BizWord January 2012
 

  Table of Contents
From the desk of Laura Crawford

A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

State of the Village Address - BREAKFAST

Ribbon Cutting

UP and DOWN in DOWNERS GROVE Stair Climb

Ribbon Cutting Business After Hours

Cross Committee Social Media/Constant Contact Seminar

Chamber Choice Awards - Program Book Ads & Sponsorships Available 

Experience-Enlighten-Elect

Downers Grove Area Chamber Attainable Futures Program for District 99 Students

Members Only Savings

What have we done for you lately?

Members in the News!
Thank you Members!

From the desk of Laura Crawford

Ensuring the voice of business is heard at every level of government, as the President of the Downers Grove Chamber, I frequent the Council meetings held on the first three Tuesdays of every month.  By attending, listening and learning from residents as well as Council, I have the benefit of a lot of communication prior to the meetings; therefore am rarely compelled to address a business issue at the dais.  Staff, as well as Council, regularly requests the input from the business community in the decision making process and for that, I am thankful.  On December 6th however, I shared some of my thoughts on some proposals being addressed, and I’d like to share them with you:  1.      Energy Aggregation: Information:   The Village of Downers Grove intends, should a referendum pass, to enter into a one-year only agreement with Will County Governmental League (price of $20,000) in an effort to aggregate electrical rates with several other communities, passing 100% of the savings along to the residents.             Chamber Reaction:   As a matter of full disclosure that the Chamber has a program offering a .057 rate, 28% savings from a typical Com Ed bill.   Although the Chamber does not believe that a core service of government is to provide any service that undercuts private sector pricing, nor duplicate what the private sector offers – we appreciate their work to lower the cost of electricity for all of our residents.  Please note also that one of the Chamber’s primary reasons for existence is to behold the philosophy of free enterprise; we typically however, don’t expect to practice this philosophy with government.                       VOTE: Unanimous Council Support   2.      Proposal to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with SEASPAR and School District 58 for maintenance and repair of their vehicles.             Information:   SEASPAR and District 58 outsource approximately $23,000 (combined) for fleet maintenance and repair work done at a local business. The Village of Downers Grove has offered these taxing bodies an opportunity to use the Village’s Public Works for fleet maintenance and repair at a lower rate than they currently pay.             Chamber Reaction: a.  One local shop, which pays property tax and sale taxes (the Village does not) on parts purchased in Downers Grove, will have to find another way to earn about $18,000 that will be missed in 2012 because of this agreement. b.   KEEP IN MIND – IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL TAXING BODIES SPEND OUR MONEY WISELY; private sector negotiation would have been the preferred method of choice. c.   Again, we defend the standards of free enterprise, and ultimately, anticipate a positive outcome.             VOTE:  6 in Support of the Agreements; 1 Nay   3.      The Manager’s report which included a proposal for a process, to extend the compliance date of the sign ordinance.              Information:  Manager Fieldman reported on a proposal to move forward with a two-year extension for the signage compliance deadline scheduled for 2012.  66% of the signs are in compliance and 33% non-compliant.  It appears that compliance is occurring at about 200 signs per year, and extending the deadline would bring the majority into compliance.  He explained the reasons for the extension include the changing economic conditions.  The extension is consistent with the "facilitate not regulate" approach.             Chamber Response:   Staff has done their research on compliance and recognizes that our world was very different when the ordinance was passed in 2005.  The Chamber asked for Council support of the Staff recommendation.             VOTE:  Will be addressed in First Reading on February 7, 2012; voted upon on February 14, 2012

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A Letter from the Chairman of the Board

Happy 2012!  Hopefully when you made your New Year’s resolution you included one on growing and making your business more prosperous in 2012.  I’m happy to say that your Chamber is working hard to help in accomplishing your resolution.  At the Chamber we are focusing on how to keep the business community and our Members successful.  That is why we are working every day to provide opportunities and programs to our Members to help them achieve their goals. 

Here are a few ways the Chamber is working for you: 

-          The Legislative Impact Network.  This group led by Tom Kallay of Nicor Gas works to influence legislation and regulation by local, state and federal governments in a proactive manner.  On the Chamber web site you can see the full legislative platform which details the position of the Chamber in supporting legislation that benefits our business and opposing legislation that inhibits business.  Once again in February Laura Crawford, Members of this committee, and other Chamber Members will be traveling down to Springfield to meet with many of our legislatures and present them with our platform. 

-          The Chamber Choice Awards.  On February 8^th the Chamber will be hosting a luncheon at the Double Tree Guest Suites by Hilton Hotel in Downers Grove to present this year’s Chamber Choice Awards to the individuals and business that are being recognized for excellence.  There is a great opportunity to congratulate the winners and to also highlight your business in the event program.  All the details can be found on the chamber web-site, www.downersgrove.org

-          The Chamber web-site www.downersgrove.org.  I keep referring to the web site because it is a great spot to find out all the information about the events, programs, the committees and great advertising opportunities provided to our Members at a very low cost. 

-          THE DIRECT ENERGY PROGRAM.  Your Chamber spent many months working to save you money on your energy costs.  We researched the programs available and negotiated the best possible rates for our Members with Direct Energy and Midwest Energy.  All you have to do is send a copy of your most recent invoice and they will provide you with a savings proposal that will calculate your estimated savings.  Your Chamber office has already signed up for the program and the estimated savings to the chamber is approximately 28%.  We have seen Members of all sizes taking advantage of this offer.  Please take advantage of a great, very simple way to save some money.  Email a copy of your bill today to jzelek@midwestenergyinc.com or call Jim at 630-440-1121 for your proposal.

