Whose Face is on that Pace Bus?! Monday Matters

May 13, 2024

Our members are everywhere.

There I was, minding my own business at a stoplight when lo and behold, in front of me was the smiling face of Wheaton Chamber member Michelle Watkins of Abundant Children and Family Services Agency--on the back of a Pace bus! Michelle is also a student at the College of DuPage and part of an advertising campaign promoting the college.

One of the best things about Wheaton is seeing connections between people. We see it at our monthly luncheons, at our Business After Hours and at each of our committee meetings--people connecting with people, exchanging business cards or planning a coffee date to get better acquainted. We are thrilled when our members do business together.

This month is full of opportunities to connect--at this week's luncheon, next week's Business After Hours and for sure at the Cream of Wheaton. Hope to see you here, there and everywhere.

To making connections~

May Luncheon Focuses on "Podcasting, Promotion and the Power of the Press"

This week's luncheon features Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management, founder of “The Local” podcast, and producers Meg Goodman and Mark Long of Flint Rock, LLC, discussing "Podcasting, Promotion and the Power of the Press."

Marc Horner will share how podcasting and being a resource to the media elevates his company’s visibility in and around Chicago. Meg and Mark Long will chime in as producers of content and stewards of Green Tree Studios, the studio Marc built to record “The Local.” Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon is from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley Street. Please RSVP here.

Countdown to Cream of Wheaton

Where else in Wheaton can you find music, a Business Expo, arts & crafts, a carnival and a long weekend of food and fun? The Cream of Wheaton countdown has begun, and there's still time to join as sponsors, volunteers or both!

Hosted in partnership with the Wheaton Park District, this event will elevate your visibility with 50,000 people throughout this four-day festival. Read more here about sponsorship levels still available to you.

Is a Business Expo booth of interest to you? Click here to sign up--space is limited. Volunteer slots are filling up fast. Here's a link to get you and/or your team signed up as volunteers. Thanks to Mike Tenerelli of Exit Real Estate Partners, our Volunteer of Volunteers--reach out to him if you have a question. There's something for everyone at Cream of Wheaton! Picture your company name, below...

Thanks to our Main Sponsors

And to our Business Expo Exhibitors

Arden Courts Memory Care of Glen Ellyn
Capital Vacations
Chicago Pelvic Health and Wellness
ChiroOne
Chris Mechanical Services, Inc.
College Church
Democratic Party of Milton Township
IBVM Loretto Sisters
Jacuzzi/Window Works
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Matrix Home Solutions
People's Resource Center (PRC)
Power Home Remodeling Group
Redo Cabinets
Renewal by Anderson
Wheaton Sport Center
Window Nation

There's still room for YOU!

Business After Hours Hosted by Ambassadors May 21

Circle your calendar and register now for this month's Business After Hours, hosted by the Ambassadors Committee and sponsored by Celebration Marketing on Tuesday, May 21, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, 301 W. Roosevelt Road. Please RSVP here so we can plan for refreshments. Marty Keller of Milton Township C.E.R.T. and Deb Brown of Town Square Publishing are co-chairs of the Ambassadors Committee.

The Ambassadors will also host a reception kicking off the Cream of Wheaton on Thursday, May 30, at Memorial Park. No RSVP needed!

Alto Senior Living Hosts Spring Happy Hour

Friends and family are invited to join Alto Senior Living by Allegro for a Spring Happy Hour on Thursday, May 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 219 Parkway Drive in Wheaton. Live music and light refreshments will be part of the celebration. Please let the front desk know you'll be attending by calling 630-732-0644.

Wintrust State of the Economy and Markets Slated for May 21

Wintrust Wealth Management will host a panel discussion on "The State of the Economy and Markets" on Tuesday, May 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. The panel will cover the Fed's ongoing mission to tame inflation and explore how consumer spending and employment come into play. This session will be interactive and you may submit questions in advance. To RSVP, please click here. Deadline for registration is EOB Monday, May 20.

