Livonia’s Business Connection
July/August 2010
FROM THE DESK OF
SIGH OF RELIEF
PRESIDENT Saving dealerships maintains one of Livonia’s conveniences
THE
At this time last summer, Livonia was on Also, the automotive dealerships have long served as gracious
the brink of losing three of its five auto philanthropic supporters of their hometown communities,
dealerships. General Motors had particularly here in Michigan. Many athletic teams, charities
announced that Rogin Buick and and other community causes have been developed and
Tennyson Chevrolet were losing their sustained through the years in Livonia with the contributions
franchises in 2010. Livonia Chrysler from the local auto dealers.
Jeep was already shut down. The auto dealers’ support built a lot of loyalty among
That would have left Livonia with only Livonians, many of whom signed petitions and wrote letters to
two dealerships: Bill Brown Ford and the appropriate authorities over the past year to seek
Dan West, President Ralph Thayer dealership. Plymouth reinstatement of their local dealerships. As the Livonia
Road – Livonia’s traditional business corridor – was about to dealerships re-organize after the recent tenuous years of
lose a bunch of business traffic that would have harmed operational and economic distress, these dealerships will
other Plymouth Road businesses. continue to do what they can to support their community.
Those three dealerships attracted many customers to I know city officials, fellow Chamber members, and many of
Livonia and Plymouth Road for decades. The decisions to our neighbors share the same big sigh of relief that our local
close these dealerships were baffling because all three dealerships are here to stay
enterprises were profitable, viable family-run operations
headquartered in Michigan’s eighth-largest city. Tennyson
Chevrolet, the Livonia Chamber’s longest-sustained Red Wings’ Ken Holland, Mike Babcock
member, has been in operation for 55 years. Rogin Buick to speak at Sept. 7 Chamber luncheon
was one of the nation’s leading Buick dealerships, and
Livonia Chrysler Jeep recently spent hundreds of thousands Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland and
of dollars to expand its service department and modernize Head Coach Mike Babcock will speak at a special Livonia
the showroom’s façade. Chamber of Commerce luncheon to be held on Tuesday,
Recent months have produced good news for Livonia and September 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the St.
reversed the initial decisions to close these dealerships. Mary’s Cultural Center (located on Merriman between
Tennyson Chevrolet learned in May that its GM dealership Six Mile and Seven Mile).
will be reinstated. An arbitration ruling in July allowed The program, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Livonia Chrysler Jeep to re-open, possibly as soon as Michigan, will feature some business motivational advice
September. Rogin Buick continues to pursue its arbitration from two champions in their field, and a preview of the
process to stay in business as a GM dealership, but owner upcoming 2010-11 Detroit Red Wings’ season. Tickets are
John Rogin vows that his business will continue to sell $25 each for Chamber members ($200 for table of 8) and
vehicles one way or another. $35 each for non-members ($280 for table of 8). Seats
Livonia should heartily celebrate these decisions for several are reserved with payment or credit card number.
reasons. I would like to highlight two of those reasons. For more information or to make reservations, call the
Among Livonia’s many community attributes - family- chamber office at 734.427.2122, or send an e-mail to
friendly, central location, and great schools at all levels - toppa@livonia.org.
this city also has many conveniences. For decades, Livonia
had an auto dealership and service department for each of
the three domestic automakers. A year ago, Livonia was
nearly reduced to having only a Ford Motor Company
service department. INSIDE
These reversed decisions will enable Livonia to keep an Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
auto dealer and service department for each GM, Ford and Grand Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Chrysler. This means that Livonians can maintain the
convenience of having the mechanic and supply of parts
New Chamber Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
they need, right in their own backyard, for certain News Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
maintenance and unique repairs that are only available at Ambassadors Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
the dealership.
