Vision and dreams: they're the first steps on the path to success.

In this issue of the Detroiter, we pay tribute to the 2005 Future 50 of Greater Detroit. These are the smaller and in many cases newer businesses that are setting the highest standards of job growth and investment in Southeast Michigan. Businesses like these are the real backbone of our economy, and their success is our success.

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Each year it's interesting to note what the Future 50 winners view as the main challenges faced by small and emerging businesses in our region. I'm not surprised that the top-cited challenge once again is attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, closely followed by taxes and the onerous costs of health-care coverage. These are among the issues the Chamber is addressing every day as we pursue our goal of helping our members make money, save money and grow their businesses.

The spirit of entrepreneurship is fueled by the vision and dreams of business leaders like those you will see listed in our special Future 50 "Winner's Circle" section beginning on page 18. I'm especially pleased to note that three of our Gold members are among this year's honorees: Atwell-Hicks, Compsat Technology and Tech Team Global.

Speaking of entrepreneurship, the Chamber's Small Business Assistance Center is working hard to make those dreams come true by offering one-on-one customized business consultation to start-ups and other small businesses. The SBAC will soon add two new programs to its lineup. We're developing a unique import-assistance program, the first of its kind in this region, and we're partnering with the Service Corps of Retired Executives to offer SCORE counseling services. You'll be hearing more about these initiatives at our 2005 Small Business Conference on Nov. 10 at the Ford Conference & Event Center in Dearborn.

Although we are a $16-million operation, the Chamber is run like a small business. And like any small business, we're proud of our achievements, especially our recent recognition as a "Cool Place To Work." We were also thrilled to receive the "Best of Show" award for our 2004 Small Business Conference from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

In case I haven't exhausted my bragging rights, congratulations to Sarah Hubbard, our Lansing lobbyist, for being named to the Crain's Detroit Business "40 Under 40" list; and to Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Roya Speights and Brenda Harvill of our membership sales team. (You can read more about these achievements in the "In Box" section beginning on page 10.)

Richard E. Blouse Jr., CCE 

President and CEO 

Detroit Regional Chamber