BizWord January 2010
A letter from the Chamber of the
Board
Hello fellow Members of the Chamber,
As I write this letter in the middle of what is becoming a long winter, I want
to assure you the Chamber, as an organization, is on track with its plans
through the first quarter of its fiscal year. Laura and her team continue to
work diligently to represent your organizations’ most pressing business needs.
One of the best lunch events offered by the Chamber is scheduled for February 9th
at the Doubletree Guest Suites’ Atrium. It’s our
4th Annual Chamber Choice awards
presented by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital,
also with platinum and gold sponsorships from Magnetrol and Sarah Lee
Corporation. This event gives the Chamber a chance to acknowledge its Members
for their achievements in Business Excellence, Community Contributions and
Individual Achievement. In addition we want to congratulate the following:
Jan Kopis of ReMax/Enterprises
for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award,
Danny Glover of Skuddlebutts’ Pizza
and Party People Rental as the
winner of the Young Professional of the Year and
Mike Dellamaria of Shred DOC/Community High School
District 99
as Educator of the Year. These individuals have contributed in so many ways to
our community and truly deserve this recognition.
Why should you attend this event? By attending this event you are acknowledging
these individuals, your colleagues and peers and your fellow Membership for
their professional achievements….the Chamber’s version of the
Academy Awards!
Individuals must first be nominated by Members and then a Judging Panel of past
winners determines the winners in each category. The number of nominations was
extensive and I know that it was difficult for the committee to make their
decisions. As a past winner I can tell you how much this meant to me and my
organization; especially knowing who the semi finalists were. We have our award
properly displayed front and center when you walk into our main office building
and very proud of the recognition.
Please join me in this great event that acknowledges those that have contributed
to this community in so many ways. I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber
event before my next letter. Have a wonderful remainder of these cold months and
remember to “BChamber.”
To register
for your seat or table at the Chamber Choice Awards, please call the Chamber at
(630) 968-4050 or
click here!
Dean Malone
Midwestern University
Chairman of the Board
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Rotary Club
Announces 2011-2012 Board of Directors
At their last
Rotary Club meeting the below were voted as the 2011-2012 Board of Directors.
Their terms begin July 1st, 2011. Congratulations to all!
Dan Techman –
President
Joe Kenny –
President Elect
Jim Evans – Vice
President
Joe Leo –
Treasurer
Patty Reilley –
Community
Steve Wilkey –
Club Service
Amy Youngberg –
International
Ciara Crowther –
Secretary
Barb Webster – Vocational
Barb Taylor –
Membership/New Generations
Antonio Figueroa -
PR
Jim Wong –
Foundation
Past President –
Todd Gallentine
Keith Hoffman – At
Large
Lisa Rasin – At
Large
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From the desk of Laura Crawford
 The
New Year has come and gone, but your Chamber is still celebrating - the best –
of you! With over 30 nominees, the judging panel of past winners has the
arduous task of choosing the 2011 winners. This year’s
Chamber Choice Awards, presented
by
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
will celebrate Business Excellence, Community Contribution and Individual
Achievement.
Past winners have
included
Heritage House Florists,
SEASPAR,
Midwestern University,
MG Computer Services,
Consider It Done,
Little Friends
and other many deserving Members. Lifetime Achievement recognition has been
given to
Greg Beggs,
Jim Russ, Sr.
and
Willis Johnson
and Melna Langham of
ScotPress Printing is the current
Young Professional. One of Melna’s many contributions to the Chamber has
included spearheading the Education Connection Committee. The Chamber is proud
to be underway with the Committee’s
Attainable Futures
program and in an effort to recognize the educators that contribute
so much to our future workforce; we’ve added a category to this year’s
celebration – Educator of the Year!
I hope that you will
consider supporting your colleagues by offering
sponsorship,
taking out a
congratulatory ad in the program book
and
attending the celebration.
Semi-finalists for Business Excellence, Community Contribution and
Individual Achievement winners will be announced soon. This event is about you -
our Members - and the best of the best in your Chamber. Please join us
for this annual event and support the business professionals that do so much to
support your business and your community. Keep posted to
downersgrove.org for up to date
information!
Laura Crawford
President & CEO
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Downers
Grove Area Chamber Announces Chamber Cares Program
The Downers Grove Area Chamber
of Commerce &
Industry is
proud to announce the
launch of its
newest program,
Chamber Cares.
Chamber Cares
is a product of the dedicated Not-for-Profit Network at the Chamber. The mission
of this program
is to enhance the community by connecting not-for-profits with businesses and
their employees by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities.
“Chamber
Cares is a great opportunity for the
community to share resources. Giving of time and talent to benefit persons in
need of assistance is personally very gratifying.
