GREATER NILES CHAMBER NAMES MARTIN MECHTENBERG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber ahavlicek@smrchamber.comGREATER NILES CHAMBER NAMES MARTIN MECHTENBERG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Registered architect and experienced economic development professional selected to lead the Chamber's next chapter October 26th, 2026 Niles, Michigan – The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (SMRC) today announced that Martin "Marty" Mechtenberg has been named
Lake Michigan College to Offer Two AI-Focused Extended Education Courses for Area Professionals
Lake Michigan College is offering two non-credit Extended Education courses in November and December to help area professionals use artificial intelligence with more confidence and clarity in their daily work. Kathleen Curtis Wolf, a consultant, facilitator, and AI strategist, will lead each session at the Todd Center on LMC's Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Artificial intelligence has moved quickly from a niche technical tool to a resource used across nearly every profession. Still, many workers
2027 LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Victoria Kostecki Program Manager Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Vkostecki@smrchamber.com smrchamber.com 2027 Leadership Accelerator Applications NOW OPEN! October, 15th,2026 St. Joseph, MI – The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in partnership with Lake Michigan College and The Purpose Partners, is proud to announce that its Leadership Academy program, Leadership Accelerator, is now accepting applications for the 2027 Cohort. Designed for
Rake a Difference Needs 600 More Volunteers by Friday So No Senior Is Left Waiting
United Way of Southwest Michigan is putting out an urgent last call for volunteers. Registration for Rake a Difference closes this Friday, October 16, and United Way still needs 600 more volunteers to serve every senior who has asked for help. So far, 350 seniors across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties have registered for the Thursday, November 12 event, with nearly half of those on the waitlist. Those seniors don't know yet whether a team is coming. United Way can't tell them until every volunteer
For Immediate Release: Great Lakes Eye Care Welcomes Dr. MacGregor Hall, MD to the Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Alex Gaytán Practice Development Coordinator | Administrator agaytan@greateyecare.com 269-428-3300 Ext. 266 Great Lakes Eye Care Welcomes Dr. MacGregor Hall, MD to the Team Joins today, October 5th October 5th, 2026 SAINT JOSEPH, MI – Dr. MacGregor Hall is a fellowship-trained cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon whose clinical interests include corneal transplantation, refractive cataract surgery with specialty lens implants, vision correction
Buchanan Celebrates Community Leaders at Annual Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jasmine Hansen Events Director Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce jhansen@smrchamber.com BUCHANAN CELEBRATES COMMUNITY LEADERS AT ANNUAL MEETING Dennis Mori, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation and Tracy Dippo honored for their service to the Buchanan area FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5th, 2026 BUCHANAN, MI — Business owners, community partners, and local leaders gathered Thursday, Oct. 1, at The Loading Dock in downtown Buchanan for the Buchanan Area
Upcoming Extended Education Classes at Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is offering several non-credit Extended Education courses designed for career advancement and skill building. Courses are offered at the Todd Center on LMC's Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Registration is required for all classes, and space is limited. Professionalism & Soft Skills Bootcamp Monday, Oct. 12 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration deadline: Oct. 8Monday, Dec. 7 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration deadline: Dec. 3$185 chamber members, $225 non-membersThis one-day
Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jasmine Hansen Events Director jhansen@smrchamber.com 269-932-4605 Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners November 20, 2025 Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the second annual HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic event
Attention Is the New Currency: Smart Ways Small Brands Earn It and Keep It
Modern consumers scroll fast, decide faster, and remember little — unless you give them a reason to stop. For startups and small businesses, that means every second of attention must count. This guide unpacks practical, non-gimmicky strategies to attract, convert, and retain time-pressed customers while building long-term trust. TL;DR If you only have 30 seconds: Lead with clarity and empathy, not complexity. Make your first impression friction-free — one click, one message, one
Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs November 21, 2024 Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the debut of HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic
