August 2011
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ATHENA Recipient Selected

Lisa Morel Las has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Joliet Region Chamber's ATHENA Award.  Lisa becomes the 24th Chamber ATHENA recipient, and will be honored by the Chamber and the Council for Working Women at a luncheon on Thursday, September 1st at the Holiday Inn Joliet Hotel & Conference Center.

The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by D'Arcy Automobiles and PNC Bank, is presented annually to an area leader who demonstrates outstanding commitment to their profession, their community and to the advancement of women. 

Click here for full article:

http://www.jolietchamber.com/newsletter/lisalas.htm

New Educators Breakfast

The Joliet Chamber cordially invites you to our 14th annual New Educators Breakfast on Monday, August 8 at Harrah's Joliet Casino, Lake Tahoe Room, 7:30 a.m.  All new teachers and principals in the Joliet Region from public and parochial schools will be introduced to the education and business community.  Cost to attend is $20, which includes full breakfast buffet.  Reservations are required!  Please visit www.jolietchamber.com.  Also, sponsorships are available for $250 - please call the Chamber office for more information.

Chamber Night at Silver Cross Field

Tickets are still available for Chamber Night / Back To School Rally at Silver Cross Field on Wednesday, August 10th.  Come and spend an enjoyable evening out with fellow Chamber members, while watching the Joliet Slammers take on the Gateway Grizzlies.  Game time is 7:05 p.m. and tickets are only $5.00 each!  (that's 1/2 off the regular price of a box seat!).  There will be many fun activities throughout the evening for the kids!  Bring the whole family...tickets may be purchased/picked up at the Joliet Chamber office, 63 N. Chicago St. in City Center.

Community Leadership School (CLS)

Openings still remain for the Chamber's 34th annual Community Leadership School (CLS), beginning on Thursday, September 1st and continuing each Thursday for eleven weeks. 

This is a great opportunity for up and coming business leaders in the area - or for business leaders who are new to the Joliet area.  Each session meets at a different location each week - and each week is a different topic.  Topics range from volunteerism, to education to healthcare to regional development.

The class is open to the first 40 participants who enroll.   Each participant works on a team "project" which is presented to the class at the last session.  Then, on the final evening, there is a "graduation" ceremony on the stage of the Rialto Theatre!

Anyone who has ever attended CLS finds it to be a very worthwhile and memorable experience - and some of the people they meet in their class become lifelong friends!  Call the Chamber for an application before the class is filled - or go to www.jolietchamber.com to download the application.

Business Doing Business After Hours

The Chamber's Annual BUSINESS DOING BUSINESS AFTER HOURS will take place on Thursday, October 27 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Joliet Hotel & Conference Center. 

This is the Chamber's annual Business to Business EXPO, combined with our monthly BUSINESS AFTER HOURS.  You can purchase a table to display your product/service for only $95!  Please watch your Chamber mail for registration information, or visit www.jolietchamber.com to register or for more info.

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MEMBER NOTES & NEWS BRIEFS

Will County Habitat For Humanity Restore is looking for items to be donated to their Home Improvement & Furniture Outlet such as appliances, cabinets, counter tops, tools, lighting, windows, etc.  You can get a receipt for your taxes and arrange for a pick-up for large items.   For more information, please contact Mic Brophy at 815-791-1150 or visit www.habitatwill.org.

Lewis University is hosting a Summer Fest for Little Hands Big Hearts, a non for profit Children's Foundation, on August 20, 2011 from 12 - 9 p.m.  This event is sponsored in part by by PinPoint Mortgage Corporation and Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell.  You may purchase your tickets at any CBHB or PinPoint offices, or at www.littlehandsbighearts.us.  Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center has been rated 11th among 121 Chicago area hospitals by US News & World Report.  The prestigious survey ranked 5,000 hospitals across the US based on specific criteria, including death rates, number of patients and procedures, and professional reputation.

Joliet Central High School is in need of businesses to participate in a Career Fair on Thursday, October 27th.  If your business is interested in participating, please email

btuxford@jths.org for more information.

