Office Equipment Resellers Help Donate $500,000 to Fight Cancer in Inaugural WHC Golf Event

The First Annual What’s Happenin’ Detroit Select Golf Classic: A Record-Breaking Success at Oakland Hills

The inaugural What’s Happened in Detroit Select Golf Classic, took place on August 18th at the iconic Oakland Hills Country Club, and it will be remembered as one of the standout gatherings of the year for the office equipment industry.

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Our Platinum Title Sponsors

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our Platinum Title Sponsors:

Their commitment and generosity laid the foundation for the tournament’s success and helped ensure that our first year would set the bar high. All four of these title sponsors said yes within 24 hours of being asked. Amazing!

PEAC Welcome Reception Sets the Tone

The event came out of the gate hot with the ultimate networking dinner reception, proudly sponsored by PEAC Solutions. Upon registering, attendees were greeted with custom leather gift bags, made locally in Detroit, filled with logo gear from the event. The Detroit Putter Company was on site offering professional fittings, with every participant taking home a new putter of their liking. FootJoyadded to the fun by fitting golfers with new shoes, ensuring golfers were set with the latest and best gear.

The reception gave about 40 office equipment dealers and over two dozen partner vendors a chance to mingle, network, and connect. Without question, this was the biggest industry networking event of the summer, with one of the largest dealer turnouts of any event this year. And, it will be bigger next year!

Tournament Day

On the morning of August 18th, golfers boarded a charter bus to Oakland Hills and were welcomed with Bloody Marys, breakfast, and pre-round relaxation. A masseuse was on hand to loosen up players, while many warmed up at the driving range and putting green.

Once registration wrapped up, the tournament officially kicked off with the opening drive—sent straight down the middle by yours truly. Nobody was more surprised than me! A total of 116 golfersparticipated on the North and South courses, combining with the broader American Cancer Society event, which was sold out.

After golf, each golfer received a Chippapotamus “What’s Happening” hat, generously donated by Chippapotamus, along with a gift bag from the American Cancer Society filled with goodies from other sponsors like Tito’s vodka.

Giving Back in a Big Way

One of many highlights of the day came during dinner when a check presentation was made to the American Cancer Society. A giant ceremonial check displayed our industry’s generosity—$234,500 raised through the golf classic. By the time all contributions were finalized, that total grew to just under $250,000 in our first year alone.

The impact was historic. The American Cancer Society event overall set a new fundraising record of $500,000, far surpassing its previous high of $361,000.

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The donation was made in honor of Sandy Lowery, and attendees were moved by a touching video tribute by John Lowery (Applied Innovation), sharing his story talking about the importance of the Society’s work. Many others also shared personal accounts of the help they or their families have received from the ACS, a reminder of just how much this organization quietly supports people every day.

Industry Unity

What makes this day so special is the people behind it. In what is often a competitive and cutthroat industry, this event was yet another example of how our community comes together for the greater good.

I owe thanks to my board—Bob Goldberg, Kevin Van Kannel, and Mark Grice—as well as Christine Liphardt from UTEC, who acted as our boots on the ground to ensure every detail came together. I also need to recognize Anna Montayne from ACS and Tom McInerney of Intersport. Their hard work, and the generosity of the sponsors and attendees, made this success possible. My wife Pam’s support throughout the planning and during the event, as well as from my right hand man, Jake Slawetsky meant the world to me.

Sponsors and Attendees

This event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors.

Platinum Sponsors: GreatAmerica, Konica Minolta, Sharp Electronics, Xerox
Gold Sponsors: Toshiba America Business Solutions
Silver Sponsors: PaperCut

Top Personal Donations: Tom Walsh, Eric Auman

Attending Dealers

Adams Remco
A-Z Office Resource
ACP
AIS (Advanced Imaging Solutions)
Applied Innovation
Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office
Blue Technologies
CPI Technologies
CFBT
Datamax Arkansas
DEX Imaging
Donnellon McCarthy
Elite Imaging Systems
Fisher’s Technology
FORD Office Technologies
Function4
Genesis
GFI Digital
Higher Information Group
ImageNet
Imagine Technology Group
Integrated Office Technologies
Kelley Create
Kraft Business Systems
Loffler
Marco
METRO MAIL SERVICES
Midwest Imaging Solutions
Millenium Business Systems
Milner
MTS Office
National Business Technology
Noordyk Business Equipment
Novatech
The Office People
PERRY proTECH
Preferred Business Systems
Pulse Technology
Prodatakey
Regal Business Machines
Stones Office Equipment
UTEC
Visual Edge IT
WiZiX

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Final Thoughts

The inaugural What’s Happenin’ Detroit Select Golf Classic exceeded all expectations. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars raised for cancer research and support services, one of the most well-attended dealer events of the year, and a new benchmark for what we can achieve as an industry.

I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: this industry gives like no other. For all the competition, there is no community I’d rather be part of.

I look forward to building on the success of this event for 2026.

SOURCE What’s Happenin’ Cares Inc.

What's Happenin' Cares