Chamber Executive
Illinois Digest
June 2018
Good
morning #chamber world! Have a GREAT week!
“Save the date"
for the IACCE Fall Conference November 7-9, 2018 in Peoria. More information
here: IACCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Greater Freeport Partnership hires
executive director
The Greater Freeport Partnership
has its first executive director.
Rebecca Motley, an economic
development consultant to Rantoul, Illinois, for the past three years, will
take the helm June 18, according to a news release.
Motely said she was attracted to
the job because it was clear that local stakeholders are passionate about
growing the community in a forward-thinking way.
“I’m very impressed with the way
both the city and business community appear to have collaborated together on
forming the new organization,” Motley said during a phone interview Wednesday.
“I think it’s really best practice to really collaborate, if not combine, like
we did here.”
Motley has 25 years of experience
in economic development, commercial lending, nonprofit management and commercial
real estate investment. She recently recruited a hotel, promoted expansion of a
food processing facility and developed a Shop Rantoul First marketing campaign
for the city of 13,000 that was formerly home to a United States Air Force
base.
“We conducted a national search
to find a leader with vision, expertise and experience in economic development
and community building, and Rebecca stood out among the candidates,” Gary
Quinn, chairman of the Greater Freeport Partnership, said in the release.
“Working with a diverse group of stakeholders in Rantoul, Rebecca has led a
revitalization effort that is transforming the community.”
The Greater Freeport Partnership
will take over the duties of the Northwest Illinois Development Alliance,
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Freeport Area
Chamber of Commerce and Freeport Downtown Development Foundation. The boards of
those four organizations voted to form one entity in March.
Motley will hire a planning and
development director, a member service director, a tourism and marketing
director, visitors center manager and administrative staff. She said local
people and those who already are working at one of the organizations will be
strongly considered for the seven available positions.
“Certainly, lots of people have
invested lots of their lives into building these things and certainly that will
all be considered,” Motley said. “People from the area certainly know it, and
that’s important to me.” Read more: Journal Standard
Replacing Jean Gaines isn't easy
for Geneva Chamber of Commerce
The applications are coming in and the interviews have begun. For
the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, it means reality has set in and the task of
replacing its longtime president is in full swing.
Chamber board members may have been stunned when Jean Gaines
announced her upcoming retirement a couple of months ago, but all eyes are now
focused on the future.
The chamber is hoping to have the position filled by the end of
June, but it won't be an easy task. After all, Gaines has been at the helm of
Geneva's business engine for 40 years. Her influence and vision of what Geneva
has been and could be have affected virtually every aspect of community life.
But this is to be expected from a community leader who oversaw a
chamber of 60 members when first taking on the lead role -- and helped shape it
into what it is today as a vibrant business organization with more than 500
members.
"We were much smaller when I first started," Gaines
acknowledged. "But I remember going home after my first day (with the
board) and thinking, what did I do, and that I would never remember all of that
stuff."
She remembered all of it and more over time, though she
understands best how it has all unfolded for herself and her chamber
colleagues.
"I have had such support from the board and the membership,
and I have every confidence they will find the right person and things will
move along nicely," Gaines said.
"I would stay on for a time to make it a smooth
transition," Gaines said of what will likely become somewhat of a
part-time role through part of the summer.
"Fortunately, we have a very seasoned staff in place, so the
general public won't see a difference."
Well, maybe not. But just the fact that the city and chamber have
taken on far more community events and festivals during Gaines' tenure
indicates she knew exactly what kind of setting Geneva offered for its
residents and visitors.
"We only did one festival when I first started," Gaines
said. That, of course, would be Swedish Days. Since then, the chamber has
embraced the Festival of the Vine, the Geneva Arts Fair and the Concours
d'Elegance classic car show.
It won't hurt the chamber's confidence in the future in knowing
that Gaines plans on staying in Geneva and continuing to be a member of the
chamber board for at least another year. She'll also continue her roles with
the city's mental health board and the Community Chest.
