February newsletter

The Express Track The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for area business and member interests, while providing quality resources, services and leadership to its current and future members.

GALESBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

February 2015- Vol 2015, Issue 2

February Community Events

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Sun. 1 Feb, 2015Knox College International Fair (Sat. 31 Jan, 2015 4:00 pm - Sun. 1 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm)

Food, arts, crafts and entertainment from around the world, presented by Knox College students and visiting performers. For more information regarding the event, visit their website. www.knox.edu/internationalfair.xmlAlways the last Saturday in January

Discovery Depot: Operation Valentine (Sun. 1 Feb, 2015 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

Discovery Depot needs your "Heart Art"! Come join us in helping to create special valentines for our armed services! We will supply the materials and our community partner, Watson Thomas Funeral Home supplies the postage to mail to our troops! Heart full of thanks to Watson Thomas Funeral Home!

Mon. 2 Feb, 2015Galesburg Community Chorus begins rehearsals for Spring 2015 concert (Mon. 2 Feb, 2015 7:00 pm)

The Galesburg Community Chorus will hold the first rehearsal of the second half of its 2014-15 season at 7 p.m. Jan. 12. Rehearsals are every Monday from 7-9 p.m. in Jay Rehearsal Hall, Ford Center for Fine Arts, Knox College. The chorus is a non-auditioned group, and all are welcome to join. Dues for singers are $10 per semester (free for students), and there is a $5 music fee each semester. The final concert of the season is a May 2 performance of the Requiem Mass by Giuseppe Verdi with the combined forces of the Community Chorus, the Knox College Choir, and the Monmouth College Chorale, and a guest performance on Nov. 16 by the world-renowned Anima Children’s Choir. The Galesburg Community Chorus, directed by Tim Pahel, is the oldest community music organization in the Galesburg area. It was founded in 1945 at Knox College, and the chorus retains its affiliation with the college, which provides rehearsal facilities.

Tue. 3 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: The Engine (Tue. 3 Feb, 2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)

One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "Groundhog's Day" and we have Katrina Howard, Hy-Vee dietician as our special guest! FREE with admission

Wed. 4 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 4 Feb, 2015 10:00 am - Thu. 5 Feb, 2015 4:00 pm)

Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's weekly art program dedicated on a specific theme! CC provides children a variety of art supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and imagination to create their own work of art.

This week's Carefree Creation theme is Operation Valentine. Come to Discovery Depot to create your own valentine that will be sent to our troops. Art materials and supplies will be provided inside the Blick Art Studio.

Thu. 5 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: The Caboose (Thu. 5 Feb, 2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)

One weekly theme, two different stories &activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "Groundhog's Day" and we have Katrina Howard, HyVee dietician as our special guest!FREE with admission

Fri. 6 Feb, 2015National Wear Red Day (Fri. 6 Feb, 2015 7:00 am - 11:00 am)

National Wear Red Day!!! On February 6th everyone is encouraged to wear red to show support for women and their fight against heart disease. OSF St. Mary's Medical Center is sponsoring a Women's Heart Health & Fitness Fair on February 6th from 7:00 am to 10:30 am in the St. Mary Medical Center Cardiac Rehab Center. There will be door prizes, refreshments, give a ways and a chance for you to participate in the following; Blood Pressure Checks, Blood Sugar Screenings, Body Mass Index, Cholesterol Screenings ($20), Exercise Programs, Diabetes Screening, Nutritional Information, Personal Wellness Program Information, Stroke Information, Fall Prevention Information, Make-Up Booths, and much, much more!

Sat. 7 Feb, 2015Knox-Galesburg Symphony presents First Chairs Forward (Sat. 7 Feb, 2015 7:30 pm)

Knox-Galesburg Symphony presents "First Chairs Forward" Featuring Carolyn Suda, violoncello, Eric Ginsberg, clarinet and Bruce Polay, piano Performing works by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Polay, and Brahms Saturday February 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College Tickets: Admission is $12 for adults, children are half-price. Available at the Orpheum Theatre and at the door.


One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "All about Valentine's Day". FREE with admission

Wed. 11 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 11 Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 5:00 pm)

Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's weekly art program dedicated on a specific theme. CC provides children a variety of art supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and imagination to create their own work of art.

