Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/359684
5 Q: Biggest success? A: I think the biggest success of the Cruise is how the community has embraced it. It was developed to draw attention to 28th Street. With the opening of M6, there was real concern that 28th street would become a ghost town with the traffic bypassing Wyoming and Kentwood. We wanted the event to showcase the area and introduce it to those who may not have known what types of businesses were located along the street. Getting the businesses to embrace the event was difficult. In the early years, we had businesses upset with us because there were too many people in their parking lot! Our job was to make them understand that those were potential customers. Now, as you look up and down the street, these businesses are having their own events in conjunction with the Cruise. It really is a 15-mile party. Q: Where would you like to see the Cruise be in 5 more years? 10? A: I would like to see it be a self-supporting entity such as the festivals that occur in downtown Grand Rapids. It is a tremendous family event in that it appeals to people from all walks of life and all ages. I have been proud of the fact that a family can spend the day at the Cruise and not spend any money if they do not want too. Q: If you could change anything, what would it be? A: I would like to see increased involvement from more of the cornerstone businesses in the area. This truly is an area-wide event that benefits that promotes all of West Michigan. Q: What is your role at Consumer's Energy, and how has it changed (if at all) while you've been involved in the Cruise? A: My role at Consumers Energy has always revolved around serving our largest business customers. This has made the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce a natural fit for my volunteer efforts. There are a lot of parallels between providing a great experience for the customers at Consumers Energy and providing a great experience for those who attend and participate in the Metro Cruise. No matter how chaotic at times things can be behind the scenes, the important task is to make those invisible to our guests so that all they remember is an enjoyable day. Q: What will you miss the most about Metro Cruise? A: The feeling of accomplishment that one gets at about midnight on Saturday after you realize that we have pulled it off again. During the event, the committee knows what is going well and what isn't, but we have always made that invisible to our guests. The thanks I have received during the course of the event have far outweighed any criticisms. Not matter how chaotic thinks may be going, the visitors only see the big picture of an enjoyable event. Q: Anything personal you'd like to add? Family, hobbies, etc. A: I often get asked what kind of car I have and I have to admit that I am not a "car guy!" In spite of the best efforts of people like Dan Van Dyke, before he passed away, and Rick and Steve Sturim and the guys who work over at Steve's Antique Auto Repair, who have spent countless hours trying to teach me about cars, my appreciation and knowledge of classic and antique cars does not get much past the "Wow, that is really cool looking!" stage. In many ways, the Metro Cruise weekend meant that I missed a couple of great days to play golf! Maybe that is why is has worked for me. I did not get caught up in the event and could focus on the tasks needed to make it run as smoothly as possible. Thank you, Todd, for your incredible years of service to the Metro Cruise. You will be missed.