"I'll still be volunteering in Geneva and living in
Geneva," Gaines said.
Jefferson County Chamber Community
Guide
The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide is
available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip
"Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and
direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education
Weekly New Idea: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others
Don't - by Simon Sinek
Imagine a world where almost
everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the
day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized
notion. Today, in many successful organizations, great leaders create
environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.
In his work with organizations
around the world, Simon Sinek noticed that some teams trust each other so
deeply that they would literally put their lives on the line for each other.
Other teams, no matter what incentives are offered, are doomed to infighting,
fragmentation and failure. Why?
The answer became clear during a
conversation with a Marine Corps general. "Officers eat last," he
said. Sinek watched as the most junior Marines ate first while the most senior
Marines took their place at the back of the line. What's symbolic in the chow
hall is deadly serious on the battlefield: Great leaders sacrifice their own
comfort—even their own survival—for the good of those in their care.
Too many workplaces are driven by
cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and
cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a "Circle of
Safety" that separates the security inside the team from the challenges
outside.
Sinek illustrates his ideas with
fascinating true stories that range from the military to big business, from
government to investment banking. More information: Barnes & Noble
Champaign County
Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee: Come Wine With Us
Brought to you by the
Champaign County Chamber
of Commerce
Agribusiness Committee
Tuesday, June 19
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Parkland College
Come Wine With Us,
sponsored by the Chamber's Agribusiness Committee, celebrates Champaign
County's strong roots in agriculture and agribusiness. The event will be held
outdoors at Parkland College between the T Building and the Tony Noel
Agricultural Applications Center.
Enjoy food samples from
various Chamber member restaurants and beverages supplied by Skeff Distributing
and Sun Singer Wine & Spirits.
Attendees will also have
the opportunity to enter to win door prizes and learn more about agriculture in
our community.
Wine raffle tickets are
available for purchase for $10/ticket. A raffle ticket enters you for a chance
to win 60 bottles of wine (YES, 60). Tickets may purchase over the phone by
calling 217.359.1791, from any Chamber staff member or at the event. You do not
need to be present to win (but we hope to see you there).
New this year! There
will be a live dessert auction featuring signature desserts from member restaurants
paired with carefully selected bottles of wine.
Proceeds from the $5 per
person donation at the door will help fund Chamber programs (the donation for
non-members and guests is $10).
Setting up shop: Resources
available to help new DeKalb County businesses
When choosing to work in
the new DeKalb location of ATI Physical Therapy, Kris Heitzig’s decision was an
easy one to make. Heitzig is the director of the clinic, located at 2115
Sycamore Road in DeKalb.
“Why DeKalb County? DeKalb
County is the community where I live, it’s the community where I go to church,
it is the community were my kids go to school,” Heitzig said.
ATI Physical Therapy is
one of the 31 new businesses – out of the 131 total – that joined the
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce since January 2017. Six new businesses came to Genoa
since 2017. Of the 110 businesses that joined the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce
since 2017, 43 were new.
RoseMarie Treml, executive
director of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, said last year was one of the
chamber’s best years for adding new business members.
“Our strength lies in the
number and diversity of our membership,” Treml said. “That is why we feel it is
so important for us to continually increase our membership numbers as well as
focus on the retention of our existing member businesses.”
Matt Duffy, executive
director of the DeKalb Chamber, said the question shouldn’t be “Why DeKalb
County,” it should be “Why not DeKalb County?”
“We don’t want businesses
to start and fail, and we think that by having more information easily
available for business starters will help them succeed,” Duffy said. “By having
resources and information, like demographics and statistics, readily available,
they can do some research and take their business even further.”