Chamber Cares is a way for companies to
give back to the community in which they live and do business by volunteering
with local not-for-profits,” said Roger Schmith, Chairman of the Not-for-Profit
Network and founder of the West Suburban Community Pantry.
Eager Not-for-Profits should
apply online at downersgrove.org. Once applications are received they will be
reviewed by The Not-for-Profit Network and then posted on the
Chamber Cares webpage.
Area businesses, their employees, sports teams, or any group interested in volunteering can search the
not-for-profit listings for opportunities and service projects in which to
participate.
For more information, please
contact the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry at (630) 968-4050,
or visit the website at
www.downersgrove.org.
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Chamber Seeks BUY CHAMBER card
sponsors
The BUY CHAMBER program is catching on in a BIG WAY! With increased exposure to
the residents of DG, the
BUY CHAMBER discount cards are being picked up non-stop at our 7 community
locations. It is time to re-order the discount cards and the Chamber is looking
for two sponsors. BUY CHAMBER discount card sponsors will have their logo
featured on the back of over 3,000 cards. Only room for 2 logos, so please act
fast! Sponsorship cost is $250.
Tell me more!
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Downers Grove Area Chamber Announces Semi-Finalists for 2011 Chamber Choice
Awards
The judges have voted! The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
is proud to announce the semi-finalists for the fourth annual Chamber
Choice Awards ceremony presented by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital on
Wednesday, February 9th at the DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center
in Downers Grove.
Chamber Choice Awards are given out in the following categories: Lifetime
Achievement, Young Business Professional, Educator of the Year,
Community Contribution by a Not for Profit, Philanthropic Community
Contribution, Business Excellence-Retail, Business Excellence-Service,
and Business Excellence-Professional. All winners are selected by a judging
panel of previous Chamber Choice Award winners.
“The judging process can be a daunting
responsibility, but it is certainly a joy! It is wonderful to learn more about
the amazing businesses and people in the community while reviewing the
applications, “ said Susan Friend of S.E.A.S.P.A.R. and Chamber Choice Awards
judge.
In the
category of Business Excellence- Professional:
In the category of
Business Excellence-Service:
In the category of
Business Excellence-Retail:
In
the category of Community Contribution-Not-for-Profit:
In the category of
Community Contribution-Philanthropic:
2011
Individual Achievement Awards go to:
-
The Lifetime Achievement Award-Jan
Kopis of Re/Max Enterprises
-
The Young Professional of Year Award-Danny
Glover of Skuddlebutts Pizza
-
New! Educator of the Year Award-
Mike DellaMaria of Shred DOC/District 99
Winners will be announced at the award ceremony
on
Wednesday, February 9th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
at the DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center in Downers Grove.
For more information, please contact the Downers Grove
Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry at (630) 968-4050, or visit the website at
www.downersgrove.org.
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Commitee Profile: Chamber FIRST
 Chamber
FIRST is growing by leaps and bounds. They credit their success
to talking about
Chamber FIRST to other Chamber Members
at various events. In 2010 there were 175 referrals given and 175 referrals
received. Their Membership Chair follows up with all potential members that
visit their meetings. They make sure every new member goes to breakfast or lunch
with a current member in order to really learn about their business. Their
Social Chair organizes up to 4 social events a year.
Chamber FIRST Chairman, Lisa Wenzel of
Wenzel Select Properties said, "We feel more like a Chamber First Family instead
of a
Chamber FIRST Referral Group, I think
that's why we are so successful!"
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Chamber
Announces Multi-Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon
The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce &
Industry presents the Annual
Multi-Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon featuring
William Strauss, Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank. Don't
miss this great opportunity to network with business leaders from nine local
Chambers including Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale,
Lisle, Westmont, Willowbrook/Burr Ridge, and Woodridge.
Many questions about our economic condition have
surfaced and will continue to appear in 2011. Strauss will address such topics
as credit availability, real estate values, and global markets in a very
relatable manner. Be sure to attend and learn trends that will help you chart a
course of action!
Please join these
Chambers on
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at
the Ashton Place in Willowbrook. $500 sponsorships available-
includes display table, lunch for two, and credit in
Multi-Chamber news release.
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What’s
the news from Springfield? Lots and lots of tax increases!
Corporate
(49% increase) and
Personal
(75% increase) and buried in an
education bill, a
Service Tax
which would extend retail sales tax to 44 different services
including: “automotive repair and maintenance; consumer electronics repair
and maintenance; hair, nail and skin care; dry cleaning; computer systems design
and related services; golf courses and country clubs; dating services;” and
more! Unlike some would
like you to believe, Illinois is not a low tax state(Read
more). We have highly visible sales tax
(9.75 percent in Chicago) and excise taxes ($. 49 per gallon motor fuel and
$3.68 per pack for cigarette in Chicago – also set to rise under this
proposal). Median real estate taxes as a percent of median home value in 1.73
percent in Illinois, the 6th highest in the nation. The national
average is 1.04 percent.
