Judging by the jam-packed nature of their parking lot on an ongoing basis, there aren’t too many among us who haven’t at some point venture in to enjoy the incredible hospitality of the award winning team that has been selected a the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce 2018 Business of the Year. Virtually everyone has kicked back and sampled some of the great offerings of Tim & Jeannine Van Liere and their team at Coach’s Bar & Grill in Stevensville. They were recently introduced as the Business of the Year when the Lakeshore Chamber of hosted nearly 100 guests at their Annual Membership Meeting.
Those in attendance enjoyed a plated dinner from Tosi’s Restaurant, a look back at an update on Chamber happenings accomplishments in 2018, a sneak peek at into the Chamber’s agenda goals for 2019, and a keynote presentation from Sean Buckner, the Regional Vice President of the Northern Region for Meijer, Inc. The evening wrapped up with the much-anticipated presentation of the Chamber’s annual Business of the Year and Community Spirit Awards.
Megan Yore, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for meeting sponsor Spectrum Health Lakeland, presented the 2018 Business of the Year award to the Van Lieres, saying Coach’s was the clear choice for the award for many reasons including, but not limited to:
- Their incredible customer service…
- Their constant commitment to making the Lakeshore community an outstanding place to live and work…
- Increasing their to-go business by implementing a new app that enables customers to order online…
- Purchasing and developing property at 4123 Red Arrow Highway to expand their parking lot…
- Continually holding tap takeovers to support local craft breweries…
- At least once a month, hosting Give Back nights to benefit local, community-based non-profits and local schools…
Following that presentation, board member Sandi Kopach, Branch Manager at Edgewater Bank, presented the 2018 Community Spirit Award. The community spirit award is presented to a business or individual who has shown exemplary leadership in the civic community and demonstrated a positive social or economic impact on Southwest Michigan. Each year, individuals are recognized for their passion for the betterment of our community. Winners are nominated by their peers in the business community.
Sandi, cautioning attendees to have tissues handy, read the nomination letter for the winner, Chas Potts of Anytime Fitness in Stevensville:
“In February, 2016, on the heels of hard news learning that our son with Down syndrome, lost his coach and best friend, a new friendship was forged. Chas Potts, manager of Anytime Fitness in Stevensville called to say he had been watching the special relationship my son had with his trainer, and knew it was going to be devastating for Connor. Chas expressed his condolences, and without skipping a beat, he said, “I don’t want to let Connor’s dreams die too. Would you mind if I worked with him?”
Chas knew how much his former coach and the Special Olympics meant to Connor. First, Chas honored the man and gave respect to Connor’s first trainer by collecting donations, cards, posted pictures, had t-shirts made, and reached out to his family. Simultaneously he picked up the baton, set up a schedule and we watched a new, beautiful friendship emerge. Chas trained on his own and became a certified Special Olympics coach, then began training another young man, Adam, also with special needs. He trains each individually to compete in weightlifting in Special Olympics on his own time. Going far above simply training, he cares deeply about both of them.
Chas has rallied both the Anytime Fitness Stevensville and Mattawan members and staffs to raise funds for Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Plunge and other events, and many people have supported Special Olympics through Anytime Fitness. We are so grateful. With profound impact, Chas has embraced Connor not only as a trainer, but friend too and provided Connor with 20-something ‘typical’ lifetime experiences he may never have had without Chas…like, competing side by side in a body building competition (and coached him through the spray tan!)
This past February was a true testament to his heart, when Chas married his beautiful bride Lauren. Amid the handsome wedding party, both Connor and Adam stood tall among the groomsmen with big smiles and bigger hearts for the love of their buddy.”
Chas Potts accepted the award with Connor, who threw his arms up into the air in celebration and flexed his muscles for photos.
Preceding the awards ceremonies, the night had begun with a recap of the Chamber’s eventful year in 2018. Ashlie Guyberson, from the Cook Nuclear Plant, and President of the Lakeshore Chamber, spoke about several important changes within the Chamber. The Chamber introduced a new 501(c)(6) status which brought about a new incorporated name for the Chamber of LSCC, Inc and a revised set of bylaws. While that was a critical administrative measure for the Chamber, Ashlie assured the membership that the new by-laws and tax designation would not negatively impact any of the Chamber’s existing members.
Joe Daniel, an employee of CMG Financial in Saint Joseph and newly appointed Vice President for the Chamber, spoke about the technology updates that the Lakeshore Chamber has implemented in order to better communicate and serve its membership.
In 2018, the Chamber focused heavily on providing more timely communication with the membership. To accomplish that goal the Chamber began utilizing Constant Contact, a popular e-mail marketing platform, and made several optimizations to the Chamber’s website. Those changes enhanced the overall experience for Chamber members and their clients. Joe went on to say that the Chamber will continue modernizing in ways that are practical and impactful for all members, including the ability to pay membership dues electronically in 2020.
Shayla Shembarger, an employee of 1st Source Bank in Stevensville and the Chamber’s Treasurer, provided a run-down of several successful events that the Chamber hosted or provided partnership for in 2018.
Those events included a Candidate Open House in July, where 19 candidates vying for public office came together to meet and converse with local constituents, and the debut of the chambers new speaker series, Leadership Connections, where influential community members are given an opportunity to speak in front of interested members and community members. Additionally, the Chamber partnered with United Way of Southwest Michigan and Coach’s Bar and Grill in Stevensville to host a Give Back Night, with proceeds benefiting The Logan Center and the Berrien County Cancer Service. That event raised over $600 for these organizations. The Chamber also hosted a well-attended Open House in December to celebrate their new home at the Village of Stevensville Building.
Looking ahead to 2019, Ashlie Guyberson says that the Chamber is excited to continue the Leadership Connections speaker series with potential speakers like Lake Michigan Vintner’s, Spectrum Health Lakeland, Meijer, the Senior PGA, United Way, AEP/I&M, and several others. The Chamber hopes to see more member engagement as it continues to offer additional opportunities for events and networking.
Meeting Sponsor Indiana Michigan Power Community Affairs Representative, Maggie Beggs, introduced the night’s keynote speaker, Shawn Buckner who has been with Meijer since June of 2000 and has over 25 years of retail experience.
Shawn spoke about Meijer’s commitment to making the shopping experience as easy as possible for its customers, especially in the face of an evolving market and increasing competition from other retail-based and online competitors. Meijer is continually testing new methodologies and technologies to improve the shopping experience, some of which could make their way to Stevensville in the near future. Shawn reiterated Meijer’s pledge to continue providing the best possible opportunities for its employees.
In the accompanying photo provided by the Lakeshore Chamber, you will find (from l-to-r) Alex Duffy and Kalvin Powell from Coach’s Bar & Grill, Jeannine & Tim Van Liere, owners of Coach’s, Chamber President Ashlie Guyberson and — from Anytime Fitness — Connor Craig and Chas Potts.
