AUG/SEP 19 Michigan Retailer

AUG/SEP 2019 The official publication of the Michigan Retailers Association

www.retailers.com

Jim Hallan retires

MRA’s President and CEO reflects on his 34-year career Public spaces: Placemaking as a downtown draw Meet our 21 scholarship winners What you need to know about hiring Baby Boomers Capitalize on Halloween sales

Jim Hallan looks back on his 34-year career at MRA on the eve of his retirement.

Volume 44 No. 4

Board of Directors BECKY BEAUCHINE KULKA

Chair Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Okemos

JAMES P. HALLAN

Michigan Retailers Services, Inc. Board of Directors JAMES P. HALLAN

President and CEO

CHAD AYERS

President and CEO Michigan Retailers Association

Allendale True Value, Allendale

BO BRINES

Leppink’s Food Centers, Belding

Vice Chair Little Forks Outfitters, Midland

PETER R. SOBELTON

JOHN LEPPINK

JAMES P. HALLAN

Treasurer Mondial Properties, Birmingham

Publisher

WILLIAM J. HALLAN

Editor

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Michigan Retailers Association

MEEGAN HOLLAND PATRICK KERWIN

Design Manager

ORIN MAZZONI, JR.

Past Chair Orin Jewelers, Garden City

BILL GOLDEN

Golden Shoes, Traverse City

KEN HAYWARD

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Publication Office 603 South Washington Avenue Lansing, MI 48933 517.372.5656 or 800.366.3699 Fax: 517.372.1303

DAN MARSHALL

Marshall Music Company, Lansing

JOSEPH MCCURRY

Credit Card Group

BRYAN NEIMAN

Neiman’s Family Market, East China Township

BARB STEIN

Great Northern Trading Co., Rockford

JOE SWANSON

About Us Michigan Retailer (USPS 345-780, ISSN 0889-0439) is published in February, April, June, August, October and December by Michigan Retailers Association, 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933.

Periodical postage paid at Lansing, Michigan.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 603 South Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. The Michigan Retailer may be recycled with other white office paper.

Target, Retired

THOMAS UNGRODT

TDU Consulting, LLC, Ann Arbor

JAMES WALSH

Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids

D. LARRY SHERMAN

Board Member Emeritus

MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

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20 ON THE COVER

JAMES P. HALLAN RETIRES page 10 MRA’s President and CEO talks about his 34-year career on the eve of his retirement.

Contents FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

3 BABY BOOMERS What they bring to the table.

2 FROM THE INCOMING CEO

4 PUBLIC SPACES Placemaking as a downtown draw.

8 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS How the state budget battle is shaping up.

7 HALLOWEEN Ideas for maximizing your sales.

16 CATCH-ALL DRAWER Tidbits from around the retail world.

9 BILL TRACKING Here’s how you can track what’s happening in the state Legislature.

18 FIVE TIPS Ways you can alleviate employee fatigue.

14 SCHOLARSHIP The MRA Foundation names its 21 scholarship winners.

19 LOTTERY UPDATE From the Lottery Commissioner.

17 MRA GOLF OUTING Fun photos from our event.

20 BUY NEARBY WEEKEND 21 NEW MEMBERS

18 EMPLOYEE FATIGUE Tired workers can pose a danger on the job.

Retailers.com RetailersInsurance.com BuyNearbyMI.com Visit us online to see what’s new in the industry and what services we provide members to strengthen your business.

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FROM THE INCOMING CEO It’s an Honor I distinctly remember the essay I wrote to accompany my law school application. I related the rules of golf to the ethics an attorney must follow. The goal was simply to find a topic that might distinguish my application from the many others that the admissions office would review. Little did I know that the theme would come full circle. You see, my father introduced me to both the game of golf and the law. And now, upon his retirement after 34 years of service to Michigan Retailers Association, I am reminded that the lessons of the game of golf so closely mirror a successful professional career.

Golf is unique in that players are expected to call penalties on themselves. It is a game of honor. I’ve been introducing my kids to the game and the added benefit is that when they play, I get to play. I played nine holes with my 6-year-old son over the July 4th holiday weekend and he’s still learning. In fact, his favorite part is raking the bunker (which to my dismay, he insists on calling it a sand pit). On one hole he used the putter like a hockey stick and stick-handled the ball into the hole. I reminded him that you must count each and every shot. The game is full of life lessons, by raking the bunker you’ve left the course ready for the next player. He’s learning integrity, honesty, and respect and he doesn’t even know it.

A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of recognizing Jim’s career in front of our board of directors, management team and family. It’s difficult to summarize 34 years of accomplishments, but Jim’s lasting contributions to MRA start with his vision. Through his leadership, Jim grew the organization into the largest state retail association in the country, servicing merchant processing customers in all 50 states.

He converted our group self-insured fund into an insurance company, diversifying our risk and growing the company through new opportunities. He built coalitions to repeal item pricing and pass Main Street Fairness. Essentially, he thought big and executed.

something in high esteem or respect. In a contract, it means to satisfy an obligation. And in the game of golf, it’s adhering to the rules of the game even when no one is watching.

Jim’s professional career embodies the word honor, and he’s left the organization better than when he started. The Association will celebrate its 80th Anniversary this fiscal year and it’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of a man who led Michigan Retailers in a way that would make any golfer proud.

WILLIAM J. HALLAN MRA Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

More importantly, Jim executed his vision while adhering to the highest level of integrity. He’s created a culture where MRA does business the right way, employing the ethical standards utilized both in law and on the golf course. While the retail landscape has changed dramatically over the years, Jim positioned the organization to have a bright future.

The term “honor” has many different meanings depending on the context. In its simplest form, it means to hold 2

MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

The tradition goes on: Young Bill Hallan, then age 8, meets Gov. Jim Blanchard and wife Janet in 1990 as his dad, Jim Hallan, looks on.

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aby boomers are altering the workforce. In an economic phase where employers are crying for talent, organizations that learn to accommodate and leverage older workers’ skills will reap benefits.

Hiring baby boomers: What you need to know

We’re in an era of low unemployment, and retirements are outpacing young people entering the workforce. As a result, more businesses are considering employing Baby Boomers.

And more Baby Boomers are staying in the work force. Recent research released by the U.S. Department of Labor shows that, by 2024, one in four workers in the United States will be 55 or older. To put this in context, in 1994, workers over the age of 55 accounted for about one in 10 workers.

Either by choice or by need, 85 percent of today’s baby boomers plan to continue to work into their 70s and even 80s, according to Deloitte Insights.

