Discover the pros and cons of joining the Grand Rapids Economic Club from Kevin Kamis, founder of Launch Kit. This is my personal take on if you should join as a small business owner.
Please note the following article was part of an experiment to see what Chat GPT 4.0 would produce as a blog article. To compare, here is a link to the article I wrote. I'm curious to hear people's feedback on which article they prefer.
- Kevin Kamis
Hello, fellow Grand Rapids business owners! If you've ever considered joining the Grand Rapids Economic Club, this one's for you. I'm Kevin Kamis, founder of Launch Kit, a marketing agency downtown. Today, I'm sharing my personal experience with the club and why it might be a good move for you.
Opportunity for Continuous Learning
One of the biggest perks of joining the Grand Rapids Economic Club is the chance to keep learning. Each event features a keynote speaker who dives into economic trends, business strategies, and more. These sessions are not just informative but also incredibly inspiring, helping you stay ahead in your industry.
Networking Beyond Your Bubble
As a small business owner, it’s easy to get stuck in your circle of clients and employees. The Economic Club offers a refreshing break from that routine. You'll meet professionals from various fields like insurance, law, and banking. While I haven't met many other small business owners yet, that's on me—there are over 1,000 people at some events, and it’s tough to connect with everyone.
A Chance to Think Differently
The diversity of topics and speakers encourages you to look at your business from new angles. Whether it's a fresh marketing strategy or a new take on financial planning, you're bound to walk away with valuable insights.
Attending my first Economic Club event was a bit daunting. With no assigned seating, I had to be ready to sit with strangers. Thankfully, everyone I met was friendly. The events are held at the JW Marriott, which is a fantastic venue. I usually walk there from my office, so I'm not too sure about the parking situation.
The Monday luncheons are my favorite. Held during lunch, they don't disrupt your day too much. You can get some work done in the morning, take a break for the event, and return to the office feeling refreshed and inspired.
For some context, I started Launch Kit, a marketing agency, in 2020. We help small businesses tell their stories through brand development, web design, photo/video content, social media management, graphic design, and advertising. Meeting other professionals at the Economic Club has been a great way to gain new perspectives and ideas.
Signing up for the Grand Rapids Economic Club is straightforward. Start by establishing your membership online. This grants you access to all events, some of which are free and others that require a fee.
The Monday luncheons are the main event of the season. To sign up, visit their website, select your event, and register with your membership info. In 2024, these luncheons cost $48 per person, including lunch, dessert, coffee, and admission to the keynote.
If you're unsure about committing to a membership, attending as a guest is a great way to test the waters. Any member can invite you, and in 2024, the guest fee for a luncheon is $68. This guarantees you'll have someone to sit with and makes the experience less daunting.
One of my favorite experiences was the New Member Welcome Party. Held at the Warner Building downtown, it was a fairly traditional networking event where I connected with around 10-15 fellow downtown professionals. With both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, plus snack goodie bags, it was a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
I’d be remiss not to mention the Annual Dinner. This premier event at DeVos Hall features a notable keynote speaker and is described as a night to remember. Although I haven’t attended yet, it’s on my list for this upcoming year, based on the positive reviews from other members.
Joining the Grand Rapids Economic Club has been a rewarding experience for me, offering learning, networking, and new perspectives. If you're a small business owner in Grand Rapids, I highly recommend giving it a try. Whether you start as a guest or dive into a membership, the connections and insights you’ll gain are invaluable.
This article was part of an experiment to compare Chat GPT 4.0's writing to my own. The article above is the AI version. Here is a link to the version I wrote. I'm looking to gather feedback on which version of the article people prefer.
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