CHAMBER NEWS 2
2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER
Chairman
MARTY TALTY
UPCOMING EVENTS Tuesday, September 7
Kopmeyer & Talty, P.C. Mike Babcock & Ken Holland Luncheon
AUGUST Sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Chair Elect Wednesday, August 18th St. Mary’s Cultural Center
KATHY HOEN Techno-Info Luncheon: Use Facebook 11:30am-1:30pm
Community Choice Credit Union. and YouTube to promote your business $25 chamber member / $35 non member
GARY DESCHENES Sponsored by: St. Mary Mercy Hospital
& Telcom Credit Union Wednesday, September 15
Foresters Financial Partners
Marriott Hotel – Livonia Blind Networking Lunch
JAY SANDHU G. Subu’s Leather Bottle
NYX, Inc.
11:30am-1:30pm
$27 Chamber member / $35 non 12:00pm-1:00pm
CAROL KOCAN member $15 chamber member / $20 non member
Dale Carnegie Training Tuesday, September 21
Tuesday, August 24th Regional Networking Event
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 5 O’Clock Connection Costco – Schoolcraft & Middlebelt
CARLA HERNADEZ-LATIN Claddagh Irish Pub
Ford Motor Company
8:00am-9:30am
$5 Chamber member / $10 non member $5 chamber member / $10 non member
KAREN SANBORN
Madonna University Thursday, September 30th
Wine Tasting
DAVID SPIVEY Sponsored by: Community Alliance Credit Union
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
Andiamo – Livonia
DENNIS WRIGHT 5:30pm-7:30pm
Livonia City Treasurer $25 per person
TOM STROUP
Valaset Services
ROBIN WHITFIELD
Embassy Suites Hotel GRAND OPENINGS
CAROL KOCAN
Dale Carnegie Training WEST ON 6
BILL COLBECK West on 6 held their Grand Opening on
Computer Troubleshooters July 30th. They are located at 30325 Six
Mile Road, West of Middlebelt. West on 6
JIM FAUSONE
boasts a newly renovated restaurant, bar
Fausone, Bohn LLP
and banquet facility in the heart of
LISA ABBEY Livonia. They offer free WIFI, live
Livonia Public Schools entertainment on weekends and full
BRANDON KRITZMAN service off-site catering. Plus great drink
New Perspective Architects specials and delicious menu items! They
can be reached at 734-762-2063 or visit
KEN WAGNER
their website at www.Weston6.com
State Farm Insurance
GRETCHEN ALANIZ WALMART
TRW Automotive Walmart North held their Grand
KATHY RAYMOR Opening on August 4th. Walmart is
Lis, McEvilly & Associates passionate about combining the best of
two great worlds — technology and
world-class retailing — to give customers
STAFF a wide assortment of their favorite
DAN WEST products, Every Day Low Prices,
President guaranteed satisfaction, friendly service,
DEBBIE FERENSIC convenient hours and a great online
Office Manager shopping experience. They are located at
DAWNNE TOPPA 29574 7 Mile Rd. in Livonia Marketplace.
Director of Public Affairs They can be reached at 248-957-0106 or
visit www.Walmart.com
SANDY SWISH
Director of Membership Development
LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
33233 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734.427.2122 (phone)
734.427.6055 (fax)
www.livonia.org
djwest777 Livonia Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER NEWS 3
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS FOR JUNE – JULY 2010
Congratulations to the following organizations for recently investing in the work of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
Albanelli Cement Contractors, Inc. Community Emergency Medical NovaStar Solutions.com LLC Strength & Spirit, LLC
Wayne Albanelli Peter Rogers Patrick Lynch Irene Ivanac
12725 Fairlane 25400 8 Mile Rd. 35200 Plymouth Rd. Mike Mueller
Livonia, MI48150 Southfield, MI48034 Livonia, MI 48150 31272 Mackenzie
(734) 762-0710 (248) 356-3900 (734) 838-9541 Westland, MI, 48188
www.communityems.org www.novastar.net 734-578-1302
Alpha (Alpha Stamping) www.strengthspirit.com
Charles Dardas Heartland Rehabilitation Services Physicians Weight Loss Clinic
33375 Glendale James Berger Brett Horger Tonic Massage & Myofascial
Livonia, MI 48150 33887 Five Mile Rd. 19246 Newburgh Road Release, LLC
(734) 523-1000 Livonia, MI 48154 Livonia, MI48152 Mary Ericson
www.alphastamping.com 419-787-6741 248-773-1070 16801 Newburgh Rd Suite 112
website coming soon! Livonia, MI48152
Business Ventures Corp./Alternative Household Heating & Cooling 248-425-3675
Pinebrook Condominiums www.tonicmassage.com
Services Inc. John Brandstatter
Craig Girard
Amy Ballard 8908 Telegraph Rd.
