Community Calendar

Hey Detroit! Come meet your favorite Wings and Tigers alumni​ at Ashley on May 3rd from 1pm - 4pm. The event will be held at 19820 West Rd, Woodhaven, MI 48183. Don't miss your chance for pictures and autographs from your favorite players!

Event Promotions:

- One-day-only exclusive 25% off in-store savings!​
- Enter to win autographed team gear and prizes every hour!​
- First 100 kids get an octopus and tiger toy

Local Vendors:

- The Todd Everett Experience will be DJing the event
- Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers

Please join us at The Townsend Hotel on Wednesday, May 7 to celebrate with our M&A All Star Award Winners. Enjoy a short awards ceremony led by Diamond Sponsor Foley & Lardner, an open bar, and delicious cuisine. It's the best opportunity of the year to forge deeper connections with both seasoned and younger professionals from across Detroit's M&A community. We hope you'll join us for an evening of celebration!

10th Annual M&A All Star Award Winners:
Deal of the Year Over $50 Million in Revenue: Huron Capital Sale of ExperiGreen Lawn Care to Wind Point Partners
Deal of the Year Under $50 Million in Revenue: N.A. Mans & Sons, Inc. Acquisition of Michigan Timber & Truss, Inc.
Dealmaker of the Year: PMCF Investment Banking
Advisor of the Year: Matthew VanWasshnova, Partner, Honigman
Investment Banker of the Year: Chris Caron, Managing Director, Blue River Financial Group
Rising Star of the Year: Ashley Gray, Managing Director, Aquila Equity Partners
Thomas S. Vaughn Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Kulka (posthumous), Co-founder & Former CEO, PM Environmental, Inc.

Event Contact: Maureen O’Reilly
Email: acgdetroit@acg.org

How do you scale a business from micro-cap to a national platform while building a team that can lead at every stage of growth?

Join us for a fireside chat with Mike Cooper, Founding Partner at Shore Capital Partners, as we explore Shore's growth-focused investment model and their approach to building enduring companies in fragmented industries.
Shore’s track record includes launching and scaling multiple industry platforms, each rooted in a clear value creation strategy, operational discipline, and a heavy emphasis on leadership development.
In this conversation, we’ll cover:
The Shore Capital Growth Playbook: A behind-the-scenes look at their repeatable approach to launching and scaling businesses.
Executing Add-On Heavy Strategies: How to source, integrate, and grow through high volumes of acquisitions while maintaining quality and alignment.
Building Leadership Teams That Scale: How to identify and support leaders who can evolve with the business—and how to navigate when they can’t.
Pivotal Decisions and Inflection Points: Lessons learned from major milestones along the growth journey, from early formation to recapitalization and beyond.
Operational Excellence and Change Management: Why people, processes, and hands-on involvement are critical for building value in service-based businesses.

Don’t miss this inside look at the complexities of scaling, leading, and exiting a high-growth PE-backed platform.

Event Contact: Maureen O’Reilly
Email: acgdetroit@acg.org

Are you ready to dive into the dynamic world of global trade? Seeking insights, connections, and strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of international business? Look no further! Join GVSU’s Van Andel Global Trade Center for the 8th Annual Summer Summit Fundraiser on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in Allendale, Michigan!

This half-day event will boast global trade education and best practices, networking, and fun! We are bringing together industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights on the hottest topics shaping international trade today. During lunch, our keynote speaker will dive into the global trade issues that matter most to you and your business.

Once lunch wraps up, it’ll be your turn to ask the questions! Stay ahead of the curve with up-to-date insights and expert perspectives. Our interactive breakout session discussions will equip you with actionable strategies to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Attendees will be able to sit down in small groups to engage in discussions on pressing global business topics.

Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of professionals who share your passion for global trade. Exchange ideas and explore collaborations that can elevate your business to new heights. Our networking reception is designed to foster meaningful connections over backyard games, refreshing drinks, and hors d'oeuvres!

We can’t wait to see you there! Join us for an afternoon of knowledge, inspiration, and connection. Register now for this in-person event on August 6th, 2025, located at the GVSU Alumni House in Allendale, MI.