One of the resources
available to new and starting businesses is the DeKalb County Business
Incubator program. The incubator, located in the Creative Center of the
Community Outreach Building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb, helps foster
and support the initial development of emerging entrepreneurs’ ideas by
providing a rentable professional office space. The incubator also is new to
DeKalb County, starting in August 2016. Read more: The Midweek News
Greater Belleville Chamber of
Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide
The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Greater Belleville Chamber! Thanks to Wendy Pfeil and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Jefferson County Chamber
Compassionate Caregiver Award
The Jefferson County
Chamber of Commerce co-hosted with Crossroads Community Hospital the first ever
Compassionate Caregiver of the Year ceremony Thursday, April 19, 2018 at
Crossroads Community Hospital.
The Chamber received
many inspiring stories of compassionate care given to members of our community
during some of their darkest times. It is heartwarming that so many people in
our community were moved enough by their medical support caregivers that they
nominated them to receive this award.
Staci Goodin, Marketing
Director of Crossroads Community Hospital, presented the awards. Lisa Austin of
SSM and Nancy Jean of Countryside tied for the top prize. These ladies bring a
combined 50 years of nursing to our community. There was not a dry eye at the
luncheon when these nurses not only was awarded but told their stories. Jean
has served as a CNA for 31 years and goes above and beyond for her patients.
Austin has served as a hospice nurse for 25 years. She addresses each patients
concerns with "What is it you need to make this right".
This program was the
concept of Natalie Wellen, Marketing Director for the Jefferson County Chamber
of Commerce. Her Aunt resides in a nursing facitly in Mt. Vernon. "It is
such a comfort to have the quality and care of the medical staff here in
Jefferson County. My Aunt's nurses have become an extended family and it such a
comfort to know that someone is caring for her with as much care and love as
you have."
In addition to Jean and
Austin, six nurses was named as nominees: Susan Portner, Orthopedic Center of
Southern Illinois; Hailey Bybee, Residential Living Center; Kristi Kniffen,
White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare; Kela Johnston, Mt Vernon Township High
School; Teresa Hill, DaVita Kidney Dialysis Center; and Lea Schulte, Surgical
Services at Crossroads Community Hospital.
Do you know someone who
has provided you or a loved one with excellent care? Have you experienced
outstanding medical care by a local healthcare professional? Do you know
someone who gives generously of their time in the healthcare industry to make
an impact on the lives of others?
This award recognizes
extraordinary healthcare professionals from Jefferson County who embody the
characteristics of compassionate care. Nominees may include various healthcare
professions, including nurses, therapy aides, certified nursing assistants,
home health aides, phlebotomist and personal care aides.
For more information,
contact Nat Wellen, Marketing Director of Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
by calling 618-242-5725 or email, chambermarketing@southernillinois.com.
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: "Education is not the
filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." William Butler Yeats
Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce
2018 Community Profile & Directory
The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Community Profile & Directory is available at the Plainfield Area Chamber today! Thanks to Tasha Kitson, Vitella Barnes, Kellie Wujek, Patrick Ryan and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
#BestChamber practices: Batavia
Chamber Breakfast Club!
Networking at Night Not Working for you?!
Check out the Batavia Chamber Breakfast Club!
Join us for networking and a hot buffet breakfast! Benefit from building professional relationships and gain access to new opportunities.
Attendees will be asked to present a one-minute self-introduction and will be given business cards of all those in attendance for ongoing networking. Advanced registration is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome.
Register Here
Sauk Valley Area Chamber
of Commerce Directors held the first Annual Manufacturing Dinner
On Thursday, May 3rd, The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of
Commerce Directors held the first Annual Manufacturing Dinner. Over
150 people attended the event held at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon,
Il. Manufacturing has been and continues to be a primary
contributor to the success of the Sauk Valley Area. The SVACC believes
the collaboration being done between Manufacturing and Education (Sauk Valley
Community College, Morrison Institute of Technology, and the Whiteside Area
Career Center) to address workforce development and improve career pathways is
critical to the growth of the Sauk Valley.
The Dinner provided an informal evening of discussion and
highlight programming at Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) , the Multicraft
Program offered through SVCC and area employers, and updates
at Morrison Institute of Technology. Also included were
student testimonials, tours of SVCC Manufacturing area, and a dessert
auction. The funds raised will be used for Scholarships for
students pursuing manufacturing careers and chamber work in the area
of workforce development and helping to create talent pipelines.