This week's Carefree Creation theme is Valentines Collage. Come to Discovery Depot to create your own valentines collage. Art materials and supplies will be provided inside the Blick Art Studio. Thu. 12 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Home School Hub (Thu. 12 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)

Home School Hub is created from an audience aged 7-12 yrs. Children will learn about a certain topic and create a craft along with it. This week, children will learn about chemistry and conduct some fun experiments to see chemical changes. We will even try to make our own glue! FREE with admission

Discovery Depot: Explore, ENRICH & Engage (Thu. 12 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm)

Go above and beyond with our Explore, ENRICH & Engaged that seeks to challenge the minds of children ages 5-12 through hands-on Art & Science activities! For this week's ENRICH program, children will be learning about chemistry and conduct some fun experiments to see chemical changes. We will even make our own glue! FREE with admission

Sat. 14 Feb, 2015Chocolate Festival - Galesburg Historical Society (Sat. 14 Feb, 2015 11:00 am - Sun. 15 Feb, 2015 12:00 pm)

Annual festival featuring homemade and commercially made chocolate treats. It is an endless buffet of tortes, cakes, pies, cookies, candies, beverages and much more; a chocolate lover's dream come true. Event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 14 & 15, $8 per person in advance, $9 at door. New location: 156 E, located on the corner of E. Main Street & Prairie Street.

Nova Singers Concert (Sat. 14 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)

Nova Singers Concert!!! Journeys & Transformations presented by the Nova Singers, being held in the Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College. This thematic program will take surprising journeys and explore different kinds of transformation, from Vaughan Williams' extraordinary Three Shakespeare Songs, to Rauravaara's dark and intense Suite de Lorca, to the pure joy of Talbot's Santiago. We will also present the world premiere of a new work based on Carl Sandburg's poetry by famed composer Abbie Betinis.

Sun. 15 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Sweet Sundae Creations (Sun. 15 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

Join Discovery Depot for our Sweet Sundae creation stations. You can create your own culinary masterpiece and enjoy this sensational favorite! Cost: $2 for members$2.50 for non-members

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Mon. 16 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Presidential Fun (Mon. 16 Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 4:00 pm)

Join us at Discovery Depot to celebrate Presidents' Day. You'll learn of Lincoln and wise up on Washington. You can even make your own replica of Mt. Rushmore, presidents’masks, and pretzel log cabins! FREE with admission


One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "Winter Weather". FREE with admission


Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's weekly art program dedicated on a specific theme. CC provides children a variety of art supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and imagination to create their own work of art.Since Chinese New Year is on February 19th, come to Discovery Depot's Carefree Creations to make some Chinese New Year crafts such as coin pouches and a dragon parade flag. Art materials and supplies will be provided inside the Blick Art Studio.

Discovery Depot: Special Night for Special Kids (Wed. 18 Feb, 2015 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)

This night is for special need kids and their families to enjoy the museum Cost: $3


One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "All About Valentine's Day" .FREE with admission

Rootabaga Jammers Concert (Thu. 19 Feb, 2015 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

Rootabaga Jammers!!! There will be a FREE concert at the Kensington featuring the Big Band sounds of the Rootabaga Jammers. Bring your favorite partner and dance to this great music or just sit, listen and tap your feet to the beat. Free refreshments will be served too. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the band starts at 6:30 to 8:30. Hope to see you there.

Fri. 20 Feb, 201567th Annual Galesburg Noon Lions Club Pancake Festival (Fri. 20, Feb., 2015 11am – 1pm & 5 – 7 pm)

Sausages – Eggs - Pancakes – Coffee – Milk

Adults $5.00 Children 12 & under $3.00 All you can eat at the First United Methodist church Kellogg at Ferris – Galesburg IL.

Sat. 21 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Little Builder's Workshop (Sat. 21 Feb, 2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)

Have a little handyman or handy gal at home? Then come to Discovery Depot to have your little handymen and gals challenge their carpentry skills at our "Little Builders" workshop at our own Gerstenberger Build-it-Room. Children will learn safety with tools and build your own backyard bird feeder! Suitable for ages 4 to 7. Cost: $5 for your building kit Call to register in advance; space is limited. Register by Monday, February 16th.

Sun. 22 Feb, 2015Discovery Depot: Reading is Fundamental (RIF) (Sun. 22 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

We love reading at Discovery Depot! So join us for RIF Day and each child gets a free book! FREE with admission


One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "Polar Animals". FREE with admission


Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's weekly art program dedicated on a specific them. CC provides children a variety of art supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and imagination to create their own work of art.This week's Carefree Creation theme is clay. So, come to Discovery Depot to create your own clay creation. Art materials and supplies will be provided inside the Blick Art Studio.


