BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Grand Rapids Chamber - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Grand Rapids Chamber 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:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD 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 END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250311T073000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250311T113000 DTSTAMP:20260416T165339 CREATED:20230523T141614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T141628Z UID:10000113-1741678200-1741692600@grandrapids.org SUMMARY:Grand Rapids Policy Conference DESCRIPTION:Registration & Pricing\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Making 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. Join 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. This 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. \n \n \n \n Agenda Highlights Include: \n \n \n \n Presentation on childcare and public spaces for public goodPanel discussion with moderated Q&ANetworking with business and community leadersOptional tours of the new child care facility at Rapid Central StationThis 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. Be part of the conversation shaping childcare solutions and public spaces that benefit our community. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 Speakers \n \n \n \n Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet\, consectetur adipiscing elit\, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam\, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Aaron Einfeld\, PhD \n \n \n \n Founder & Executive Coach \n \n \n \n Awaken Leadership Solutions \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Aaron Einfeld\, PhD\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Adam Dee \n \n \n \n Vice President of Actuarial for Health Plan Business (HPB) \n \n \n \n Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Adam Dee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Aida Dismondy \n \n \n \n Senior Counsel \n \n \n \n Warner\, Norcross + Judd\, LLP \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Aida Dismondy\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Al Vanderberg \n \n \n \n County Administrator \n \n \n \n Kent County\, MI \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Al Vanderberg\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Al Vanderberg \n \n \n \n County Administrator/Controller \n \n \n \n Kent County \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Al Vanderberg\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alberto Garza \n \n \n \n Owner \n \n \n \n General Wood Shop \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alberto Garza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alex Belding \n \n \n \n CRO & Co-Founder \n \n \n \n WebriQ \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alex Belding\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ali Anderson \n \n \n \n CEO \n \n \n \n CraftCo. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Ali Anderson\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alison Mast \n \n \n \n President of West Michigan \n \n \n \n Northern Trust \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alison Mast\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Allie Walker \n \n \n \n President \n \n \n \n Truscott Rossman \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Allie Walker\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amanda Hentsch \n \n \n \n Director of Membership \n \n \n \n Grand Rapids Chamber \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amanda Hentsch\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Lee \n \n \n \n Executive Dean of Collaborative Programs \n \n \n \n Michigan Community College Association; Director\, EPiC Consortium \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Lee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Rencher \n \n \n \n Senior Vice President \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Rencher\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Taylor \n \n \n \n President \n \n \n \n Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Capitol South \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Taylor\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ana Espinoza \n \n \n \n Director of People Services \n \n \n \n Feyen Zylstra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Ana Espinoza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Event Sponsors \n \n \n \n \n Co-Premier Sponsors \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Event Underwriter URL:https://grandrapids.org/event/grand-rapids-policy-conference/ LOCATION:Amway Grand Plaza Hotel\, 187 Monroe Ave NW\, Grand Rapids\, State\, 49503\, United States CATEGORIES:Advocacy & Government Affairs,Annual Events & Summits END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250129T073000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250129T100000 DTSTAMP:20260416T165339 CREATED:20241011T174109Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T141654Z UID:10000257-1738135800-1738144800@grandrapids.org SUMMARY:137th Annual Meeting: The State of Grand Rapids Business DESCRIPTION:Registration & Pricing\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Making 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. Join 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. This 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. \n \n \n \n Agenda Highlights Include: \n \n \n \n Presentation on childcare and public spaces for public goodPanel discussion with moderated Q&ANetworking with business and community leadersOptional tours of the new child care facility at Rapid Central StationThis 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. Be part of the conversation shaping childcare solutions and public spaces that benefit our community. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 Speakers \n \n \n \n Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet\, consectetur adipiscing elit\, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam\, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Aaron Einfeld\, PhD \n \n \n \n Founder & Executive Coach \n \n \n \n Awaken Leadership Solutions \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Aaron Einfeld\, PhD\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Adam Dee \n \n \n \n Vice President of Actuarial for Health Plan Business (HPB) \n \n \n \n Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Adam Dee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Aida Dismondy \n \n \n \n Senior Counsel \n \n \n \n Warner\, Norcross + Judd\, LLP \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Aida Dismondy\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Al Vanderberg \n \n \n \n County Administrator \n \n \n \n Kent County\, MI \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Al Vanderberg\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Al Vanderberg \n \n \n \n County Administrator/Controller \n \n \n \n Kent County \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Al Vanderberg\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alberto Garza \n \n \n \n Owner \n \n \n \n General Wood Shop \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alberto Garza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alex Belding \n \n \n \n CRO & Co-Founder \n \n \n \n WebriQ \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alex Belding\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ali Anderson \n \n \n \n CEO \n \n \n \n CraftCo. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Ali Anderson\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alison Mast \n \n \n \n President of West Michigan \n \n \n \n Northern Trust \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Alison Mast\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Allie Walker \n \n \n \n President \n \n \n \n Truscott Rossman \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Allie Walker\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amanda Hentsch \n \n \n \n Director of Membership \n \n \n \n Grand Rapids Chamber \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amanda Hentsch\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Lee \n \n \n \n Executive Dean of Collaborative Programs \n \n \n \n Michigan Community College Association; Director\, EPiC Consortium \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Lee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Rencher \n \n \n \n Senior Vice President \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Rencher\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Amy Taylor \n \n \n \n President \n \n \n \n Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and Capitol South \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Amy Taylor\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ana Espinoza \n \n \n \n Director of People Services \n \n \n \n Feyen Zylstra \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ABOUT Ana Espinoza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Event Sponsors \n \n \n \n \n Co-Premier Sponsors \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Event Underwriter URL:https://grandrapids.org/event/annual-meeting/ LOCATION:DeVos Place\, 303 Monroe Ave NW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States CATEGORIES:Advocacy & Government Affairs,Annual Events & Summits,Economic Growth,Talent & Human Resources,Talent Development ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandrapids.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gtaphic-Annual-Meeting-BCBS-1.29.25.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR