As I write, the weather continues to defy any rational explanation. It is raining – again – and forecasts continue to predict above-average temperatures for the foreseeable future. So much for The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Michigan’s weather is only one of many unpredictable things these days. These are truly uncertain, challenging yet exciting times as the mitten state celebrates its 175th birthday. To help our Members and guests navigate these unchartered waters, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber each year presents our Forecast Series, which identifies trends in government, health care, the economy and other issues and industries critical to the business community.

And we are thrilled to have Gov. Rick Snyder joining us on Feb. 17 as the keynote speaker for our Government Forecast breakfast at the prestigious Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham. We look forward to the governor reflecting on his first year in office, speaking about challenges and opportunities for our state in 2012 and beyond, and fielding questions from those in attendance. It should be an exciting and very enlightening program.

Following the Government Forecast, the Chamber is presenting an equally exciting Healthcare Forecast March 15 at the revolutionary Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. The breakfast meeting will include a discussion on how the West Bloomfield campus is transforming how health and wellness care is provided; as well as a panel discussion on how reform, wellness and employee benefit programs impact and help shape your business.

Our 2012 Forecast Series wraps up back at the Townsend Hotel on April 12 for our Economic Forecast luncheon featuring Business Economist Paul Traub of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Traub is expected to discuss how both the regional and local economies have fared in the first quarter of 2012, what he sees for the rest of the year and the impact the national elections can have on the economy.
We are very proud of our lineup for 2012, and are confident our guests
will walk away from these programs, informed, enlightened, and perhaps even entertained a little bit. Details and registration information for the entire series is available on the BBC Web site at www.bbcc.com, or call our offices at (248) 644-1700.

By: Joe Bauman Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber President