The Chamber Courier ISSUE
JANURARY
The Monthly Business Publication for the Canton Area
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
cANTON aREA cHAMBER OF cOMMERCE bOARD OF dIRECTORS
Executive Board President: Chad Holloway - OSF HealthCare Vice President: Maggie Connell - Edward Jones Treasurer: Chad Murphy - Spoon River College Secretary: Renee Lewis - Jim Maloof Realtor
Board of Directors Tanaya Krulac - COOK Medical Jay Valencia - Canton High School Jason Gumbart - Apex Seed Co. Lacey Neal - Rock Valley Physical Therapy Diane Bell - Di’s Boutique Alesia Shaw - Graham Health System Jason Elwell - EATS Jacque Nelson - MidAmerica National Bank Emylee Bitner - Bank of Farmington Chase Shawgo - Ipava State Bank Owen Spahn - ‘24/’25 Student Representative
Executive Director Carla Bobell
309-647-2677
48 N Main St. Canton IL 61520
cbobell@cantonillinois.org
www.facebook.com/CACC61520
cantonillinois.org/chamber
Executive Director Carla Bobell What a Year We Will Have in 2025! In 2025, the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its Centennial, marking 100 years of fostering business growth and community spirit. This momentous occasion will be highlighted during the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Friday, February 28th. The event promises an evening of reflection on the Chamber’s significant impact on local commerce and collaboration, featuring a guest speaker, live music, champagne, a ribbon cutting, and networking opportunities. As a Chamber Member, you will receive a very special invitation that will arrive in your mail in January. Simultaneously, the City of Canton will commemorate its 200th Anniversary with a grand 10-day celebration from June 20th through June 29th. This Bicentennial celebration week will showcase the city’s rich history and vibrant community through a variety of events, including concerts, historical tours, family-friendly activities and so much more. Residents and visitors alike can expect to experience the essence of Canton, with events designed to honor its past while looking forward to a bright future. If you are interested in volunteering during the celebration week, let me know, I can get you connected! Both celebrations aim to unite the Canton community, honoring the contributions of past leaders and inspiring the next generation. Meanwhile, the city’s Bicentennial will provide an opportunity for all residents to engage with their heritage and celebrate the diverse fabric of the Canton community. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding specific activities and opportunities to participate in these landmark celebrations by visiting cantonillinois.org/bicentennial. As Canton moves forward, both the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Canton remain committed to fostering connections, supporting local initiatives, and celebrating the unique spirit that defines this remarkable community. As the Canton Chamber, we look forward to honoring these historic milestones and celebrating together. What a year it will be!
Assistant Director, Mallory Jackson Wishing her the best! After much thought and consideration, I will be stepping down from my position as Assistant Director at the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce to pursue my lifelong passion for teaching. This decision marks a new chapter in my professional journey, one that I am eager to begin. I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside talented individuals who have helped shape my growth and development within the Chamber. The experience has been both rewarding and fulfilling, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the community, connect with local businesses, and support the mission of the Chamber. However, the desire to become an educator has always been a strong force in my life. I graduated from Western Illinois University with my Bachelors in Elementary Education in early December and subsequently accepted a teaching position at Farmington Elementary School. I look forward to applying my skills, experience, and passion for helping others in the classroom, where I hope to inspire future generations! While I will miss my colleagues and the incredible work we have done together, I am excited about this next step and the new challenges it will bring. I am extremely thankful for the support and understanding of the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce and our community as I embark on this new path. Thank you all for your support during my time here, and I look forward to staying connected in new and exciting ways!
Boost Your Business Exposure: Share Your Upcoming Events for the Weekly Member Minute! As a Chamber member, one of the best ways to increase visibility and engagement for your business is through the weekly Member Promotions email called the Member Minute. This quick reference goes out to over 300 Chamber Member emails that highlights Chamber events, Chamber Member events or fundraisers, special offers from members, announcements, new store hours, welcoming new members, entertainment, and opportunities that Chamber members are hosting. Best of all, if you are a Chamber member, it is at no cost to you! We encourage all Chamber members to share upcoming events, announcements, or specials, by sending details to cantonchamberad@cantonillinois.org by noon each Tuesday. If you have a flyer, be sure to attach the file as a JPEG, PDF or PNG format. The Member Minute email is designed to help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential customers and collaborators. Also, if you submit an event, we will be sure to add it to the Calendar of Events on the cantonillinois.org website. Let’s work together to keep our community vibrant and informed! Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to promote your business to a larger audience.