One weekly theme, two different stories & activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but open to all! This week's theme is "Polar Animals". FREE with admission

Discovery Depot: Home School Hub (Thu. 26 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)

Home School Hub is created for an audience aged 7-12yrs. Children will learn about a certain topic and create a craft along with what they learned. This week's theme is Chinese New Year. We will celebrate the New Year with a party including making crafts and playing traditional Chinese games. FREE with admission

Discovery Depot: Explore, ENRICH & Engage (Thu. 26 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm)

Go above and beyond with our Explore, ENRICH & Engage that seeks to challenge the minds of children ages 5-12yrs. through hands-on Art & Science activities! For this week's ENRICH program, we will celebrate the Chinese New Year with a party including making crafts and playing traditional Chinese games. FREE with admission

Black Earth Film Festival (Thu. 26 Feb, 2015 7:00 pm - Sat. 28 Feb, 2015 10:00 pm)

Black Earth Film Festival!!! Come to the Cherry Street Restaurant & Bar in downtown Galesburg. Enjoy dinner and cocktails as you view wonderful films from all over the world and as always there are a few local favorites as well. This is the 11th year for BEFF and it will have some surprises as well with a panel of filmmakers on Saturday night. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. so you can get your meal ordered, if you so desire.

Sat. 28 Feb, 2015Class Day 2015 (Sat. 28 Feb, 2015 9:00 am -3:00 pm)

32nd Annual Class Day!!!! Time for the 32nd Annual Class Day to be held at Carl Sandburg College on Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 9 am to 3 pm. This annual event is presented by KCAHCE (Knox County Association for Home and Community Education and proceeds go to the Sandburg Foundation Fund for scholarships. Many different classes to choose from, low cost of $25 which includes lunch. Over 50 classes in eight categories Arts & Crafts, Recreation/Gardening, History, Food, Technology, Home & Personal, Health and International. Something for everyone and a nice way to spend a day. For detailed class information and to register, program booklets are available at; Galesburg Public Library, Monmouth Library, Township Libraries, Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg Visitor Bureau, Farm Bureau Office, U of I Extension, Knox Agri-Center, or online at http://sandburg.edu/go/classday



Thrivent FinancialMs. Jennifer Sperry

649 W. Highway St, Oneida, IL 61467 (309)368-7515,

[email protected]/fr/Jennifer.sperry

Quad Cities River BanditsDenise Clark

209 S. Gaines St., Davenport, IA 52801(563-333-2736, [email protected]

www.Riverbandits.com

VFW Post 2257Mr. Mike Lummis

1001 Michigan Ave., Galesburg, IL [email protected]

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Toot Your Own Horn!


Our Big Deals store is an online store that offers gift certificates on goods or services to local businesses. The Big Deals online store is a way for you to save money on goods or services that you buy retail all the time. You may buy and use as many gift certificates as you like at any participating business. Access our Big Deals store by visiting our station website at 977wmoi.com, 1330wram.com or 1590waik.com and clicking on the Big Deals banner.

If your business would like to participate in our Big Deals store in exchange for commercials, please call WMOI, WRAM and WAIK at 734-9452 to learn how!

MACOMB –On the heels of being appointed an Assistant House Minority Leader on Friday, State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) announced that she has been appointed to critical Education Committees for the 99th General Assembly.

Rep. Hammond now holds four important education committee posts that put her in an excellent position to advocate for much-needed reform. Hammond was appointed Minority Spokesperson of the Higher Education Committee, as a committee member on the new Community College Access Committee and Elementary & Secondary Education- School Curriculum and Policy Committee both created in January, and she was re-appointed to the Higher Education- Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Hammond stands as one of the strongest voices in the Illinois House for Higher Education issues facing downstate universities and colleges. “Western Illinois University, Spoon River College, John Wood Community College, and Carl Sandburg College are all represented in

my legislative district. I am eager to continue to advocate for the needs of our institutions of Higher Education in Illinois,” said Rep. Hammond on Thursday from Macomb.

Rep. Hammond was also appointed to the following committees: Human Services, Insurance, Transportation- Regulation Roads and Bridges, and as Minority Spokesperson of the Consumer Protection Committee.

Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to contact her with questions or concerns on this or any other state issue. Hammond’s Macomb district office can be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. Constituents can also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.

Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren counties.

Assistant Minority Leader Hammond appointed to House Education Committees

~ PRESENTS ~Illinois Employment Law Review &

What’s NEW in 2015

♦ Ban the Box & Background Check Laws (1/1/15)

♦ Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (1/1/15)

♦ IL Wage Payment & Collections Act (1/1/15)

♦ Employee Classification Act (Required Reporting by 1/31/15)

♦ Human Rights Act: Protection for Interns (1/1/15)

♦ Mandatory Retirement Plans (In effect June 1, 2015)

♦ Victims Economic Security and Safety Act &♦ Workplace Violence Prevention (7/16/14)

MondayFebruary 9, 2015

11:45-1:00The Kensington

311 E. SimmonsGalesburg, IL

Presented by:

Catherine Hughes, SPHRDirector of HR Consulting

309-852-4024

Lunch will be Catered by The Kensington

Please Pay for Lunch at the Door:Cost of Lunch for Members $15.00

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Lunch for Future Members $20.00 OOOrrr eeemmmaaaiiilll Chamber of Commerce


Thank you to the following businesses who renewed their membership. We value your support and participation!


Aflac Regional Sales Office Azer Medical Supply, Inc. Bates Collision Center Benjamin F Edwards & Co. Bill Johnson BNSF Railway Company Breslin's Floor Coverings Kentucky Fried Chicken Main

& Henderson CenturyLink

Chuck Hay Insurance Agency, Inc.

Register Mail Costa Catholic Academy

Cratty Insurance Agency, Inc. CRM (USA), Inc. Dick Blick Company Doris Medhurst F & M Bank Galesburg Animal Hospital PC Galesburg Christian School Galesburg Community School

Dist. #205 Galesburg Electric Supply

Go Van Gogh's Habitat for Humanity/Knox Co

Harvey Brothers, Inc.

Heartland Health Care Ctr Heritage Credit Union Hy-Vee Hy-Vee Food Store #1215 Inner Wisdom Jet Air, Inc Kensington Key Outdoor, Inc. Knox College Knox County Health Dept. Koppers Ind., Inc. Lambasio, Inc Landmark Cafe & Creperie Lifeline to Africa Inc. Lock & Key Shop Mangieri Electric, Inc Martin Sullivan Mattress Station McFall Monument Co McGladrey, LLP Mechanical Service Inc. Mel Foster Company Merle Norman Cosmetics Miller Dredge Insurance Orpheum Theatre Pain Relief Chiropractic RockTenn Shawn Mason State Farm Insurance

Shelter Insurance Sirloin Stockade

Soangetaha Country Club Soderstrom Dermatology SunOpta Ingredients Tompkins State Bank United Facilities United Way of Knox County Vervocity Interactive Watson Thomas Funeral Home Webber Rental & Supply Western IL Builders

Association Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Ctr

Western Illinois Managed Home Services

Wilson Paper Co. WQAD TV-DT


2015 2015Galesburg on the Go - Lunch and Learn BUSINESS AFTER HOURSMONTH/DATE BUSINESS MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

Monday, February 09, 2015 Illinois Employment Law Review & What’s NEW in 2015 Thursday, February 19, 2015 Iron Spike Brewing Company

March Available Thursday, March 19, 2015 Ride & RunMonday, April 13, 2015 Legislator Luncheon Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Lake Bracken Country Club

May KCCDD Thursday, May 21, 2015 Trillium Dell TimberworksJune Available June AvailableJuly Available July Available

August Available August AvailableSeptember Available Thursday, September 17, 2015 Klingner and Associates, P.C.

October Available October AvailableNovember Available November AvailableDecember Available December Available

FUTURE CHAMBER ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORS

Board of Directors:

CHAIRMANDave Pearson....Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home