Thank you for your Membership.  Let’s make 2012 a great year for business in our community.  Hope to see you at the Chamber Choice Awards luncheon on Wednesday, February 8^th.

 Arlene Kowalczyk

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State of the Village Address - BREAKFAST

Please join us for BREAKFAST on Wednesday, January 11th from 7:30 - 9:00am as Mayor Martin Tully provides his annual report and shares his insight on the direction of Downers Grove.  Register now. 

Sponsored by:

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Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, January 12th at 5:00pm a new Chamber Member, Detail Kings, will host a ribbon cutting at his newest location:  918 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville.  Please join us in welcoming Detail Kings to the Chamber!  RSVP now.

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UP and DOWN in DOWNERS GROVE Stair Climb

Strap on your sneakers and get a team together to participate in the 1st Stair Climb, UP and DOWN in DOWNERS GROVE being hosted by the Wellness Resource Network.  Build Your Strength...Strengthen Your Team!  17 floors, 375 steps as many times as you or your team can climb (and please know, this is not a race, the climb is meant to be at your own pace).  There will be a Wellness Expo during the event, and when you register, you can select a Not-for-Profit to donate 10% of your registration fee towards.  Register now!

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Ribbon Cutting/Business After Hours

Join us for a Mardi Gras kick-off at French Quarter New Orleans Kitchen (44 Yorktown Centre, Lombard) on Thursday, January 26th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.  This is not going to be your standard Business After Hours, RSVP now and don't miss out!

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Cross Committee Social Media/Constant Contact Seminar

This event is open to all Members, staff, and the community on Friday, January 27th from 8:00am - 10:00am at Village Hall - Council Chambers (801 Burlington Ave, Downers Grove).  Social Media Marketing Made Simple with Jim Kirschenmann of MAX Communications.  You've probably heard of social media.  You may even understand the value social media can bring to your business.  Now wondering how to start?  In this introductory session, we cover strategies and best practices to get the most out of your social media activities, including:  what social media marketing really is and why to use it; introduction to social media channels and how to evaluate what's right for your business or organization; how small businesses are using these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships and drive sales and response; how to create good content for your social media marketing campaigns and time management; how to balance social media marketing with email marketing and your other marketing efforts.  Register now!

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2012 Chamber Choice Awards -

Program Book Ads & Sponsorships Available!

Nominations have been submitted, applications are being filled out, and plans are in place for a great event on Wednesday, February 8th from 11:30am - 1:30pm.  Please don't miss out!  Purchase an ad for the program book to market your business during this award ceremony.  Your peers will be recognized for their Business Excellence in Service, Retail and Professional; Community Contribution - Not-for-Profit and Philanthropic; Educator of the Year; and Young Professional of the Year.  The price of a Full Page Ad - $150, Half Page Ad - $100, and a Business Card ad  - $50.  Register now to attend!  Interested in Sponsorship?  There are many levels available to help promote your business. 

The votes are in!  The Judges have determined the Semi-Finalists! 

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Experience-Enlighten-Elect

The LINC Committee has scheduled the annual Springfield trip for 2012 in coordination with the Budget Address.  On Wednesday, February 22nd please join us (there and back on the same day, or stay overnight).  There will be meetings throughout the day with legislators, a reception with state-wide lawmakers, followed by a private dinner with local area elected officials.  If you are interested please contact Laura Crawford, lcrawford@downersgrove.org.

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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 Hausier has joined Illinois Business Systems as Manager of Field Service.  Click here to read more about Tom and IBS.

• Congratulations to Tom Rizzi on being named President & CEO of the Pettibone Companies.    

• Congratulations to Classic Cinemas chain of movie theatres and its owners, Willis Johnson his wife Shirley and son Chris for being recognized with the “Stewardship Award,”.  Landmarks Illinois is part of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. This 17^th-annual event honors individuals, organizations and projects throughout the state that represent excellence in historic preservation.
• Congratulations to Donald Duncan, of D3 Financial Counselors, for being voted a 2011 Five Star Wealth Manager by Chicago Magazine.

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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 Jim Kirschenmann of MAX Communications for presenting, "Social Media Marketing Made Simple."

Thank you to the Village of Downers Grove for letting us host "Social Media Marketing Made Simple" in Council Chambers.

Thank you to all of the sponsors that made the UP & DOWN in DOWNERS GROVE happen:  Advocate Good Samaritan Health & Wellness Center; Speedpro Imaging; Illinois Business Systems, Inc.; American Chartered Bank; Larson Eye Center; Midwestern University; Remedy Chiropractic; Hamilton Partners; ATI Fitness Center; The Indian Boundary YMCA; Downers Grove Orthodontics.

Thank you to all of the volunteers and climbers that supported the UP & DOWN in DOWNERS GROVE.

Thank you to Mayor Martin Tully for delivering the "State of the Village" address at our January General Membership breakfast.

Thank you to AT&T for sponsoring our January "State of the Village" breakfast.

Thank you to all Members who have supported the Chamber, we appreciate all that you do!

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