January News 2026

CHAMBER CONNECTION CONNECTION WELCOME TO

JANUARY 2026

A DIGITAL LOOK

AT YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY

MACOMBAREACHAMBER.COM

YOUR CHAMBER OUR MISSION 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.

OUR VISION To promote the growth and development of the Macomb Area.

OUR SERVICES Increased Visibility Networking Opportunities Business Resources Advertising & Marketing Educational Connections

OUR INFORMATION

OUR PURPOSE The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce strives to promote the development and growth of the Macomb area by serving as a resource for visitors and residents, as well as being an active voice for business and commerce. Our strong commitment to our membership and community partnerships keep Macomb and McDonough County and the forefront of business development.

(309) 837-4855 info@macombareachamber.com www.macombareachamber.com

STEVEN BRODY Executive Director

2026 represents a milestone year at the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. In September of 1936, the Macomb Community Association was incorporated with the State of Illinois. As we enter our 90th year, we look forward to continuing our mission of serving the business and non-profit community throughout Macomb and McDonough County.

You should begin receiving contact with our friends at Community News about placing an ad in our next Community Guide and Business Directory. Now is the time to notify our office of any pertinent contact information updates related to your business or organization. We want to make sure that your information is correct not only in our system, but in the publication which will be seen by thousands. Please remember that only members in good standing are listed in the publication, so please make sure you are current on your renewal investment with us.

Our first Business After Hours of the year will be on January 21 from 4:30-6pm at Park Place in Downtown Macomb. If you have not been inside this beautiful venue, this is a great opportunity to experience it for yourself. You might decide to host your next event there. Business After Hours is always a wonderful way to network with colleagues and peers in our community as a benefit of membership. Of course, feel free to bring a non-member along and encourage them to join!

Speaking of Park Place, we will be celebrating our 2025 Annual Awards there on February 5. Please register for this wonderful event and discover who will be selected as Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Service Organization/Non-Profit of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year.

Shay and I look forward to working with you again this year, and we are preparing to redeem the tens of thousands of gift certificates that were purchased during the Holiday season.

We are grateful to everyone that embraces the “Shop Local” spirit to support our business community.

Thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce.

steven@macombareachamber.com

309.837.4855

SHAY HOLLAND Marketing Director

Hi Everybody, So let’s talk 2026. To some of you, you are ready to run right into a new year. That calendar flip brings hope, perspective, and opportunity.

Welcome 2026! To some of you, you are limping into the next year still battered, bruised, and just trying to stay afloat. Good riddance 2025!.

To some of you, you are ready to hesitantly dip a toe in the water. What if 2026 is exactly the same? To some of you, you could care less what year it is, nothing ever changes, you say. To some of you, you just want to fly under the radar, do your work, and stay safe regardless of the year.

To all of you, we at the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce will meet you where you are. If you are ready to go full force into 2026, we're ready to help turn your ideas into reality and set you on the path to thrive. If you are barely hanging on, we're ready to compassionately, baby step help you to survive.

shay@macombareachamber.com

However, you are greeting the new year; there is a spot for you at the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. With hundreds of members and thousands of business professionals, we are committed to making sure you feel heard and important.

We know that not just some of you, but all of you, have different expectations and needs. Not just some of you, but all of you, are unique in your positions and passions. Your story is what makes the community such a great one, even if you are feeling a little messy right now.

If you do nothing else in 2026, make this the year you make your Chamber needs known. Whether you are entering the new year on the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, let us meet you where you are. Hit us up with all your new ideas, reach out with your questions, and we'll tackle it all together.

As we slide into 2026 - whatever they looks like for you, we hope to continue to work with you and be a resource to lean on for support, encouragement, and resources. We will keep coming up with tools to help you live and love local. We welcome you to share yours with us at any time. My contact information is above and I encourage you to use it as many times as you need to; I promise no idea is too small or no question is too weird. That's what I, and the Macomb Area Chamber, are here for; to help you find the resources and information you need to be your best business self.

Let’s make it a great year!

309.837.4855

DECEMBER RENEWALS Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us as we can continue our partnership for another great year.

We appreciate your support of the area business community and wish you much success.

Financial Advisor: Preston Gray

AMBER PATRICK

FOUNDATION

150% CLUB The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

RICH WESTEN

NICK CURTIS

BAILEY CALE

GENE CURTIS

GREG J. BUTLER, CPA

Dr. Matthew McClure

150% CLUB The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

KALI FOXALL

THE BUSINESS LEAD Financial Advisor: Seth Minter

STEVE SILBERER

Evan’s Recycling

COMMUNITY EVENTS

FEELING CAMERA READY? WANT TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A BOOST?

BOOK A FACEBOOK LIVE WITH US We'll come to you, film a FREE fun video, tag your business, and wait for all of the likes to roll in.

It's as easy as that!

Open to all Chamber members in good standing.

EMAIL SHAY@MACOMBAREACHAMBER.COM

RIBBON CUTTING

MACOMB AREA CHAMBER WELCOMES ZACH TRUE - SHELTER INSURANCE Macomb, IL - The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on December 9 to welcome Zach True, Shelter Insurance (137 S. Randolph St.) to the Chamber, Downtown Macomb, and the area business community.

In business since September 2025, Zach True specializes in coverage for auto, home, vehicles, renters, business, special events insurance needs, and more.

Hours are Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturdays Noon-3 pm, Closed Sundays.

Information: call (309) 836-3000 or visit shelterinsurance.com

Member Moments A SPOT TO SHARE YOUR BUSINESS WINS

Zach True - Shelter Insurance completes training MACOMB, ILLINOIS - Shelter Insurance Agent, Zach True completed the Fundamental Training Track program via the Shelter Insurance Companies corporate training requirement program in Peoria, Illinois on November 20, 2025. Zach True - Shelter Insurance is located at 137 S. Randolph St. Information: call (309) 836-3000 or visit Shelter Insurance.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

SuPPORT L oCAL

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Looking for a gift that fits everyone and supports your community at the same time?

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Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect choice for anyone who loves to shop, dine, and experience all that our local businesses have to offer.

Available at the Following Locations: Fun Features: Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce Clock Tower Community Bank First Bankers Trust Company MidAmerica National Bank United Community Bank

Available in any Amount Never Expire Redeemable at 140 locations Keep Dollars right in your Community

(309) 837-4855 ------ info@macombareachamber.com ------ 214 N. Lafayette St. - Macomb, IL

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

MIDAMERICA NATIONAL BANK - DECEMBER 17

MEET THE MEET THE TEAM TEAM Thank you for support and continued partnership.

We are honored to get to work alongside you.

Steven Brody

Shay Holland

Executive Director

Marketing Director

214 N. Lafayette St. - Macomb, IL

309-837-4855