What is your chamber doing for Chamber of Commerce Week?
Let us know what you plan on doing for Chamber of Commerce week.
We will post your activities below as we receive them.
The Chambers of Commerce across Lower Lake County are proud to join the statewide celebration of Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week, taking place September 7–13, 2025.
This year, we’re highlighting the full spectrum of what it means to be part of a Chamber—networking, education, community connection, growth, and advocacy—with seven engaging events designed to serve local businesses at every stage. From panels on inclusion and equity to tech-forward workshops and signature networking gatherings, our lineup shows the many ways Chambers care for business and the people behind them.
We’re especially excited about the diversity of this week’s offerings:
•Tools for navigating solo aging
•Supporting neurodiverse and disabled employees
•Tackling systemic business challenges
•Embracing AI for smarter operations
•And of course, celebrating community with our ever-popular Fleming’s Business After Hours
Here’s what’s on tap:
🔹 Lunch & Learn: Navigating Solo Aging – Sept. 8
🔹 Business Advantage Network (BAN) – Sept. 9
🔹 Disability Inclusion Panel: Equity & Advocacy – Sept. 9
🔹 Ribbon Cutting at Blackfish Rotary Sushi – Sept. 9
🔹 Fleming’s Business After Hours – Sept. 10
🔹 AI Tools & Tactics for Small Business (Power Lunch) – Sept. 11
🔹 DBR Networkers Breakfast – Sept. 12
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or new to the community, this week is about you—your growth, your challenges, and your place in our shared business ecosystem.
In celebration of September’s Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry is sponsoring a month of networking and fundraising events, and offer recruitment incentives for new and reactivating members.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proclaimed September 8-14 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois and Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin will issue a Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 8-14 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst.
Prospective members will have their $25 registration fee waived if they join in September or they can try out a three-month courtesy membership ending in November.
Last April, ECCI hired entrepreneur, small business consultant and First Ward Elmhurst Alderman Jennifer Veremis as its Director of Member Services with responsibilities for new member recruitment and membership retention.
September events include “Networking on the 9s,” our Chamber’s 76th Annual Golf Outing at Sugar Creek Golf Outing in Villa Park on September 20, monthly Business After Hours hosted by Ella’s Italian Pub on September 6 leading into the Opening Night of Rock The Block in downtown Elmhurst sponsored by Elmhurst City Centre and the return of a Business Expo at Elm West Banquets on September 26 after a 10-year hiatus.
“Networking on the 9s” also will included participation by members of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce for the third year in a row.
With fundraising support from ECCI’s Centennial Celebration NFP, the City of Elmhurst will dedicate a First Responders Memorial sculpture outside Fire Station No. 2 on 9/11.
September also signals the start of display advertising sales for the 2025 Elmhurst Community Directory, produced in partnership with the Elmhurst Suburban Life/Shaw Media. Come January, Directories will be Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)-delivered to some 19,800 residential, business and Post Office Box addresses across Elmhurst.
We are holding an Open House!
Geneseo businesses were celebrated at the following locations:
UpLoved – 780 S. Chicago St.
Erdman Constriction – 113 S. Chicago St. #2
Jenna Eden Designs – 135 S. State St. #335
Hertz Farm Management – 613 E. Ogden Ave.
“Chambers of Commerce play an important role in communities across Illinois.” said Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. “Imagine Geneseo without a Chamber of Commerce. No events like Christmas Walk or Music Fest, no promotion of the community, and no stories to tell to get people excited about Geneseo. Our Chamber in Geneseo tells the story of Geneseo – celebrating our successes, promoting our community events, and putting a spotlight on our small business community so it can continue to shine. The Geneseo Chamber is grateful and fortunate to have so much support from the Geneseo business community. The magic does not happen without the support of our member businesses. We work hard to provide tangible benefits to our members, and I think the community sees that.”
The Canton Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating this upcoming week in a very special way – by playing the game “Who’s that Chamber Member?” The game is relatively simple: guess the name of the 150% Club Member from the clues in the pictures posted on Facebook. If an individual guesses correctly, they are then entered into a drawing to win $50 in Chamber Checks. The Canton Area Chamber of Commerce has around 72 affiliated businesses and organizations, and they will each receive a shout-out when they are correctly identified. Overall, this game will do several things: 1. It gets folks to recognize our Chamber placards or window clings when they are out and about, which helps promote the Canton Chamber, 2. It brings wonderful exposure for our selected Chamber members and, 3. It encourages everyone to support our local businesses and organizations.
On Tuesday September 5th at the Sterling City Council meeting Mayor Merdian presented Kris Noble, Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Chamber, with a proclamation declaring September 10th – 16 as Chamber of Commerce Week. This proclamation recognizes the contributions of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber in our community. Learn more about the Sauk Valley Chamber Week Celebration here.
Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce will be offering a $25 discount for any new or lapsed member joining the Chamber. They also will be offering a 25% discount on print advertising in our upcoming 2024 Chamber Directory & Buyer’s Guide. Those promos will be in place by the end of this week.
Monday: Mayor Frattini will be issuing an official proclamation at the Herrin City Council meeting for “Chamber of Commerce Week” and ribbon cutting at a local business.
Tuesday: Family friendly ice cream social after hours event. The only cost to attend is the cost of your ice cream.
Throughout the rest of the week, we will be out and about visiting with members all around our community and yes, we will be bringing the big “We are Herrin” signs with us.
We will be wrapping up the week with a Citywide “Shop local. Shop Smart.” Sidewalk Sale!
2022 has been a year of great successes for our Chamber and community.
Monday and Tuesday: testimonial videos from some of our members featured on our page and a written an article to put in the local papers.
Wednesday: hosting an Open House in our new office location with a ribbon cutting. serving desserts from chamber members and swag giveaways.
Thursday: Business After Hours at a local bank who will give a testimony of why they are a Chamber Member.
Friday: Homecoming parade. The theme of Homecoming this year is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming”, a spin off from the Wizard of Oz. The chamber will decorate a UTV with a large Glinda crown and pink tulle fabric and put a sign that says “You’ve Had the Power All Along….to Join the Chamber! Come join our team and we will get you to where you want to be.” I also plan to dress up as Glinda the good witch complete with wand
Our focus for the week is growing our membership by describing why Chamber Membership is an amazing benefit to every business and organization. We will be offering incentives for new potential members to join during the month of September by offering $50 off their 2022 dues.
The 56th Morton Pumpkin Festival, “Pumpkins Go 80s” celebrating the Pumpkin Capital of the World with our Gather & Give-Back mission September 14-17, 2022
Morton Chamber of Commerce members are their vendor partners for food, product and services for their local festival impact.
Events and activities begin Friday September 9
https://www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org/
The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week through the use of a social campaign. By using a social campaign, the Naperville Area Chamber was able to honor their Chamber throughout their community, spanning across each day of Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week. View the social campaign in the slideshow below!
The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce celebrated Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week by opening up an online apparel store. The Evergreen Park Chamber offered “EP Proud” branded T-shirts for purchase. The shirts feature a unique design created by a local Chamber member and are a wonderful way for residents and business owners alike to display their commitment to the community. The chamber also hosted a luncheon and online bingo game for members at a local restaurant on September 17.