I am happy to report that, in his first two months as our new Member Advocate, Kevin O’Keeffe has recruited 19 members (12 new and seven reactivated) to the Chamber, as compared to only seven for same time period in 2011 when the position was unfilled.
As the Chamber’s goal is to recruit 120 members each year, or an average of 10 per month, Kevin is off to a strong start. But he could use your help to identify prospects—people who you do business with, people who do business with you, your neighboring businesses, your business peers—in order to continue bringing in new members. Any leads that you can provide to him will be greatly appreciated.
For example, 50% of the new members that Kevin signed up in March came directly as a result of leads shared by Chamber members Joe Muchow of E.L. Foust Co., Mart Ahart of Matrix Payment Systems, Anne Lucas of Pure Harmony Massage and Ken Bartels of Community Bank of Elmhurst. Thanks and keep those leads coming!
Chambers typically work with an annual retention rate of 85%. That percentage equates to 90 or so dropped members for a chamber like ours that, at some 600 members, is the third largest chamber in DuPage County. In recent years, harder economic times have dropped retention rates for some chambers down to between 70% and 80%.
While our retention rate dropped in 2011, not having a Member Advocate like Kevin out there walking the streets of business played a significant role in that decline.
At a base rate of only $250 per year—or less than seventy cents per day—Chamber membership remains one of the most cost-effective ways for businesspeople to market and promote their goods or services to fellow members, the business community at large, residents, and visitors and tourists. Spread the word.
New Members
The 12 new members recruited by Kevin are (in alphabetical order) Alder Healing Center, Bannerville USA, Celar Chiropractic, Holy Family Catholic School, Journey Church, Karl Meyer Expert Plumbing, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, School of Rock-Elmhurst (in the Chamber’s former Maple Street location), Top Driver and Val A Chicago.
Reactivated Members
The seven reactivated members are (in alphabetical order) A Moon Jump 4-U, Allstate Insurance/The Fox Agency, Cold Stone Creamery, Elmhurst Wellness Group, Doc Ryan’s, 100 South Chop House & Grill and TANNINS.
Elmhurst Street Map
The display advertising deadline for the 2012 Elmhurst Street Map is around the corner, so now is the time to reserve your space. Maps will be direct mailed to some 19,100 Elmhurst residences and businesses in mid-May. The biennial map is being produced is partnership with Desert Rose Design and Castco Communications. Click HERE for more info.
Spring Luncheon Salute
The Chamber’s Annual “Salute to” Spring Luncheon will recognize Elmhurst’s diverse Arts & Culture community at the Waterford Banquet Center on Wednesday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Click HERE to register for lunch tickets ($30) and exhibitor space ($40). Our annual event will precede activities in celebration of the Grand Re-Opening of the Clarion Hotel Conference Center.
Discount Cubs Tickets
Can’t make today’s Chicago Cubs’ season opener? You can still purchase discount tickets to Cubs baseball game versus the Cincinnati Red at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 20, at 1:20 p.m. by clicking HERE. Tickets are available online for Cubs games on May 4 and 17, and September 20. Click HERE to view flyer.
Got It! in Elmhurst
The Got It! in Elmhurst campaign partnership between the City of Elmhurst and our Chamber continues to encourage residents to shop and dine local with display advertising in Elmhurst newspapers and coupon magazines targeted around special events.
Our Chamber also is working to develop an all-Elmhurst business smart phone app, starting out with the directories of the Chamber, Elmhurst City Centre, Spring Road Business Association and York & Vallette Business Association before expanding citywide.
Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge has joined a small, but growing list of Elmhurst businesses that are now incorporating the Got It! post-it note logo in its newspaper ads. And your business is more than welcome to jump on the bandwagon.
The campaign also is among the sponsors of the City’s annual Commercial Real Estate Brokers Tour at Café Amano on Wednesday, May 9, at 3 p.m.
Elmhurst Jaycees DSA
Mark you calendar to attend the Elmhurst Jaycees’ 61st Distinguished Service Award Dinner at the Diplomat West Banquet Halls on Wednesday, May 23, if only to see yours truly get a proper roasting as this year’s most-humbled and honored recipient. More to come.