Vice CHAIRMANJeannette Kleine……..…….MAK Properties of Illinois

TREASURERTom McIntire………………..Barash & Everett, LLC

DIRECTORS

Alderman Wayne Allen.....................City of Galesburg

Chris Bayer………………………………..…. AFLAC

Kelli Bennewitz.............................................City Clerk

Mike Bond………………….…………….Innkeeper’s

Stephen Browning….…………..………. F & M Bank

Brenda Egenlauf……………………..…..Chez Willy’s

Jeff Pacheco…………………..…..Falcon Safety Group

Adam Sampson.............................Knox County YMCA

Don Shadensack……..…OSF St. Mary Medical Center

Executive DirectorSteven N. Brody

AMBASSADOR CORPS

Carrie Bernett...................OSF St. Mary Medical Center

Rhonda Dalton…………………………….CenturyLink

Doug Gibb.......................................Hospice Compassus

Mary Ann Hale............Knox-Warren Special Education

Bob Juraco.....................................Tompkins State Bank

Theresa Mangieri........................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Doris Medhurst.................................Individual Member

Kevin Maynard…………………..… Orpheum Theatre

Lance Oetting…….. Midwest Bank of Western Illinois

Annette Pickrel............................................F & M Bank

Chris Ryner.............IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union

Jackie Turner............................................Mel Foster Co.

Candy Webb……………..…….. Stratus Networks, Inc.

Future Chamber Activities and Sponsors



SOLUTION #2 ~ EDUCATION

Know Your Rights

Know The Officer’s Rights

Law Enforcement Interaction Workshops

Feb 10th Churchill Jr. High 6pm

Feb 11th Carl Sandburg College ~ Student Center 2:30pm

Feb 12th Knox College ~ Kresge Recital Hall 7pm

Knowing what’s legal is part of the solution! Learn how to interact with authorities

# No Mike Brown’s in Galesburg

All Three Workshops Are Open To The Public Free Community Events Sponsored by Galesburg’s NAACP

Tourism in Illinois is a statewide collaboration of the Illinois office of Tourism (Enjoy Illinois), statewide convention and visitors bureaus and regional tourism entities. Our collective groups work together to offer an abundance of information locally, statewide, nationally and internationally.

Illinois is divided into four tourism marketing regions. There are four Regional Tourism Development Offices in the State: Great Rivers Country, Chicago and Beyond, Land of Lincoln and Trails to Adventure. Great Rivers Country (GRC) covers 33 counties on the western and central part of Illinois from Galena to Cairo. It’s about 490 miles or so from Galena to Cairo. The four Regional Tourism Development Offices, including ours, work with the Convention and Visitor Bureaus that are located in their respective coverage areas to promote tourism for the State of Illinois. You are welcome to call or visit the Great Rivers Country office where all official Illinois tourism information is available.

The president of Great Rivers Country is Roger Carmak. He has been overseeing this office for decades. Roger also assists the state with international marketing. He is often traveling to England, Toronto, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, just to name a few. Roger and his staff work hand in hand with our office to promote Galesburg and Knox County overseas.

Our regional office publishes guides for many things including golfing, bald eagle watching, antiques, a wine trail, bicycling and more. They also manage all the tourist information centers in the region, coordinating all the information the TICs provide. We have all the

GRC information at the Galesburg Welcome Center. But, you are welcome to contact them at (877) 477-7007, [email protected], or at www.greatriverscountry.info.

The Illinois Great River Road National Scenic Byway, which follows the Mississippi River’s shoreline, is part of Great Rivers County and provides ample opportunities to explore the rich heritage of the Mississippi River. It represents four centuries of history and heritage, a compilation of thousands of stories that paints the picture of America’s evolution. Its 550-mile route on Illinois’ western border offers breathtaking views and majestic landscapes. The banks and bluffs of the Mississippi attract thousands of species that travel thousands of miles for a visit or to make themselves a home. For a map and information about the multitude of events and destinations along the Great River Road visit their website at www.greatriverroad-illinois.org.

February brings one of Galesburg’s most popular and anticipated events to the area. The Galesburg Historical Society’s Chocolate Festival is a confectionary’s dream come true. There will be all manner of chocolate creations to see and sample. This year’s festival will be held at 156 East on the corner of Main & Prairie Streets. The event happens on February 14 & 15 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.

At the end of February, attend the 11th annual Black Earth Film Festival at Cherry Street Restaurant and Bar. It will be in the side room on Thursday, Friday & Saturday

February 26-28.The doors open at 6:00 p.m. each night. Come and enjoy dinner and a cocktail. There will be films from all over the world with three sessions of documentaries, shorts & animation. For more information visit www.blackearthfest.com

As I have reported in the past, tourism in Illinois has had a boom over the last three years. With each year we have broken records for domestic and international tourism. In 2013, 103.5 million domestic visitors spending $31.9 billion for increases of 4.5% and 3.1% respectively for 2012. It looks like 2014 will continue the trend. A very welcome benefit of all those travelers is the $237,419,080 is tax revenues due to the Illinois hotel-motel tax. State and local tax revenue was more than $2.6 billion in 2013. Overall, tourism saves the average Illinois household $1,300 in taxes each year.


