ELMHURST, Ill., August 28, 2009 – In celebration of Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst from September 14-18, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is sponsoring a month of special events and its annual new member campaign.

At the request of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed September 14-18 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois.

Mayoral Proclamation

Elmhurst Mayor Peter P. “Pete” DiCianni has issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 14-18 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst.

Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting 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.

“With some 640 members, the Elmhurst Chamber is the largest organization representing the interests of our businesses, and promoting commerce and industry throughout our community,” said John Quigley, Chamber President and CEO since 1999.

New Member Campaign
The Chamber’s new member campaign, which runs through September, features a 16-month membership (good through 2010) at the annual cost.  Chamber membership starts at $225 per year for businesses with five employees or less, plus a $25 registration fee.  New members can pay their Chamber dues via a monthly direct debit program.

For more information, contact Member Advocate Betsy D’Onofrio by phone at 630-834-6060 or via e-mail at betsyd@elmhurstchamber.org.

During September, Elmhurst will sponsor its annual Steak Fry Business After Hours, its monthly Membership Breakfast and a special Brown Bag Breakfast & Learn.

Event registration can be done on-line at www.elmhurstchamber.org via the event calendar module, e-mail at info@elmhurstchamber.org or phone at 630-834-6060.

Steak Fry Business After Hours
In celebration of the last days of summer, the Chamber will host its 2009 Steak Fry Business After Hours at The Hub at Berens Park, 493 Oaklawn Avenue, on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Chamber members Harris Bank (1121 South York Street and 115 West Third Street), Allied Waste (5050 West Lake Street, Melrose Park) and the Elmhurst Jaycees (P.O. Box 1041) are co-sponsoring the event.

The Silverado Grill (447 Spring Road) will cater a steak (or chicken) dinner at a cost of $15.00 per member, while children/grandchildren will eat hot dogs for free.

Chamber members also will have free use of many of The Hub’s amenities, including an 18-hole miniature golf course, batting cages, spray ground (weather permitting) and the Lee A. Daniels Pavilion.

This marks the fifth year in a row that the Chamber and Elmhurst Park District<.b> (225 Prospect Avenue) have partnered to stage the Steak Fry at The Hub.

Membership Breakfast
Montalbano Furniture Restoration Factory (3000 St. Charles Road, Bellwood) will host the Chamber’s Membership Breakfast on Wednesday, September 23, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Brown Bag Breakfast & Learn
The Principal Financial Group (700 East Butterfield Road, Lombard) will sponsor a Chamber Brown Bag Breakfast & Learn on small business financing (lines of credit, capital investment loans, etc.) presented by member bankers at OEC Business Interiors (900 North Church Road) on Wednesday, September 30, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

The event is free to Chamber members and non-member guests of members, while non-guest, non-members will be charged $20 per person.
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