BizWord September 2011
 

  Table of Contents
From the desk of Laura Crawford

A letter from the Chairman of the Board

Class A Office Space

Not-for-Profit Breakfast

General Membership Luncheon - Wednesday, September 14th

Celebrate with the Chamber - Serving Business for 60 Years

Black & White Ball Portraits

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,

This past year has gone by very quickly; it seems like only yesterday I was introducing myself to you as the new Chairman of the Board.  Over the last twelve months I was able to make some observations about the Chamber and its Members.  Everyone joins the Chamber for their own particular reason; but common to all, is to ultimately increase your businesses bottom line; and through Chamber Membership that occurs.  For your Membership dues the Chamber adds value to your business in ways most of you don’t realize.  It’s much more than your business listing in a directory. This happens in multiple ways behind the scenes.

Let’s start with the statistics on the web page.  Since the Maclyn Group redeveloped (as a donation) the Chamber website; we’ve doubled the number of visitors. In the 1^st quarter this year our website welcomed close to 1 million visitors, up 50% from April 2009.  Members received an average of approximately 1,400 listing views. We also have a Google rating of our website of 81% which means our website is 81% better in terms of marketing effectiveness.   

Legislative: Most of the communications to myself and the Board of Directors from Laura relate to legislative issues that have an impact to your business. She is modest in her lack of full broadcasts to the Members in the work she along with Jim Russ and Tom Kallay do at the local, state and federal government level for your business. The annual trip to Springfield is important and gets a lot of press though our communications, but the work of her team to proactively monitor legislative issues that impact your bottom line is simply outstanding.

Finally the leadership of this Chamber and their creative thinking through the various board teams is amazing. New ideas to enhance and bring the business community together occur daily. I’ll just mention a few of the highlights this past year that demonstrates this is not a stagnant organization - Attainable Futures, Chamber Cares, Chamber Open House, Beaujolais & Beer, and being able to have the retired CEO of McDonalds Ed Rensi speak at our Not-for-Profit meeting. We also expanded in the world of electronic communication with a blog and QR code for information.  

In closing, I tried to think of an analogy to best describe the structure and stability of the Chamber and its Membership.  Given the recent events with the 9-11 anniversary I thought of towers and structure of most large buildings.  If you bring that analogy to the Chamber and its Members it would remind me of a structure similar to the John Hancock tower in Chicago. At the base is the foundation, and every successful organization and structure must have a strong foundation.  The Chambers foundation is the staff lead by Laura.  Unless you work with this group on a daily basis you have no idea how strong, committed and dedicate they are to the well being of the business members of this community.  That foundation needs to support the floors of the building; and every floor represents each individual business member each with different needs.  At the top of this structure are the bright lights and antennas which represents the board’s role. The beacon of light that lets the community know we are here and just as those lights and antennas create awareness so must the role of each of the board members.  Finally the infrastructure that supports the entire structure represents our key partners, the Economic Development Corporation, the Downtown Management Corporation and of course the Village of Downers Grove.  Without all of these consolidated efforts we could not have the dynamic, financially stable business environment that we have to make this a healthy economic community to do business.   

Taking over as Chairman of the Board is Arlene Kowalcyzk of BankFinancial.  Arlene started her career at Downers Grove National Bank in 1970, continuing with BankFinancial as Senior Vice President, head of the trust division located here in Downers Grove.  Please join me in congratulations, for the 2011-12 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arlene Kowalczyk, and BankFinancial.

Dean Malone
 

Midwestern University
Chairman of the Board

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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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Jarrett Payton - Passion In Your Mission Is Sweet....Ness

Tuesday, October 4th

Jarrett Payton is the son of the late Walter Payton, former Chicago Bears running back and member of the NFL Hall of Fame.  Jarrett was born on December 26, 1980 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  He grew up in nearby Barrington, Illinois and starred in football at St. Viator High School.  Payton was recruited by major Universities nationwide including Penn State and Notre Dame.  He settled on the University of Miami (Florida), where he played in five major bowl games in five years capped off in 2004 when Payton was named MVP of the Orange Bowl.

Payton went on to play in the NFL for two years with the Tennessee Titans and the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe, winning the world bowl championship.  From 2007-2009, Payton played in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.  In 2010 Payton signed with his hometown team, the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League.

Payton’s zest, candor and smarts have transitioned him off the field and into a well sought after radio and TV personality, and motivational speaker.     

