Revitalization of K-Wings is focus of breakfast event

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Promoting and revitalizing the 42-year-old Kalamazoo Wings hockey organization will be the topic of the upcoming Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series hosted by Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.

Toni Daniels, director of sales for the Kalamazoo Wings and Wings Event Center, will give a presentation titled "Kalamazoo Wings ... The Rebirth of a Franchise" at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in 2150 Schneider Hall.

The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (269) 387-5964 or at wmich.edu/business/mercantile-rsvp. Free parking is available at Schneider Hall in Lot 72R.

Toni Daniels

One of only two women currently leading a hockey franchise in the United States, Daniels is charged with rebuilding the hockey organization. She has increased corporate partnerships with businesses in the region and helped create a successful internship program since joining the K-Wings organization in 2015.

From 2013 to 2015, Daniels was executive vice president of Southwest Michigan First, where her efforts focused on the growth of small businesses. Previously, she was a branch manager for Fifth Third Bank and PNC Bank, overseeing the creation of customer-centric banking across branches in southwest Michigan.

K-Wings and Wings Event Center

A member of the ECHL, the K-Wings play in the 5,113-seat Wings Event Center, which offers group and individual activities for all ages including concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. The organization continues to invest in its facilities and the community to maintain its status as a top-choice venue for events of all sizes and occasions.

Upcoming presentations

• Nov. 18: Tim Terrentine, WMU vice president for development and alumni relations, Western Michigan University
  Topic: "WMU Development and Alumni Relations"
• Jan. 27: Amy Kutcha, chief executive officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kalamazoo
  Topic: “Big Brothers, Big Sisters, A Community of Caring”

Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series

The Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series provides an opportunity for the local community to hear top business leaders and WMU faculty, alumni and friends of the Haworth College of Business discuss current topics of interest.

For more information or to register, contact the Haworth College of Business at (269) 387-5964 or at wmich.edu/business/mercantile-rsvp.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.