BizWord MAY 2009
 

  Table of Contents
  From the Desk of Laura Crawford
  Downers Grove Area Map Project
  May Membership Recruitment Campaign
  Congratulations Scholarship Winners
  Thank You Members!
 

From the Desk of Laura Crawford

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has given us yet another reason to be proud to say we live and work in Downers Grove.  Last month our very own health care provider was selected as one of the nation’s best hospitals by the 2008 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmark study.  The study highlighted the hospital among the top 20 large community hospitals in the nation….in the nation, I’ll say it again….in the entire United States of America!!

This means that when you need the best of the very best care, you can drive right down Main Street (or Highland) and get superior care, unsurpassed by other hospitals. If each of those other hospitals provided similar care (to Medicare inpatients), 107,500 more people would be alive today; 132,000 patient complications would be avoided and expenses would decline by $5.9 billion a year.*  How’s that for quantifying this world-class organization located right here in Downers Grove?

Just like many of you, I have spent countless hours with loved ones in a variety of hospitals.  While occupying time in surgical waiting rooms, I always marveled at the number of people who traveled long distances to get the care they or their loved ones needed.  When your family is enduring a trauma, being separated from a familiar support group and worrying about added living expenses adds insult to injury and very dramatic stress levels.  Having a top caliber hospital right in our town is not only a gift to each and every one of us, but a jewel that should be recognized as a cornerstone for community pride. 

The effect Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has had on the Village of Downers Grove is extraordinary; it supplies the quality of life we’ve come to expect while providing one of the largest economic engines in the Village. Thank you Dave Fox and congratulations to you and every one of the 2,700 employees at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.  This recognition is so richly deserved, your Chamber of Commerce could not be prouder.  Celebrate your success!

lcrawford@downersgrove.org    630-968-4050 ext. 14

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Downers Grove Area Map Project

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry

is in the process of publishing the revised map of Downers Grove. The full-color street map is designed to serve those visiting as well as those considering relocation to the area. Local residents will also find the map a useful tool, since points of interest and various business locations will be noted.

Thousands of copies of this publication will be distributed throughout the region, and there will be an online version, making this an extremely effective recruitment tool. This professional Street Map features a directory of area resources such as schools, shopping areas, parks and attractions, as well as clear, accurate and beautiful full-color cartography. The online MagniMap counterpart gives our community multiple platform marketing capabilities and makes Downers Grove accessible to newcomers on the Web.

We are very pleased to once again be working with CommunityLink, the leader in chamber publishing. CommunityLink has produced over 10,000 publications such as ours in the last 10 years including our last map and community magazine.

Businesses that choose to participate will receive:
• Advertising packages to meet all budgets and advertising needs.
• Design and layout services — free of charge.
• Free copies of the map to distribute as you wish.

This street map is one of the Chamber's most vital tools to market the Downers Grove area as we strive to keep the most up-to-date and accurate information possible in front of visitors, new residents and new resident prospects. This street map is sponsored solely by advertising dollars and is an excellent opportunity for our business community to support ongoing growth in our area.

Space is limited, so reserve yours today by calling Angela Grigsby at 866.522.3921.
Or contact the Chamber at 630-968-4050.

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May Membership Recruitment Campaign

It’s not too late to volunteer during the last week of the May Membership Recruitment Campaign.  This is the last week to reach out to Non-Member Businesses and share with them your testimonials and special money saving benefits.

For available times, contact Jane Abe, Vice President, Business Development jabe@downersgrove.org or (630)968-4050 x11.  Fun, food, prizes and recognition will be awarded to all volunteers.

If you can not spare the time, refer a non-member business and receive $25 Chamber Bucks when the business joins. Membership Campaigns are a great way to reconfirm one’s membership, increase networking opportunities and be part of a “SHORT TERM” project.

Help further the success of the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry TODAY!  Just ask Joe Malas (see testimonial)

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Congratulations Scholarship Winners

The Young Professionals Network and The Rotary Club of Downers Grove honored two Downers Grove North High School students on May 21st. Both students received the Young Professionals Network Future Business Leader Scholarship in the amount of five hundred dollars. The Chamber would like to recognize Gina Caputo and Emily McCandless on their outstanding achievements!

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Thank You Members!

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry would like to Thank the following members for their generosity and support:

Thank you to Steve Hrbek of EasyBusinessPodcasting for producing the podcast of the Town Hall meeting held by Representatives Bellock and Pihos. 

Thank you to Phil Gerardi, Sales Results, Inc. for presenting at the ChamberFIRST open house on May 6th.

Thank you to Diana Conley of Advotek, Inc. for donating a laptop to the Chamber office.

Thank you to Maclyn Group for donating a computer to the Chamber Office.

Thank you to Robert Patt of Simplemac Solutions Inc. for rebuilding a computer and installing software for the Chamber Office

Thank you to Todd Gallentine of MG Computer for contributing IT work.

Thank you to all 2009 First Swing! Annual Golf Classic committee members, volunteers, donors, sponsors & golfers!!

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