand Broadband Services in rural Michigan like the Upper Peninsula.

An article from The Daily Mining Gazette “Rural Copper Country could get Internet Help” from Friday, November 6 (front page and continued on 10A) in which it mentions the FCC. “AT&T plans to connect more than 86,600 rural Michigan homes and businesses to wireless Internet service in the next six years, using 30 million dollars each year in Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Connect America Fund money to build the necessary infrastructure.” Matthew Resch stated “There are upwards of 1,000 locations in Houghton County that are eligible.” It was nice to see FCC taking quick action from the Connect MI Broadband Conference for our State and the U.P. Continued on page 17

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

REGIONAL CHAMBER ALLIANCE The Regional Chamber Alliance consists of Western U.P. Chambers of Commerce meeting for further collaboration in all six counties (Houghton/Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron). We are working together to further advance the business community as a region. The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce first proposed the Regional Chamber Alliance at the WUPPDR RPI meeting in October 2014. We have formed a steering committee from the six county Chambers and are working collaboratively on a joint effort.

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Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Congratulations to the Interested In Getting Involved?

The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce works to attract, support and develop area businesses like yours.

Participating in community events is a great way to network and create visibility for your company in the community.

AMBASSADOR RESTAURANT Celebrating 50 years!

For more information about upcoming events, check out our calendar: http://keweenawchamber.sampleorg.com /events/calendar/ Let us know if you have an upcoming event you want included on our calendar or in our next newsletter.

We are looking for photos of people doing business in the Keweenaw, to use on our website and in our newsletters. If you have photos you’d like to share, send them to info@keweenaw.org. Please include information on who took the photo and where it was taken so we can give proper credit. Thanks!

For more information on the benefits of Chamber membership, visit www.keweenaw.org or call our office at 906.482.5240 to see how we can help your business launch, grow and achieve its full potential.

Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce 902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931 p. 906.482.5240 f. 906.482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org www.keweenaw.org

www.facebook.com/Keweenaw.

Chamber

In 1965, Joseph Rossi and Marian Rossi owners, started a little "chuck wagon" pizzeria in a downtown old time tavern. Filled with rich old time ambiance, they soon filled it with the delicious smells of their homemade pies. In the 70’s, the little “chuck wagon” became known as the Ambassador Restaurant. Starting out small, it has grown and expanded into one of the City of Houghton's top destinations for the Michigan Upper Peninsula's tourist industry. Along with their sons Joe and David, who later took over the business, they established their pizzeria as a copper country must! The third generation of the Rossi family is currently running operations in the same ideologies that “Chinko" Rossi believed in… Great recipes, great attention to customers, loyal customers, great employees, equals success. Fifty years and people say the pizzas taste the same as years ago. Thin crust pizza with homemade sauces, Italian sausage, plus a large variety of specialty pizzas along with other Italian pastas, sandwiches, salads. Facebook friends number over ten thousand and delight in the posts and pictures updates.

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Chamber Member Opportunities Chamber businesses have the opportunity to sign up for Business After Hours, Eggs and Issue sponsors and Ribbon Cuttings to celebrate their grand opening, open house, or ground breaking.

Along with Chamber Members, your staff members and support team, Chamber staff, Chamber Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors attend the event to help you celebrate! A photograph of your event will be seen by many through the Chamber newsletter, as well as the Chamber’s Facebook page and Twitter site. Is your business interested in hosting a Business After Hours, being an Eggs & Issue sponsor or having a ribbon cutting? Contact Trina at the Chamber.

Is there a business that you know of that should host a Ribbon Cutting or Business After Hours to celebrate a milestone? Send us their information and we would be happy to contact them!

Leadership Partner ad.

We Want Your Input We need the following for our newsletters: • • • • •

Photos Business News New Hires Open Positions Updates about your Business

If you have photos or stories you would like to share, please send them to info@keweenaw.org.

Please include who took the photo, where it was taken, and who wrote the story, so we can give proper credit.

Thank you!

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Leadership Partner ad.

SBA Learning Center The SBA Learning Center offers free online courses available to businesses and entrepreneurs. You can find a link to this resource through your Member Information Center (MIC) on the Chamber’s new website.

The SBA offers courses such as; Introduction to Pricing, Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights, Strategic Planning, Savings Plans for Small Businesses to name just a few.

Check often as courses change and there is bound to be something there that will help you and your business continue to succeed.

