BizWord April 2012
 

  Table of Contents
From the desk of Laura Crawford

A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

General Membership Breakfast

JIT Office Space

WIN Professional Development Series

P.O.W.E.R. Series

Call out for volunteers

2012-13 Community Guide & Business Directory

Downers Grove Area Chamber Attainable Futures Program for District 99 Students

Members Only Savings

Members in the News!
Thank you Members!

From the desk of Laura Crawford

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A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

-    Did you get the news?  I heard it first hand at the multi-chamber luncheon featuring Tom Ricketts.  He said, “You will be surprised-the Cubs will be better this year than everyone expects.”  There were over 600 people in attendance and they got to hear Tom talk about how and why they bought the Cubs as well as telling us his three priorities.   

First Priority: WIN A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Second:  Maintain the integrity of Wrigley Field (the best ballpark in the country)

Third:  Be the most philanthropic owners in baseball. 

I’m a believer again, it might not be this year but a championship is getting closer and won’t we have fun with that?  After the luncheon everyone had an opportunity to walk around the business expo and found many of the area businesses sharing information and giveaways. It was a great opportunity to meet and network with many of our fellow business members.  It was a great event!  

The Chamber continues to provide many programs and events for Members and we have several coming up in April.  We recognize that not everyone is able to make the luncheons, so we are alternating the time to a breakfast meeting in April.  On April 11^th we will have the General Membership Breakfast at the Double Tree sponsored by Little Friends Inc. from 7:30 to 9:00.  Other April events include:

4/20 – Power Series, What’s in those Clouds?, 12:30pm – 3:00pm. 

4/26 - WIN Series, Business Planning for Today – Marketing Your Plan, 11:30 – 1:00pm. 

4/27 – Business before Hours at the Chamber Office 7:30 – 9:00am

I’m sure with the unusually warm weather we are experiencing many of you have already been tuning up your golf swing for the May 14^th golf outing at Ruffled Feathers.  I heard that this will be one of the best golf outings we have ever had.  Register your foursomes now, or if you are registering individually we will make sure you are placed on a team.  We still have some sponsorship opportunities available, so take advantage of advertising to our Chamber Members. 

I also want to announce that Michael Phillip has joined our Board and will serve as legal counsel.  Mike has been practicing in Downers Grove and is a Partner with the firm of Wiedel, Hudzik, Russ and Phillip.  We welcome Mike and appreciate the help and guidance that he will be providing to our Chamber. 

Sincerely,

Arlene Kowalczyk

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General Membership Breakfast

Join the Chamber on Wednesday, April 11th from 7:30am - 9:00am for a General Membership Breakfast sponsored by Little Friends, Inc.  The breakfast will be held at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Downers Grove-Chicago, 2111 Butterfield Road.  Register now!

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JIT Office Space

Do you have a home office and wish you could find professional office space Just In Time (JIT)?  Well, look no further than your Chamber Office.  We have a perfect space for you.  Rent by the hour, day, week, or why not reside in the Chamber office for 6 months or longer?  Please call Laura Crawford (630) 968-4050 x14 for more information.

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WIN Professional Development Series - Business Planning for Today

Whether you have an established business, an idea for a business, or are in the first years of your business this series is for you.  Each session is just $10, register now.  Join the WIN Committee on Thursday, April 26th at the Chamber office from 11:30pm - 1:00pm.  This session is part of the series, "Business Planning for Today."  This session is being facilitated by Ty Roberts, Senior Vice President at Career Education Corp.  Ty will help you "Market Your Plan".  Topics to be covered include: 

• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

• Marketing Strategy

• Sales Strategy

• Implementation Plan and Milestones

• Keys to Success

This session is being sponsored by:  Savers

Visit downersgrove.org to register or contact the Chamber (630-968-4050).

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P.O.W.E.R. Series

These sessions will empower you with the IT POWER you need for success!

 for Professionals. Owners. Workers. Entrepreneurs. Retailers.

Mark your calendars now, each session will be held on the third Friday of each month.

What's in Those Clouds?  Friday, April 20th from 12:30pm - 3:00pm:  Don Peters of Critical Technology Solutions, Inc. will help you discover, "What is in Those Clouds?"  Register now!

Find Your Business First! Friday, May 18th from 12:30pm - 3:00pm:  Joe Ryan of 2 More Profits will help your customers find your business first with search engine optimization.  Register now!

