CHAMBER A DIGITAL LOOK AT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY MARCH 2023 macombareachamber.com NEWSLETTER
TABLE OF contents About Us 3 Executive Director Update 4 Marketing Director Update 75 Meet the Directors 6 Member Renewals 7-8 Business After/Before Hours 9-10 Ribbon Cuttings 11 Support Local 12 Annual Awards 13-14 New Members 15-18 Local Events 19-22 Announcements 23-25 Ambassadors 26 Membership/Sponsorship 27 Local Stats 28-30 Local Jobs 31 Stay Social 32 Thank You 33
ABOUT US H E R E T O M E E T Y O U R N E E D S The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce serves as a link between member businesses and the community. As a result, our members benefit and thrive because of the strength and stability we provide. Membership includes advertising and networking opportunities, referrals, quality programming, events, and educational advantages. MEMBERS STRONG To promote the growth and development of the Macomb Area. To serve as a catalyst for the business, professional, and educational community's collective efforts to enhance the economic climate and quality of life for all. Providing Visibility Networking Opportunities Business Resources Advertising & Marketing Gift Certificate Program Educational Connections 309.837.4855 macombareachamber.com info@macombareachamber.com A B O U T U S 3 5 0 + C H A M B E R M I S S I O N O U R S E R V I C E S C O N T A C T U S C H A M B E R V I S I O N 1 CHAMBER COMMUNITY
MERRITT
309-837-4855 Phone Email lauren@macombareachamber.com Email Lauren
LAUREN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
309-837-4855
Phone Email
shay@macombareachamber.com
SHAY HOLLAND MARKETING DIRECTOR
Hello Chamber Members,
Welcome to March. We're all relieved that we escaped the frigid Winter this year and we're officially in Spring mode! Many of us are ready to spruce up our homes, our wardrobes, and our yards - but it's also the perfect time to dust off our career goals too. Maybe the last few years of virtual everything have put a dent in the whole idea of "meeting new people and getting more involved in the community." Maybe you're like me and you're a true introvert at heart, but you know you can't achieve all your goals from your living room anymore. So let's help you take a baby step and put some plans into action. Where do you start? We have a few ideas. Try any of Chamber opportunities:
Business After/Before Hours * Chamber Luncheons * Macomb Business Academy
Young Professionals of Macomb * Ambassadors Committee * Government Affairs Committee Transportation Committee * And so many more!
These are just a few of the ways you can get out of your comfort zone and connect with local business professionals. We are blessed in this region to have a close-knit community, where everyone seems to have a more the merrier mentality when it comes to success. So make this Spring the season you start putting your goals into practice. Start small; attend one event, shake one hand, and see where it takes you. It just might open up a whole world of possibilities for you, your career, and your business. And if you need someone to help you out, contact me at any time I would be happy to get you started, one baby step at a time.
Email Shay
MEET THE DIRECTORS
MEMBER RENEWALS
Thank you to our members who have continued their yearly investment with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce within the last month. Your support of the local business community is much appreciated and we look forward to working with you for another great year. Click on the logos below to learn more about each member:
MEMBER RENEWALS
Thank you to our members who have continued their yearly investment with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce within the last month. Your support of the local business community is much appreciated as we look forward to working with you for another great year. Click on the logos below to learn more about each member:
BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
FEBRUARY 15 - FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
RIBBON CUTTINGS
SUPPORT LOCAL
ANNUAL AWARDS
2022 Annual Awards Award Recipients
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held their 2022 Annual Awards Happy Hour event on February 22, 2023 from 5 to 7 pm at Macomb Dining Company
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce took this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of several members, citizens, and community leaders who played a vital part in the 2022 business community Awards included the Ambassador of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, Business of the Year, and the Chairman’s Award
Nominees
Business of the Year nominations included Cassady Martial Arts Academy, Deadhead Plant Ranch, Farm King, Grand Prairie Supportive Living, iDoc Device Repair, Macomb Park District, Project Dance Company, Sports Corner @ 124, The Elms, Your CBD Store, McDonough District Hospital, and The Wine Sellers.
Business Leader of the Year nominations included Adrian McGregor McDonough District Hospital, Brian Kerr and Johnnie McKee Sports Corner @ 124, Jennifer Foster Grand Prairie Supportive Living, and Zachary Green—Good Food Collaborative
The Chamber recognized Outgoing Board Members Ryan Riggins (MidAmerica National Bank) and Dr. Christine Standard (Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid).
Awards were presented to Ambassador of the Year Laura Leezer (Citizens Bank, a Division of Morton Community Bank).
The 2022 Chairman’s Award was given to Matt Lawver (United Community Bank). The 2022 Business Leaders of the Year Awards were presented to Johnnie McKee and Brian Kerr (Sports Corner @ 124). The 2022 Business of the Year Award recipient was The Wine Sellers.
