MARKETING GURU TO KEYNOTE AT JOINT CHAMBER EXPO
ELMHURST, Ill., October 13, 2008 – A marketing expert with more than 20 years of senior-level executive experience in the retail industry will deliver the Keynote Address at “A Passport To Success” Business-to-Business Expo at the Diplomat West Banquet Halls, 681 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, on Wednesday, October 22.
Keynote Speaker John Matthews, President and CEO of Gray Cat Enterprises, will share his proven successes on how to “Work Your 3-Mile Radius” during his
60-minute Keynote Address, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored jointly by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Villa Park Chamber of Commerce and Addison Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the 70-exhibitor Expo will run from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Matthews’ appearance is sponsored by AT&T (225 West Wesley Street, Wheaton), Suburban Bank and Trust Co. (150 Butterfield Road), Harris Bank (1121 South York Street) and Classic Cinemas/York Theatre (150 North York Street).
“John Matthews is the personification of E.F. Hutton’s commercial catchphrase,” said John R. Quigley, President and CEO of the Elmhurst Chamber. “When he talks, people listen.”
Matthews is the Founder and President of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc., his retail consulting firm based in North Barrington, specializing in:
· Retail consulting for multi-unit operations;
· Consumer product marketing for companies launching products into the retail sector;
· Strategic business planning for companies with revenue up to $50 million; and
· Magazine publishing consultation.
Gray Cat’s list of clients includes Chicago-based Vienna Beef (founded in 1893), Downers Grove-based Sara Lee Corporation and Lombard-based White Hen Pantry (recently purchased by Dallas, Texas-based 7-Eleven).
Gray Cat also is now offering two new manuals for retailers:
· “Local Store Marketing Manual for Retailers” ($149.99), an 80-page manual with proven marketing strategies and tips on how to effectively work the all-important three-mile business radius surrounding your store; and
· “Grand Opening Manual for Retailers” ($49.99), a manual with step-by-step instructions on hot to create an exciting grand opening that attracts the most new customers possible.
His impressive resume includes successful tenures with three dynamic companies:
· President of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches;
· Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, Corporate Communications, Facilities and Real Estate for Clark Retail Enterprises/White Hen Pantry; and
· National Marketing Director at Little Caesar’s Pizza! Pizza!.
A sellout of more than 70 area exhibitors—representing a wide variety of businesses from Elmhurst, Villa Park and neighboring communities—will showcase their products and services at the Expo.
Admission to the Expo is free to Elmhurst, Villa Park and Addison Chamber members, their guests and other businesspeople only upon presentation of the complimentary ticket or a business card.
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 Elmhurst Chamber also serves the needs of it members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial and civic interest of the Village of Villa Park and vicinity.
The Addison Chamber of Commerce & Industry works in cooperation with its members from the commercial and industrial business community, to retain and develop business in Addison, and to represent business to local, county, state and national governmental agencies.