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Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Safe & Reliable Electricity Customer Service Proud Community Supporter

Learn more about us and how to reduce your energy bills at www.uppco.com Our roots run deep in the Keweenaw, going back to 1884, just five years after Edison’s incandescent bulb put electricity at the fingertips of people. That year, Peninsula Electric Light and Power Company was organized in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Because Peninsula Electric Light and Power was our original predecessor, you might say UPPCO grew up with the electric utility industry. From the Edison bulb to high-tech electronics, our company has been providing energy to the area and U.P. for more than 100 years.

Residential Customer Service 800-562-7680 Business Solutions 800-337-8445 Superior Partner ad.

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Broadband

continued from page 8

If you would like to watch the conference in its entirety there is Broadband livestream from the conference in Lansing: http://www.michiganliveevents.com/2015/10/conn ected-nation-2015-michigan-broadbandconference-oct-20th-live-videowebcast/ Information from FCC representative, Matthew DelNero is located at program times 6:22:36 to end 7:05: This was streamed all day, times are in HOURS and minutes/seconds. The FCC talked about how Federal dollars will be given to companies to expand services to providers who want to bring more and better broadband to rural America.

Leadership Partner ad.

REMINDER: KCVB & CHAMBER CARD ARE PRINTED AND AVAILABLE AT BOTH OUR OFFICES!!!

Leadership Partner ad.

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Watch for your Energy Saving Tips in the Chamber Newsletter. Brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team and their sponsoring businesses.

Join us to help these two companies celebrate.

Gardenview Assisted Living Center on Friday, December 11th and The NEW Walgreens on Saturday, December 12th!

Time TBA

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Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Events in the Keweenaw: More information on all of the following events can be found here. http://keweenawchamber.com/events/calendar/ December 1 – Keweenaw Chamber Annual Meeting and Elections!

December 4-5 – The Nutcracker. The Minnesota Ballet and Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra present a fullystaged production, with live orchestra, of Tchaikovsky's enchanting Nutcracker ballet.

December 5 – Poor Artists Sale. The 39th annual juried art fair sponsored by the Copper Country Community Arts Center.

December 5 – Craft Fair. This is the South Range Elementary' s Booster Club host their 4th Annual Craft Fair.

Admission is free. Lunch and baked goods will be on sale December 5 – Terry Lee Goffee as Johnny Cash. A return engagement by Terry Lee. He makes this show different and unique by portraying Johnny Cash in the first person, rather than just standing there singing the songs. Like December 6 – Sons of Norway Julfest. Anyone with an interest, connection to Norway is invited to attend.

December 9 – KEDA Meeting. KEDA will host their monthly meeting.

December 9 – Keweenaw Business Ball. The Chamber, KYP, KEDA and the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce have joined together for one Holiday Party.

December 11 – Ribbon Cutting. Gardenview Assisted Living Center to host a Ribbon Cutting at 2pm.

December 12 – Ribbon Cutting. Walgreens will host a Ribbon Cutting.

December 12 – Songs of the Season. The Michigan Tech Concert Choir and conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers explore Songs of the Season!

December 15 – Regional Roundtable. You are invited to attend the next Regional Roundtable (formerly known as Thirsty Thursday). The event is open to anyone with an interest in promoting and supporting the Western UP. December 19 – MTU Winter Graduation. Michigan Tech to host it’s winter graduation ceremony.

December 20 – Free Community Meal. Bring friends and meet new ones in this comfortable and relaxed environment, for a delicious and nutritious meal.

December 28 – Monday Morning Coffee. Join Jason Mack and fellow entrepreneurs to learn what MTEC has to offer and share what you have been working on. Entrepreneurs and friends who like coffee, coffee cake and conversation are welcome.

Submit your events here… http://keweenawchamber.com/events/public-submission

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902 College Avenue, P.O. Box 336 Houghton, MI 49931

p. 906.482.5240 f. 906.482.5241 e. info@keweenaw.org Business Hours Monday thru Friday 9 am to 5:30pm

The Chamber is a proud Member of the

www.keweenaw.org www.facebook.com/Keweenaw.Chamber

Visibility Opportunities

The Mission, Vision and Philosophy of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce: The MISSION of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is to improve the community and economic vitality of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The VISION of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is to create a sustainable, diverse, and vibrant economy that fosters excellent quality of life.