Besides just filling job openings, older workers can bring skills to the table.

“Engagement levels tend to increase with age, likely because older workers have had the time to find roles that suit their skills and career preferences ... Fairly consistently across studies, millennials tend to show the lowest engagement levels. This may be no surprise, as many younger workers are not yet in their preferred roles and are still working their way through entry-level or lower-management-level roles,” according to a study by Deloitte Insights.

Engaged workers tend to be more loyal, produce higher quality work and result in higher profitability and better safety records.

And while multitasking capability tends to decline after age 55, older workers bring wisdom to the workplace, which can help younger workers grow and result in more realistic decision-making.

The upshot? “While older workers may be somewhat slower to complete some tasks,

their work product tends to be of higher quality than that of younger workers,” the Deloitte study states.

Businesses in which all employees, regardless of age and background, collaborate and learn from each often build reputations for being great places to work. In the end, diversity of any kind strengthens your workplace.

But as workers age, employers must be aware of their older workers’ limitations to ensure you’re following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Older employees may have reduced strength, hearing loss, deteriorating eyesight, less physical flexibility, slower reaction times and other age-related limitations.

Under the ADA, employers must provide a reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to meet a qualification standard that is relevant to the job and consistent with business necessity. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the position or workplace that is customarily made to provide an employee with

impairment access to equal employment opportunities.

“A person who has medical conditions often associated with age, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, hearing loss, or hypertension, can be considered as having an impairment on the basis of the medical condition,” writes Bryon Bass, of Sedgwick, which is a partner with Retailers Insurance Co. Managing an aging workforce may mean you’ll need to institute such accommodations – but you’re likely providing these already: • Accessible work facilities.

• Personal attendants or service animals.

• Ergonomics and adaptive equipment to improve workstations: change the position and height of monitors, provide foot supports, three-in-one stand-sit chairs, or knee pads with shin guards.

• Longer breaks or more frequent shorter breaks.

• Mechanical assistive devices.

• Workplace design to reduce physical activities.

• Flexible work schedules.

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Communities are turning to art to create

Unique public spaces

If you have been to Detroit’s City: Iron

Mountain

Project: UPlift, an Upper Peninsula-wide humanitarian mural project.

Cost: $28,000 (average per mural) Funding sources: Corporate sponsors, an Artplace grant from CUPPAD Regional Commission and private donors with matching grants from the MEDC’s Public Spaces program. Businesses and locals provided in-kind donations such as meals and lodging for out-of-town artists.

Inspiration: After Mia Tavonatti won the ArtPrize grand prize in 2011 for her stained glass mosaic, “Crucifixion,” she was invited to create public art in her hometown of Iron Mountain. She used some of her $250,000 prize money and a couple small local grants to paint the first mural “Believe” in 2013 on the wall of Blackstone Pizza Co. building, which led to four more murals in downtown Iron Mountain and others in the Upper Peninsula communities of Manistique, Marquette and Gladstone as part of the UPLift Power of Words project. Each mural is inspired by a word nominated and chosen by the community to define their vision for the future of their community.

Impact: The Iron Mountain murals of Believe, Community, Inspire, Hope and Welcome have become favorite backdrops for graduation, wedding and baby photo sessions. But Tavonatti envisions the ever-expanding constellation of murals as growing a cultural destination that gives people another reason to explore the state’s most remote region and generate much-needed tourism dollars for its communities. “Each project is designed to engage the community in as many ways as we can through the creative process,” she said.

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MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

Campus Martius Park or Grand Rapids’ Rosa Parks Circle, you’ve experienced placemaking in action. These downtown public spaces bring together a cross-section of people for a variety of activities, from dancing to ice skating to just hanging out.

Smaller communities are taking their own approaches to placemaking, often using artwork to create destinations. Many are tapping into Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces, Community Places program. It provides an online tool for fundraising, similar to a Go Fund Me page, except that it comes with a match of up to $50,000.

Since 2014, more than 200 projects have been funded, raising $7.7 million in donations while leveraging $6.6 million in matching state grants and $41.4 million in private investment. There’s been more than 40,000 donors, with the average project drawing nearly 200 people willing to put money toward a project. The Michigan Municipal League is also a partner of the program that is open to municipalities, nonprofits and low-profit limited liability companies. continued on page 6

Iron Mountain commissioned an artist to paint a mural with the theme, “Believe.” The concept caught on and other UP communities joined in.

Each mural is inspired by a word the community chooses.

City: Jackson Project: Bright Walls Mural Festival, a celebration of creating art.

Cost: $360,000 Funding sources: Corporate sponsors and private donations and MEDC’s Public Spaces program.

Inspiration: Intrigued after seeing festivals in larger communities like Detroit, the Jackson Young Professionals brought the idea to the community. The effort began last year with 15 murals on seven buildings along a downtown block. More than 8,000 people turned out for the festival, held in a nearby parking lot. This year there will be 20 new murals, created by a mix of global and local artists.

Impact: Property owners embraced the beautification project and invested in upgrades to their buildings. The art project is generating interest from around the world. This year, 130 artists from Greece to Hong Kong reached out to the community to take part in the Festival.

“It was a storm of perfect things happening,” explains Jacqueline Austin, event co-director and founder of Think Jackson, a community development and event planning business.

“It was amazing to see the support.”

The Jackson Young Professionals are the inspiration behind a huge mural project in their city. The project will result in 35 murals around the southern Michigan city.

ROTARY PARK BEACH CONCEPT

2/28/2019

City: Lansing Project: Riverfront Project, a redevelopment of the riverfront along the city’s downtown corridor, creating gathering spaces for conversations and entertainment.

Cost: $2 million Funding sources: Capital Region Community Foundation, City of Lansing, Rotary Club of Lansing, Wieland Construction, Delta Dental of Michigan, Dewpoint, Red Cedar Investment Management, Auto-Owners Insurance, Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gillespie Group, and Lansing Board of Water and Light.

Inspiration: After a kayak rental business highlighted the potential draw of the Grand River along Lansing’s River Trail, the community decided to maximize the riverfront. When

View Looking Southeast Rendering courtesy of Capital Region Community Foundation and LAP + CREATIVE. LAP + CREATIVE L a nd s c a p e Archi te c ts a nd Pl a nne r s.

this development is completed this fall, there will be clusters of seating, an outdoor fireplace, shade sails, a “lighted forest” with multi-color lighting, and a new performance venue dubbed the “HUB” – for Happening Under the Bridge.

