ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SETS MEMBERSHIP RECORDS IN 2002
ELMHURST, Ill, January 27, 2003 – Amidst a nationwide economic downturn that left business associations treading water to stay afloat, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry celebrated a record-setting year for membership recruitment, membership growth and total membership.
In 2002, a record of 158 businesses, not-for-profit organizations and individuals joined the Chamber and membership increased a record 104 to a record total of 580.
Chamber President John Quigley ranked last year among the “most inspiring” in the organization’s 84 years of support for the Elmhurst business community.
Quigley praised Adam Hudelson, Market President of US Bank (536 South York Street), for his overall leadership as Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Second Vice Chairman Rich Rosenberg, President and CEO of Phototek Corporation (533 Spring Road), Elmhurst Camera (535 Spring Road) and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (539 Spring Road), for his work as Chairman of the Membership Committee.
The 2002 membership campaign also benefited from the hiring of Ann Palumbo for the new Chamber staff position of Member Advocate.
“Chamber membership is all about business marketing and relationship building,” Quigley said, “because people like to do business with people they know and trust.”
While basic economics required the Chamber to adjust its annual dues structure or the first time since 1991, most members paid only $15.00 more for their membership.
“At a starting level of $205.00 per year, Chamber membership remains among the most cost-effective marketing dollars for business investment,” said Quigley.
To better serve and promote its growing membership, the Chamber also continued to build on the technological, structural and organizational foundations established at the start of the new millennium.
Thanks to the Elmhurst Press, the Spring 2002 edition of the Chamber’s annual Elmhurst Community Directory reached new heights in content and design, and was delivered door-to-door to some 16,000 residences and 2,000 businesses.
Phase III development of the Chamber’s internet site (www.elmhurstchamber.org) included the addition of hot button links for the following:
· All of the community information published in the Community Directory;
· Key websites for the Elmhurst community; and
· DuPage County’s Career Connector Program.
The Chamber’s 20th Elmfest in downtown Elmhurst last June and “Tee Off for Toche” 54th Golf Outing at Oak Meadows Golf Course in Addison last July were as popular as ever, and the Annual Meeting/Silent Auction at Elmhurst College’s Frick Center last November was the best in history.
At the Spring Luncheon last May, the Chamber paid tribute to all of those in Elmhurst “who protect and serve,” and last October’s Fall Luncheon featured Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Douglas Whitley as the Keynote Speaker. The New Teachers Luncheon last August made its mark for the 12th year in a row.
On the educational front, Blueprint for Success—a summer internship program open to high school students across Elmhurst—received an award from DuPage Area Education to Careers for the third year in a row, and the Chamber remains among the original participants in the Illinois Chamber-sponsored Drug-Free Workplace Program.
With funding support from Nicor and the Elmhurst Jaycees, the Chamber also established a Dollars for Scholars Program.
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.