Good Scout, Be Prepared  Friday, June 15th from 12:30pm - 3:00pm:  Jodi Brutto of ServiceMaster Restoration by DSI will ensure you are prepared for a disaster.  Register now!

Where:  Chamber Office, 2001 Butterfield Road Suite 105

$20 for each session

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Call out for volunteers

Do you want to be more involved in the Chamber, meet other Members, and have an impact on a major event?  We have the opportunity for you!  The Black & White Ball is scheduled for Friday, September 28th at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Downers Grove-Chicago and we need to put together a planning committee.  Serving on this committee will maximize your exposure to all Chamber businesses and you will have a direct impact on the type of event the Ball will be.

Exactly what is the Black & White Ball, well it is an exciting time!  It is the end of the Chamber's fiscal year, outgoing Board Members receive an award (including the Board Chairman), Committee Chairs are recognized, and the Enterprise Award is given.  Many of you ask, what qualifies someone to receive an Enterprise Award?  Well, here is the definition:  "The DG Chamber 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."

So, as you can see this is a very prestigious honor.  Wouldn't it be exciting to be on the committee that plans such an important event?  To volunteer, call Beth Peterson at 630-968-4050 x13 or send an email to bpeterson@downersgrove.org.

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2012-13 Community Guide & Business Directory

Would you like to market your business products and services to Downers Grove homeowners and businesses all year long?

By advertising in our 2012-13 Community Guide & Business Directory you will market your business directly to neighborhood residents, visitors and fellow business owners.  The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is once again working with the Daily Herald to produce this year's publication.

Our guide is a remarkable advertising tool, which is highly visible and delivered to 15,000 homeowners, businesses, and Chamber Members.  Throughout the year copies will be distributed to new businesses, residents, and visitors.

In addition, our publication will be online and advertisers will be linked to their own website.

This publication is supported solely by advertising and is a special opportunity that comes only -once a year.  Don't miss the opportunity to promote your business for the entire year.

-Our representative from the Daily Herald is Mark Solak, who many of you undoubtedly remember from last year.  He will be contacting you with an exciting opportunity over the next few weeks.

Click here to view the all of the opportunities available.

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Downers Grove Area Chamber Attainable Futures Program for District 99 Students

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to announce the Attainable Futures program.  This program is provided 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 is set to launch January 24, 2012.

If you are interested in sponsorship, student mentoring or need additional 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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Members in the News!

Congratulations to the following Members:

• Tom Bennington was made Partner in the law firm of Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop, LLC.
• Classic Cinemas received the 2012 Annual Award for Business Excellence in the Large Business category at the 22nd Annual Awards for Business Excellence program sponsored by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.
• Diveheart - Click here to see an interview with Tammy Duckworth (filmed in Downers Grove by PBS Turning Point) featuring veterans with disabilities.
• The Downtown Downers Grove Farmers' Market has tied for 3rd as "The Best Farmers' Market" in West Suburban Living Magazine's "Best of the West" reader survey, published in the March/April issue.  Click here to download issue.
• Tivoli Theatre has been voted "Best Movie Theatre" in 2012 for the 5th consecutive year according to West Suburban Living Magazine.  Congratulations!  Click here to read press release
• Velocity Merchant Services Earns 1st Certified Payments Professional (CCP) Designation - Click here to read press release.
• Danny Glover of Skuddlebutts Pizza and Catering dishes on the recipe for success.  Click here to read article.

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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 all of the Members that attended and are participating in the, "Ticket to Success" challenge.

Thank you to Andy Kindler of Corporate Strategies, A Sandler Training Center for speaking and educating our Members on our, "Ticket to Success" Challenge on Friday the 13th.

Thank you to Bill Bartlett of Corporate Strategies, A Sandler Training Center for speaking at the April General Membership Breakfast.

Thank you to Little Friends, Inc. for sponsoring the April General Membership Breakfast.

Thank you to Elite Dental for being the premier sponsor of the March Multi-Chamber Luncheon.

Thank you to the following companies for participating in the Multi-Chamber Business Expo:  AAA, Chicago, Americraft Inc., Business Partner, Jonathan Twitty - State Farm Insurance.

Thank you to Barbara's Elegant Touch Staffing, Inc. for providing appetizers at the March Multi-Chamber Business After Hours.

Thank you to Patti Baron Schreiber of Bold Steps for presenting at the March WIN professional development lunch.

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