Impact: The public space is expected to bolster downtown economic development. “It will be a nice attraction for people who live and work here, but for visitors as well,” said Julie Pingston, the Greater Lansing CVB’s Vice President.

The 13-mile Lansing River Trail gets a massive refresh as it passes through downtown, thanks to proactive placemaking

by Capital Region Community Foundation.

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Unique public spaces continued from page 4

“It’s enabling community members to create a physical sense of community, whether that’s through public art installations, alleyway activations, enhancing their dog park or creating a splash pad,” said Chelsea Rowley, a MEDC Community Assistance Team Specialist. “All of those amenities can make communities more attractive places to live, work, stay, play and entertain. They are often also foot traffic-drivers.”

The program is a collaboration between MEDC and Patronicity, a crowdfunding platform created to support placemaking. The company collects a 5% administration fee in addition to the nearly 3% taken by the credit card processor. However, donors can choose to cover these fees for the project, which typically bring the total fees down to around 4% for the project, according to Mahala Clayton, Patronicity’s Project Manager for Michigan.

“The field of placemaking is ever-changing. Right now, alleyway activations are huge trends. When we started five years ago, there were a ton of park projects.

Now, we’re moving into murals. They are a great way to beautify and bring activity to a space that you want people to frequent more often,” Clayton said.

High school students took the reins in developing this fun pedestrian plaza in Charlevoix.

City: Charlevoix Project: Hoop Skirt Alley, turning an alleyway into a gathering space.

Cost: $18,000 Funding sources: Charlevoix Main Street Downtown Development Authority, MEDC’s Public Spaces for Community Places grant program and crowdfunding through Patronicity.

Inspiration: After finding success redeveloping a downtown alley, the community was eager to do another in the 300 block of Bridge Street. This time, the project was picked up by Charlevoix High School students, who spearheaded the fundraising to underwrite the alley’s transformation into a pedestrian plaza with benches, decorative lighting, games, scooter parking and a bike rack.

Impact: Since completion in June, the space has been a popular destination. It also resolved concerns locals had about creating more gathering spaces with family and kid-friendly features and putting a priority on pedestrians and bikes. “It’s become a place of activity instead of a walkway,” says Lindsey Dotson, Charlevoix’s Main Street DDA Director.

City: Holland

Holland, a summer retreat for author L. Frank Baum, pays homage to his most popular work, “Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

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Project: Holland Oz, featuring a 12-by-10 foot “Wizard of Oz” mosaic book created with 6,000 plants at the city’s downtown Centennial Park. Being added soon are six life-size bronze sculptures of Dorothy and Toto and other Oz characters across the street at the library.

Cost: $375,000 Funding sources: Holland Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Holland, Herrick District Library, Holland in Bloom, and locals and visitors alike who have supported the project through donations for inscribed bricks along the yellow brick road, park benches, and the statues along with in-kind services from local businesses.

Inspiration: Michigan’s Tulip City is telling the story of its connection to the 1900 classic book, “Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” with a permanent exhibit paying homage to the author L. Frank Baum. Many believe he was inspired by the people and places he encountered while summering at his family’s Lake Michigan cottage.

Impact: The mosaic book has become a popular spot for photos for locals and tourists alike. “There’s just a universal appeal of Wizard of Oz. We are hoping to draw people from around the state, around the country and around the world,” says Sally Laukitis, the Holland Area CVB’s longtime executive director.

Capitalizing on

Halloween Go beyond decorating your store

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ith Halloween spending hovering around the $9 billion mark, you’re crazy not to take advantage of this fun holiday to drive sales.

But don’t wait too long. The National Retail Federation has said celebrants often start shopping in late September and early October as they plan their parties and elaborate costumes.

Celebrants are expected to spend an average of $86.79, up from last year’s $86.13, with more than 175 million Americans planning to partake in Halloween festivities this year.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to strategize.

Sure, you and your employees can dress up, decorate the store, add some Halloween-themed items to your product mix and offer special deals. But how can you ramp up the spooky vibe even more and start a buzz that draws more customers?

Even if you don’t carry a single piece of Halloween-y merchandise, you can still attract customers to your store.

Host a special night: Ideally, you want to get customers through your doors before the holiday, right? So you control the timing. Host a Ghouls Night Out, with a witches brew, themed snacks and an activity that you do best. Hold a spooky happy hour or sale, and hand out small items like mini pumpkins or free candy. Or do a crafty workshop – pumpkin carving, costume assemblage or a cooking demo for spooky appetizers. Bonus if any of your products are used in these projects.

Partner with fall-themed attractions: October has a wealth of seasonal businesses that your business could partner with - haunted houses, apple picking farms, corn field mazes and pop-up costume stores.

See if there’s a way for your business to participate - be the face-painting sponsor, offer coffee or snacks, or provide a freebie that spreads your brand with their customers.

Give out branded Trick-or-Treat bags It’s relatively cheap to create some plastic bags with a spookified version of your logo on them - 250 custom bags may cost $150. It’s a great way to get your business’s logo out in the wild on a night when a good majority of the public will be out and about. Hand them out in the week leading up to Halloween.

Ideas for your downtown group Design a themed photo booth: Paint or buy a Halloween backdrop (you can find everything from a haunted mansion to a smiling pumpkin patch) and take pictures of customers, their kids, or pets in costumes. Send them digital copies and ask if you can post their selfies on your Facebook page.

Coordinate a monster hunt through town: Create a monster hunt that leads customers to all the different stores. Set it up like scavenger hunt: Each “hunter” gets a card that must be stamped as they find each monster. Each participating store has an employee dress up in a different designated costume – a vampire, witch, Frankenstein, etc.

Give everyone who completes the monster hunt a package of gift certificates from the participating stores.

Idea sources: WhizBang! Retail Training, fivestars.com and fundera.com.

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS

An old, but familiar budget battle is looming The dog days of summer are upon us and usually that means little to no legislative action in Lansing. This year might be different as we expect lawmakers will be back in August working on the pending budget, which must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30 to prevent a budget shutdown.

AMY DRUMM MRA Vice President, Government Affairs Contact Amy at adrumm@retailers.com

Budget deals require compromise and we’ve reached that point in the process.

Gov. Whitmer has openly criticized Republican legislative leaders for going back to their districts before getting a final budget approved. Budget deals require compromise from both sides and we’ve reached that point in the process. Budget bills have moved through the legislature and now sit in conference committees (committees made up of legislators from both chambers to hammer out differences on a bill). This is standard procedure and conference reports won’t be kicked out until there is a budget deal in place – unless the Republican-controlled legislature wants to gamble by sending the governor a budget she might veto.

