Dave Oberg, Executive Director of the Elmhurst History Museum, will receive the 2021 Chairman’s Award at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 103rd Annual Awards Gala in the Frick Center at Elmhurst University on Friday, March 25, 2022, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Traditionally, the annual award is given to a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors for his/her outstanding service to the Board, Chairman and President/CEO or to a non-Director for praiseworthy contributions or performance.
Oberg has served as EHM’s Executive Director since 2017 and also provides administrative assistance to the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2007 by the merger of the Elmhurst Historical Museum Foundation (founded 1992) and the City of Elmhurst’s Historical Commission.
During Oberg’s tenure, the Museum has broaden its locally-themed exhibits—including the latest in tribute to Elmhurst University’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary (150 years)—and has partnered with the Foundation to grow the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest (started in 2016) and co-host Business After Hours each November for Chamber members.
Under Oberg’s directorship, EHM won the Illinois Association of Museum’s (IAM) Superior Achievement Awards for Special Projects (2021), the American Association for State and Local History Award of Excellence for Exhibits (2020), and IAM Awards of Excellence for Exhibits (2019) and Special Projects (2018).
Oberg also gave a presentation, titled “Fundraising in a Pandemic,” at the IAM’s 2021 Annual Meeting.
2021 ECCI Board Chair Desire Chen of Elmhurst University will present the award to Oberg.
Prior to Elmhurst, Oberg served as the first Executive Director of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum and Executive Director of the Geneva History Center.
With more than three decades of museum work in Illinois, Oberg served the IAM as a Past President (2009-13), President (2005-09) and Vice President (2003-05), twice served three-year terms as IAM’s Region 4 Director (2001-03 and 2017-19) and currently serves the IAM as Vice President and Advocacy Chairman (since 2020).
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Elmhurst Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates success for local businesses and our community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.