Watch the BL²END five-year anniversary video.

Event Details | Keynote Speaker | Event Partners | Venue Partners
Table Partnership Opportunities | Individual Partnership Opportunities
Media Partners | Media Relations | General Event Inquiries

Monday
August 15, 2011
5:30 p.m. VIP Reception Our VIP Reception is underwritten by our Passion partner. Tickets will be provided to Event and Table Partners, by special invite only.
6:30 p.m. Event Cocktail and semi-formal attire is preferred. The event will include a plated dinner, and feature a cash bar.

Doors open for VIP Reception registration at 5:00 p.m.
Doors open for Gala registration at 5:30 p.m.
The Gala begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Early arrival and registration is encouraged.

DeVos Place
303 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Ingrid Jacobs
Manager, Diversity & Inclusion

The anniversary event will feature a keynote address from Ingrid Jacobs, diversity and inclusion manager at Whirlpool Corporation. Ms. Jacobs is an experienced leader with excellent communication skills and a proven track record of managing and executing key strategic diversity initiatives. At Whirlpool, she is charged with implementing a corporate-wide inclusion initiative for 67,000 employees. Ms. Jacobs will speak under the theme “To be a leader of the future, mediocrity simply won’t cut it.” Highlights of Ingrid’s address will include insights on the role of diversity and inclusion in advancing workplace and business strategies domestically and abroad concept of diversity and inclusion, social media and young professionals, business resource groups, and proven ways to engage in networking with impact. Jacobs will also discuss the importance of recruiting and retaining young, diverse talent to advance business strategies in the global marketplace, especially in geographic areas like Greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan. Ms. Jacobs will also comment on how grassroots, nonprofit organizations like BL²END positively impact commerce and business, while helping us build better communities for all to live, work and play.

The celebration is made possible through the generous support of our event partners under our theme of Passion. Leadership. Legacy.

Passion Partner

Our Passion Partner will present the VIP Reception.

Leadership Partner

Our Leadership Partner will introduce the keynote speaker.

Legacy Partner

Our Legacy Partner will present the passion, leadership and legacy awards.

Limited Table Partner opportunities are available. Table Partnership opportunities are uniquely designed to create an atmosphere of networking between event guests and BL²END participants.

Access. Success. Excellence.
Table Partnership is designed to continue to encourage networking and collaboration between corporate partners and young professionals. Your partnership support is designed to accommodate attendees/guest from your organization and BL²END participant. (5/5 Seats, 10/10 Seats and 15/15 Seats)

Table Partners

• Corporate Access Partner: $750
• Company name and "tag line" listed in event program
• Corporate table (5/5 seats in a table) at event and table signage
• Ticket to the VIP Reception (additional VIP Reception Tickets at $25)
  
• Corporate Success Partner: $1,000
• Company name, logo and 25-word profile printed in event program
• Corporate table (10/10 seats distributed in 2 tables) at event and table signage
• 2 Tickets to the VIP Reception (additional VIP Reception Tickets at $25)
• Corporate Excellence Partner: $1,250
• Company name, logo and 50-word profile printed in event program
• Corporate table (15/15 seats distributed in 3 tables) at event and table signage
• 4 Tickets to the VIP Reception (additional VIP Reception Tickets at $25)

Download the Table Partner Opportunity Form

Email five@grblend.org or call Floriza Genautis at (616) 460-2485, to express interest in the Table Partnership opportunities listed below.

You know us. You’ve been to the bar. Cleaned up a park. Heard a professional development speaker or two. Referred someone to our organization. Now you want to give back financially! Individual Partner opportunities are open to any donation amount. Let us know the amount you would like to give and we will acknowledge individuals or organizations by name in our Event Program.

Business Professional Partner: Open Donation

Additional media partnerships are available. Email five@grblend.org for more information.

Download the event press release or download the anniversary logo below. Call Maxine Gray at (616) 520-7298 or email five@grblend.org for media inquiries.

Download event press release

Download anniversary logo

Download Ingrid Jacob's photo for print or digital use

Email five@grblend.org or call Maxine Gray at (616) 520-7298 for more information.

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