Dear Members:
In celebration of Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry is sponsoring a month of networking and fundraising events, and offer recruitment incentives for new and reactivating members.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proclaimed September 11-17 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois and Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin has issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 11-17 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst.
In an effort to better recruit prospective members, ECCI will distribute a new “What in in it for You?” brochure detailing the benefits of each of three membership tiers and two sponsorship levels. The tri-fold brochure was graphicly designed and printed compliments of The Stevens Group.
As an additional incentive for businesses to join (or rejoin) in September, the $25 registration fee will be waived.
Chamber Month networking events include “Networking on the 9s,” our Chamber’s 74th Annual Golf Outing at Sugar Creek Golf Outing in Villa Park on September 23 (see below for more information), monthly Business After Hours hosted by Elmhurst Bank on September 14 and monthly Membership Breakfast co-hosted by Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 and The Law Offices of Mia S. McPherson on September 1.
In September, the first-ever website for the ECCI Centennial Celebration NFP’s Civic Hall of Fame public memorial is projected to go live. A portable version of the 65-inch touchscreen TV will debut at the Elmhurst Public Library in December.
September also signals the start of display advertising sales for the 2023 Elmhurst Community Directory, produced in partnership with the Elmhurst Suburban Life/Shaw Media. Come January, Directories will be Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)-delivered to some 19,800 residential, business and Post Office Box addresses across Elmhurst.
New Teachers Welcome
On behalf of Chamber members, ECCI staff welcomed more than 50 teachers new to Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 during an August 9 luncheon held in conjunction with those educators’ annual orientation session at York Community High School.
New teachers—including a handful of Elmhurst University alums—were handed greeter totes filled with goodies donated by Chamber members and an Elmhurst-Opoly board game was given to the new teacher who traveled the farthest (from California) to come work in our community.
ECCI and District 205 have already discussed having sponsoring Chamber members join the new teachers at the 2023 luncheon—a tradition dating back to 1991 but interrupted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic over the past three years.
74th Annual Golf Outing
“Networking on the 9s,” our Chamber’s 74th Annual Golf Outing, will tee off at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park on Friday, September 23, as part of ECCI’s annual September Chamber of Commerce Month activities. Members of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce also will participate. Click HERE to register as a sponsor, golfer or lunch guest.
Our sponsors already include: Hinton Insurance Agency – Farmers Insurance and Elmhurst Bank (both Corporate); Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (Golf Carts); The Katris Law Group (Co-Lunch); Elmhurst University (Putting Contest); Eva Snachez/See Your House Right Here @ properties Elmhurst and CB Health Insurance (both Co-Beverage), Community Bank of Elmhurst (Contest Hole); Elmhurst Park District (Contest Hole); and The Stevens Group (Signage).
Cathy Bajkowski, Owner of CB Health Insurance, will be honored as the first two-time recipient of the Good Works Award during lunch.
Multi-Chamber Luncheon and Expo
Jim Paglia, President and CEO of Dallas-based Brands That Stand, will deliver the Keynote Address on post-pandemic branding for small businesses during a Multi-Chamber Luncheon and Expo at Carlisle Banquets in Lombard on Wednesday, October 19. The Keynote Speaker is sponsored by Community Bank of Elmhurst. More to come.
New Members
Our Chamber welcomed five new members in August as follows: Charm Thai Asian BBQ, Elmhurst Living Magazine, FLEXX Personal Training, The TQS Group and Travel Pro John.
Reactivated Member
Chief Enterprises reactivated its membership in August after a 13-year hiatus.
Happy Anniversary
Four members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in September as follows: 35 years—DeVries Animal Hospital; 30 years—Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; and 5 years—Currito and The Trolley Car & Bus Co.
Dropped Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following five members in August: Elmhurst Panhellenic Association, Kathryn Baubly, DO, Odeum Expo Center, Michael Symber Studios and Sam Arpino – Merrill Lynch-The Speers Group.