Spain, located in Southwest Europe, occupies 85% of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is the fourth-largest economy in the Eurozone, is the 14th-largest economy in the world, and has one of the strongest domestic markets in Europe. Many U.S. businesses are drawn to Spain because of the two countries’ close bilateral relations. Spain offers businesses the opportunity to grow their global sales, with Spain’s industrial sector attracting many U.S. companies involved in automobiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, etc, due to the industry's success. Are you interested in learning more about the global market opportunities in Spain?

Join us on August 14, 2025, for a virtual Business Travelers series session on Navigating Spain! We will cover how-tos and best practices for doing business in the Spanish market, as well as, how to maneuver through cultural nuances business professionals often face while working with or traveling to Spain.

Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:

Country Overview
Business Meetings
Gift Giving
Communication
Business Attire
Negotiating Tactics
Sponsored by: The Gerald R. Ford International Airport & Michigan Economic Development Corporation

A link to the virtual training will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the start of the session.

Successfully navigate the intricacies of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with our Basics of USMCA training that is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in this new era of North American trade.

Gain a deep understanding of the key provisions, rules, and regulations of the USMCA. It is critical for businesses buying or selling to/from Canada or Mexico to qualify goods appropriately for preferential duty treatment through USMCA. Businesses must pay close attention to what currently qualifies for USMCA and understand the compliance risk associated with certifying products under USMCA. Join us for this full-day, in-person, seminar to learn about the USMCA qualification process and new features of USMCA!

Our training program is led by industry experts who possess a deep understanding of the USMCA and its implications. Benefit from their extensive knowledge, real-world experiences, and practical insights, as they guide you through the intricacies of the agreement.

This essential training program covers:

How to certify products and create a new free-form certification of origin
Understanding Origin Criterion
USMCA Product-Specific Rules of Origin
USMCA – new industry & sector special rules
Tariff Shift & Regional Value Content
Supplier Solicitation Process
Recordkeeping & Compliance
Who Should Attend:

This training is ideal for business owners, importers, exporters, logistics professionals, customs brokers, trade compliance officers, and anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the USMCA and its impact on cross-border trade.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your trade knowledge and seize the advantages presented by the USMCA. We hope to see you at the Basics of the USMCA training on October 16th! Register today!

Art Crafts Decor, Beauty Fashion Gifts Jewelry & more!

The Oakland County Business Association inc, a non-profit volunteer organization presents EXPO MICHIGAN for the 14th year to provide an opportunity for EVERYONE to exhibit and sell handcrafted items or present your small business in a community setting at local shopping malls.

Are you involved in military/defense activities or handling dual-use products subject to export controls? Understanding the compliance risks associated with these activities is crucial to your success. Register today to attend our specialized program to gain the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate the complex world of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Export Controls: ITAR & EAR Compliance Training is led by export control experts with extensive experience in ITAR and EAR compliance. Benefit from their deep knowledge and practical insights as they guide you through real-world scenarios, case studies, and interactive discussions.

Topics covered during this program:

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

ITAR’s Regulatory Framework
ITAR Registration Process
U.S. Munitions List (USML)
Licenses, Agreements & Exemptions
Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

EAR’s Regulatory Framework
Commerce Control List (CCL)
Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
Transfers from the USML to the CCL
Identifying and Classifying Export-Controlled Products
Establishing Compliance Programs and Best Practices

Join us for our last installment of the Business Travelers Series exploring business opportunities in Türkiye, a dynamic market with a young population of 85 million and a strategic location bridging Europe and Asia. Despite economic challenges, Türkiye remains a key destination for U.S. companies, with over 1,000 American firms already established in sectors such as energy, aerospace, defense, infrastructure, healthcare, and ICT. Bilateral trade between the U.S. and Türkiye exceeded $34 billion in 2022, and recent economic shifts, including interest rate adjustments and policy reforms, signal evolving opportunities.

Learn from experts about navigating Türkiye’s complex regulatory environment, leveraging trade relationships, and positioning your business for success in this influential market. We will cover how-tos and best practices for doing business in this market, as well as, how to maneuver through cultural nuances business professionals often face while working with or traveling to Türkiye. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and connect with professionals who can help you unlock Türkiye’s potential.

Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:

Country Overview
Business Meetings
Gift Giving
Communication
Business Attire
Negotiating Tactics
Sponsored by: The Gerald R. Ford International Airport & Michigan Economic Development Corporation

A link to the virtual training will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the start of the session.

Non-Member Price
$25.00

Member Price
$15.00

GVSU Price
$15.00