BizWord August 2011
 

  Table of Contents
From the desk of Laura Crawford

A letter from the Chairman of the Board

Class A Office Space

Chamber Luncheon - Thursday, September 8th

Celebrate with the Chamber - Serving Business for 60 Years

Take Advantage of your FREE Banner Ad

Members in the News!
Thank you Members!

From the desk of Laura Crawford

IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

It’s not often that a community snags multi-level bragging rights for one of their hidden jewels.  Congratulations to Midwestern University for receiving recognition on the list of “Best Places to Work in Academia,” from The Scientist magazine. Midwestern University (MU) ranked as the 6th best academic or noncommercial research institution in the nation!  Of all the universities and research centers in the United States, only 40 even earned rankings – and right in our community, is the 6^th best. 

Often referred to as the hidden jewel, Midwestern University sits off 31^st Street, just east of Highland on 105 acres of land.  Almost 2200 students are educated within their four colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Chicago College of Pharmacy, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois.

The impact this University has on the Village of Downers Grove is worthy of further recognition.  2008 winner of the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chamber Choice Awards in the Not-for-Profit category, Midwestern sure knows how to drive economic engines!  A recent study revealed Midwestern University’s economic trickle-down effect, specifically on job creation, business development and future expenditures.  On jobs, during FY09/10, they supported almost 1000 and $43.4 million in payroll at other businesses supported by the university, their employees, student and campus visitors – that’s a 243.9 million dollar impact!  Over the next several years, Midwestern will make $289.8 million in construction expenditures for current and planned projects including a new dental school, clinical campus and enhanced facilities on the 31^st St. campus.  The boon in this construction activity will actually create, according to Applied Economics, an economic impact of $478.5 million in DuPage County along with an estimated 2,900 jobs and $184.3 million in personal income. 

I have one word for Midwestern University, or maybe two:  THANK YOU…..and congratulations!

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A letter from the Chairman of the Board

Hello fellow Chamber Members

As I begin to write this article on one of the few picture perfect summer days, it made me think that we are ending a summer like we haven’t experienced in many years and looking forward to a wonderful and hopefully more traditional fall.  I hope that as the season turns and more people return from summer vacation and kids get back to school we all can become focused on the months ahead to finish this year, and that your business has a prosperous fall and winter.  The economy has been extremely hard to predict not only in the long term but day by day. In these crucial times to keep your business successful you need to focus 110 percent on creating sales and revenue.  That’s why now more than ever, your Chamber membership is most important.  The Chamber is there each day working for your business to grow and prosper.  Through the various networking groups, and marketing activities sponsored through the Chamber, you can see your business thrive.  Also we cannot forget to mention the legislative work your Chamber does for your business as an advocate at the Village, State and the Federal levels. The Chamber proactively monitors legislative issues that impact your business and financial success. 

As we head into fall let’s not forget the Chamber’s biggest and brightest night.  The Black and White Ball Diamond Jubilee! On September 17^th the Chamber is hosting the Black and White Ball Diamond Jubilee at Harry Caray’s. The event is always a wonderful evening that includes great conversation, food, music and dancing.  In addition to the fun events, we will be introducing the 2011 slate of Directors that include John Lampa from Marriott Guests Suites and Conference Center, Lisa Rasin from SEASPAR, Tom Rizzi from Pettibone, Jim Delaney from SpeedPro Imaging, Melissa Trudgeon from Concept Care Chiropractic, Tom Bennington from Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders, & Uhlenhop, and reappointed to the board Mike Busse from Community Bank of Downers Grove.  Please join me in wishing these fine business partners success in the upcoming years on the board.

The program that evening will conclude with the 2011 Enterprise award.  This award honors an individual who is employed by or owns a Member business and has significantly impacted the community though personal involvement, while actively providing and protecting economic opportunity for the benefit of all.  I cannot think of a better recipient of this year’s winner, State senator and prior Mayor of Downers Grove, Ron Sandack.  Senator Sandack, who was Mayor of Downers Grove from 2007 to May 2011, is a partner at the law firm of Gaido & Fintzen.  He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from DePaul University’s College of Law in 1989. Prior to his election as mayor, Sandack served on the Downers Grove Village Council.  His service to Downers Grove began in 2001, with his appointment to the Village Liquor Commission.  Sandack participates in numerous community and charitable activities. He is a member of the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry; a member of Pierce Downer PTA; a founding donor of the Education Foundation of Downers Grove; a Downers Grove Youth Baseball volunteer coach; and an active supporter and sponsor of local charities and organizations including Family Shelter Services, Character Counts, Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence (HGNA), and The Grove Foundation.  Senator Sandack’s family includes his wife Kevan and their two children, daughter Clare, age 13, and son Jack, age 11.