Over the same time span, the state has faced two government shutdowns (Oct. 2007 and Oct. 2009) while the federal government has shut down five times (Nov. 1995, Dec. 1995-Jan.1996, Oct. 2013, Jan. 2018, Dec. 2018-Jan. 2019).

All of these are due to battles occurring during periods of divided government. Michigan shutdowns lasted only hours while the federal shutdowns ranged between one and 35 days.

Former Gov. Snyder, a CPA by trade, made it a priority to get the budget done early each year, giving more notice to schools and other organizations that have earlier starts to their fiscal years (July 1 instead of the state’s Oct. 1). But that hasn’t always been the case.

The lesson for 2019 is that the 2007 Michigan shutdown centered around a promise from then-governor Jennifer Granholm to not sign a budget that didn’t include increasing the state income tax and expanding the sales tax to services. Gov. Whitmer served in the legislature during both the 2007 and 2009 shutdowns and surely remembers Gov. Granholm’s tactics and may be taking a page out of her playbook.

In this era of term limits, everyone’s memory seems a little shorter. Prior to the last eight years, it was pretty common for the legislature to finish the budget in either August or September. In fact, the last time the budget was completed in June prior to Snyder was in 1996. The only time over the last twenty-five years budgets have been done before the start of schools’ fiscal years (July 1) was when Republicans controlled

Whitmer has already made a similar promise this year – to not sign a budget that doesn’t include $2.3 billion in additional funds for road and infrastructure repairs. While she’s not as rigid as her predecessor in how to find the funds, her proposals look similar: a business tax increase and 45-cent gas tax increase. As a former legislator, she must also remember that the expansion of sales tax to services was repealed well before it took effect.

Buy Nearby Weekend

October 4- 6, 2019 8

both chambers in the legislature and the governor’s office. (It’s worth noting that Democrats have not had a similar opportunity since they have not controlled both legislative chambers and the governor’s office during the same time period.)

MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

Keep your money in the Mitten!®

0719

MRA tracks pending bills for you

By AMY DRUMM

Are you getting our Government Affairs emails? I know, many of us are plagued by the near constant emails that come in every day but one of the main services MRA provides to members is information about our Legislature’s actions, and we share that most frequently via our email updates.

We send the bi-weekly Government Affairs News update while the legislature is in active session and we’ve recently made some changes to make it easier to quickly skim our tracked bills for those most relevant to your business. Each email update includes a link to our full bill tracking document, which is updated on MRA’s website every two weeks (visit MRA’s Government Affairs News page under the Advocacy tab). Bills are categorized by topic and those with changes are highlighted. Members should be able to tell from a quick glance what MRA’s position is on any given bill and to see where Not getting Government it is in the legislative process.

Affairs emails?

Send a message to: Our goal is to make it easy for you adrumm@retailers.com to stay informed without having to to be added to the list! be at the Capitol every day. If there’s something we can do to make it easier for you to stay informed, please let us know!

New laws passed this spring and how to track pending bills • Location pinpointing telephone systems required: Public Act 30 of 2019 (HB 4249) requires all buildings over 7,000 square feet containing Multi Line Telephone Systems to install equipment and software enabling 9-1-1 calls to transmit specific locations inside their building by Jan. 1, 2020. Systems must be capable of identifying the following items (if applica-

ble): street address, building floor, unique building identifiers for separate buildings using a common street address, and specific location of each device (room or unit number, room name, or equivalent designation for a portion of a structure). However, penalties for noncompliance ($500-5,000 per offense) will not start until Jan. 1, 2021.

• Liquid nicotine containers must be kept behind the counter: PA 17 of 2019 (SB 155) only allows retailers to sell liquid nicotine containers in child-resistant packaging and they must keep all vapor products behind the counter. Violating the packaging requirements is a $50 civil fine and not keeping the products behind the counter is a $500 civil fine. The law takes effect Sept. 2.

• Illegal to sell e-cigarette/vapor products to minors: Public Act 18 of 2019 (SB 106) banned sales of e-cigarettes and vapor products to minors. It increases the penalties for selling tobacco/e-cigarettes/vapor products to minors to $100 for a first offense, up to $500 for a second offense and up to $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense. Minors are prohibited from purchasing, possessing or using vapor products and are subject to a $50 civil fine per incident. For a third violation a minor would receive a misdemeanor and be required to participate in a health and risk assessment program.

• Recreational drone use banned on Mackinac Island: Public Act 32 of 2019 (SB 129) prohibits the use of recreational drones on Mackinac Island and other places that prohibit the use of motor vehicles where horse activities may be interfered with. There are exemptions for news media, insurers, insurance adjusters, public utility or transmission company maintenance and law enforcement. The new law requires a jurisdiction seeking to ban drones to apply to the FAA for a fixed site designation.

Food Retailers Summit is Sept. 25-27; register now!

A Division of MRA

Grocers, suppliers and friends – join us at Crystal Mountain Resort for the Food Retailers Summit, where we’ll take networking to the next level! You don’t have to be in the food industry to attend – the summit agenda addresses hot topics that will apply to many different types of retailers and business owners, including:

• A can’t-miss legislative and regulatory update.

• A frank conversation about managing human resources led by human resources expert Jodi Schafer. She’ll discuss the most common HR situations for retailers that can quickly spiral out of control if not handled correctly.

She’ll also discuss the legal and practical aspects of marijuana in the workplace and recent changes in employment law.

• An in-depth look at the evolving trends in digital innovations and if they can work for independent store operators. Our speaker, Thom Blischok, chairman and

CEO of The Dialogic Group, has over 30 years of in-depth experience with major retail chains and CPG manufacturers. He’s in high demand as a speaker and consultant.

• An update about how the state plans to regulate sales of industrial hemp products like CBD by Michigan’s recently appointed Industrial Hemp Director, Gina Alessandri.

• An overview of the frequent legal questions around selling CBD and hemp products by government relations and regulatory law attorney Douglas Mains, who is at the forefront of Michigan’s evolving medical marijuana law and helped draft the Michigan proposal.

As for networking, bring your spirit of friendly competition with attendee favorites; the annual bocce and cornhole tournaments. Also returning is the Euchre tournament, which was a big hit when it debuted last year. On Thursday night, Cliff Erickson — singer and 12-string acoustic guitar performer — will entertain us with a mix of original music and cover songs including hits by Johnny Cash, The Beatles and Elvis Presley. continued on page 21

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Jim Hallan As MRA’s President and CEO approaches his retirement on Aug. 26, he says he feels very fortunate about his 34-year career with the organization.

