Here's a digest of current business news and topics from Western Michigan:
The Right Place, Inc. – Import tariffs and supply chain trends in manufacturing focus of Sept. 16 webinar
The Right Place hosts its annual “Commodity Trends Outlook” via webinar Wednesday, Sept. 16. The event provides supply chain leaders with critical data on feedstock trends to help companies build and manage an effective commodities strategy. Experts plan to discuss influencing factors of critical manufacturing commodities such as Metals and Plastics and discuss possible options to help companies manage global supply chains during this time of uncertainty. This year's event will also feature a special discussion on changing U.S. import tariffs and possible strategies for dealing with supply and cost fluctuations. This virtual event is hosted by The Right Place. More info here: https://www.rightplace.org/events/commodity-trends-2021-outlook.
BSA Michigan Crossroads Council – Sept. 17 “Dodgeball” movie & party to benefit scouting
The local Boy Scouts council and Sandy Point Beach House are teaming up for an outdoor fundraiser Thursday, Sept. 17, by showing the popular comedy movie Dodgeball at Sandy Point’s Grand Rapids location, 822 Ottawa Avenue in the North Monroe district of downtown Grand Rapids. The event runs 7 to 10 p.m. with the a 8:30 showtime. $25 per person. To provide social distancing safety, each attendee will be assigned to a spot to sit while viewing the movie which will be marked by a circle drawn in chalk on the parking lot ground. Also masks will be asked to be worn. More info here: https://scoutingevent.com/272-dodgetherapids2020
Mel Styles – COVID delays, but doesn’t stop, entrepreneur from Sept. 19 opening of men’s fashion store in downtown GR.
An entrepreneur with an eye for men’s fashion is realizing a hard-earned dream Sept. 19 as he opens a men’s fashion store at 315 Division Avenue South in Grand Rapids. The public open house runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Archie Sudue is a graduate of SpringGR’s fall 2017 class, where he was among the 3 pitch night winners. He was also a winner at a Start Garden pitch night. Initially an engineering student, he chose to purse his passion for fashion. This took him to managing the men’s clothing department at Macys and Men’s Warehouse. Following his graduation he has been part of fashion shows all over the country, Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and even New York Fashion Week. He always had a vision of opening a showroom. Originally he planned for it to be in southeast Grand Rapids, but the road has lead him to Downtown Grand Rapids.
Association for Corporate Growth – Sept. 24 webinar to focus on future of autonomous vehicles
ACG Western Michigan will facilitate a panel discussion webinar from 8 to 9am. Sept. 24 around the current state of development, commercialization of, and major players in the autonomous vehicles space. Learn about the market influence of autonomous transport, the industry’s most likely to be affected, and the impact to the current automotive supply chain. The event is free to ACM WM members, and $20 for non-members. More info here: https://acgwm.wildapricot.org/event-3926277.
DO MORE GOOD - White House and Facebook executives speaking at Oct. 1 West Michigan nonprofit event
The 2020 DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference will be held via livestream Oct. 1 and will host high profile speakers such as Nicole Frazier, the director of African American outreach for the White House, and Kendra Sinclair, the nonprofit program manager for Facebook. With an intent to be “exceptionally affordable” DO MORE GOOD will charge a ticket fee of $55 for access to the livestream, but is also offering free access to the livestream for new subscribers to their membership platform which costs $99/year/organization. The conference which was originally planned to host over 300 in person attendees in downtown Grand Rapids will now offer livestream access to nonprofit organizations from across the nation. A “watch party” in Grand Rapids will be held, if gathering restrictions allow. For a speaker lineup and additional information on the DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference, please visit domoregood.org/annual conference.
Noodles & Company –Michigan franchises urges guest to fight against childhood hunger in September by supporting “No Kid Hungry”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the inequalities, like food insecurity, facing many Michigan children. Michigan Noodles & Company restaurants have joined the fight against childhood hunger for the fifth consecutive year. Between Sept. 4 and Oct. 15, guests can support No Kid Hungry® at area Noodles restaurants. By donating $2, guests will receive a coupon for a free Shareable on another visit, as well as Rewards points for existing Rewards members. Donations to No Kid Hungry® support Michigan schools and organizations like the YMCA, who provide meal assistance to kids. Since 2018, Michigan Noodles restaurants and guests have donated nearly $40,000 to No Kid Hungry®, the equivalent of approximately 400,000 meals. Noodles executives are available for comment on their role in this worthwhile cause.