Bill MorrisExecutive Director,Galesburg Area

Convention & Visitors [email protected]


Galesburg Area Chamber Welcomes New Board Members, Officers for 2015

The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Adam Sampson, Brenda Egenlauf, and Chris Bayer to the Board of Directors. All were elected by the Chamber membership and seated at the January meeting. They will be serving a three-year term from January 2015 to December 2017.

Adam Sampson has been the CEO at the Knox County YMCA since 2012 and previously worked in the YMCA movement for eight years.

Brenda Egenlauf is owner of Chez Willy’s restaurant along with her husband Bill.

Chris Bayer is the Regional Sales Coordinator for AFLAC.

In another move, the Chamber Board appointed Stephen Browning to fill a vacant seat for the remainder of its term. Browning is Vice President, Senior Trust Officer for F&M Bank.

“The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Adam, Brenda, Chris, and Stephen to the Board of Directors and looks forward to their participation, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to move the business community forward,” said Executive Director Steven N. Brody.

Also re-elected to another three-year term was Don Shadensack of OSF St. Mary Medical Center.

The Chamber Board of Directors also voted to install its officers for 2015. They are: David Pearson (Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home & Cremation Services) as Chairman, Jeannette Kleine (MAK Properties of Illinois) as Vice Chairman, Tom McIntire (Barash & Everett LLC) as Treasurer, and Don Shadensack (OSF St. Mary Medical Center) as Immediate Past Chairman.

The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for area business and member interests, while providing quality resources, services, and leadership to its current and future members.

BENEFITS OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

Newsletter Inserts

One of the benefits of being a Chamber member is the opportunity to place a flyer insert (must be in .jpg or .pdf format) in our monthly newsletter. You can promote a special sale, a new business feature, an upcoming event, etc. The ideas are endless. Some things our newsletter highlights is our events, new members, member recognitions (under “Toot Your Own Horn”), ribbon cuttings. It reaches 850 Chamber individuals in addition to anyone accessing our website for information about the Galesburg area.

“THIS WEEK AT THE CHAMBER”

Sent every Monday to announce Chamber & Member happenings & events for the current and upcoming week. These emails are sent out to the Chamber's email listthrough Constant Contact.

NEW FOR

PAYPAL

When signing up to attend a Chamber event you are NOW able to pay at the same time by using PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to do this. When you select the "Pay with PayPal or Credit Card" option on the registration form, you will have the option to pay with your PayPal account or as "guest" with yourcredit or debit card.

Introducing a member benefit for NEW Chamber members beginning in 2015!!!!

When a business joins the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, that business will now receive a gift certificate to use for advertising on any of Prairie Radio Communications’ three stations: WAIK 1590 AM, WRAM Classic Country 1330 AM, or WMOI Sunny 97.7 FM. Certificates cannot be used toward existing advertising and cannot be redeemed for cash. The certificate is good for six (6) months from the date of issuance, and is valued at $250.00!

Have you visited our new website yet? (www.galesburg.org) Galesburg.org reaches not only local people, but is viewed by thousands of individuals seeking information about the Galesburg and Knox County area. You are now able to advertise on our website:

Size 285 x 100 pixel Price: $300.00 per year $200.00 per 6 months

For more information contact the Chamber at [email protected] or 309-343-1194.

DID YOU KNOW?THIS WEEK AT THE CHAMBER has two new links: • “ChamberMade”ablogbyStevenBrody,publishedbyTheRegister-Mail• Thelinktoourprintablenewsletteronourwebsite

http://www.galesburg.org

Promote Your Business Through MembershipYou've already made a wise choice by becoming a member of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, now you can use that membership to promote your business to other Chamber members as well as the local community.

WANT TO HOST AN EVENT?

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS (BAH) is the Chamber's premier networking event held from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. at a member's business location. This evening networking opportunity is available for hosting throughout the year for only $350.00. Members visit the sponsor’s place of business at no charge which showcases their location and

products or services. It is also an opportunity for the sponsor to tell us about the business. This is a great opportunity to meet and get to know other community members while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. Call the Chamber office today to schedule hosting BAH in 2015.