By MEEGAN HOLLAND

“What an honor to represent the retail industry,” Hallan said. “Not many people get to be a spokesperson for thousands of members. It’s your voice that hopefully carries the right message.”

Hallan has witnessed a massive transformation in retail since he joined MRA in 1985. Back then, the hot retailers were Main Street brick-and-mortar stores like Jacobson’s, Montgomery Ward, Steketee’s and Perry Drug. Then malls and national brand stores came along. Big box stores like Walmart started dominating the scene, and now that has morphed into online retailers.

He grew up in Holland, the youngest of three children of parents who emphasized work. His father was president of a soft drink bottler and his mom stayed at home to look after him and his two older sisters.

Work was a given, and his high school job was at the local IGA store. He was in charge of the cake mix aisle, where he learned what sold best when, and how to stock shelves to move product. He knew early on he wanted to be a lawyer, so after getting his bachelor’s in political science and economics at Ohio Wesleyan University, he earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

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MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

After working as an assistant prosecutor in Ottawa County, Hallan’s first trade association jobs were at the Michigan Chamber and the Michigan Food Dealers Association.

When he joined MRA as general counsel in 1985, he also helped the Michigan Association of Professional Insurance Agents and the Michigan Floral Association and the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association with legal and legislative issues, all MRA partners. As a result, his trade association roots and knowledge run deep, and he has witnessed how many organizations have evolved for better or worse over the years.

MRA has had its highs and lows – “especially when the world fell apart on 2008-09; those were challenging times,” and he says that retail hasn’t fully bounced back from the Great Recession. But the association in 2018 came off one of its strongest years, with a record-breaking $1.4 billion in credit card processing with accounts in 50 states and record profits for Retailers Insurance Co. “What distinguishes Michigan Retailers from other like-minded trade associations is the entrepreneurial spirit that we have here,” Hallan said. He credits MRA for knowing early on that it couldn’t be just a dues-based organization. It needed to offer valuable services for members, and that’s

how credit card processing and the insurance offerings came about.

Hallan was very much a part of that entrepreneurialism. He “did a great job creating a very dynamic and wonderful organization that we at the Grand Hotel are proud to be a part of,” said Executive Vice President Ken Hayward, a board member.

Previous President and CEO Larry Meyer, who hired Hallan, credits him with taking MRA to new heights. “Michigan Retailers has progressed to the point where it’s the largest state retail organization in the country, and Jim made it happen,” Meyer said.

When Hallan joined MRA in 1985, there were several larger trade associations and MRA ranked as a mid-tier association. He helped develop partnerships with other associations in which they’d promote MRA’s credit card processing products to their members. Such referral arrangements have been a boon to the organization.

“There’s a right way and wrong way to do business. If you’re ethical and you do the right thing, in the long run you’re going to have a lot more business.” Hallan said.

“We’re in the customer service business continued on page 12

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Hallan

continued from page 10

and we’re a voluntary organization. Nobody is required to write that dues check every year so we have to prove ourselves.”

He cites some important qualities that have led to Michigan Retailers’ success.

• Being nimble: “You have to recognize the marketplace is never stagnant; it’s always changing, and you have to recognize that change. If you don’t, you’re going to be gone,” Hallan said, who went on to repeat his oft-heard mantra: “The only constant is change.”

• Finding your niche: The association role today fills a different niche for members. “In early days, associations filled a need as a social gathering place. But as more families had two working parents, time became stressed and that social need was no longer there. So you had to figure out what that need was. Is it a service need, is it a business need, is it a legislative need, is it an educational need?”

The fun part is the non-profit Buy Nearby program, which has a charming mascot named Buy Nearby Guy who travels around the state. The campaign encourages Michiganders to “Keep your money in the Mitten!” – another Hallan turn of phrase.

In retirement, he’ll continue with the Retailers Insurance Co. board and he is chair of the Delta Dental Foundation. He looks forward to golfing, spending more time with seven, soon to be eight, grandkids along with his wife, Beth of 44 years, who has always been a “wonderful partner and sounding board who kept the home front running smoothly. Family is very important to me, and we are blessed with three wonderful children.” Two girls, Mary and Claire, and son Bill, who will succeed him as MRA’s President and CEO. Bill is currently MRA’s Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Gen-

• Being in a position to act: Hallan never stopped looking for opportunities and made sure that MRA had the financial capacity to take advantage. In the past few years, MRA has brought on the Michigan Retail Hardware and Michigan Grocer associations.

The hardest part of his job was moving big issues through the legislature. It meant educating lawmakers on why MRA’s agenda is good policy. Hallan’s relationships with every governor since Milliken means MRA has had a strong voice. It succeeded in educating lawmakers as to why item-pricing had become outdated, why online sellers collecting sales tax was necessary to bring Main Street Fairness to brick and mortar stores and how principal shopping districts would benefit downtowns.

Left, Hallan awards a Centennial plaque to Linn & Owens Jewelers in Lansing.

Top and bottom, Hallan’s relationship with governors has made MRA a strong advocate (top, with Gov. Rick Snyder, and below, with Gov. James Blanchard.)

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The Buy Nearby program, with its popular mascot, was a brainchild of Hallan’s, kicking off in 2012.

eral Counsel. “I’m very proud of all of them and their families.”

“Bill will be terrific in his new position,” Hallan said. “MRA operates in a highly regulated atmosphere. His legal background and his personal skills will serve him well. His challenge will be the challenge that I faced: the changing retail and regulatory environment.”

Hallan takes pride in leaving MRA in a stable financial condition, with no debt.

“I grew up in a business family; I was fortunate enough to have a law degree and I always loved politics. For me this was a perfect career,” Hallan said. “I had the opportunity to run a business, use my legal skills and engage in the legislative process. It’s been a great run.”

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GUIDE TO PROFILES

21 students receiving

Information for each student is listed in this order: hometown; award name; business where the student or parent works; business location; college or university; major; and class status.

Retailers scholarships MRA’s annual scholarship competition is awarding 21 scholarships totaling $30,000 for the 2019-20 academic year.

The awards are funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation and contributions from MRA members and other donors.

There are 18 $1,500 scholarships and three $1,000 scholarships this year. The $1,500 scholarships go to students attending four-year colleges and universities and the $1,000 scholarships go to students attending community colleges or approved institutions.

Of the 18 $1,500 scholarships, four Paul M. Felice Memorial Scholarships will be awarded, in honor of the former MGA chairman and director.