33345 Norfolk Street Wal-Mart
32625 Seven Mile Rd. Suite 5 Redford, MI48239
Livonia, MI48152 Mohamad Atwi
Livonia, MI48152 313-543-2300
734-233-8813 29574 Seven Mile Rd.
(248) 427-9680
John Rogin Buick Livonia, MI 48152
Primo's Pizza 248-957-0106
Caribou Coffee John Rogin
Dominic Soave www.walmart.com
Matt Brzys 30500 Plymouth Rd.
33521 Seven Mile
17378 Haggerty Rd. Livonia, MI48150
Livonia, MI48152 West On 6
Livonia, MI48152 (734) 525-0900
(248) 476-4260 Jim West
(734) 462-7582 www.johnrogin.com
www.primospizzalivonia.com 30325 Six Mile Rd.
www.cariboucoffee.com
Nicky's Willow Grill Livonia, MI48152
Renewed Equipment 734-762-2063
Clipper Magazine - Bryan Nicky Moutafis
Dave Wisnieski www.weston6.com
ReedyBryan Reedy 20500 Newburgh Rd.
11730 Globe St.
Livonia, MI 48154 Livonia, MI48152
Livonia, MI 48150
734-231-2004 248-426-0967
734-564-5952
www.RenewedEquipment.com
RENEWALS JUNE – JULY 2010
Allen Animal Hospital, Inc. Huntington Bank Presentations Inc, Inc.
Allstate Insurance Co.- Cheryl Bowker Independent Bank Printwell Inc.
Aoun & Company, P.C., C.P.A. Interek Qdoba
Apple Crest Dental P.L.C. ITT Technical Institute Rapid Roofing
Assembly & Test Worldwide, Inc. Joe's Produce Romano's Macaroni Grill
Autumnwood of Livonia Kopmeyer & Talty P.C. Rose Catering, Inc.
Bildon Parts & Services Laurel Park Place Shaw Construction and Management Co.
Bill & Rod's Appliance, Inc. Little Caesar's Pizza Sign Solutions of Michigan
Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc Livonia Anniversary Committee Teddy's Lawn & Landscape
Celtic Lawn and Landscape, LLC Livonia Towing, Inc. TLC Wellness
Chris Furniture, Inc. Mack Family Dentistry Toner Ink & More
Commercial Lawnmower McLaren Performance Technologies TRW Automotive
Community Alliance Credit Union Metro PCS University of Phoenix
Don Knapp - Attorney at Law Michigan Office Solutions UPS
Embassy Suites MSC Industrial Supply Co. Vitel Communications, LLC
Enzo's Catering Neely-Turowski Funeral Home Wine Palace
E-Shred NWC Program Administration Woodridge Apartments
Expert Services, Inc. Onsite Solutions Xpedx Paper & Graphics
Fairfield Inn Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc.
FedEx Ground Package System Panera Bread - Schoolcraft Rd.
H & R Block Tax & Business Services Planet Fitness
CHAMBER NEWS 4
Fun day for Livonia Chamber golf outing
New goodies, new clubhouse, more prizes and a new
champion marked the annual Livonia Chamber of
Commerce Golf Outing on July 19, presented this year by
Ken Wagner-State Farm Agency.
There were some 120 companies that contributed prizes,
sponsorship support, and 96 golfers to the outing which
serves as the Chamber’s second-largest annual fundraiser.
