Chamber marks 40th anniversary, celebrates local business at annual meeting

Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan and Board Chair Keith Morgan sit-down with WKTV’s Ken Norris to discuss the Chamber’s 40th Anniversary. (Video by WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Sometimes we do not fully appreciate when a business turns 40, said Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Keith Morgan as he gave his report during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on Friday, Jan. 25.

About 80 percent of small businesses survive the first year and only about 50 percent will make it to year five, Morgan said.

“Any idea of how many will make it to 10 years?” Morgan asked the crowded Amway Ballroom where the dinner was taking place. “About half of a percent. So that means that if there were a 1,000 business that started today, only about seven would make it to the ten-year mark.”

Which means, according to Morgan, getting to 40 is a pretty big accomplishment.

Much of the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner was a celebration of the Chamber marking its 40th anniversary. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizinga along with representatives from Senator Gary Peters office were at the event. Several state legislators were there such a Michigan House Rep. Tommy Brann and State Senator Peter MacGregor, who presented the chamber with a state proclamation for its 40th anniversary. Both the mayors of the City of Wyoming and the City of Kentwood, Jack Poll and Stephen Kepley respectively, were in attendance and congratulated the Chamber for marking its 40th anniversary as well.

The evening also served as an opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments of area businesses, business leaders and Chamber volunteers.

Jessica Ann Tyson, owner of The Candied Yam. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Receiving the Retail Business of the Year award was The Candied Yam, owned by Jessica Ann Tyson.

The Candied Yam opened in 2016 offering a menu of “delightful southern cuisine.” Originally a takeout restaurant, around its one-year anniversary, The Candied Yam had to knock down a wall to accommodate a sit-down space. The expansion allowed the restaurant to offer even more to its community, Tyson said, adding that more importantly, it provided a way for the restaurant to give back. The Candied Yam has participated in a number of community programs such as The Pantry, Young Life of East Kentwood High, Taste of Kentwood, Job Corp, Grand Rapids Public Library Taste of Soul Sunday and the AARP Foundation to name a few.

“This award reminds us that we don’t exist without customers and this is our opportunity to show our customers who spend money with us through great customer service and great food that we are being recognized for what we do,” Tyson said. “We are honored and grateful to receive this award.”

WKTV General Manager Tom Norton and Board President Judy Bergsma. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Receiving the Service Business of the Year award was WKTV, a community television station dedicated to covering the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.

On Nov. 11, 1974, WKTV was incorporated and will soon be marking its 50th anniversary, said WKTV General Manager Tom Norton. It is one of the oldest, most continuously operated community television stations in the United States. In 2002, the station moved to near the border of Wyoming and Kentwood into its own permanent home. The 10,000-square-foot facility features two studios, multiple edit bays, public spaces, classrooms for media instruction and a 35-foot television production truck, one of the largest in Michigan.

Accepting the award for WKTV were Norton and Board President Judy Bergsma. Bergsma told the audience that WKTV is proud to be apart of the dynamic communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, offering an array of exciting programs. She thanked the chamber on behalf of the staff and volunteers for recognizing WKTV with this honor.

During the Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, which was emceed by WOOD TV8 Rachel Ruiz, an East Kentwood High School graduate, the chamber also recognized several chamber volunteers.

Tony Marion, left, who received the Gerald E. Fessell Distinguished Service Award, is with Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Receiving the Daniel T. McLaren Committee of the Year Award was the Chamber’s Marketing Committee. Selected as the Daniel VanDyke Volunteer of the Year was Summer Vasquez, from Williamson Employment Services and receiving the lifetime achievement award, the Gerald E. Fessell Distinguished Service Award, was Tony Marino, of Mitten Water Solutions.

After the event, Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said the chamber was thrilled with the attendance, which forced the Chamber to move the event to a larger room. O’Callaghan said the chamber will be marking its 40th anniversary with special events throughout the year.