BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Grand Rapids Chamber - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://grandrapids.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Grand Rapids Chamber REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T100000 DTSTAMP:20260610T235422 CREATED:20251203T194853Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T144152Z UID:10000419-1782374400-1782381600@grandrapids.org SUMMARY:Chamber Issues Forum: Childcare & Public Spaces for Public Good DESCRIPTION:Registration & Pricing\n \nMaking childcare more accessible and affordable remains a top priority for the business community and is an important factor in workforce participation and growth. As employers across West Michigan face talent issues\, the rising cost and limited availability of childcare remains a barrier to keeping parents from entering\, reentering\, or staying in the workforce. \nJoin the Grand Rapids Chamber for a Chamber Issues Forum exploring how public spaces and public-private partnerships can be leveraged for public good\, with a focus on innovative childcare solutions. Michigan’s nationally recognized Tri-Share model has shown what is possible when business\, government\, and community partners work together to share responsibility and cost—demonstrating the power of collaboration to support working families while strengthening the economy. \nThis forum will take place at Rapid Central Station\, home to a new on-site childcare facility that exemplifies how infrastructure and public space can be reimagined to meet community needs. Attendees will hear from Tracie Coffman of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on the role of public spaces in advancing early childhood and family well-being\, followed by a panel discussion featuring perspectives from architecture\, policy\, philanthropy\, and service providers on designing and sustaining childcare solutions that work for families and employers alike. \nAgenda Highlights Include:\n\nPresentation on childcare and public spaces for public good\nPanel discussion with moderated Q&A\nNetworking with business and community leaders\nOptional tours of the new child care facility at Rapid Central Station\n\nThis event will provide data-backed insights and real-world examples to help business leaders better understand the role they can play—alongside public partners—in advancing childcare solutions that support workforce participation and long-term regional growth. \nBe part of the conversation shaping childcare solutions and public spaces that benefit our community. \nMeet our speakers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jeffrey Capizzano \n \n \n \n President \n \n \n \n Policy Equity Group \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Jeffrey Capizzano\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Scott Lewis \n \n \n \n President/CEO \n \n \n \n YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Scott Lewis\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tracie Coffman \n \n \n \n Program Officer \n \n \n \n W.K. Kellogg Foundation \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Tracie Coffman\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Zach Verhulst \n \n \n \n Founder + CEO \n \n \n \n Pure Architects \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Zach Verhulst\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEvent Sponsors\nCo-Premier Sponsor \n \n \n \n \nEvent Underwriter URL:https://grandrapids.org/event/chamber-issues-forum-6-25/ LOCATION:The Information Center at The Rapid Central Station\, 250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW\, Grand Rapids\, 49503-4005\, United States CATEGORIES:Advocacy & Government Affairs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandrapids.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GRC_CIF-June-Graphic-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T193000 DTSTAMP:20260610T235422 CREATED:20260610T142347Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T142347Z UID:10000523-1782399600-1782415800@grandrapids.org SUMMARY:Open House + Happy Hour: Grand Rapids Tech’s Anniversary Celebration DESCRIPTION:Celebrate with us at Grand Rapids Tech’s Anniversary Open House as we mark one year in our new space! This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to connect\, explore\, and celebrate alongside our clients\, partners\, and community. \nEnjoy local catering\, drinks\, music\, and a lively networking atmosphere while you get to know our team and experience what’s next in technology. We’ll have interactive tech displays indoors and outdoors\, along with professional headshots available\, raffle prizes\, and giveaways from Grand Rapids Tech and our valued partners. \nTake part in our official Grand Rapids Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony and spend the afternoon connecting with fellow professionals\, meeting new faces\, and enjoying a relaxed summer happy hour vibe. Whether you’ve worked with us for years or are just getting to know Grand Rapids Tech\, we’d love to welcome you. \nThis event is open to the public\, registration is requested so we can plan accordingly for food and beverages. URL:https://grandrapids.org/event/open-house-happy-hour-grand-rapids-techs-anniversary-celebration/ LOCATION:Grand Rapids Tech\, 1624 Woodworth St NE\, FL 2\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49525\, United States CATEGORIES:Community Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://grandrapids.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Open-House-1920-x-1080-px.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR