Dear Members:
Free enterprise was the star at the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Annual “State of American Business” Address on January 11, featuring presentations by U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark and other business leaders.
The U.S. Chamber celebrated free enterprise for being the best economic system in the world at enabling success and ensuring our future, with Clark declaring that the American system’s “biggest winners are all of us. Our families, our communities, our country, and our world.”
“The State of American Business is optimistic. And this country, its citizens and leaders, and our partners around the world need to hear it,” Clark added in her fact-filled defense of free enterprise and its benefits.
Visitor & Tourism Rebounds
The December 2023 occupancy rate of 51.2 percent in DuPage hotels, Elmhurst included, represented a 3.4 percent increase from 2022, generating more than $26 million in room revenue for the month, according to the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB).
Following a nationwide trend, DuPage hotel demand for 2023 increased by 4.6 percent over 2022 for an overall occupancy rate of 63 percent, producing $411M in room revenue.
Downtown Elmhurst Plan Update
The City of Elmhurst will conduct 90-minute public input sessions regarding proposed updates to the Downtown Elmhurst Plan at Elmhurst City Hall on Tuesday, February 13, at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively. The 8 a.m. session is targeting corporate citizens, property and business owners, and developers, while the 6:30 p.m. session is aimed at residents and stakeholders.
Mayors Roasting ECCI Leader
On February 2, Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin and former Mayors Tom Marcucci, Pete DiCianni and Steve Morley will headline a roast of yours truly in the Normandy Banquet Room at Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ticket cost is $25 per person, plus a cash bar, with all of the proceeds benefiting Post 187. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
The roast is a presentation of the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra under the direction of Rich Reichert of Community Bank of Elmhurst and Scott LaMorte of Itasca Bank & Trust. LaMorte, a member of the ECCI Board of Directors, will serve as the event’s emcee.
105th Annual ECCI Awards Gala
Click HERE to register for the 105th Annual ECCI Awards Gala to be held in the Presidential Room at Elm West Banquets on Friday, March 22, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Alan Energy Services Air Conditioning and Heating Company will be recognized as the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year for 2023, Endeavor Health’s Colin Dalough will receive the Chairman’s Award, Eva Sanchez of See Your House Right Here @properties Elmhurst is the first repeat Ambassador of the Year and Dan Gibbons of the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation will become the 34th inductee into the ECCI Civic Hall of Fame.
Elmhurst TV will videotape the program to air on Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 through April.
“State of Our City” Mayoral Address
Click HERE to watch Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin’s Annual “State of Our City” Mayoral Address delivered to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 businesspeople, elected officials and guests at the Chamber’s January 18 Membership Breakfast as sponsored by Community Bank of Elmhurst in the second-floor Hammersmith Community Room. Click HERE to view photo page from the event.
The program will air of Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 through February.
State of the County Multi-Chamber Luncheon
Click HERE to view photo page from DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy’s second State of the County Address delivered to some 250 businesspeople, elected officials and guests at a January 17 multi-chamber luncheon and business expo at the Westin-Lombard in Yorktown Center.
2024 Elmhurst Community Directory
Click HERE to view a pageable version of 2024 Elmhurst Community Directory, which was Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)-delivered to some 19,800 residential, business and Post Office Box addresses across Elmhurst in early January. The pageable Directory also is available online via our Chamber website’s home page and at ISSUU.com.
Buck-A-Duck Raffle
During 2024, a single Buck-A-Duck winner will split the pot collected at each of our Chamber’s monthly networking events and other selected events, starting with the February 8 Business After Hours hosted at Concord Place Retirement Community. Click HERE to register.
Elmhurst-Opoly Board Games
With less than 30 remaining in stock, now is the time to purchase an Elmhurst-Opoly board game while supplies last. The $25 cost includes retail sales taxes and delivery is free within Elmhurst. Games can be shipped, with the purchaser paying the cost. Click HERE to purchase online or contact the Chamber office at 630-834-6060.
New Members
Our Chamber welcomed one new member in January: Thermosystems.
Dropped Members
The Chamber had no dropped members in January.