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Sunday , September 7th , 2008

Celebrate Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week 2008: September 8- 12!

Week of celebration honoring Chambers!

What is your chamber doing for Chamber of Commerce week 2008?

Let us know what you plan on doing for Chamber of Commerce week... we will post your activities onto the web site as we receive them. Visit the 2007 Ideas from our members below!

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How to Celebrate?! IDEAS!

This year, IACCE would like to recommend a few possible activities and programs your chamber of commerce can complete to bring attention to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce week. We've had a lot of recommendations this year... so see if any could work at your chamber!!! Have another idea... e-mail IACCE today!!!

Recruitment Contest to see how many members your members can sign up that week!

Invite other Chambers in your area or county to a dual breakfast, lunch or dinner to celebrate with your fellow chambers.

Ask your Mayor for a local proclamation similar to that of the Gov's.

Ask your state representatives and senators to a meet and greet with your members.

Host a regional local chamber executives and staff breakfast or lunch allowing everyone to network.

Invite a member of the State Chamber or US Chamber to speak to your membership during this week.

Host a golf outing this week... it's still nice out in September!!

Host a dinning with the chamber exec! Invite members to meet you at member restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner (eat somewhere different each time!) to talk to you about their chamber experiences. You'll not only promote your member restaurants but also have an intimate meal with a handful of members! (idea came from a local chamber from 2006!)

Open House at Chamber offices to show the community what the Chamber does.

Special section or Feature in newspaper.

Radio/TV interviews with chamber leaders.

Honor past and present chamber leaders.

Contest for school kids.

Have your Ambassadors' and Board members visit potential members with a surprise. Invite them to one of your business after hours next month with the personal invitation from a board member. Ask them what they want and what would encourage them to join the chamber? Maybe offer a special rate for people who sign up during chamber of commerce week... $50 off membership if you sign up during this one week if you're a first time member!

Economic education programs.

Chamber members speak at the schools.

Recognition at " Business After Hours" or other special events.

Ambassadors' visits to all chamber member firms.

Advertisement in newspaper recognizing chamber members.

Governor Blagojevich's Proclamation

Whereas, chambers of commerce work with Illinois businesses, merchants, and industry to advance the civic, economic, industrial, professional, and cultural life of our state; and

Whereas, chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life of Illinois for 170 years, since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838; and

Whereas, this year marks the 89th anniversary of the founding of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the state’s leading broad-based business organization which serves as the unified voice for business; and

Whereas, chambers of commerce encourage the growth of existing industries, services, and commercial firms and encourage new businesses and individuals to locate in Illinois, acting as a liaison with the State of Illinois, local governments, schools and the business community; and

Whereas, this year marks the 93th anniversary of the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), a career development organization for chamber of commerce professionals; and

Whereas, Illinois is the home to international chambers of commerce, the Great Lakes Regional Office of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and more than 456 local chambers of commerce:

Therefore, I, Rod. R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, proclaim September 8 – 12, 2008 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois.

Please keep visiting www.iacce.org for updated information about the week of celebration honoring Chambers of Commerce. If you have more ideas to share with other chamber executives about possible activities chambers can conduct during this week, please contact Elizabeth Kerns at 217-522-5512 or liz@iacce.org . All ideas will be posted on the web site.

2007 Events

Chamber of Commerce Week 2007: September 10- 14!

Saturday, September 8, 2007 activities:

Olney & The Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce: We are kicking the week off on Saturday, September 8th with our Annual Bicycle Classic. We have over 300 participants for this event that promotes good health, family activities, and time to socialize in the community.
Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce proudly presents our 17th Annual Rend Lake Car Show in partnership with The Benton George Harrison Beatle Festival. The 1st Annual Benton George Harrison Beatle Festival will be held Saturday Sept. 8, 2007 with the Rend Lake Car Show. The events are from 4-9p.m. and music, food, and live entertainment will be held through out the day and night.

Sunday, September 9, 2007 activities:

Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce: Annual Chamber Old Fashioned Family Picnic. (This will be our 14th year!)

Monday, September 10, 2007 activities:

Olney & The Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce: Placing balloons outside members businesses.
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce: Membership Drive kicks off

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 activities:

Olney & The Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Reception - Appetizers, Door Prizes (purchased local items that support our community), Chamber Promotional Give-aways, Comments from past Presidents, etc.
Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce: Annual golf outing during CCW to celebrate. With over 144 golfers and over 200 joining us for dinner it will be a wonderful celebration. It is particularly nice because we have such wonderful participation from Village staff and elected officials who attend and play. Also State Representative Lou Lang participates.
Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce: We will hold an open house all day at the Macomb Chamber of Commerce inviting the membership & community into our office.
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce: Good Morning Springfield at Pease’s Candy, 4753 Jeffory Street, 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Carlinville, Hillsboro and Litchfield Chambers will be hosting a breakfast for the community on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield, Illinois.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 activities:

