BizWord August 2010
From
the desk of Laura Crawford
At times, in order to
move forward, one must look back. That’s exactly what your Chamber did as involvement with
workforce development was considered. Many of you remember the very successful
Leadership Academy that a few hundred high school students experienced,
connecting them with real life business experience.
It has been a personal
goal of mine and one that was incorporated into the Chamber’s
Strategic Plan, to re-enter the workforce development arena. It was not
difficult to get people excited about this project. Melna Langham of
ScotPress Printing, a committee member of the former program, chairs the
Programs & Events Board TEAM and easily took the helm; and just like that,
Attainable Futures was born. Our kick-off event took place in April at
Fairview A Vibrant Living Community. Students enjoyed a Career SpeedSearch,
with the opportunity to question at least ten Members about their professions.
Immediately following was an introduction to our
Not-for-Profits in a mini-expo format at our regularly scheduled
Business After Hours– an additional opportunity to network with business
people and connect to the many wonderful organizations in our community.
As the TEAM mapped out
the upcoming school year considering relevant topics, partnerships and increased
Member participation, we welcomed a new Chamber Member to the committee.
Patrick Bode, of
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, is a young entrepreneur who graduated from the
original Leadership Program. Also a former employee of the Chamber, first on
Patrick’s agenda as a business owner was to join the Chamber…..full circle!
Our plan for the 2010-11
school year is to offer a series of four programs for the students. Meetings
with District 99 personnel are scheduled to ensure relevance and substance.
Workforce continues to be one of the primary concerns of businesses and I
believe this program will prove to be one of the more impactful items on the
Strategic Plan. We plan to increase student offerings in future years.
If you’d like to
participate in charting the foundation of Attainable Futures or would like to be
considered a resource for one of the programs, please let me know; it could be
one of your most inspirational journeys.
Laura
Crawford
President & CEO
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A Letter from the Chairman of
the Board
Hello Fellow Chamber Members, 
This month’s letter is focused on
opportunities for you to celebrate your Chamber Membership. The Chamber has two
upcoming events that you should take advantage of as we close the books on our
fiscal year.
September 15th, 2010 is the date
of the
Last Swing! Board of Directors Invitational Golf Outing at the
Downers Grove Park District Golf Course. It is a great half day event that
builds camaraderie and business relations. For a very economical price, you
will have a great round of golf and dinner served by
Skuddlebutts catering. I am bringing three of my clients to help celebrate
the end of Summer. This event is a great way to showcase your Chamber!
On September 24th, 2010,
Midwestern University presents the Chamber’s annual
Black and White Ball Carnivale at Bobak’s Signature Events. This is
another great opportunity to bring clients and/or your staff to enjoy themselves
for a wonderful evening of games, dinner, live music and dancing. The event will
recognize the efforts of outgoing Chamber Leaders and of course, this year’s
Enterprise Award winner,
Joe Leo of Scanlon & Leo.
Don’t miss the opportunity to have some fun
within your business and bring your family, friends and staff to either or both
of these wonderful events. As we BUILD BUSINESS, we BUILD COMMUNITY!
Happy Labor Day!
Your Chamber Chairman,
Donald D. Duncan
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DG
Chamber Announces 2010 Enterprise Award Winner
The Downers Grove Area Chamber
of Commerce & Industry is very pleased to announce that Joseph A. Leo of Scanlan
& Leo, LTD, will be honored as the 2010 Enterprise Award at the Chamber’s
Black & White Ball presented by Midwestern University. Join us for the
award presentation at the
Black & White Ball Carnivale on Friday, September 24th at Bobak’s
Signature Events.
The
Chamber’s Enterprise Award honors and celebrates an individual who is employed
by or owns a Member business and has significantly impacted the community
through personal involvement, while actively providing and protecting economic
opportunity for the benefit of all. Greg Bedalov of the Economic Development
Corporation, a fellow Chamber Member, nominated Joseph for the award.
“The
contribution Joe has made to the Village of Downers Grove, its business
community, its education community and its service organizations are long and
honorable. From the day I met him he was involved in so many things that help
make Downers Grove a great place to live and work. His involvement with and
commitment to the Chamber is just one of the ways he demonstrates his passion
for giving something back and making a difference. He always wants to know how
he can help. He always steps up when asked. He thinks of everyone else before
he thinks of himself. He’s a wonderful husband, a dedicated father and a great
friend who is always there when he is needed who somehow manages to find more
time to truly serve his community. He is quite worthy of this honor and I am
thankful to know him, work with him and call him my friend,” said Greg Bedalov
of Joe Leo.
Scanlan &
Leo, LTD., has developed strong roots in the local business community. Joseph
has a hard-earned reputation for professional excellence and a commitment to the
success of his clients through personalized service. Joe has contributed to the
following organizations: Education Foundation of District 58, Indian Boundary
YMCA Indian Princess, Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence (HGNA), School District
58 Board of Directors (past), Rotary Club of Downers Grove, Downtown Management
Corporation, Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, and the Downers
Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“This award
recognizes Joe Leo for his many contributions to so many organizations in
Downers Grove. Because of his leadership, volunteerism and overall impact,
Downers Grove is a better community for his being a part of it,” stated Laura
Crawford, President & CEO of the Chamber.
For more information, please
contact the Downers Grove Chamber at (630) 968-4050, or visit the website at
www.downersgrove.org.
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What's new with Chamber CORE?
"As
the newest Chamber Leads group, we are focused on growing membership that will
produce the right combination of people committed to generating business for
each other," said
Chamber CORE
chairman, Diana Conley of Advotek, Inc.
 Chamber
CORE is made up of industry exclusive professionals focused on building each
others businesses by supplying genuine referrals to their members. Built on
trust and follow up,
Chamber CORE
members maximize their membership with professional education and resources,
encouraging mutual support while increasing sales.
Fellow
CORE
member, Lisa Tang said, "So far the group is growing organically, and we are
motivated to help all of our
CORE
members build their businesses. Thus far I have received several referrals, one
new client and several more prospective clients--just in the space of a month in
the newly forming group."
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at
8:00 am in the Chamber office.
Click here for Chamber CORE Guidelines
Click here for information on joining Chamber CORE
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Members in the
News!
Congratulations to the following Members:
Barry Aluminum and Windows Wins
CertainTeed Corporation’s National Award for Craftsmanship.
Ray Graham
Association named Marty Schiller "Man of the Year".
District 99
North High ranked in the top six percent of public schools by Newsweek
Magazine!
Corporate
Strategies won the top sales award at the Sandler global conference last week.
This award has only been given out to four franchises in the history of Sandler
Training.
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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 Fretzin of
Sales Results, Inc. for presenting to YPN.
Thank you to
Rita's American Roadhouse for hosting the YPN Professional Development
event.
Thank you
to
ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI &
Rentalmax for hosting Business After Hours.
Thank you
to Joe Borsche,
Borsche Digital for leading the “The Value of Your Website” at the August
Business Roundtable Network.
Thank you
to Good Samaritan
Health & Wellness Center for sponsoring the WBC Breakfast.
Thank you
to Catherine Lee of CDL & Associates, Inc. for speaking to WBC.
Thank you to
Deli Time, LLC for sponsoring the
marketing luncheon.
Thank you to
Tropical Smoothie Cafe for sponsoring the Business BEFORE Hours event.
Thank you to
Chris John Photography for taking
photos of our monthly events.
Click here
for event photos.
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