The director of the new Heartland Chamber of Commerce envisions more community and business events

Heartland-Horse, Polo, and a local businessman passionate about coordinating events lead the Heartland Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Emarin Wheaton, a former Chamber of Commerce board member, has been appointed as the new Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce. She started earlier this month.

Wheaton first joined the Chamber of Commerce a few years ago and founded the Heartland Polo Classic, which began in 2017. After she brought the idea to her former executive director, Katie Chuva.

“After a few years of polo events, I became a member of the board (of the chamber of commerce) and was more involved with the chamber of commerce,” Wheaton said.

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She served the one-year term of office of the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board in 2021.

After the Detroit Polo Club moved from Milford to Township, Wheaton moved to Heartland Township with his family over 20 years ago.

She is a polo player, a longtime polo instructor, oversaw the Detroit Polo Club and founded the Detroit Polo School.

Wheaton said her husband, a professional at the club, will take over the administration of the Detroit Polo Club, while she will focus on her duties at the Chamber of Commerce.

Heartland Polo Classic has grown into a popular annual event and fundraiser.

Participating in the latest Polo Classic in June, Chuba left the Chamber of Commerce to work for the International Hearing Society, based in Livonia, a membership association of hearing medical professionals. She works as a member director of the association.

After the courtyard left, Chamber of Commerce member and event coordinator Jenny Ross served as interim board member for a short period of time.

“For a couple of years I was thinking of making a difference for myself,” Wheaton said. “I was looking for another challenge, another adventure. At first, this (work) appeared and said,” No, I have a business. ” But I thought I love working and doing business at the Chamber of Commerce. I have a lot of experience with small businesses running my business in Heartland, so I think it brings a great perspective. “

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One of her goals as an “event-driven” person is to bring new events to Heartland Township and make the Chamber of Commerce more involved in other community events.

“One of my goals is to bring a family-friendly summer event to Heartland,” she said. “We’re a pretty big commuter town. Many people work outside of Heartland, so what’s the way to attract people when they’re in Heartland in the summer and their kids aren’t going to school?”

She said she wanted to see more events, including music, art and other activities.

“We have fascinating activities in good parks and outdoors, so we’re probably running or mountain biking and we have a festival type for kids,” she suggested.

She said she sees opportunities for further cooperation with local libraries and schools.

“We had a pre-COVID Chamber 101 event to emphasize everything that Chambers do and offer. I want to revive them,” she said. rice field.

The newly formed Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Alliance is also bringing in more events, including the Speaker Series. This partnership is a collaboration of chambers of commerce in the Heartland, Brighton and Howell areas.

Wheaton said the pandemic is tough for small businesses.

“Finding employees was the biggest obstacle, especially for small businesses,” she said. “We will definitely push these resources wherever we can find our employees. This is a big part of what we did last year.”

She is also stepping into that role in the Chamber of Commerce’s board finalizing new strategic plans for the coming years.

She hopes to build good working relationships with all volunteer committees.

“I know the dynamics of all the relationships in the room,” she said. “It gives me the ability to get up and move relatively quickly. There is a little level of comfort I have here, it’s great.”

“She is very active in the Chamber of Commerce,” said David Walker, the current chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

“She already has the knowledge based on being a member of the board (based on the facts). She has a very clear basic understanding,” he said.

The difference, he said, is that her new job is to carry out the will of the board, not to join the board.

Please contact Livingston Daily Reporter Jeberbach (jeberbach@livingstondaily.com).