For more information
about the SVACC, please call 825-625-2400 or
email knoble@saukvalleyareachamber.com
18th Annual Darien Dash Hosted by
Darien Chamber of Commerce
The Darien Chamber of
Commerce will host the 18th annual Darien Dash on May 6. The race includes a
10K, 5K and 1 mile fun run, and will be held at Darien Community Park.
The race will begin at 8
a.m. with a fun run for ages five and under. At 8:30 a.m., the 1 mile, 5K and
10K kick off. According to the race website, fun run awards will be given to
the first 100 kids.
Trophies will be given to
the top overall finishers (male and female) in each race. Medals will be given
to the first, second and third place male and female in each age group in each
race as well.
According to the race
website, a portion of the proceeds will be awarded to one school in Darien with
the most paid registered participants and The Darien Swim and Recreation Club.
BestChamber practices: Mattoon
Chamber of Commerce provides information on legislation
The Chamber of Commerce is
always working on providing important information regarding legislation that
pertains to Chamber members at the national, state and local level. Many small
businesses don't have the time or resources to keep track of all the
legislation that affects the running of their businesses. One example of this
included the local 1% increase in sales tax that went into effect last July.
Many of our retail and restaurant members were unaware of the tax and how to
implement it without our guidance. Another example was the federal change to
the I-9 form that is required to be completed by all businesses when they hire
new employees for identification purposes. Failure to comply with new
legislation can cost these businesses in fines and legal challenges.
The Chamber uses the
services of The Illinois Chamber of Commerce which has the ability to monitor
the volumes of legislation that is constantly under consideration. They are
also able to take positions and advocate for businesses on key legislation that
is proposed by the Illinois State Legislatures. As members of the Illinois
Chamber, we are able to keep our Chamber members informed of these proposed
legislative issues that could be either beneficial or unfavorable to their
businesses.
Each week the Illinois
Chamber provides us with a Government Affairs Report that highlights key
legislative issues and the effects this will have on businesses and ultimately
the public. Dean Willaredt, our legislative volunteer, helps us review the
Report and navigate the bills that are proposed by the legislatures. We then
disseminate the information to Chamber members to keep them informed and give
them the opportunity to show support or oppose particular House or Senate bills
before they become law.
The Illinois Chamber has
even taken steps to help initiate legislation that helps Businesses succeed
without fear of onerous regulations and potential lawsuits. This is true for
businesses who utilize new technologies. Many businesses use biometric or
finger print scanning technology in place of timecards or key punching
employees to track their workday. Current legislation makes it difficult to
even use the technology for fear of employers being fined or sued for simply
keeping track of the information. The Illinois Chamber is supporting
legislation that would allow employers to use the data for internal employment
purposes as long as it is not used for commercial purposes.
Another example of a
proposed bill under consideration that could be cost prohibitive would require
hospitals to have metal detectors at each point of entry. Currently, there are
dozens of proposed Illinois House and Senate Bills that relate to business
regulations, infrastructure, employment law, energy and the environment,
financial services, healthcare and taxes, just to name a few. The State of
Illinois has challenging laws and regulations for businesses.The Mattoon
Chamber works diligently to keep our members informed and advocate for their
success. Read more: Journal & Gazette
Romeoville Community &
Membership Directory
The Romeoville 2017 Community & Membership
Directory is available at the Romeoville Chamber of
Commerce today! Thank you to the Chamber team for their help and
direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map,
directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber.
Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call
(847)-427-4633.
#FamousChamber Of
Commerce Quotations: Leadership
“Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter Drucker
#BestChamber practices: Oregon
Chamber of Commerce to launch a new Welcome Program
The Oregon Chamber of
Commerce is renewing its’ efforts to welcome new home owners to the community.