Payton is the host of The Jarrett Payton Show, an internet sports radio show.  The show, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., covers current sports’ stories, personalities and more – “Sports, Life and Everything In-between”.  Some of greatest names in sports have joined Jarrett to discuss topical issues including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Emmitt Smith.  To listen to “The Jarrett Payton Show” visit www.chicagolandsportsradio.com and click “Listen Live.”

Payton dedicates time to The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation.  The organization, created in honor of Jarrett’s late father, Walter Payton, is dedicated to the emotional healing of neglected, abused and underprivileged children by providing tools and opportunities to build self-esteem and encourage a better family unit, giving hope for a brighter future. 

Along with honoring his father’s legacy of making a difference in the community, Payton enjoys connecting with children, serving as a role model and stressing the importance of education and character.  Through his drive to make a difference, Jarrett and his wife have established The Jarrett Payton Foundation working with Chicago area schools to implement anti-bullying messages and programs to increase awareness and encourage safe environments for our youth.  JPF is committed to positively impacting the lives of children and adolescents by creating and providing programs that present them with a wide variety of opportunities specifically designed to develop their leadership skills and enrich their lives.  JPF plans to include Jarrett Payton Academy in the near future.  JPA will feature football camps for youth ages fourth grade through high school.

Jarrett is a rising star within media circles.  He has carried on the Payton legacy by creating his own.  Jarrett’s humble way and unique style has allowed him to appeal to a mass audience.  His grand appeal makes him one of the most marketable celebrities in Chicago whose name is synonymous with excellence or shall we say, “Sweetness.”

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General Membership Luncheon - Wednesday, September 14th

Please join representatives from local "Big Business".

Laura Neiberg - Vice President, Ancillary Services & Community Health

Barbara Wendel - General Manager, DoubleTree Guest Suites By Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove

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Celebrate with the Chamber - Serving Business for 60 Years 

Join us at the 2011 Black & White Ball Diamond Jubilee Sponsored by James J. Cervinka of Arrow Gear Company on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Harry Caray's Ballroom.

Premier Sponsorship Opportunities are available.  Please click here for more information.

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

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Black & White Ball Portraits

Thank you to those Members that brought guests, please feel free to share these photos with them!

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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. 

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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 Grotto's Italian Steakhouse for hosting the September Business After Hours.  The patio was beautiful, the appetizers were great, and the service was outstanding!

Thank you to the Downers Grove South Jazz Combo for providing cocktail hour music at the Black & White Ball.  The members of the fabulous Combo are:  Alto Sax/Leader - Christian Siki, Tener Sax- Billy Moroney, Keyboard - Ian Williams, Bass - Julia Wood, Drums - Mark Plantz.

Thank you to the following companies for sponsoring the Black & White Ball:  James J. Cervinka of Arrow Gear Company, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, BankFinancial, Sara Lee, Midwestern University, Community Bank of Downers Grove, Direct Energy Business, AT&T, Magnetrol, FASTSIGNS Naperville, Maclyn Group, ScotPress Printing, JorgeTookYourPicture.com, Robert Kelly Studio, Crystal House, True Productions, Nuage Jewelers, Ltd., Grants Appliances Electronics & More, Harry Caray's, Friends of the Chamber.

Thank you to the following companies that donated prizes for the Black & White Ball:  Argus Brewery, AT&T, Be Fit Physical Therapy, Board of Directors, Brookfield Zoo, Brunswick Zone, Buffalo Wild Wings, Capri Ristorante, Celebrity Dance Studio, Cubs, Dominick's, Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation, Downers Grove Park District, Game Pazzo, Gina Jones of Tributum Corporation, Heritage House Florists, Hollywood Blvd., Jane Dilworth & Associates, Kukuc Photography, Lemon Tree, Lover's Lane, Lucky Strike Lanes, Lynfred Winery, Maggiano's, Mayflower Tours, Morton Arboretum, Naper Settlement, Nuage Jewelers, Ltd., Parkers' Restaurant & Bar, Seven Bridges Golf Course, Skuddlebutt's Pizza, The Growing Place, Tom & Eddie's, Weber Grill Restaurant, Westway Coach. 

Thank you to Keith Hoffman of 1st Advantage Mortgage for donating the red table wine.

Thank you to Diana Conley of Advotek Inc., Mattine Gallentine of MG Computer Inc., and Rick Mytnik of Illinois Business Sytems for donating the white table wine.

Thank you to everyone that attended the Black & White Ball.

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