Two new scholarships were awarded this year: the Orin and Tina

Jaxon Disbrow Kalkaska Target Corporation Platinum Legacy Scholarship • McLean’s Hardware, Kalkaska • Michigan State University • Mechanical Engineering • Freshman 14

Mazzoni and Family Legacy Scholarship, named after past MRA Board Chair and owner of Orin Jewelers in Garden City and Northville, Orin Mazzoni, Jr. The second new scholarship awarded this year is the Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall Memorial Legacy Scholarship, established by Marshall Music’s owner and MRA Board Member, Dan Marshall.

Lauren Aymen Bad Axe Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall Memorial Legacy Scholarship • Thumb Broadcasting, Bad Axe • Central Michigan University • Biochemistry • Sophomore

Payton Bauman Elmira Jean L. Sarasin Legacy Scholarship • North Central Michigan College, Petoskey • Ferris State University • Radiology Technician • Junior

Stephanie Cash Portage Walsh Family Legacy Scholarship • Meijer, Battle Creek • Southern New Hampshire University, New Hampshire • Liberal Arts Education • Sophomore

Michael Flickinger Grand Rapids Paul M. Felice Memorial Scholarship • Meijer, Grand Rapids • Grand Valley State University • Mechanical Engineering • Junior

Mason Gabriel Muskegon Paul M. Felice Memorial Scholarship • Orchard Markets, Spring Lake • Muskegon Community College • Science Education • Sophomore

To be eligible, recipients must be an employee of a MRA member business or the dependent of an owner or employee of a member business. Students apply between January 1 and April 1 each year for the scholarships.

The program’s totals have now reached $544,500 awarded to 551 recipients since 1999, when the current program format began.

Scholarship recipients were chosen by a third-party administrator - International Scholarship and Tuition Services.

Maximilian Ehinger Ypsilanti James P. Hallan MRA President and CEO Legacy Scholarship • Superior Text, Ypsilanti • University of California, Los Angeles • Astrophysics • Freshman

MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

Hudson Allen Newaygo Helen McCurry Legacy Scholarship • Market 41, Newaygo • Toccoa Falls College, Georgia • Biology • Junior

Courtney Farrish St. Joseph Paul M. Felice Memorial Scholarship • Harding’s Friendly Markets, Coloma • Western Michigan University • Mathematics Education • Freshman

Christopher Garbe Kawkawlin Paul M. Felice Memorial Scholarship • Meijer, Bay City • Grand Valley State University • Optometry • Sophomore

Morgan Horning Plymouth D. Larry Sherman Legacy Scholarship • M-Den, Ypsilanti • Bowling Green State University, Ohio • Special Education • Freshman

Parker Knizacky Scottville Kenneth A. and Margaret Schwark Legacy Scholarship • Easy Living Flooring, Ludington • West Shore Community College • Accounting • Freshman

Thomas Mack Grand Rapids Barb Stein Legacy Scholarship • East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, Grand Rapids • University of Michigan • Business • Junior

Jordyn Mullikin Elwell Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship • DeWitt Lumber Company, Mount Pleasant • Mid-Michigan Community College • Accounting • Junior

Danielle Nowak Brecksville, Ohio Mark Schrag Legacy Scholarship • Oliver Printing and Packaging, Twinsburg, Ohio • University of Tennessee, Tennessee • Business • Freshman

Bridget Owens Kalamazoo Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship • Consumer Credit Union, Kalamazoo • Michigan State University • Nursing • Sophomore

Dana Pierangeli Grand Rapids Fred and Lillian Sherman Legacy Scholarship • McDonald Pierangeli Macfarlane, PLLC, Grand Rapids • University of Michigan • Theatre Arts, English • Sophomore

Lauren Shrimplin Elyria, Ohio Nathan Rosenfeld Legacy Scholarship • Oliver Printing and Packaging, Twinsburg, Ohio • Columbus College of Art and Design • Graphic Design, Art • Senior

Madison Skop Boyne Falls Thomas Ungrodt Legacy Scholarship • Country Casuals, Petoskey • Central Michigan University • Graphic Design • Junior

Christopher Sputa Chesterfield Linda Mayleben Legacy Scholarship • Meijer, Chesterfield • Eastern Michigan University • Criminal Justice • Junior

Kaitlyn VanKoevering Byron Center Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family Legacy Scholarship • Schut Mechanical Sales, Jenison • Grand Rapids Community College • Dental Hygenist • Senior

Stay tuned...

The 2020-2021 scholarship competition will begin January 1, 2020 and run until April 1, 2020.

Materials will be mailed out in the first week, following New Year’s Day. For more information regarding our scholarship competition, follow our MRA Facebook page.

The scholarships are funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation from earnings on tax-deductible contributions from MRA members and other generous donors.

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catch-all drawer The

Tidbits to make business easier

A FUN WAY TO BOOST YOUR FACEBOOK AUDIENCE Looking to increase Facebook likes? Pat Harrington, of our Michigan Retail Hardware division, was in a coffee shop last month and noticed a neat little tool. It’s essentially a tracker that keeps count of your Facebook followers.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL LAST-MINUTE SHOPPERS Plenty of parents wait until the last minute to purchase backto-school supplies. They may be holding out for the best deal or simply too distracted to get to it.

Pat went to the shop’s Facebook page and “liked” it. He immediately saw the counter do an uptick.

So don’t hesitate to keep your BTS merchandise front and center, even this late in August.

Families with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend an average of $696.70. That’s up from $684.79 last year, says the National Retail Federation in its annual Back-to-School report.

“So I unliked their page and yes, the counter instantly went down a click,” he said. He re-liked the page before he left, of course.

It’s a great way to promote your Facebook page and engage your customers.

The Real Time Like Counter is available from smiirl.com and comes in five- or seven-digit formats. It costs $389.

As one testimonial reads on their website, the counter “is a great tool for us to build our customer base on our FB page. We look forward to seeing the numbers change and our customers love it too. I highly recommend this for any company who has an active FB page.”

HOME DEPOT CFO: MILLENNIALS INVEST IN THEIR HOMES Millennial homeowners are big on home improvement projects, Home Depot executive vice president and CFO Carol Tome told CNBC’s “Mad Money” recently.

Home equity values have more than doubled since 2011, Tome says. The company’s research indicates homeowners do more home improvement projects if they view their home as an investment, not just an expense. Millennials in particular have adopted this mindset, she said.

College students are even more valuable to retail’s bottom line: Families with college students are expected to spend an average of $976.78, which is up from last year’s $942.17.

