Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Chamber Executive Illinois Digest - September 2014 --- Chicagoland Chamber CEO Theresa Mintle named to the 20 most powerful women in Chicago business 2014; Champaign County Chamber of Commerce receives ACCE Award; St. Charles prepares for Chamber of Commerce Week; Chicagoland Chamber's "Small Business Chicago": A Hub For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners; Niles Village Board gives early OK to Touhy makeover plan; Tweet of the Day: 1871 announces education-tech incubator in partnership with DeVry; Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - by Sheryl Sandberg, CEO Facebook; 4 Chicago-area university entrepreneurship centers to know this fall; Chicagoland Chamber Local Initiative highlight: CASE – Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy; Elmhurst Plans September Celebrations Around Chamber of Commerce Week; Top 10 Trends for a Successful Illinois: Looking Forward to 2015; Best Practices: Canton Area Chamber - IIRA's Business Succession and Transition Planning Workshop Set for Oct. 21; Chicagoland Chamber Small Business Week Events - Oct. 7 - Oct. 9, 2014;


Chicagoland Chamber CEO Theresa Mintle named to the 20 most powerful women in Chicago business 2014
CRAINS - Yes, corporate America still has a woman problem. And Chicago isn't exactly a capital of progress on this front: Of the area's 100 largest public companies, only seven are helmed by women. Now for some good news. We've recently witnessed a string of high-profile promotions of female executives, and more local female business leaders are being named to major corporate boards outside of the city. This movement prompted Crain's to assemble this first-ever ranking. The list below is strictly business: No politicians, or philanthropists, or cultural leaders appear here. Editors considered four criteria: size and importance of a company; title and performance; career trajectory; and an individual's sphere of influence. Read more: Crains Chicago Business

Champaign County Chamber of Commerce receives ACCE Award
Chamber receives awards. The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce won a grand award and "best of show" award in the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' 2014 Awards for Communications Excellence. The awards were given for the chamber's Business Emergency Relief Campaign, launched in the wake of the Nov. 17 tornado that hit the Gifford area. Read more: News-Gazette

St. Charles prepares for Chamber of Commerce Week

St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina has proclaimed Sept. 8 through 12, as Chamber of Commerce Week, according to a news release issued Thursday. The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Chamber has joined the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in celebrating this special recognition of the contributions chambers of commerce make to Illinois civic and economic life, the release stated.
“Chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life in Illinois for 176 years since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838," Rogina said, according to the release. "Chambers of commerce encourage the growth of existing industries, services, and commercial firms and encourage new businesses and individuals to locate in Illinois.” Read more: Kane County Chronicle
Chicagoland Chamber's "Small Business Chicago": A Hub For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
From Theresa E. Mintle, President & CEO - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
I am excited to announce the launch of Small Business Chicago, a central hub providing resources and connections for small businesses. The timing on this is no coincidence. We know this is important to our members, as 73 percent of the respondents in our recent Member Survey said small business development should be a priority of the Chamber and 60 percent said they want us involved in addressing obstacles to starting and running a business. The program features new membership programs and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Chicagoland Chamber, which provides free, one-on-one business consulting for entrepreneurs and existing business owners.
More than 99 percent of businesses in Illinois are small businesses. Between our specialized programs and the SBDC, we are building a solid foundation for these businesses to equip themselves with the tools to grow and strengthen the local economy. Whether you’re launching a new company, currently running a small business, or interested in getting involved with the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Director of Small Business Katie Hamilton at 312.494.6734 or khamilton@chicagolandchamber.org. 

Niles Village Board gives early OK to Touhy makeover plan

The Niles Board of Trustees got a chance to see — and comment on — the Touhy Corridor plan that was unveiled to the Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry in mid-August.
During the Aug. 26 meeting, Ross Klicker, the Niles Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator, presented the plan to the board. He asked the board for a vote to approve the general “vision” without necessarily agreeing to specifics. Klicker said he would do a follow-up presentation during the September meeting. Read more: Niles Spectator

Tweet of the Day: 1871 announces education-tech incubator in partnership with DeVry

The 1871 co-working center announced Tuesday the creation an education-technology incubator through a partnership with Downers Grove-based DeVry Education Group.
The EdTech incubator, for education-related startups, will be included in 1871’s 25,000-square-foot expansion at Merchandise Mart, which also will support other sector-specific incubators. The new space is set to open Oct. 15, said 1871 marketing and communications associate Melissa Wooten.
The EdTech incubator will be home to six to 10 companies annually starting this fall, said Jeff Dunn, DeVry's senior director of research and development. Applications are being accepted now, with details available on the 1871 website, Dunn said. Read more: Chicago Tribune
 
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - by Sheryl Sandberg, CEO Facebook
Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the college graduates in the United States, men still hold the vast majority of leadership positions in government and industry. This means that women’s voices are still not heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives. In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg examines why women’s progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled, explains the root causes, and offers compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.
Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook and is ranked on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2010, she gave an electrifying TEDTalk in which she described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which became a phenomenon and has been viewed more than two million times, encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto.
In Lean In, Sandberg digs deeper into these issues, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to cut through the layers of ambiguity and bias surrounding the lives and choices of working women. She recounts her own decisions, mistakes, and daily struggles to make the right choices for herself, her career, and her family. She provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career, urging women to set boundaries and to abandon the myth of “having it all.”  She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women in the workplace and at home.
Written with both humor and wisdom, Sandberg’s book is an inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth. Lean In is destined to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can.