Please tell your officials in Springfield what you think of the
tax increase proposals by clicking here. Contact
information:
House Of Representatives -
Senate
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Here is more information on Corporate, Personal, and Service Tax:
Corporate Income Tax Increase:
The total corporate tax rate will increase from 7.3% to 10.9%, a
49% increase. The Tax Foundation notes that Illinois'
businesses will be paying the “highest
combined national-local corporate income tax in the industrialized world.”
If
enacted, Illinois’ businesses and job creators will have to pay the state $1
billion more in taxes annually.
Personal Income Tax Increase:
Numerous businesses in Illinois pay taxes at the personal income
rate, and personal income taxes will rise from 3% to 5.25%, a 75%
increase. The tax increase is expected to raise $6.2 billion annually for
Illinois’ coffers from businesses, individuals and consumers.
The proposal includes “property tax relief” of $325 annually,
but does not reduce the state sales tax or any other taxes.
While the final tax package is a moving target, businesses of
all sizes will be affected by the personal income tax increase. For the average
Downers Grove family of four this tax increase will cost $2,498.56
annually or nearly $10,000 over the next four years. That translates
into less disposable income for buying goods and services or investing.
Under the agreement, the tax increases will be rescinded in four years.
However, the package includes a permanent .25% increase in the personal income
tax rate.
Service Taxes:
On
Thursday, January 6, House Amendment 1 was filed to
HB 1665. Buried on pages 133 – 135 is language that would extend retail
sales tax to 44 different services including: “automotive repair and
maintenance; consumer electronics repair and maintenance; hair, nail and skin
care; dry cleaning; computer systems design and related services; golf courses
and country clubs; dating services;” and more!
You
can access the entire list of the impacted industries by
clicking here. Overall, this proposed tax increase would cost consumers $588
million annually.
Since the tax increase legislation is not yet out in public, it is unclear if
this proposal will be included in the final tax increase package.
Illinois is
not a low tax state. We have highly visible sales tax (9.75 percent in
Chicago) and excise taxes ($. 49 per gallon motor fuel and $3.68 per pack
for cigarette in Chicago – also set to rise under this proposal). Median
real estate taxes as a percent of median home value in 1.73 percent in
Illinois, the 6th highest in the nation. The national average is
1.04 percent.
Help the Chamber Defeat the
Massive Tax Increases!
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Downers Grove Area Chamber Announces Attainable Futures Program for District 99
Students
The Downers Grove Area Chamber
of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce the renewal of the Leadership
Academy in a new format called Attainable Futures. This program was given new
life by Chamber Members who are committed to this community’s workforce
development. In cooperation with District 99, the Attainable Futures
program was created for students to explore career opportunities and
enhance the skills necessary to enter the job market. The overall goal of
the program is to introduce the business community to students and vice versa.
Students will work on communications skills, interviewing,
etiquette, community involvement and explore career options. Job Shadowing
is an optional component of the program and students will receive
recognition at a Chamber luncheon. The first
session of this multi week program is set to launch January 27, 2011.
Attainable Futures is a part
of the Education Connection Committee. Other efforts include Career
SpeedSearch and Career for a Day. Career SpeedSearch is a networking format
created for students to speak one on one with a variety of business
professional in a sixty minute timeframe. Career for a Day allows for
shadowing a business mentor in the students’ industry of choice.
For more information, please
contact the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry at
(630) 968-4050, or visit the website at
www.downersgrove.org.
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Just in from
US Chamber: Mobile Marketing Easy as 1, 2, 3
Use Mobile Phones
to Create Customer Loyalty
Rob
C. Masri
Founder and CEO
Cardagin Networks, Inc.
From the moment a business opens, it searches for
loyalty among its customer base. Most businesses cannot survive without
repeat business. The key to profitability is to provide existing
customers with an incentive to return and to convert new customers into
regulars. Instead of relying on outdated and unreliable tools like
loyalty cards, coupons, or the personal knowledge of an owner to
attract, identify, retain, and reward these regulars, businesses may
want to consider a mobile loyalty program.
Mobile phones have become the remote control of
people’s lives and can become a gold mine for a local business if used
properly. Implementing a successful mobile loyalty campaign involves
three components.
Generating Customer Participation
You must determine interest and build a user base. A simple text-in
campaign for an in-store offer redeemable only at your cash register is
a good place to start. More elaborate solutions that digitize loyalty
card programs and more accurately capture information from the phones of
customers also exist.
Building Customer Loyalty
You have to get the customers who opted in to your initial mobile
advertising campaign to remain opted in and to return to your store. To
do that, build a relationship with them by offering exclusive,
mobile-only loyalty club rewards delivered straight to their phones.