THANK YOU TO 2024 HOLIDAY LIGHTSHOW Sponsors and Volunteers! $1000 Super Star Sponsor
New Lit Display Sponsors
$500 Bright Star Sponsors
CEFCU of Canton MidAmerica National Bank The Loft of Canton
Graham Health System
Buckheart Solar Crawford’s Home Furnishings Dempster Insurance Jim Maloof Realtor Orwig Auto Body Carl & Linda Walter
Displayed inside Big Creek Park
$175 Twinkling Star Sponsors Bistro 101 Edward Jones - Maggie Connell La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Maurer-Stutz, Inc. Monical’s Pizza Snowman’s Reindeer Farm Walnut Tree Baking Co.
VOLUNTEERS:
Organizations and Businesses that helped park cars
Special Donations
City of Canton, Davis Sand & Gravel, GT Drone Service, BH Materials, Space Walk of Central IL
Canton Park District, Community Members, Canton Ambassadors, Graham Patient Access Employees, Nagle Accounting & Tax Services Employees, Habitat for Humanity, CEFCU of Canton Employees, MidAmerica National Bank Employees, Camp Big Sky, Canton Main Street
Opportunities Through the Canton Chamber At the beginning of each year we like to remind our Chamber members of the many opportunities there are with the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce throughout the year that can help promote your business. This January Issue of our Chamber Courier highlights many of these opportunities like.... Available Sponsorships for Events and Programs Hosting an After Hours Mixer (formerly called Business After Hours) Advertising available inside the Chamber Courier E Blasts “ads” designed just for your business Member Minute shared, and included on the Calendar of Events on the Chamber website Hire & Be Hired information Make the most of your Canton Area Chamber of Commerce membership!
EVENT and PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP COMMITMENT SHEET 2025
Event Sponsorships
YES
Annual Dinner - Gold Sponsor $1000 Annual Dinner - Major Sponsor $500 Annual Dinner - Supporting Sponsor $175 Golf Outing - Lead Sponsor $1000 Golf Outing - Cart Sponsor $600 Golf Outing - Supporting Sponsor $175 Cruise In - Lead Sponsor $500 Cruise In - Supporting Sponsor $175 Taste in Canton - Lead Sponsor $500 Taste in Canton - Supporting Sponsor $175 Women in Business - Supporting Sponsor $175 Holiday Lightshow - Lit Display Sponsor $1500
Holiday Lightshow - Lead Sponsor $500 Holiday Lightshow - Supporting Sponsor $500
Program Sponsorships
Canton Area Chamber Young Professionals Program Sponsor $300 (need 4 for year)
Youth Leadership Academy
Program Sponsor $350 (need 5 for school year)
Look for this Commitment Sheet soon. Mark all the boxes you are interested in participating in and send in to the Chamber office. Be sure to include Business Name.
Introducing.... Canton Area Chamber Executive Board 2025
President Chad Holloway OSF Healthcare
Vice President Maggie Connell Edward Jones
Treasurer Chad Murphy
Spoon River College
Secretary Renee Lewis
Jim Maloof Realtor
Canton Area Chamber Board of Directors 2025
Tanaya Krulac COOK Medical
Jay Valencia
Canton High School
Jason Gumbart Apex Seed Co.
Lacey Neal
Rock Valley Physical Therapy
Diane Bell
Di’s Boutique
Owen Spahn Student Representative
December 12: Jason Elwell Graham Health System EATS& Ipava State Bank Billy’s Tap Alicia Shaw
Jaque Nelson
MidAmerica National Bank
Emylee Bitner
Bank of Farmington
Chase Shawgo
Ipava State Bank
2025 Chamber ambassadors
Samantha Braden - Rhoades Real Estate Bobby Brown - Flat Branch Home Loans Joe Christian - MidAmerica National Bank Stephen Clark - Town and Country Insurance Brandy Cozad - Official Time Out Kiley Davis-Crouse - Line-X of Canton Tama Duhs - Bank of Farmington Sherri Delost - Jim Maloof Realtor Madison Embry - Bank of Farmington Jake Green - Graham Health System Jeromie Hale - Bistro 101 Elli Hummel - Jack’s Bar Amanda Ketcham - Spoon River College Caleb Miller - Ipava State Bannk Seth Klinedinst - Crawford’s Home Furnishings John Lemon - Rise Canton Dave Lewis - Dave Lewis Studio, Ltd. Shawn Pardieck - Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club Amanda Reed - MidAmerica National Bank Dr. Jacob Standard - Spoon River Animal Clinic Codi Swibold - Hy-Vee Food Stores Dr. AJ Thum - Associates in Dentistry Bryce Vaughn - CEFCU of Canton Nick Wright - Country Financial
150% Club members
greg glomb
CHUCK TAYLOR
150% Club members 150% club Individual Members
Scott Miller Phil Miller Tony Rolando Otto Stephenitch Kevin Meade Kevin & Debbie Stephenson John Clark Harriet Ellis Harold Jump
McCarthy & Jackson LLC
CHAMBER CHAMPIONS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!