Thank You
A special thank you to the Chamber Board of Directors, the Chamber Ambassador Committee, Chamber Staff, Macomb Dining Company, Blue Sky Bungalow, Nostalgia Décor + Gifts, and Engraving by Lin for helping to make for a successful event
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly, volunteered their time, donated their resources, actively contributed to the viable success of the community, and helped to promote the positives within Macomb’s unique and ever-evolving business community now and for years to come.
ANNUAL AWARDS
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Find a full range of Chamber and Chamber member events on the What's New? section of our website
STAY SOCIAL
Follow us on social media for local updates and activites.
SHARE YOUR EVENTS
Share your Chamber member events via your Chamber member information center account, on our website, or email them to us!
FIND LOCAL EVENTS Events
LOCAL EVENTS
Jobapalooza
LOCAL EVENTS
LOCAL EVENTS
OSTERMAN PROMOTED TOVICE PRESIDENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A member of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2018, Osterman enters his second full year as Board Chairman after taking over as interim Chair in May 2021. As Board Chairman, Osterman represents the Macomb Chamber of Commerce at the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO) meetings, in which MDH and the Chamber are Charter members He recently joined the Rotary Club of Macomb, serves on the Macomb Little League Baseball Board, and is a volunteer basketball coach at St Paul School
Prior to joining MDH, Osterman spent more than 20 years working in Communications/Public Relations roles within collegiate athletics.
He and his wife Susan have three sons: Andrew, Ryan, and Ethan.
McDonough District Hospital President/Chief Executive Officer
Brian E. Dietz, FACHE, announced the promotion of Patrick Osterman to Vice President of Business Strategy.
Osterman will continue with his Public Relations, Marketing, and FOIA officer duties with additional oversight of Legislative Affairs, Community Outreach, and Compliance.
Osterman joined MDH in September 2017 as the Public Relations and Marketing Director
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GORSUCH NAMED DIRECTOR OF WIU MULTICULTURAL CENTER
Western Illinois University Associate Director of Recruitment and Outreach Katy Gorsuch has been chosen as the next director of the University's Multicultural Center.
Gorsuch, who will begin the new role Monday, March 20, has served as associate director of recruitment and outreach in the WIU Admissions office since 2021. At Western, she has previously served as assistant director of campus events, and as an admissions counselor
Gorsuch received her master's degree in educational and interdisciplinary studies and her bachelor's degree in Spanish, both from WIU
"I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving my alma mater as the director of the Multicultural Center," she said. "I am very passionate about leadership in higher education and supporting college students on their pathway to success. One of my main goals is to enhance campus partnerships and grow the opportunities provided by the MCC to reach more students. I hope to create an inclusive environment for students both on and off campus where they can feel empowered and grow as leaders."
Carl Ervin, interim director of Justice, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at WIU, and acting director of the Multicultural Center, said he welcomes Gorsuch to her new role.
"Her commitment to inclusive excellence and passion for student success will allow her to feel at home in the MCC where students come first, DEI matters, a sense of belonging is created, advocacy is supported and respect is more than just a word , " Ervin said "Kudos to the search committee for their work, and a big thank you to Katy for stepping up to, no doubt, knock the ball out of the ballpark."
The director of the Multicultural Center at WIU sets goals and creates a strategic plan for the center, providing oversight for administering and assessing programming and services offered by the center They also supervise the coordinator and events administrator associate positions, manage the departmental budget, support the Admissions office in its recruitment initiatives and efforts of culturally-diverse populations, and collaborates with other departments and embraces social justice and the intersections of identities The position reports to the vice president of Student Success.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SIGNMAKER OF MACOMB OWNERS TO RETIRE
Steve Heard of Signmaker of Macomb, has along with wife, Cathy, retired from the sign business. Steve has served the Macomb community since 1974, as KFC manager, then Art City owner until 1999, then full-time signmaker at 224 S. Normal St., since. He has been a member all along the way of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, and a past ambassador. The business will continue in the area with a new location and new owner.
Email Blasts
AMBASSADORS
As the public relations arm of the Chamber, members of the Ambassadors committee represent the Chamber by hosting Business After/Before Hours, attending ribbon cuttings, and recruiting new members. Our Ambassadors enhance the image of our business community and the organization by presenting a positive and professional attitude at Chamber events and throughout their interactions with the business community These 20+ volunteers are the ultimate Chamber cheerleaders
We are reserving this spot each month so that you can get to know each of our Ambassadors just a bit better.
Ambassadors
MEMBERSHIP & SPONSORSHIP
Whether you have been with the Chamber for a day or a decade; make the most of your membership with a full range of benefits and opportunities for you and your business.
Membership & Sponsorship
LOCAL STATS
LOCAL STATS
LOCAL STATS
STAY CONNECTED
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM LINKEDIN YOUTUBE WEBSITE
309.847.4855 214N.LAFAYETTESTREET-MACOMB,IL MACOMBAREACHAMBER.COM CONTACT US THANK YOU LAUREN MERRITT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAY HOLLAND MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR YOUR SUPPORT