“Our WELCOME! program is
targeted to folks who have chosen to make their home in the 61061 zip code,
Oregon, Illinois area,” said Oregon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Debbie Dickson. “We hope this effort will help to introduce them to our local
businesses and chamber members, a way to offer an easy opportunity for them
step inside and experience the wide variety of shopping, dining, and services
we have in our own back yard.
“We want these folks to
know that we are excited to have them choose our community to raise a family,
retire, recreate, and relax!,” she said.
The program allows new
residents a friendly way to drop by the Chamber office and redeem a Welcome to
Oregon postcard that they have received from one of our local realtors at their
home sale closing, in exchange for a gift basket of goodies. Read more: OgleCountyNews.com
Job Opening in #Chamberworld -
Hollywood (CA) Chamber of Commerce - President & CEO Position- Salary: $185,000+
The
Position of President and CEO
The
Hollywood Chamber seeks a visionary President and CEO to lead the Chamber’s
staff and members. The President provides leadership and advocacy for the
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, is responsible and accountable for all Chamber
operations including Hollywood Walk of Fame
ceremonies, and represents the Chamber in the local community and at the
city, county, state and national level. The successful candidate must have
extensive experience administering a staff, a thorough understanding of a
Chamber’s mission and activities, and must embrace and understand the role of
an urban chamber and the dynamics within the multi-cultural community it
serves. Read more: Chamber of Commerce
Daily News
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
Q2030 Project Manager
Category: Non-Profit and
Social Services
Job Title: Q2030 Project
ManagerLocated in Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa The Quad Cities Chamber
of Commerce is currently seeking a Q2030 Project Manager. The Q2030
Project Manager has a strong passion for being a part of making the Quad Cities
the best midsize region in the United States. She/he will be an integral part
of a team supporting and working with businesses, community leaders and
residents to make our region more cool, creative, connected and prosperous by
turning ideas into action. Read more: Quad Cities Chamber
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and
Community Profiles: The best in Illinois.
Town Square Publications, a
division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom
publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing
high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added
value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce
and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues
revenues.
Town Square Publications
parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print
product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout
the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you
attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct
distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital
and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available
in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and
online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town
Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and
member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local
marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide
variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful
organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing
partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned
Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal,
contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce
blog – click to go there or Google search
“Chamber of Commerce Daily News - John Dussman”
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Last Month’s Stories
Springfield
Mayor Jim Langfelder pledges support, though not money, to regional EDC State Journal Register
#BestChamber practices: Joliet Chamber 2018 Member Luncheon April
30th Legislative Update Register Now
Women’s Biz Net Hosts
Shop|Sip|Socialize Girls Night Out to Support Lauren Brown Scholarship - Guests are encouraged to bring friends.
#BestChamber practices: Batavia Chamber: April Chamber Ambassador
of the Month Batavia Chamber of Commerce
Important Workforce
Information for the One Big Career Fair on April 18 from the Champaign County
Chamber - MindyC@champaigncounty.org
O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber, Progress salute local businesses at
annual awards ceremony Belleville News-Democrat
Round Lake Chamber of Commerce throws block party for community Daily Herald
#BestChamber practices: Marion (IL) Chamber: Promotional
Opportunities: Non-Dues Revenue: Digital Sign Usage Agreement Marion
Chamber
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Lean In:
Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - By Sheryl Sandberg Lean-In
East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Event: "Starting a Business in
Illinois" East Peoria Chamber of Commerce
'Blues, Brews & BBQ' Event Planned by
Plainfield Chamber Patch.com
What do the
Big Tax Reform Changes Mean for Your Small Business? We’ve Got Answers. U.S. Chamber
If
you are a new chamber client and would like delivery of a no-cost gloss chamber
directory or map in December, 2018, please contact me at your earliest
convenience. To request your chamber
publication proposal, Contact Town Square
Publications (it takes less than two minutes).
Best,
John Dussman
John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the Chamber Executive Illinois Intelligence Report or the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAILY NEWS, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
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