HAVE YOU NOTICED OUR CREDIT CARD VIDEOS? Michigan Retailers Association kicked off an ambitious ad campaign in June to promote our credit card processing program. The videos, produced by Cold Box Films in Lansing, are colorful and eyecatching.

If you’re curious about the look, go to our YouTube channel at Aguilar Sage youtube.com/ MichiganRetailers and take a look. You’ll see our very own sales rep Burke Sage in a helpful video on how easy it is to switch to our processing program. And customer service rep Marian Chelize Aguilar has a cameo in a short video as well.

SCHILLING NAMED VP AT MRA Laura Schilling was named Vice President, Underwriting at Michigan Retailers Association.

“When we talked to millennials, we were nervous about whether or not they wanted to own a home,” she said. “We saw the largest cohort of first-time homebuyers last year was 33 years old, so as they’re starting to form their family unit, they’re buying a home.”

But what really excites her is that “they’ve told us they want to work on their homes because they think it’s a good investment.

That’s music to my ears.”

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Schilling

Schilling started at MRA in 2006. She’s worked in data entry and communications before being promoted to associate underwriter for Retailers Insurance in December 2012. She became director of underwriting in January 2017.

A Michigan State University graduate, she is a licensed agent in Property & Casualty.

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2019 MRA golf outing a success

Clockwise: 1. L-R; Doug Watters, Don Symonds and Ron Larson (all Lipari Foods).

2. Kim Hughson (IGT).

3. The eventual winning team celebrate a birdie.

4. Rep. Frank Liberati (Liberati’s Italian Deli & Bakery).

5. Burgers and brats for lunch.

6. Thank you to our sponsors.

7. The players enjoying dinner and air conditioning.

8. The winning team of Jim Gohsman (SpartanNash), Thom Welch (Hollywood Markets), Steffen Nizinski (SpartanNash) and Rick Welch (Hollywood Markets).

9. Rich Cole, Robert Leppink, Arianna Meinke and John Leppink (all of Leppink’s Food Center).

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Hidden danger in the workplace: Employee fatigue As an employer, one of your biggest safety concerns is ensuring that your workers aren’t fatigued on the job.

News From

Employees need to be responsible for their own sleep habits. But employers need to be aware that safety performance decreases as employees become tired.

It may not sound like a serious issue, but it is: A study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine said fatigue cost U.S. employers more than $136 billion per year in health-related lost productivity – $101 billion more than for workers without fatigue.

Eighty-four percent of the costs were related to reduced performance while at work, rather than absences.

Fatigued worker productivity costs employers $1,200 to $3,100 per employee annually.

Studies show that the more hours employees work, the more they risk injury. The combination of lack of sleep and long or erratic work continued on page 19

Fatigue Here’s information to pass on to your employees to help them avoid fatigue.

1 Get enough sleep

and plan for adequate rest between physically or cognitively demanding activities.

2 Talk to your doctor

about getting screened for sleeping disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

3 If you work the night shift, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule even on your days off.

4

Use blackout curtains

to keep your bedroom dark. Your brain responds to darkness by producing melatonin, which helps you sleep.

5

Instead of tossing and turning, try this sleep habits assessment tool at https://wb.md/30orCT4.

It may help you pinpoint what’s keeping you awake.

Source: National Safety Council

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MICHIGAN RETAILER AUG / SEP 2019

Workplace danger continued from page 18

hours can be dangerous.

“Injury rates are highest among workers who generally sleep less than seven hours per day and workers who typically work more than 40 hours per week,” according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Injury rates peak among workers who regularly get less than five hours of sleep a night (7.89 injuries per 100 employees) and among workers who typically work more than 60 hours a week (4.34 injuries per 100 employees).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track fatigue-related incidents, but one study shows workers with sleep problems have a 1.62 times higher risk of injury than workers without sleep problems. The study also estimates that about 13% of work injuries can be attributed to sleep problems.

Jobs that disrupt natural sleep patterns often make workers sleep-deprived. The worst are rotating shifts, because employees can’t adapt their body clocks to an alternative sleep pattern. Be sure to make your employees on night shifts, irregular shifts or longer shifts aware of the importance of getting enough snooze time.

Of special concern are employees who are required to drive. NSC has gathered research that shows: • You are three times more likely to be in a car crash if you are fatigued.

• More than 5,000 people died in drowsy-driving related crashes in 2014.

• Losing even two hours of sleep is similar to the effect of having three beers.

• Being awake for more than 20 hours is the equivalent of being legally drunk.

Adults need an average of seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but 30% report averaging less than six hours, according to the National Health Interview Survey.

Reduce Your Risk 97% of American workers have at least one risk-factor for fatigue.

Shift work, a long commute and other work factors can contribute to fatigue.

It’s time to reduce your risk.

Impaired Thinking Fatigue can cause decreases in attention, memory, concentration, and other critical factors.

Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep each day.

Increased Safety Risk

Ignoring these symptoms will only worsen your fatigue and increase safety risks for yourself and your coworkers.

Don’t accept fatigue as your new normal.

Nodding Off

Falling asleep unintentionally, even for only a few seconds, can put you at serious risk and is a sign that you may be extremely fatigued.

Talk to a supervisor or human resources rep if you are too tired to work safely.

For more information on this and other safety topics, visit the member-exclusive website at nsc.org

Proud Member

Source: According to National Safety Council Survey, Fatigue in the Workplace: Causes & Consequences of Employee Fatigue 900015276 0219 ©2019 National Safety Council

Cashword Millions: chance to win $1 million Cashword instant games rank among the most popular games offered by the Michigan Lottery.

The proven crossword theme offers players an extended play opportunity as well as an interactive second-chance game that is nearly as popular as the game itself.

BRIAN O’NEILL Lottery Commissioner

The Lottery took Cashword to new heights in 2017 with the launch of Super Bonus Cashword.

For the first time, players had the opportunity to win up to $1 million playing Cashword. The popularity of the game was unparalleled. Players liked the extended play format of Cashword and

the chance to win more than ever before.

The Lottery plans to build on that success on Aug. 6 when it launches the Cashword Millions instant game. Each $20 ticket will offer players a chance to win up to $1 million and more than $98 million in total prizes. The new game will offer players the most play value of any Cashword game on sale with four unique puzzles and four bonus words. Additionally, entry codes from non-winning Cashword Millions tickets may be entered at MyMICashword.com for a second chance to win free play coupons and entries into a weekly drawing for $100 in instant game tickets. continued on page 20 WWW.RETAILERS.COM AUG / SEP 2019

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We’ve geared up for Buy Nearby Weekend This year’s shop-local celebration takes place Oct. 4-6 Did you know that we can help you do a Buy Nearby promotion at a time that works best for you? All you need is a minimum of six businesses to sign on board, and we can help you mount a great shop-local campaign. A lot of downtowns are choosing to pass out our materials and hold a Buy Nearby shopper contest (we give you a $100 gift card for the prize!) during a local festival, as a way to spread the word.