4 Chicago-area university entrepreneurship centers to know this fall

With over 30 area colleges and universities, there are a lot of opportunities for young entrepreneurs to learn about tech, business and innovation in Chicago. Now that school is in session, here’s a refresher about what opportunities some of these schools offer, upcoming events to watch for, and how students and community members can get involved. Read more: builtinchicago.com

Chicagoland Chamber Local Initiative highlight: CASE – Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy
 Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy (CASE) is a network of Chicago’s leading “anchor” institutions – hospitals, universities, cultural institutions, corporations, and others – committed to putting their purchasing power to work to accelerate growth. CASE will create economic opportunities for local suppliers by fostering strategic relationships with anchor institutions and equipping them with the necessary tools to successfully compete for contracts where needed.
Chicago is home to many major institutions and corporations that require a strong base of goods and service suppliers, from paper and pens to legal services and technology. Creating a strong business-to-business supplier network locally not only supports the success of these institutions, but also strengthens the economy, making the region a more attractive place to do business. Firms providing business goods and services are located throughout the Chicago-area’s neighborhoods. Focusing on the high volume of business-to-business transactions at major institutions can help strengthen local firms, increase community and neighborhood vitality, generate jobs, and help grow the regional economy. Apply to CASE

Elmhurst Plans September Celebrations Around Chamber of Commerce Week

September 4, 2014 - In celebration of Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is sponsoring a month of networking, educational and special events, as well as staging our annual new member recruitment campaign.
At the request of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed September 8-12 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois.
Mayoral Proclamation
Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley has issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 8-12 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Top 10 Trends for a Successful Illinois: Looking Forward to 2015
Theresa E. Mintle - President & CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL
Illinois is under tremendous competitive pressure from our neighboring states that have more  business-friendly environments. We are all striving to find the smartest ways to help our economy grow, add jobs and build a prosperous future for Illinois. We’ll explore the challenges and  opportunities for business owners and leaders in this lively and candid panel discussion.
• Learn the Top 10 Trends in business for Illinois going into 2015- including small business, industry and public policy.
• Hear real-world advice on what your business can do to improve both your company’s outlook and the future of our region. Learn More: Illinois CPA Society

Best Practices: Canton Area Chamber - IIRA's Business Succession and Transition Planning Workshop Set for Oct. 21

The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University is hosting the workshop "Business Succession and Transition Planning" Tuesday, Oct. 21 in collaboration with the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce and Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Donaldson Community Center, located at 250 South Avenue D, Canton, IL. The workshop is open free to businesses statewide (registration required), as well as to businesses in neighboring states.
According to Jolene Willis, associate manager of IIRA's Illinois Cooperative Development Center, the workshop will be conducted by Steve Barnhart, a technical specialist from the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). His presentation will address succession and transition-planning issues encountered by all types of family and closely held businesses, regardless of whether they are in the manufacturing sector. With more than 25 years of organizational development and operations leadership experience, Barnhart provides training and business improvement services to Illinois companies, drawing upon IMEC's state and national resources to help companies increase productivity and remain competitive. Read more: Western Illinois University

Chicagoland Chamber Small Business Week Events - Oct. 7 - Oct. 9, 2014
Whether you're a small business owner, an entrepreneur or someone who cares about small business, chances are you'll be interested in one of our five events taking place during Crain's Small Business Week 2014.
Highlights include a new kind of networking, a deep dive into big data, and much more.


Small Business Forecast
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014
7:30am to 9:30am
Forum Coworking - 1035 West Lake Street
Learn More and Register


Expanding Beyond Borders – Exporting & Importing for Small Business
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014
4:30 to 7:00pm
IL CPA Society, 550 W. Jackson, Suite 900
Learn More and Register


MBE/WBE Best Practices for Success
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014
11:30am to 1:00pm
Chicagoland Chamber, 410 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 900
Learn More and Register


Using Big Data to Grow Your Business
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014
7:30am-9:00am
Motorola Mobility, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1800
Learn More and Register


Speed Networking
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014
5:00 to 8:00pm
The MidAmerica Club, 200 E. Randolph Drive, 80th, Floor
Learn More and Register

Questions? Contact Katie Hamilton at 312.494.6734 or khamilton@chicagolandchamber.org.
Chamber business: Goldman Sachs is looking to help 10,000 small businesses with a $500 MILLION investment
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a $500 million investment to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners with limited resources who have a business poised for growth. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community. Learn more about this program and eligibility requirements. Further information: 10,000 Small Businesses  
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Education)

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”--- Albert Einstein

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.