Dear Members:
October kicks off the Fourth Quarter of 2019 with plenty on our Chamber calendar, including a Multi-Chamber Luncheon, Professional Speakers Series presentations by Itasca Bank & Trust and New York Life Insurance Company, and monthly Business After Hours and Membership Breakfast networking events.
Our Chamber also is a Gift-In-Kind Sponsor for Elmhurst College’s hands-on, half-day workshop, titled “Creating Brands That Stand,” at the Frick Center’s Founders Lounge on November 8. The event is free, but seating is limited. The RSVP deadline is October 18.
V&T Vital To DuPage’s Economy
At the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) Annual Meeting at Gibson’s in Oak Brook on September 19, Executive Director Beth Marchetti officially unveiled programs within the organization’s strategic plan, title “GPS: A Tourism Roadmap,” designed to generate $650 million in new visitor spending by the year 2025. For every $1 invested in tourism marketing, $9 is generated in return.
In 2018, DuPage County generated $2.72 billion (up 4.6%) in tourism revenue—second only to Cook County and the City of Chicago—netting $174 million (up 8.8%) in tax receipts for the State of Illinois and $48 million (up 3.1%) benefiting local municipalities, Elmhurst among them. DuPage’s tourism industry employs some 23,500 workers (up 9%) earning a total payroll of $746 million (up 3.7%).
Last April, the DCVB created a Sport Commission, launched a new website, produced new marketing videos and completed Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) certification.
The DuPage Sports Commission (DSC) is responsible for recruiting, retaining and facilitating sporting events. Between 2014 and 2017, our County hosted more than 60 sports tourism events—professional golf tournaments, pro cycling races and youth bowling tournaments among them—attracting 60,000 visitors and generating $12.5 million in direct spending.
In August, Product Development and Sport Advisory committees were established “to further strengthen the DCVB’s position within the business travel market and grow awareness of the destination throughout the leisure visit market.
In addition to sports tourism, DCVB’s Municipal Grant Program, now in its fifth year, has become an essential tool in securing an increase in the number of business meetings.
DCVB also has developed 11 easily identifiable and memorable nature experiences, branded as Natural Wanders, to appeal to the leisure visitor.
Adopted back in 2016—with yours truly serving on the Advisory Committee—DCVB’s strategic plan is designed to Grow, Prosper and Share (GPS) tourism countywide.
2020 Elmhurst Community Directory
Our Chamber has contracted with the Elmhurst Suburban Life/Shaw Media to design, print and sell display advertising for the 2020 Elmhurst Community Directory, which will include the first-ever online version to provide greater exposure for our advertisers.
Some 19,200 Directories will be Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)-delivered to residential, business and Post Office box addresses throughout Elmhurst next January, and another 2,800 will be distributed at public places and with advertisers, and hand delivered via our Chamber’s New Resident Greeter Tote program.
Contact Bill Korbel of Shaw Media by phone at 630-427-6230 or e-mail to reserve your display ad space before the November 15 deadline.
Centennial Military Ball
The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., delivered special greetings at the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187’s Centennial Military Ball in the Normandy Room of the Post’s 310 West Butterfield Road location on September 28.
Chartered on September 26, 1919, Post 187 is named in honor of Ernest Timrott, Richard Hintz and Kinsley Buck, or THB, all killed in action in the summer of 1918.
Happy Anniversaries
Six members are celebrating milestone Chamber anniversaries in October as follows: 15 years—Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation; 10 years—Huntington Learning Center, The Law Offices of Mia S. McPherson, P.C., and Villa Park Office Equipment; and 5 years—Elmhurst Crossing Shopping Center and Pythagoris Children’s Academy of the Greek Othodox Church of St. Demetrios.
New Members
The Chamber welcomed three new members in September as follows: Good Kids Clothing, One95 Elmhurst and Servpro.
No Longer Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following 24 members in September: ACCU-TAX & Accounting Co., BC/BS IL, Tom Miroballi Independent Agent, BFF Peronal Training, Colonial Life, DAK Equipment & Engineering Company, Elite Tutoring Place, Elmhurst Business Lounge, Fresh Twist Studio, Great American Exteriors, Letter/Perfect Signs & Graphics, Luurs Garden & Flower Shoppe, Nana’s Hotdogs of Elmhurst, Nitti Development, Montecasino Mexican Grill, Morgan Stanley (Taso and Gus), NuCara Pharmacy on Vallette, Polay Interiors, Remax 1st, RTP Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy, SBS Solutions, Tamandare Travel LLC and The Uptown Shop.
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Our condolences to the Steinhebel & Sons, Erwin and Ahlgrim Funeral Home families on recent deaths—Carey Ann Steinhebel (nee Maechtle), 67, wife of Robert, and Arlene Marie Ahlgrim (nee Ruschke), 86, wife of Arthur and mother of Scott—and the Elmhurst community on the passing of City Clerk Patty Spencer.