Future Diagnostics Group is hosting a Rally for the Cure Golf Outing on Saturday, September 10, 2011.  Rally for the Cure is a grassroots organization that works to spread awareness about breast health and breast cancer through golf, tennis and dining events.  They invite you to join in their efforts by being a sponsor at their upcoming event.  For more info, please call 815-730-3344 or email egustafson@petmrct.com or rasporuss@comcast.net.

Silver Cross Hospital has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals.  The accreditation award recognizes Silver Cross Hospital's dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards.

Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking for a Part-time Tourism Coordinator to work out of the Romeoville & Joliet locations.  This person will assist with visitor information/questions/directions, fulfill information requests, data-entry (of events, attractions, etc.) and assist with other events as needed.  Please send resume to resumes@hccvbil.com or for more information, contact Beth May at 630-226-1764.

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Ribbon Cutting at National Center For Integrative Medicine on July 16

Business After Hours at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center on July 28

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

The Rasmussen College story started over a century ago in a single building in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Since then, through their commitment to high standards and innovation, they have grown to 21 campuses throughout Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, and North Dakota with more than 55 different degree programs.  Rasmussen College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers in-demand Bachelor's and Associate degrees.  Whether on campus, online, or through blended learning models, Rasmussen College adheres to the highest standards of education and student support.

Whether you're a recent high school graduate, a transfer student from another college or someone with years of work experience, Rasmussen College is here to help you start a journey that will change your life. Rasmussen College offers a comprehensive support system to help you earn your degree.

Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  Rasmussen College is a proud member of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Rasmussen College and its programs, please call 888-5Rasmussen or visit www.Rasmussen.edu - or for corporate partnership information contact Joe De Johns at joseph.dejohns@rasmussen.edu

Open House/Ribbon Cutting - Wednesday, August 3 @ ABC Wellness & Rehab PC, 3524 Caton Farm Road, Joliet from 5 - 7 p.m.

Energy Information Meeting - Thursday, August 11 @ Holiday Inn Joliet Hotel & Conference Center.  Hosted by Vanguard Energy Services, LLC.  8:30 a.m. - Please call the Chamber to reserve!

Volunteer Opportunity - Tuesday, August 16 @ Haunted Trails, 1423 N. Broadway St. in Joliet.  In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Cost is $10 at the door.  Includes one round of golf with your "little brother or sister" and pizza & pop!  5:30 - 7 p.m.  Reservations are requested.

Business After Hours - Thursday, August 25 @ Traditions Restaurant & Pub, 3000 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet. 

5 - 7 p.m.  $2.00 cover charge.

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View our list of NEW members
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A. BARR SALES INC.

Abri Credit Union

AT&T

Berman Capital Management & Research

Brodnicki Group / Market America

D Oxley Construction, Inc.

Hometown National Bank

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Mortenson Construction

NextMedia Radio Group

NICOR Gas

Nowacki Insurance Agency

NuMark Credit Union

R. Berti Building Solutions

Senior Helpers Caring In Home Companions

Senior Suites of Joliet

Servpro of Joliet

Smithereen Pest Management Services

Turk Furniture

Vitas Innovative Hospice Care

Wingate by Wyndham

Exciting New Announcement !!!

We are excited to announce that our members can now access our new Business / Membership Directory as well as a new Calendar / Online Registration page. 

First, when you visit our Chamber home page you can easily click on Business/Membership Directory and you will be taken to a newly designed search page.  From here you may search for members by company name and/or business categories.  A full category drop down menu is available as well as an improved key word search function.  Once a business or category has been displayed, new options appear as well in terms of business information. A scrolling list of new members appears on the right sidebar and you now have a feature that allows you to start your own list and/or roster to save for future reference. 

Second, we have added a brand new and easy to use Calendar of Events page that now allows all members to register and pay for their luncheon, dinner, etc online with a credit card or opt for an invoice to be sent out.  No more faxing or mailing or calling in a reservation (we'll still gladly accept) as you can now complete your registration and receive confirmation right away.  You can view the entire calendar in a special view and print out. Also, now you can set up a reminder to be sent directly to your inbox for an event.  Finally, you now have the option to import the events directly into Microsoft Outlook which is especially useful in this time of smart phone use. 

Take some time and check out both of these new features and we suggest that you utilize them to their fullest capabilities. You can feel free to contact us if you need help in one of the areas.