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Member Spotlight: Mark Cory - FranNet of Michigan

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:32:26 GMT

Mark Cory has owned the Michigan FranNet franchise since 2002. FranNet is the nation’s oldest (since 1987) and most respected franchise consulting firm, and in 2010 and 2011 was ranked in the Inc. Magazine 500 List of fastest-growing private companies. FranNet offers consulting services on a no fee, no obligation basis.

Member Spotlight: Clean Energy Coalition

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:04:44 GMT

Clean Energy Coalition is a non-profit organization that builds public/private partnerships to advance clean energy technologies and build healthier communities.

Member Spotlight: Kelly Klever Massage

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:02:41 GMT

This past September Kelly Klever Massage had the Grand Opening of their new professional massage office on the West Side of Ann Arbor.

Kelly Klever Massage offers both the unique experience of Therapeutic Medical Massage (relief of chronic and acute pain) and Relaxation Massage for individuals and corporaions.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:38:50 GMT

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Their vision is to match a “Big” with every “Little” in Washtenaw Country that needs or wants one. Since Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County was established in 1991, the agency has served nearly 2000 at-risk youth with one-to-one mentoring relationships through their school, site and community based programs.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: FlockTAG

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:02:26 GMT

FlockTAG puts THE BIG in Small Business by helping local businesses know and grow their customer base. FlockTAG has created a Mobile Marketing and Loyalty platform that helps restaurants and cafés better compete with big chains by offering a more desirable solution to attract new customers and earn more from existing patrons. FlockTAG has uniquely combined the benefits of a high-tech universal loyalty card, plus personalized deals delivered through a mobile app, to create the first truly collaborative neighborhood network that grows local businesses.

A2Y Chamber takes positions on statewide ballot proposals

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:47:44 GMT

Last week the Chamber announced its positions on several local ballot issues coming before voters in November. As the premiere public policy advocate for business in Washtenaw County, and a significant voice in southeast Michigan, the Chamber has also taken stances on critical ballot issues at the state level, and sent a questionnaire to specific candidates for federal, state and local office. The questionnaire looks for candidates' views on issues that affect the business community and individual voters. Candidate responses are listed below.

A2Y Chamber takes positions on local ballot measures

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 10:42:30 GMT

The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti (A2Y) Regional Chamber seeks to be the premiere public policy organization to advocate for business in Washtenaw County and a significant voice in southeast Michigan. To this end the Chamber has taken positions on some of the critical ballot issues at the local and statewide levels. The A2Y Chamber will also publicize responses to a questionnaire it sent to candidates for federal, state and local office. The Chamber’s positions on the local ballot questions are listed below. Positions on statewide ballot issues and the responses to our candidate questionnaire will be released on Monday, October 29, 2012.

A2Y Regional Chamber supports economic development with new Ypsilanti office, collaboration with SPARK

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 07:22:25 GMT

You might have heard by now that The A2Y Regional Chamber is open in both Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor with a new office space in downtown Ypsilanti at SPARK East and the previously established main office in downtown Ann Arbor.The current collaboration with SPARK East Business Incubator allows the Chamber to support SPARK’s efforts to strengthen economic development in the Ypsilanti area. Downtown businesses such as Red Rock Downtown Barbecue and B-24s Coffee Shop are some of the newest members joining recently as the Chamber continues its commitment to Ypsilanti. The Ypsilanti office is open Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm and is staffed with Chamber employees including membership and sales staff. Appointments can also be made to meet Chamber employees at either location. The Ann Arbor office is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Young professionals give feedback on transit plan at A2Y Converge forum

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:50:14 GMT

Public transportation can transform our community, our environment, and our economy, according to TheRide CEO Michael Ford.

“It’s more than just getting you from one point to another; It’s an important part of the community,” Ford said.

Because it is important to discuss proposed changes in public transportation, A2Y Converge hosted a Local Transit Forum with TheRide on July 12th to discuss possible improvements to local transit, including a change from serving only the Ann Arbor area to serving all of Washtenaw County.

Member Spotlight: Fresh Start Clubhouse

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:54:40 GMT

Fresh Start Clubhouse is more than a program or a social service. Fresh Start is a community, intentionally designed as an environment for adult residents of Washtenaw County with severe and persistent mental illness to develop self-efficacy and resiliency in their struggle to recover their lives and participate in society. Fresh Start is based on the Fountain House model of psychosocial rehabilitation where members provide mutual support and encouragement to celebrate accomplishments and regain self-confidence. Members of Fresh Start move beyond their illness by focusing on strengths, talents, and abilities rather than symptoms.

Q & A with Tom Harrison about his trip to the White House

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:13:19 GMT

Our Board of Directors Chair and Michigan Ladder CEO Tom Harrison was honored to be invited to the Michigan Business Leader's Briefing at the White House in June, along with representatives from the public sector, including local colleges and universities, and other Michigan business owners and CEOs. Here’s his take on the meeting.

New Faces at the Chamber

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:13:09 GMT

The A2Y Chamber is excited to welcome two new Membership Sales Representatives and a new Senior Accountant to the staff.

Julie Kedroske began at the Chamber as a marketing and events intern this summer and was hired on for the sales position in November. She is from Chelsea, MI and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Social Relations from Kalamazoo College in 2011.

Our newest sales representative Rosalind Vaughn is an Ypsilanti resident originally from Cassopolis, MI. She studied business at Eastern Michigan University and worked at the Ann Arbor Credit Bureau for 14 years. She also spent the last 9 years as a mortgage loan officer.

Senior Accountant Cindie Dulaney is a graduate of Cleary University with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Accounting and is currently studying for her MBA at the University of Michigan – Flint. She lives in Fenton with her husband Ryan and four-year-old son Alex.

Take a moment to introduce yourself at the next Chamber event!

A2Y Chamber Launches A2Y Converge for Young Professionals

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:23:03 GMT

The Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber is proud to announce the launch of the young professionals organization A2Y Converge. The name was chosen to reflect the group’s mission to bring together young professionals who live or work in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area for the purpose of making meaningful connections and collaborating in building a vibrant local community for professionals near the start of their careers.

Chamber Recognizes Long-Standing Members

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:57:47 GMT

The Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber honored its long-standing members during the Early Edition breakfast Wednesday, June 15th at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center. Members who have belonged to the Chamber for 20 years or longer were recognized by John Petz, Chair of the A2Y Chamber Board of Directors, and four of the Chamber’s longest standing members shared their experience of doing business in the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area during the past 50 years.

A2Y Chamber Honors E3 Award Winners and Business-Education Honor Roll Members

Mon, 23 May 2011 10:10:18 GMT

At Early Edition May 18, the A2Y Chamber proudly presented the 2011 E3 (Exemplary Educational Endeavors) Awards and honored the Business-Education Honor Roll members.

A2YChamber Regional Chamber Member Benefit Pays Out Dividend

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:45:06 GMT

Participating chamber members receive checks for successful Accident Fund workers compensation group performance.