US Chamber Government Affairs Forum (Chicago, IL)
Addison Chamber of Commerce: Breakfast Seminar and will recognize Chamber of Commerce Week.
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce:
Let’s Talk Greater Springfield Radio Show on WMAY – 7:40 a.m., guest: Gary Plummer Job and Career Fair ; 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

Thursday, September 13, 2007 activities:

US Chamber Government Affairs Forum (Chicago, IL)
Addison, Lisle, Woodridge, and Bolingbrook Chambers of Commerce: A progressive joint meeting with other chambers and will recognize Chamber of Commerce Week. (Multi Chamber Event)
Addison Chamber of Commerce: Business after hours and will recognize Chamber of Commerce Week.
Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce: Business After Hours at the Cromwell Radio Group. Chamber members from surrounding area chambers will also be invited to join in the celebration, so plan now to put your networking skills to use and make lots of new business contacts.

Friday, September 14, 2007 activities:

US Chamber Government Affairs Forum (Chicago, IL)
Illinois Chamber - Illinois Drug Free Workplace Program 2007 Update (Springfield, IL)
Crystal Lake Chamber: McHenry County’s three Illinois State Legislators have been invited to share information at a box luncheon. Each will have time to talk and there will be time for Q & A.
Olney & The Greater Richland County Chamber of Commerce: Visiting Members
Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce: 13th Annual Golf Scramble held at the Benton Country Club located at 14783 State Highway 14 East in Benton, Illinois. Willis Motor Company will be giving away a CAR to any lucky player who makes a hole in one on Hole #4.

Thursday, September 20, 2007 activities:

21 organizations (Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, Albany Park Community Center, Belmont-Central Chamber of Commerce, EDC of Greater Logan Square, Edgebrook Chamber of Commerce, Edison Park Chamber of Commerce, Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce, Greater Avondale Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, Kedzie-Elston Business & Industrial Council, Lincoln Bend Chamber of Commerce, North-Pulaski-Armitage Chamber of Commerce, Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Polish American Chamber of Commerce, Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, Pulaski Elston Business Association, Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Sauganash Chamber of Commerce, West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
West Town Chamber of Commerce, Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber of Commerce) Celebrate Chamber of Commerce Week! (Multi Chamber Event)!

Entire Week Long activities or origional ideas:

Carol Stream Chamber:

Carol Stream will again hold “Dine With the Director” during Chamber week. Due to excess poundage, we will not have breakfast as a meeting time, just lunch and dinner.

Chamber members will receive a ‘schedule’ of where I will be in the community and will be encouraged to come by for a meal, to show support for other chamber members and to ‘bond’. Wednesday that week is our usual chamber luncheon and it will be held at the Fire Station (Sept 12th).

Lincolnwood Chamber:

We also will be doing a press release and will be announcing our 3 Corporate Citizens of 2007 who we feel best exemplifies what we hope our Chamber stands for and this Business – Service – Community which is the triangle that is our logo. It is like the three-legged stool, you need all three to be successful.

Addison Chamber of Commerce:

Of course we're recognizing it in our newsletter (Sept/Oct issue) and a press release.

Wonder Lake Chamber of Commerce:

Possibly hosting a cake and coffee open house!

Waterloo Chamber of Commerce:

Kick off of "Shop Local Program/Discount Card" to celebrate Chamber of Commerce Week, September 10-14th. The board gave me permission to advertise you, our members, all over town -- absolutely FREE! This is how the plan works: Each Chamber Member will be given a laminated discount card, free. Non Chamber Members will pay $10.00 for the card. The name of your business and discount or coupon offer will be posted on the Chamber's website at www.enjoywaterloo.com and on bulletin boards all over town. Only Chamber Members can advertise in the program. Your ad will not be on the card, nor will the card be dated. Therefore renewals will not be necessary. It's a one-time card. Wear it out until it's ragged then come get another. Anyone visiting our website can quickly see where to go for a free soda with their pizza. You decide the discount you would like to offer. Send it to me via email by August the 31st to be included in the program.

Chambers with Mayor/Village or County Board local proclamations:

Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce
Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce
Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce

The Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives is dedicated to being an accessible and valued resource for the professional development of Chamber of Commerce directors and staffs in Illinois. For more information on IACCE, please contact Elizabeth Kerns, President, at (217) 522-5512 x 223 or Liz@iacce.org.

DOWNLOAD CENTER

Download Sample for Mayoral Proclamation for 2007

Download Chamber of Commerce Week Press Release for 2007

Download Chamber of Commerce Week 2007 logo (.jpg)

Governor Blagojevich's Proclamation

Whereas, chambers of commerce work with Illinois businesses, merchants, and industry to advance the civic, economic, industrial, professional, and cultural life of our state; and

Whereas, chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life of Illinois for 169 years, since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838; and

Whereas, this year marks the 88th anniversary of the founding of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the state’s leading broad-based business organization which serves as the unified voice for business; and

Whereas, this year marks the 92th anniversary of the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), a career development organization for chamber of commerce professionals; and

Therefore, I, Rod. R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, proclaim September 10 – 14, 2007 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois.