Business events planned for next week

 Jan. 22
BIRMINGHAM — The Community House has assembled a group of subject matter experts for seminars. The first seminar, “Fundamentals of Michigan Entrepreneurship” is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at The Community House, 380 South Bates St., Birmingham. Michael Witzke and John Carter, Witzke Berry Carter & Wander, PLLC and franchise placement specialist Mark Cory, FranNet of Michigan will offer to help entrepreneurs deliver their products and services to various customers, help them identify and secure their intellectual property and teach them how to minimize the many risks associated with hiring employees and independent contractors. There is no charge to attend, light refreshments will be served. To register, contact The Community House, 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, 248-644-5832, or www.tchserves.org.

Jan. 22,23,24
BIRMINGHAM/TROY — Steven Case of Financial Independence, LLC in Bloomfield Hills will give presentations on Social Security income planning. The three presentations will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Management Education Center in Troy; 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23 at The Community House in Birmingham and 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Management Education Center in Troy. In the seminars, Case will discuss the fundamentals and little-known claiming techniques for individuals to maximize their lifetime Social Security income and survivor benefit. The seminars are free, but space is limited. Call Laura at 248-282-9905 or email steven.case@natplan.com by Jan. 17.
— Staff writer Kathy Blake

Jan. 23
TROY — Nemeth Burwell’s Raising the Bar, an educational series raising employer awareness of current issues in employment and labor law and offered by Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., will present its 2013 Labor and Employment Law Update, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Troy Marriott, 200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy. A continental breakfast will be served at 8 a.m.
The beginning of a new year provides the perfect opportunity to consider recent rulings and trends in employment law and a forward look at where this sector of the law is going, according to Patricia Nemeth of Nemeth Burwell.
Topics will include developments in discrimination law; wage and hour law; disability, family medical leave and workers compensation law and labor law including at-will provisions in jeopardy and Michigan’s new right to work law. The cost of the event is $60 per person and pre-registration is required. To register, email Amanda Galetti or call 313-567-5921.

Jan. 23
FLINT — ORBIT Start-up Launch Training. ORBIT Launch! is the introductory workshop series Kettering TechWorks offers to help technology entrepreneurs plan and start their ventures. This highly popular program has graduated more than 400 Michigan startup leaders, employees and advisors.  It is made possible through the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Kettering University and the C.S. Mott Foundation.
Wednesdays, January 23-March 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Kettering University, Campus Center, Room-A, 4th floor, Flint. For information, visit www.ku-tw.com/index.php/we-can-help/trainingprograms

Jan. 24
TROY - Doing Business in Mexico information meeting is 8-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham, Troy. Looking to learn how your business can benefit from expanding beyond Southeast Michigan to reach customers, partners and clients in Mexico? Speakers include Eve Lerman, senior international trade specialist at US Commercial Service. Kurt Saldana, President of Quality Metalcraft, Robert Ruffini, President of Fluxtrol, Consul General Vicente Sanchez from Mexico and Jeanne Broad, international trade manager for MEDC. For information, visit www.automationalley.com.

Jan 24
STERLING HEIGHTS - The Mobile Explosion – How Can Your Business Take Advantage of Mobile Technologies to Increase Productivity and Profitability?  Lunch and Launch is noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Macomb-OU INCubator at Velocity, 6633 Eighteen Mile Road, Sterling Heights. Linda Daichendt, executive director of the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan will conduct a presentation regarding the surge in mobile technology, and how it is impacting businesses today in more ways than just the next new "app." macINC@Oakland.edu.

Jan. 24
AUBURN HILLS - Auburn Hills Mayor James McDonald will present the State of the Community address to residents and business owners, 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in the Piston’s VIP Lounge at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The State of the Community includes a presentation from the Mayor, and an update from Chamber leadership who will also introduce the 2013 Board slate.  New this year is the inclusion of a Community Expo, sponsored by the Palace’s Come Together Foundation. Through the expo, several non-profit organizations will present their community service offerings.
The ticketed event is open to the public and includes breakfast and local entertainment. Registration is required at www.auburnhillschamber.com. The cost is $35 for chamber members and $45 for non-members. Corporate sponsorships are available from $250 and include tickets and varying levels of recognition.  For more information, contact the chamber at 248-853-7862 or info@auburnhillschamber.com.

Jan. 25
CLARKSTON - It will be a Mad Men-themed party on Jan. 25, when Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates the Chamber’s 25th Anniversary at Deer Lake Athletic Club, 6167 White Lake Road in Clarkston.
The party begins at 6 p.m. with a martini bar cocktail hour sponsored by Bowman Chevrolet. Guests will enjoy Rat Pack song favorites sung by local artist TJ Craven courtesy of LaFontaine Automotive Group, entertainment sponsor. Along with a celebration of the Chamber’s 25 years, the Gala will include special guest and keynote speaker Dan Gilmartin, Michigan Municipal League. His topic is “The Economics of Placemaking.”
Contact the chamber at 248-625-8055 or visit www.clarkston.org for tickets. The cost is $75 per person or $500 for a table of eight. Proceeds from the gala will be used for Chamber economic development initiatives.
 
Jan. 25
TROY — The Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) will host a professional development seminar, “Locking Out the Competition: Ten Ways to Build Customer Loyalty,” on Friday, Jan. 25 at the Management Education Center located at 811 West Square Lake Road in Troy.
Gerry Weinberg, founder and CEO of Gerry Weinberg & Associates, will discuss the dynamics of customer relationships. The program will explore ways to keep customers from looking at the competition and ensure customer loyalty, and limit competitors’ advantages to price only. The event will begin with registration, networking and breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by the presentation at 8:30 a.m. and ending with a question-and-answer session at 10 a.m. The cost is $45 for MSED members and $60 for non-members and includes breakfast. To register, contact Meeting Coordinators at 248-643-6950 or visit www.msedetroit.org.

Jan. 26
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Better Health Market to host a free seminar, “Winning the Sugar Game” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the market, 2053 South Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills. Renee Heigel, a weight loss coach will discuss how to quit sugar cravings, tips to help you kick your sugar addition and lose weight in a 60 minute speech with Q&A at the end. Renee Heigel, CHHP, AADP is an international No-Diet Weight Loss Coach, Lifestyle Coach, writer, speaker, cook. For reservations, call 248-334-9500 or visit www.thebetterhealthstore.com.