The PHILOSOPHY of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is such that we believe we can achieve our vision through effective leadership and collaboration with other organizations, business leaders, and community members while working with integrity towards the achievement of common goals through shared resources, skills, and ideas.

Looking for a way to get your advertising message out to a fresh new crowd? The Chamber newsletter has a printed circulation of more the 200 local businesses. We can accept print-ready ads or build an ad for you…just ask for details. Email advertising is also available and reaches 1,600 email addresses!

Newsletter and email advertising gets proven results – let us help you grow your business today!

The deadline is the 20th of the month for the next month’s newsletter. For example, December 20 is the deadline for an ad in the January newsletter.

Call us with questions!

Ad rates per issue: Full page ½ page ¼ page 1/8 page Email campaign

$100 $ 75 $ 50 $ 25 $ 25

Keweenaw Community “Sparkplug Awards�

Nomination Form Name of Nominee: Nominee is a current member of (check all that apply) Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce

Keweenaw Young Professionals

Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau

Unknown

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Sparkplug Award to be nomination for (circle one): You may submit a separate nomination for a person or business in each category you feel they fit more than one category.

Growth - Company that has seen significant growth in employment and/or sales during the previous year.

Quality / Customer Service / Teamwork - Recognized by the community, other businesses, and customers for providing top quality products/services.

Innovation / Transformation - New or existing company pursuing new products or services that hold great promise for local economic growth and employment. Or, that has made a significant change in how they conduct business or in the products/services they offer, which has produced significant outcomes in terms of revenue or employment.

Community Development - A company, person, or activity that has had significant positive impact on the business community.

Person / Project of the Year - A high impact person or project that is notable within the community and will provide lasting benefits to businesses and community members.

Young Person of the Year - A person under the age of 40 who made significant strides in our community and in their profession in 2015.

Nomination Reason: (Please describe in 200-400 words why this above person/business/project should be receiving an award.) Please use the back or a separate sheet of paper if more room is needed.

Please return completed form(s) to the Chamber no later than February 1, 2016.

Address: Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Email: PO Box 336, Houghton, MI 49931

Trina.Barrette@Keweenaw.org

LEADERSHIP KEWEENAW PROGRAM TO BEGIN AUGUST 2016

The Leadership Keweenaw Steering Committee is launching the Leadership Keweenaw program in August 2016 to give area businesses an opportunity to identify a key individual in their company to send through the program.

This will also give companies time to hopefully put the program into their company budgets for 2016. We shared information on the new Leadership Program at the June 18th, Chamber Eggs & Issues Breakfast. We are encouraging companies to select and send a key employee and for large organizations/businesses to commit to sending two or three individuals each year. Interested individuals may participate in this great new program which will create new, engaged leaders in your businesses and in our community! We are in the process of raising funds to support the Leadership Program, please let us know if you can help. If you would like the PDF of the PowerPoint Presentation to learn more about the program, please contact the Chamber office. We had individuals step forward to help form a volunteer steering committee. I wish to thank Marilyn Clark, Devin Leonarduzzi, Dana Johnson, Cathy Lucchesi, Kathy Flagstadt, Ruth Archer, Robbyn Lucier and Mary Jane Hatton for assisting the Chamber in bringing an important Leadership Program to the community.

Leadership Keweenaw will be collaborating with many organizations across the Keweenaw to be presenters, for a one-day, monthly session (2 days in August) from September 2016 to May 2017. Although not yet finalized, the following topics and skills may be included for the leadership program.

Monthly session community awareness topics: • Opening Retreat – History of Houghton/Keweenaw Counties & Business, Industry & Technology • Natural Resources – (Mining, Forestry, Geo-Tourism) • Government & Community • Human & Public Services • Legal System • Education & Workforce Development • Economic Development & Infrastructure • Environment & Stewardship • Health, Wellness & Community Service • Closing Retreat The following leadership skills: Personal Leadership Styles The Art of Networking Responsibility of Leadership Social Media & Personal Branding Business Etiquette Communication & Difficult Conversations • Project Management, Time Management, Event Planning • Productive Meetings • Negotiation • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Valuing Diversity Managing & Resolving Conflict Public Speaking Strategic Leadership Performing Teams Building Consensus Creative Problem Solving Delegation Boardsmanship Personal Action Plan

The program fees, registration materials and agendas are being finalized. We are looking for a maximum of 26 participants for the program. If you are ready to be engaged in the Leadership Keweenaw program, please reach out to the Chamber office at (906) 482-5240.