ELMHURST, Ill., October 30, 2003 – Hundreds of Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry members and their guests are expected to attend the Chamber’s 2003 Annual Meeting/Silent Auction hosted by Monty’s Elegant Banquets, 703 South York Road, Bensenville, on Tuesday, November 18, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The 85th Annual Meeting starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the “Taste of Elmhurst” and Silent Auction at 6:00 p.m.
“Shooting for the Stars: A Celebration of All Things (and People) Celestial in Elmhurst” will feature heavenly food compliments of Elmhurst’s finest restaurants, star-quality conversation and an out-of-this-world silent auction—plus a Split-the-Pot Reverse Raffle ($500.00 split among 10 winning tickets) and Karaoke Contest.
The star-studded celebration is FREE to Chamber members and their families, friends, employees and clients.
“This is a showcase event for the Chamber,” said Chamber President John R. Quigley, “and a time for us to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished in the past year.”
To RSVP, contact the Chamber office by phone at (630) 834-6060, fax at (630) 834-6002 or e-mail at info@elmhurstchamber.org by Friday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m.
During the 30-minute Annual Meeting, the Chamber will salute the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year for 2003, welcome the new Chairman of its Board of Directors, Officers and Directors, recognize the outgoing Chairman, Officers and Directors, and honor the Chairman’s Award winner and Ambassador of the Year.
The “Taste of Elmhurst” will feature a variety of food compliments of a dozen or so of Elmhurst’s finest restaurants. To participate, food vendors must register with the Chamber by November 7.
Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. A cash bar will be available.
Chamber members can promote their businesses to hundreds of businesspeople with a Silent Auction donation valued at one of three levels—$99.99 or less (Tier I), $100.00 to $499.99 (Tier II), and $500.00 or more (Tier III). Auction items must be delivered to the Chamber office, 113 Adell Place, by November 14.
Previous winners of the Business of the Year award were Great American Exteriors (2002), Cardinal Cartridge, Inc. (2001), Unique Travel Service, Ltd. (2000) and Community Bank of Elmhurst (1999).
Last year’s award presentation held even greater meaning following the passing of Doug Kuester, Founder and President of Great American Exteriors, last spring.
The 2002 Business of the Year recipient will receive a traveling trophy of imported 24% German lead crystal atop a mahogany wood base. A permanent plaque is also on display in the Chamber office.
Named in memory of A.J. “Toche” Terrones, who served as Chamber President (formerly Executive Director) for nearly a decade until his death in July of 1999, the award is given annually to the member business that has best served the Elmhurst Chamber and the community.
The outgoing Chairman of the Chamber Board is Cathy Bajkowski of The MONY Group, who is only the fourth female to hold that title. Preceding her were Virginia “Ginny” Harmon (1982), Nancy Phillip (1988) and Gloria Duarte (1999).
Joining Bajkowski of the Chamber’s 2003 Executive Committee were 1st Vice Chairman Rich Rosenberg of Elmhurst Camera and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, 2nd Vice Chairman Tom Cathcart, Co-Treasurers Paul DeMichele of DeMichele Builders and Jim Dinkle, and Past Chairman Adam Hudelson of National Bank of Commerce.
Outgoing Directors are Larry Carroll of Elmhurst College and Erv Helmuth of the Holiday Inn Elmhurst.
Newly-elected Directors include incumbents Colleen Callahan of the Elmhurst Park District, Tom Cathcart, Don Meyers of Vital Signs USA, Val Stewart of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 and John Zawaski of Dependable Business Forms, plus Ken Bartels of Elmhurst College and Jason Janes of Edward Jones Investments.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & 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 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.
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