Again I want to personally thank you for your membership in the greatest Chamber in the State of Illinois and I look forward to seeing you Saturday, September 17^th for the Black and White Ball.

Dean Malone
 

Midwestern University
Chairman of the Board

To register for your seat or table at the Black & White Ball, please call the Chamber at (630) 968-4050 or click here!

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Chamber Luncheon - Thursday, September 8th

Committee, Network or Chamber Group Chair,

It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of our fiscal year and we’ll be installing a new slate of directors on September 17^th at the Black & White Ball. Thank you for your service this past year.  I hope you will continue to be engaged in the Chamber and serve as an advocate for us.  Many of you have expressed an interest in knowing more about the Chamber and specifically about the Board of Directors.  Each year, the Board along with staff provides an orientation for new Board members and any other interested Members.   I’d like to invite you to this meeting and hope you will consider joining us on September 8^th at 4:30 -5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office to meet with some current Board Members, who will provide the following information: 

Past to Present: Chamber History; Membership Profile; Strategic Plan; Board Structure and Staff

Chamber Benefits: Website stats; Marketing Programs; Committees, Networks and Groups; advocacy, professional development programs and networking opportunities

Chamber Protocol:  Expectations, Bylaws, Operations; Partners

Chamber Path: Where are we going?

I hope you’ll be able to make it; snacks and refreshments will be served.  Please rsvp by reply email to lcrawford@downersgrove.org.   

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Class A Office Space

AVAILABLE RIGHT HERE IN THE CHAMBER!

Enjoy the following:

• 14 x 14 Private Office

• Reception Services

• Internet Access

• Fax & Copier Services

• Conference Room Space

• Mailbox Service

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 Register here.  If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at (630) 968-4050.

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• If you already have a banner ad, please email it to bpeterson@downersgrove.org. Please also include the web address or email you would like it linked to.
   
• If you are going to make your own banner ad, please size it to be 468 x 60 pixels and sumbit as a pdf or jpeg file to bpeterson@downersgrove.org. Please also include the web address or email you would like it linked to.
   
• If you need help creating a banner ad send us your logo, link and tagline to bpeterson@downersgrove.org. We’ll put it together for you. Please also include the web address or email you would like it linked to.

 If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at (630) 968-4050.

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Members in the News!

Congratulations to the following Members:

• Diveheart: You can dive. Make no excuse.  Click on here to read this hearwarming story.
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove has named Patrick (Rick) Idemoto as vice president, business Development.
• Nice job to Rotary Club of Downers Grove for giving back to the community.  This summer's season of storms has left Downers Grove residents with unwanted tree limbs and debris.  Kent Ebersold and Keith Hoffman saw an opportunity to step-up and give something back to the community by financing the cost of debris removal. 
• Dan Techman has been installed as the new president of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove.
• Game Pazzo has been nominated this year as one of Chicago's new innovative companies in the 10th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards and were mentioned in the online entrepreneurial section of Crain's.

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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 Sherrin Ross Ingram for presenting at the WIN Luncheon on August 25th.

Thank you to Deli Time for providing lunch at the WIN Luncheon on August 25th.

Thank you to Cheeseburger in Paradise for providing the lunch at the 2011 Last Swing! Board of Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

Thank you to Skuddlebutt's for providing dinner at the 2011 Last Swing! Board of Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

Thank you to Midwestern University for being the Corporate Sponsor at the 2011 Last Swing! Board of Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

Thank you to Direct Energy for sponsoring the 19th Hole at the 2011 Last Swing! Board of Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

Thank you to BankFinancial for being the Cart Sponsor at the 2011 Last Swing!  Board of  Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

Thank you to the following members for sponsoring a hole at the 2011 Last Swing! Board of Director's Invitational Golf Outing:  Oral Health Care Professional, LLC - Jeffrey Wascher, DDS, Eric Jackson, DDS, Patrick O'Flaherty, DDS; Illinois Business Systems; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove; Main Street Chiropractic and Wellness Center; Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital; Chamber C.O.R.E.; L.O.D.G.E.; AT&T; Buffalo Wild Wings; Community Bank of Downers Grove; Adventist Hinsdale Hospital; JAK Graphic Designs; Scanlan & Leo, LTD.; D3 Financial Counselors; Hooters; United Central Bank; Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop, LLC.

Thank you to Ultra Foods and Dominick's for donating drinks and snacks to the 2011 Last Swing! Board of  Director's Invitational Golf Outing.

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