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Members of the Chamber’s staff and board of directors recently met with a networking event focus group to learn their perspectives on current Chamber programs. The Chamber truly appreciated the group’s feedback, which has since helped the organization develop new networking and other supportive member services.

First, the group described the following as the Chamber’s current positive contributions to member businesses:

– Effective advocacy efforts on behalf of businesses

-Important business recruitment and retention efforts on behalf of the community

-Ongoing efforts to attract and retain a talented workforce for our community

-Helpful educational forums, networking events, and building fairs

The Chamber’s June Networking Breakfast in the DoubleTree Oak Brook’s “Wow Room”

The Chamber also learned that the group would like to see more networking events, and that they have a strong interest in assisting the Chamber as it recruits new members. The group also expressed interest in assisting the organization’s young professionals, as they grow in their careers.

As a result, the Chamber will present more networking events, including the upcoming networking breakfasts scheduled for September 22, 2016 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort and October 27 at Gibsons Steakhouse. Both events will run from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. The Chamber will also present its annual Holiday Mixer on November 17, 2016 at the Clubhouse Restaurant from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

New Networkers Group

Also, as a next step in expanding its membership recruitment efforts, the Chamber has formed a new Networkers group. Networkers will play a very important role in the Chamber’s growth strategy over the next several years.

Members of the group will first participate in a two-hour orientation on September 13, 2016 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. to become familiar with the Chamber’s objectives and core activities. During this session, the Chamber will also provide each Networker the materials and contact information they will need to meet with prospective member companies.

Networkers will then meet quarterly to stay connected to new Chamber initiatives and updates and to coordinate member recruitment efforts.

New Bridge Partnership

In addition, the Chamber’s Economic Development Partnership has introduced a new “near peer” career mentor program, called the Bridge Partnership, that links middle and high school students with college students and young professionals. The program also links young professionals to mid-career professionals.

For more information or to volunteer for the Networkers group and/or the Bridge Partnership, please contact Tracy Mulqueen at [email protected] or 708-560-5271.