Thanks to the support of all the companies involved, the
bottom line netted a 10 percent boost in income
compared to the 2009 golf outing.
“We are grateful for the support and loyalty we see among Presenting Sponsor, State Farm – Ken Wagner Agency team of
our membership,” said Chamber President Dan West. “A Rick Wagner, Gordon Libby, Connie Haddad, & Ken Wagner ready
to hit the links.
lot of people are seeing upticks in business, but economic
conditions still aren’t spectacular. To see this kind of
support for our outing was amazing.”
This year’s top golf foursome was the group from Madonna
University, which included Steve Mato, Patrick Daugherty,
Greg Haeger and Bryan Rizzo. With shot enhancers
available from golfer-aid packages, the foursome scored
17-under par in scramble play. There was a tie for second
place with teams from Embassy Suites Hotel and TRW
Automotive.
In a new competition added to this year’s event, the
Telcom Credit Union Chipping Contest, Pat Franquist left
a chip two-feet, eight-inches from the hole to win the final Winning Team from Madonna University of Patrick Daugherty,
round among seven finalists. Franquist was a touch closer Bryan Rizzo, Steve Mato, and Greg Haeger (not pictured)
than Ken Wagner, who left a chip three-feet, seven inches
from the hole.
The Chamber added many new prizes to the outing this
year, including new State Farm golf shirts for each golfer,
courtesy of Wagner. An expanded menu was featured
during dinner at the Embassy Suites Hotel. There was an
upgrade in the top prizes in this year’s raffle, including two
TVs, a gas grill, an iPod stereo system, season tickets to
the Plymouth Whalers junior hockey team, and a number
of new custom-made golf clubs.
The top prize was a 42-inch plasma HD TV, presented by
Your Livonia Chamber of Commerce Staff: Debbie Ferensic,
Kopmeyer and Talty Public Certified Accountants. A Adam Kleven, Dan West, Dawnne Toppa, Sandy Swish
pleasantly surprised Dan Dinsmore, vice president of
marketing for Bright House Networks, took home the top
prize.
“We know there is a lot of competition for golf outing
revenue across the area, so the Chamber staff and dozens
of volunteers worked hard to provide a fun, unique
experience for all involved,” West added. “We received a
lot of compliments for our event, but we will continue to
brainstorm for new ideas for next year’s outing, to keep
the event fun and fresh.”
Winner of the 42” TV sponsored by Kopmeyer & Talty,
Dan Dinsmore with Bright House Networks
CHAMBER NEWS 5
Ever notice you can’t spell NETWORKING
without the word KNOWING?
Guest Article by Terry Bean, Motor City Connect
Knowing relates to knowledge. What sort of knowledge "searchable". It's a great thing for all involved when
is important to networking? you can effectively play "connector". The better your
• Knowledge of self data points are organized, the easier it is to connect
• Knowledge of your network those dots.
• Knowledge shared The last piece that needs to be mentioned is the
I run a very large networking group in Detroit called sharing of what you know. Whether you blog, capture
Motor City Connect. We use a very pragmatic your thoughts on video, do podcasts or just send out
definition of networking here: Meet, Understand and emails or status updates you need to share knowledge.
Connect. This post is all about the understand In addition to further establishing yourself as an
function. expert, it helps keep you visible to your network. The
best way to stay visible to your network is by adding
When I train people I tell them you are not value to it.
networking unless you are first taking the time to
UNDERSTAND the needs of others AND making sure
they understand your needs as well. See how this is an Terry Bean is the driving force behind Motor City
entrée into knowing? Connect and the founder of Networked Inc. He is the
author of the recently published “Universal Guide to
Let's start with knowledge of self. What is it that you Business Networking” and a sought after keynote
are trying to get from networking? More business! Of speaker. Find and Connect with Terry online where
course you are, but what else do you seek? Maybe you spend time by going to http://yourcno.com
you're looking for a new job? Perhaps it's time to find
some new vendors. Lots of people use networking to
gain greater business acumen. Additionally,
networking can help you find new employees, new
knowledge of your community, new business partners
and more.
