Business Diversity Council Wyoming and Kentwood are the largest two neighboring communities to Grand Rapid. With a combined community of 130K residents (Population: Wyoming = 75K and Kentwood = 55K) these two communities alone represent one of the most diversely represented communities with 40%, or 52k, people of color living and ultimately working in and around our local communities. This large segment of our local community has large implications on our entire community and is an asset we have an opportunity to assist talent shortages, new business initiatives, and growth opportunities.
As part of this advisory council, you will be working with key stakeholders to uncover and target actionable items that the council uncovers as having the most impact while remaining actionable items throughout our local business communities.
Being part of this advisory council will place you at the center of discussion as we look to uncover issues and concerns for those in the BIPOC communities of Wyoming, Kentwood and surrounding south Kent County suburban areas. If you are interested in joining this council, please contact us at 616.531.5990 or by email .
Young Professionals Group: WKC Young Professionals is a group dedicated to connecting, empowering, and educating up and coming professionals in the community to make a greater impact.
We plan to meet regularly for networking, professional growth opportunities, and brainstorming on how to make our community better through the power of a fresh mindset.
Why Join WKC Young Pros Committee?
- Be part of a purposeful community,
- Make friends and business connections,
- Gain access and exposure to professional and personal development activities
- Be part of planning and attending awesome events
- Totally FREE to join the group. Here is our Facebook group so you can introduce yourself, promote your business (1x/week), see upcoming events, and get connected.
- Give back to your local community by partnering with Chamber Members to plan events
- Learn more here.
- If you want more information, please contact us at 616.531.5990 or by email.
Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E): Business recruitment is a priority of many economic development strategies. Business retention and expansion should be an integral economic development policy to ascertain the health of existing businesses in a community.
If you are a chamber member and partnering services who want to support our communities in retaining and expanding local businesses, we want you to join the conversation around our new WKC Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Team.
Over time, our BR&E program will build stronger ties with businesses and goodwill among public and private entities in the community. The WKC BR&E program will encourage businesses to continue to invest and grow in our communities.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact our office at 616.531.5990 or by email.
The Executive & Management Roundtable Program provides structured discussion groups of no more than 15 business executives, owners, leaders, and professionals. The same group of participants gathers in person each month in a confidential setting to discuss issues affecting their businesses.
Table Options (additional options as demand increases)
- Small / Startup Business: Small businesses, Startup Businesses, New Entrepreneurs, and Business with Fewer than 10 employees.
- Executive/Senior Leadership: CEO, C-Suite, VP, Non-Profit Executive Directors, General Manger, Executive/Senior Leaders, etc.
- Sales, Marketing, Business Development: Individuals in any Sales, Marketing or Business Development capacity. This group focuses on both business strategy and sharing of leads/referrals.
- Business Young Pro: Business professionals 35 years of age or younger.
- If you are interested in participating in one of these roundtable discussion groups, please contact the chamber office at 616.531.5990.