Galesburg On The Go – Lunch (GOTG) is another great networking opportunity. GOTG is held from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Besides meeting friends and making new acquaintances, members who sponsor this event present information about the business or organization to other members and associates. Presentations are 15 -

20 minutes and the cost for sponsoring is only $200.00. If GOTG is more to your liking, call the Chamber office today to schedule hosting GOTG in 2015.

WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CHAMBER

1 VISIT THE CHAMBER ONLINE at www.galesburg.org for the most up-to-date information on Chamber events and issues. The site features an interactive events calendar, a Membership Directory search engine, and all you need to know to get involved.

2 ATTEND CHAMBER EVENTS. Whether it's networking, advocacy, education, young professionals or professional development, there is no shortage of events for members. Get involved and stay informed by clicking on our Events Calendar tab on our website.

3 JOIN A COMMITTEE. All Committees are comprised of member volunteers. We encourage you or one of your staff to join a committee that is of interest to your business or organization.

Ambassadors Serves as the Public Relations Arm of the Chamber.

Government Affairs Monitors legislative activity at all levels. Develops and maintains relationships with area elected officials. Develops the Chamber legislative agenda. Makes recommendations regarding policy positions to the Board of Directors.

Professional Development Development and implementation of leadership training programs to benefit Members and the community as a whole.

Transportation Monitors transportation issues that affect Knox County businesses and residents. Reviews transportation policies and projects and recommends positions and actions to theBoard of Directors.

Young Professionals of Galesburg Responsible for enriching the careers of Galesburg area professionals under 40 through networking, education and community service.

New Chamber Member Benefit In an effort to expand our membership services and meet our members' needs, the Galesburg Chamber announces a new marketing opportunity: the Email Blast Program. Many of our Chamber members inquire about our office sending an email "blast' to our distribution lists, on their behalf. These requests range from announcing a new product or service to advertising an upcoming event and this new program allows you, as a member, to send emails to our distribution list with the following stipulations:

• The Chamber staff will send ONE email "blast" per business day. Similar to our newsletter inserts, you will need to make a reservation for the day you want your email to be distributed. There would be NO email blasts on days when the Chamber office is closed. You may reserve spots on a first come, first served basis by calling or emailing our office.

• Email blasts will be sent "on behalf of' your business/organization. This would be stated in the email to ensure that the email is not perceived as being endorsed by the Chamber. The chamber staff reserves the right to reject an email due to its content.

• You are responsible for formatting and constructing the email and sending it to our office ([email protected]) at least 24 hours prior to the reserved date. We will NOT edit the email in any way. The Chamber office will then "blast" it to our list of over 850 individuals that have the option of forwarding it.

• You may choose to send attachments with your email blast, keeping in mind that it must not exceed the size limit and have the ability to be forwarded.

• The cost for this service is $20.00 per email blast. As a member, you can send one email blast per month. If you reserve a space, then fail to send us your email, you will still be charged the $20.00.

It is not our intention to flood our members' inboxes with emails, which is why we will limit the email blasts to ONE per day.

We are excited to share this new marketing opportunity with you and hope that this will serve as an inexpensive, yet highly effective, marketing tool for our members. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mary at [email protected] or call 343-1194.

New for 2015If you are between the ages of 21 and 40 and work at a business that is a member of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, you can now

join the Young Professionals of Galesburg at no additional cost! Simply provide our office with the names and contact information, and we will forward to that committee for future contact. Dues will still apply to individuals who are not employed by a Chamber member, and events will still have a charge to attend, regardless of your employer.

SCHEDULE

Dinner Served 5:30 to 7: 00pm Doors Open at 5:15pm

Dinners are served at Central

Congregational Church

60 Public Square, Galesburg, Illinois

[email protected]

(309) 342-KPCK

P.O. Box 1784 Galesburg, IL 61402

www.knoxprairiekitchen.org

January 8

January 22

February 12

February 26

March 12

March 26

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE...

GalaGalaGala

NAACP GALESBURG ANNUAL FREEDOM GALA

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 7TH 2015

5:30PM

KNOX COLLEGE LINCOLN ROOM

DINNER~DANCE~SILENT AUCTION

ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY—$30.00 FOR INFORMATION CALL 309-368-5500

201520152015

Documents

February newsletter