But if you’d prefer to time it with Michigan Retailers Association annual event, you can do that too! We’re gearing up for Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 4-6.

This year, the hot new item is our revamped coloring book. You can request these at any time, or we can load you up right before your Buy Nearby Weekend. Contact Rachel Schrauben (rschrauben@retailers.com).

We’re always looking for ideas on how else we can help you educate shoppers on keeping their money in the Mitten! Reply to this email with your feedback!

Here’s what in our Buy Nearby packets: • 11x17 Buy Nearby Poster • 9 x11 Buy Nearby Poster • Buy Nearby Window Decal • Bag Stuffers • Talking Points • How to Create Your Own Buy Nearby Promotion • Buy Nearby Stickers

Don’t forget to “like” our Buy Nearby Facebook page to keep up on happenings and shop-local news.

If your DDA, PSD or chamber group meets regularly, Meegan Holland is available to present on how to do a Buy Nearby promotion or how to jumpstart retail in your downtown. You can contact her at mholland@retailers.com to set up a date and time.

Cashword Millions continued from page 19

Despite the enhancements, the Cashword Millions ticket was designed to make it easy for retailers to sell. The game’s fourinch wide format can be dispensed from any Lottery dispensing mechanism, plastic dispenser, or self-serve equipment.

99 percent of Fast Cash prizes may be claimed at Lottery retailers creating new opportunities for redemption commissions and repeat sales.

We expect the new Cashword Millions game to be very popular with players. The excitement generated by the new game is expected to boost sales of the already popular Cashword games for retailers.

To capitalize on player interest in Fast Cash, and promote the Lottery’s popular Club Keno game, the Lottery will offer players who buy a $20 Fast Cash ticket – Jumbo Jackpot Slots or 100X The Cash – a free four-spot Club Keno ticket valid for four draws.

FAST CASH PROMOTION HAS BEGUN Fast Cash games proved to be immensely popular with players and their performance has far exceeded expectations. Fast Cash also has been a successful game for retailers. More than

The free Club Keno ticket will print on a separate ticket immediately following the qualifying Fast Cash ticket. The $20 Fast Cash ticket will include a message notifying players of their free Club Keno ticket. The free ticket will be clearly marked “Not for Resale.”

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New Members Adrian Public Schools, Adrian JT Power Inc., Almont Muddpuddles, Ann Arbor Packard Community Clinic, Ann Arbor Huron Breeze Golf & Country Club, Au Gres Barn Theatre School of Advanced Theatre Training, Augusta The Haven of Rest Ministries, Battle Creek Annette Reich, Birmingham R & B Living Supports Inc., Bloomingdale Integrity Printing, Clare Ignite Wholesale Fireworks, Climax Taqueria Manriguez LLC, Coopersville Detroit Golf Foundation dba First Tee of Gr. Detroit, Detroit Ellison Brewery & Spirits LLC, East Lansing JL Steel Stairs LLC, Eastpointe Avenue 19, Fenton Mega Classic Diner LLC, Flint Two Mike’s Plumbing & Heating LLC, Goodrich Pristine Ceiling and Walls LLC, Grand Rapids

Trilium Ent. of W. MI LLC dba Bud & Stanley’s Pub & Grub, Grand Rapids Fore! The Children, Grandville MI Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat, Grosse Pointe Farms Bernard Building Center, Inc., Hale Howe Strong LLC, Holland Dulceria Izel, Holland Persona Salon & Spa, Holland HHS Football Boosters, Hudsonville Irwin Quality Engines LLC, Kalamazoo E Squared MI LLC, Kalamazoo Griffin Pest Solutions, Kalamazoo Rich-Co Transportation Inc., Lake City Custom Health Centers Inc., Lake Orion Village 2601 Inc., Lansing Pregnancy Resource Center of Lapeer, Lapeer Fluid Innovations, Macomb Linkes Body Shop Inc., Manistee Big Spring Souvenir LLC, Manistique Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage LLC, Mason Simply Vintage Marketplace LLC, Mason ALCC Inc., Monroe

Lombaro’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar LLC, Muskegon HC Berger Company, Okemos Pentwater Township Library, Pentwater K & R Professional Painting, Plainwell Cotter & Easton General Dentistry PLLC, Port Huron The Bottle, Richland K & T Tool and Die Inc., Rockford Custom Tank Services LLC, Romulus NLS Ventures RO LLC dba LFG Royal Oak, Royal Oak Culinary Investments LLC, Royal Oak Child & Family Services of Saginaw, Saginaw Dave’s Truck and Auto Repair LLC, Scottville Prestige Athletics, South Lyon Traverse City Adventures Inc., Traverse City Mobile Wrench Inc., Wayland JCMA Pharmacy dba Cobb Clinic Pharmacy, Westland Bam Construction & Development LLC, Wixom Zeeland Public Schools, Zeeland

Food Retailers Summit continued from page 9

The summit, sponsored by the Michigan Grocers Division of Michigan Retailers, is Wednesday, Sept. 25 to Friday, Sept.

27. All meals are included in the registration fee of just $199. Hotel rates are $15 lower per night and spouses are included for free!

Here are the deadlines: • Room reservations should be made

by Aug. 25, when Crystal Mountain will release our room block.

Human resources expert Book online at bit.ly/2lfy2EO or Jodi Schafer call 855.520.2974 and ask for the Michigan Grocers block, using Group Code 4685CH. • To be a sponsor, submit the sponsorship form by Sept. 9.

• To register to attend, submit the registration form by Sept. 16.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available as well as an opportunity to include sample products, promotional items and information in our Welcome Bag. For more information, contact Nora Jones at njones@retailers.com or call her at 800.366.3699 ext.344.

Conference information and forms: bit.ly/2019grocers.

We’ve got plans to cover all of yours.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network offers the complete insurance solution to protect the overall health and well-being of your employees.

For more information, contact the Michigan Retailers Association at 517-372-5656 GROUP HEALTH PLANS | SPECIALTY BENEFITS | BCBSM.COM/EMPLOYERS

MICHIGAN

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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603 South Washington Avenue Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: 517.372.5656 Toll-free: 800.366.3699