Mexican Artists Participate in Olmec Trails Project

The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, in coordination with Meztil Mexico and in partnership with the College of DuPage Public Art Project and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, will present their newest project, "Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy" from June through October 2024. Thirty-three artists will paint sculptures recreating ancient Mexican culture throughout DuPage County. To learn more, click here.

14th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook Scheduled for June

"What Now & What Next," the 14th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook, is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., beginning with breakfast and networking. The event will be held at Drury Lane Conference Center, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

This event features economic outlooks by Deborah Conroy, chair of the DuPage County Board, and Leo Harmon, CFA, CAIA, senior managing director and chief investment officer of Mesirow. Mark Sander, president and chief operating officer of Old National Bank, will provide a business overview. To learn more and to register for individual tickets or tables of 10, please click here.

Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals Set for June 1

Celebrate Cosley Zoo's 50th anniversary by signing up for the Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals on June 1 at Memorial Park, held during the Cream of Wheaton. Participants get a long-sleeve t-shirt, refreshments, and a finisher medal. Stick around for post-race entertainment and Cream of Wheaton festivities. For more information, please click here.

The Local Features Phil Kerr of St. Francis High

The most recent episode of "The Local" features President Phil Kerr of St. Francis High School in Wheaton, an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young men and women grades 9-12 since 1956.

Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management and Meg Goodman of Flint Rock, LLC, did a deep dive with President Kerr about the transformative journey of St. Francis, from safety initiatives to academic excellence. The high school was acknowledged as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2023. Listen to Phil's interview on the latest episode of The Local here.

Please Tell Us Your News

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and you have a lot to say! Read press releases from our members, learn about job openings and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals." Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact us.

Downtown Wheaton Association Offers BYGO for Wheaton Chamber Members at Bloody Mary Fest

According to the DWA, "10 a.m. is the new 10 p.m.," with a Bloody Mary Fest being held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon throughout downtown Wheaton on Saturday, May 18. Wheaton Chamber members can buy one, get one free! Click here for the secret code.

Ticketholders will receive four 4-ounce tastings of different variations of Bloody Mary drinks from shops and restaurants throughout the downtown. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at the "W" tent on Front Street. To buy tickets, please click here.

Check out the latest job postings for the McAninch Arts Center, Gary United Methodist Church and Gary United Methodist Preschool and the newest listing for a marketing coordinator for the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce.

If you have a job opening, please enter your information into your member profile under "Jobs." Your listing will be included on the Chamber website and featured in our Monday Matters newsletter.

This week:

Arts, Business & Culture Committee meets Tuesday, May 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. Debbie Venezia of Arts DuPage is chair; Bari Erickson of the Wheaton Public Library is co-chair. The committee is working on a public arts initiative, so if that speaks to you, RSVP here.
RSVP now for this Thursday's monthly luncheon, "Podcasting, Promotion and the Power of the Press," held from 11:30 a.m. (registration) to 1:00 p.m. at the DuPage County Historical Museum. Marc Horner from Fairhaven Wealth Management will talk about how podcasting and promotion have elevated the visibility of his wealth management firm, and Meg Horner and Mark Long from Flint Rock will share from the production side.
The Finance Committee meets Friday at 8:00 a.m., rescheduled to accommodate members' calendars. Helen Demsher, CPA, a partner at Matheison, Moyski, Austin & Co., is chair.

Coming Up:

On Tuesday, May 21, the Ambassadors will host a Business After Hours at the Wheaton Chamber. Sandy Skibinski of Celebration Marketing is our sponsor. Please RSVP.
Members Matter, an orientation via Zoom for new, current and prospective members, will be hosed on Wed., May 22, at 9:00 a.m. This 45-minute Zoom call is an overview of member benefits and a guide for how to get involved in the Wheaton Chamber. RSVP here.
The Board of Directors meets Thursday, May 23, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. Jill Mason of Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust and Wheaton Bank & Trust is chair. Stacie Dovalovsky of Primera Engineers is chair-elect.
Cream of Wheaton will be held May 30, 31, June 1 and June 2 in Memorial Park. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for another Ambassadors reception in the park along with a ribbon-cutting. To learn about sponsorships, the Business Expo and volunteering, please click here.

Our Trades Connect Group Connects!