Step 1 is to determine what you seek. Once you know
what it is that you want, you will be in a better
position to ASK for it. As far as knowledge of others
goes, great networkers do three things exceptionally
well:
• They ask the right questions
• They actually listen to the answers
• They have a system in place to "remember" who is
in their network
The first two play off each other nicely. Ask open
ended questions, listen to the answer, ask clarifying
questions or take a deeper dive into the appropriate
topic. This is truly a skill and one that you can (and
should) develop with practice. For training purposes,
watch old episodes of Columbo ;-) As far as the system
goes, whether it is a rock solid memory (some people
still have those) a database, rolodex or an online tool,
you need one. Figure out what information is
important to capture from the people you meet and
capture it. Even better is to make sure that is
CHAMBER NEWS 6
Marketing expert comes to Livonia to show
Facebook, YouTube tips to grow business
A marketing expert and “Tony is good at relating to all crowds, regardless of
author, who travels across knowledge level, and we are happy to have him back to
the country to talk to share his expertise on marketing business through the
business groups, will be in many free tools available on the Internet,” said Chamber
Livonia on Aug. 18, to President Dan West.
demonstrate quick ways
“In a busy world where we are inundated with thousands
business managers can use
of messages each day,” West added. “Short video clips,
video and on-line social
distributed effectively, have a great chance of breaking
networks to promote their
through the collage and sticking in a customer’s mind.”
operations.
Those who attend this program are encouraged to bring
Tony Rubleski will lead the
their laptop computers and connect to the hotel’s wireless
90-minute workshop de-
Internet service to experiment with the new on-line
signed to show business
Tony Rubleski strategies during the workshop.
people how they can quickly
produce short video clips and other creative messages Admission to the luncheon and workshop is $35 per
to infiltrate the hundreds of millions of people who person, $27 for members of the Livonia Chamber of
use Facebook and YouTube each day. Rubleski will Commerce. For more details and to reserve your spot for
also have tips for using other on-line social networks this workshop, call the Livonia Chamber at
such as Linked-In and Twitter. 734.427.2122, or e-mail Dawnne Toppa at
toppa@livonia.org.
“(You will learn) how to you make sense out of all this
social media,” Rubleski said of his upcoming 90-
minute workshop, “but more importantly, how to
effectively get it launched and use it for your business
without pulling your hair out, and managing the
clock.”
Rubleski’s presentation is part of the Livonia
Chamber of Commerce’s Techno-Info Luncheon,
sponsored by St. Mary Mercy Hospital and Telcom
Credit Union, which takes place at the Marriott Hotel
and Conference Center, attached to Laurel Park Place
Mall. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with a buffet
lunch before Rubleski’s presentation.
The president of his own company, Mind Capture
Group, Rubleski, is a 1994 graduate of Western
Michigan University. He focuses on referral, retention
and repeat marketing strategies for a wide range of
industries including real estate, insurance, telecom,
casinos, retail, direct sales, banking to a wide range of
entrepreneurs and sales teams. A highly sought after
speaker and agent of change, his live seminars and
keynote talks continue to receive rave reviews from
meeting planners coast to coast.
Rubleski frequently provides customer service and
marketing tips as a regular contributor to the Web
site, M-Live (www.mlive.com), and he provided
marketing advice to some 125 people at the Livonia
Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Business Expo
Luncheon.
CHAMBER NEWS 7
WalMart opens to
begin retail activity at
Livonia Marketplace
With the opening of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter on
Seven Mile near Middlebelt earlier this month, the rest
of the new Livonia Marketplace development is expected
to take shape in the coming weeks and months.
Lormax Stern Development Company representatives
announced five tenants in late July, but were expected
to soon finalize deals for several other tenants in the
out-lot buildings in front of the 180,500-square-foot Wal-
Mart store, which also has an additional 13,250 square
feet for an ourdoor garden area.