This will allow you to track redemption rates and usage. Also, send
targeted, personalized incentives to your most loyal patrons. Mobile is
a way to identify which customers redeem what offers and enables
customers to easily recommend your business to others.
Rewarding Repeat Business
Using mobile loyalty to build and retain your customer base drives
profits by increasing the amount a customer spends. By tracking what
your customers are buying, you can offer new items that complement their
standard favorites.
As the mobile Internet evolves from a messaging
platform into a marketing platform, businesses can capitalize on
immediacy, reach, effectiveness, affordability, and viral communication.
Moreover, two game-changing advantages that the mobile
Internet provides are personalization and the ability to finally close
the advertising loop from ad broadcasts that acquire customers to
loyalty programs that retain customers. Imagine being able to create a
direct link between coupon distribution and coupon redemption. You would
be able to understand what it means to have a long-term and loyal
customer and more readily calculate the ROI value of a particular
advertising campaign. It may not yet be time to dismiss expensive and
nontargeted broadcast advertising outlets (print, radio, TV, direct
mail), but a mobile loyalty program that retains existing customers may
be the first step.
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Members in the
News!
Congratulations to the following Members:
-
Matthies Builders received 2 2010 ICON Award of Excellence Gold Awards from
the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association. Gold Award for New Home
$500,001 to $750,000. Gold Award for New Home $751,000 to $1,000,000
-
Congratulations to Out-U-Go! for being
named Runner-Up for the 2010 Chicagoland Tails Magazine Reader's Choice
Award for Best Dog Walking/Sitter Service in the entire Chicagoland area!
-
Wolf Financial Group is pleased to
announce that Steven R. Martin, CFP, has joined their organization as Vice
President, Wolf Financial Management LLC.
-
Congrats to Roger Schmith of West
Suburban Community Pantry on being "Someone you should know!" Check it out
here:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/14/people-you-should-know-pantry-volunteers/
Jim
Ellliot, Diveheart Founder to Be Honored by Aquarium of the Pacific
-
-
Spiro Garbis of Ameriprise Financial has been selected as
a 2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager.
-
Lisa Wenzel of Wenzel Select Properties, Ltd. has been
awarded the Accredited Buyer's Representation (ABR) designation by the Real
Estate Buyer's Agent Council.
Click here for full press release.
-
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital was just
named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital in the nation by Thomson
Reuters. Good Samaritan was one of only two Illinois hospitals to make
the distinguished list which was published today in
Modern HealthCare. The full story is
available at:
http://www.100tophospitals.com/top-cardio-hospitals/
-
Donald Duncan, of D3 Financial Counselors,
was named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago Magazine. The 2010 Five
Star Wealth Managers are an elite group of Wealth Managers that represent
less than 2 percent of wealth managers in the Chicagoland area.
-
-
Eric Hansen of Competitive Lawn Service is recognized by Lawn
& Landscape.
Click here
to watch video.
-
DuPage Medical Group announces new physician: Lise Anne Guay-Bhatia
M.D.
-
Consider It Done celebrates 10 years!
-
LODGE celebrates 15 years!
-
Senator Dan Cronin received the Guardian of Small Business
Award from The National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois (NFIB).
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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 the DG Park District for hosting the first session
of the new Attainable Futures program.
Thank you to Tivoli Bowl for
hosting the Board of Directors Retreat.
Thank you to Events by Tommy
R's for sponsoring the Business BEFORE Hours breakfast.
Thank you to Don Duncan of D3
Financial Counselors for donating binders to the Attainable Futures program at
the Chamber.
Thank you to Steve Robinson of
Constant Contact for presenting The Power of Email Marketing at our
all-committee meeting.
Thank you to Doug Kozlowski
and The Village of Downers Grove for hosting the all-committee meeting in the
council chambers in Village Hall.
Thank you to DeliTime LLC for
sponsoring the breakfast at our all-committee meeting.
Thank you to all who attended
the YPN-HOWL-O-WEEN Bash, especially those who helped make it possible:
Ballydoyle Restaurant & Pub, Out U Go! Downers Grove, and Danny Glover of
Skuddlebutts & Party People Rental.
Thank you to Ashyana Banquets
for hosting the Fall Showcase Business After Hours.
Thank you to Celebrity Dance
Studio for hosting the WBC Networking Night on Oct. 19th
Thank you to all who helped make
the 2010 Black & White Ball a wonderful success.
Thank you
to the following members who made the New Members Welcome Breakfast a success:
-
LODGE
-
Events By Tommy R’s
-
Rick
Mytnik – Illinois Business Systems
-
George Goyette – Newport Promotions
-
The
Ambassadors Committee
Thank you
as to Newport Promotions for donating Chamber of Commerce pens!
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