Amy Clickner, CEO, Lake Superior Community Partnership

I can’t believe it’s time to talk golf! How time flies! As the weather warms up, the LSCP events team starts planning our golf outing, second largest fundraiser of the year.

We know there are many golf outings over the course of the summer and are thankful our partners and the community continue to prioritize and support ours. Our goal this year is to raise $14,000, which will go directly toward economic development services that we provide to Marquette County.

Last year we provided assistance to 422 business clients, bringing us to over 3,000 served since 2006. Investment in the LSCP allows us to provide clients with low- to no-cost general business consulting, business financing, business plan development, site location services, marketing assistance, information and technology assistance, and talent development. The work we do with these businesses is made possible in part because of the many generous sponsors who support LSCP fundraisers and community members who attend these events. Your investment in the LSCP allows us to be at an entrepreneur or business owner’s fingertips. And did you know that for every $1 invested in the LSCP we facilitate another $184? Sounds like a great return on investment to me!

Our golf outing will take place on June 14 at Greywalls, and have we got a deal for you! The cost for LSCP partners is $580 for a foursome and $145 for an individual. This is the same amount as the non-member Greywalls’ rate and includes lunch, a drink ticket, various golf contests with prizes, a post outing social with hor d’oeuvres and raffle prizes! What better way to enjoy time with your colleagues and business associates than on a beautiful golf course while supporting the LSCP. And of course, an important benefit of this event is the networking and there will be plenty of opportunity for that!

Here are a couple networking tips to keep in mind when attending this event:

≤ Set a goal of meeting at least five new people during the day

≤ Always have business cards in your pocket to share

≤ Use social hour as a time to mingle with golfers who are not in your group

≤ Wear a logoed clothing item to market your company

≤ Sponsor a hole and meet each golfer as they come through

We have many sponsorship opportunities available. Hole sponsors can set up a display at their assigned hole and speak with all of the golfers who cycle through. Consider a fun game, interactive activity, or giveaway to ensure the golfers remember your business. This year expect a few new twists and turns as well throughout the day.

We also have some exclusive sponsorships available including a few Hole and Tee sponsorships, and the 19th Hole sponsorship, all of which provide great marketing opportunities. A special thank you to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Ojibwa Casino, U.P. Health System-Marquette, Eagle Mine, 44 North, SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company, Holiday Stationstores, Boogren MI Tech, Superior Extrusion, Upper Peninsula Power Company, WLUC TV6, Tadych’s Econofoods, Range Bank, Western Marquette County Health Foundation, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Hantz Group, VAST, Northern Michigan University, Bacco Construction Company, Bell Financial, Integrated Design Inc., Iron Range Agency, TruNorth Federal Credit Union, Cooper Office Supply and Stephanie Jones-Select Realty for signing up early as sponsors!

This annual event is not only an important fundraiser for the LSCP, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity for business folks to get out of the office and enjoy a beautiful day on the course with colleagues. The LSCP Golf Outing is the perfect platform to take a client, reward your staff or again, use it as an opportunity to network. Come on and get registered! You deserve a day on the course.

To register for this event, visit our website, www.marquette.org or call 906-226-6591.

Editor’s NOTE: Amy Clickner is CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. Her twice-monthly column will address topics of interest to the local business community.