“We’ve got paper work out for other deals in the works,”
said Karl Zarbo, director of operations for the
development. “We expect to have about a dozen stores
open and running by next winter or spring.”
The following five tenants are expected to open between
August and October: Radio Shack (2,000 square feet),
Great Clips (1,000), Dots Clothing Store (4,100), George
Keros Coney Island (3,300) and Cellular Connection
(3,000).
Overall, some 33,000 square feet is dedicated to the out-
lot buildings. The total number of tenants in those out-
lot buildings will be determined on the demand of square
feet each prospective business seeks, Zarbo said.
The center of the entire 40-acre development features a
landscaped detention pond with fountain, surrounded by
a sidewalk and sheltered sitting area.
The Livonia Marketplace development takes over the
spot formerly held by Livonia Mall, next door to the
independently owned and operated Sears department
store.
kodiak
copywriting | public relations | brand development
wendy ventura
734.819.0988
wsventura@yahoo.com | www.kodiakcreative.com
CHAMBER NEWS 8
Do you feel confident in
your financial institution?
For more than 73 years, the
members of Telcom Credit
Union have.
Visit our Livonia branch
today and experience a
financial institution that
you can trust.
248.596.4621
telcomcu.com Connecting You To Financial Services!sm
CHAMBER NEWS 9
CHAMBER NEWS 10
CHAMBER NEWS 11
AMBASSADORS BRIEFS
JUNE JULY
BETSY MCCUE BRANDON KRITZMAN
Huntington Bank New Perspective Architects
734-261-9737 734-838-1223
www.huntington.com www.npaarchitects.com
Betsy McCue is the Assistant Vice President and Brandon Kritzman is the owner and Principal of New Perspective
Banking Office Manager of Huntington Bank, located Architects, of Livonia. New Perspective Architects provides both
at 30207 Plymouth Road in Livonia. commercial and residential design services to clients across
Michigan. NPA focuses on custom design, giving companies a place
She resides in Livonia with her husband and 9 year of business that is specifically tailored to their needs and
old daughter. As a Livonia resident, she enjoys successfully represents their company ideals.
working and living in the same city. She is an active
His past experiences at previous firms exposed him to a variety of
Ambassador of The Livonia Chamber of Commerce,
different building types, which he credits for his practice’s ability to
member of The Optimist Club of Livonia, and serves adapt to whatever project they are presented with. While the firm
on the Schoolcraft College Culinary Extravaganza intends to be a “general practice” firm without a specific niche, New
Committee. In addition, she sits on the Plymouth Perspective has developed an expertise in veterinary medical care
Road Development Authority and the Livonia design, having completed 5 such veterinary hospital projects in the
Community Foundation Boards. last few years.
Betsy McCue brings over 21 years of Financial Brandon and his wife, Rebecca, have three daughters: Jacquelyn, 7,
Industry experience with various positions in Retail Anastasia, 6, and Isabella, 3. After joining the Chamber of
Banking, Corporate Training and Mortgage Lending. Commerce three years ago, primarily to meet people, he has served
Betsy earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Northwood as an Ambassador and also on the Governmental Affairs Committee.
University and her Master’s of Business Brandon is very active in his community, coaching kids’ soccer
Administration from Western Michigan University. teams, as well as an active member of the Livonia Jaycees, serving
on the Board and managing several projects.
We are here for you!!
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee • Lighted covered parking
• Professional maintenance • Pet Friendly
& office staff (accept cats & dogs)
• Fully furnished corporate • Pool with sundeck
apartments • Picnic areas with grills
• Short term leases • Playgound
• Master suite with full bath • Beautifully landscaped
• In home storage
WOODRIDGE APARTMENTS
18242 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48152
248-477-6448 • woodridgeapartments.com
Call now for updated specials!
(Say you saw us in the Livonia Chamber and
your application fee is on us)
If you are interested in
advertising
in “Chamber News” contact
Dawnne Toppa at 734.427.2122
or email Toppa@livonia.org
Don’t forget to ask about
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purchasing.
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