Hello Macomb area! The school season is upon us and we at the Chamber want to wish all the incoming and returning students a wonderful year!!! Of course, with new, incoming students at Western Illinois University and Spoon River College comes new customers for our wonderful businesses. Please welcome them and may your cash registers (f you still use those) overflow.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Chandler Park on September 12 for the annual Downtown Block Party. There will be tons of activities, including live music, foam party, snow cones, petting zoo, prizes, giveaways, and the ever-popular Lip Eating Contest. Don’t forget to come early to snatch your free T-shirt.
STEVEN BRODY
Executive Director
The next Business After Hours will take place on September 17. This month’s hosts are our friends at Grand Prairie. It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership.
On September 25, the Chamber is excited to welcome Heather Calcara, Outreach Liaison for the Office of the Attorney General, as she provides a presentation on how best to protect your business. Please refer to the flyer in the newsletter for further information and how to register. This event is free to Chamber members, and $10.00 for non-members.
Now is the time to sign up for our annual Legislative Luncheon on October 7 at Park Place. Registration and sponsorship information is included in the newsletter. This is one of our largest attended events of the year, and we look forward to another great turnout to meet and communicate directly with our legislators. Please register early, as over 120 people attended last year, and we would love to surpass it.
Thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. It is a pleasure working with you!!!
Hi Everybody,
So lately I have been watching a slew of Netflix documentaries about fashion brands and their marketing; American Apparel, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, Vanity Fair, Vogue. It started out as a fun escape from reality, but ended up directly impacting what I do in my daily life.
I grew up in the mall era; when young, pretty, and thin was all ideal customer. Glossy magazines projected images of what you should look like to wear a product, shop at a store, and be popular. Brands and ads told you who you were supposed to be. You reflected their ideals, not the other way around. I lived that as a teenager, even with money in hand, I was not the ideal and the one who was ignored by every salesperson. The logo wasn’t meant to be on my back. I was the customer that the store simply didn’t want. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am alone in this experience.
SHAY HOLLAND
Marketing Director
Big brands began to be called out for making people feel excluded and for sending the message that some people didn’t “belong” there. It’s like that scene in Pretty Women where the rich, Beverly Hills clerk tells Julia Roberts, “I don’t think you can afford anything.” With one interaction, the sale was gone and the trust lost. This is just one example of how damaging it can feel to not be seen.
I want you to know that’s not who we are at the Macomb Area Chamber. Every one of our members matters, no matter the size of your business, the industry you’re in, or how long you’ve been around. You’re part of this community, and we never take it lightly that we get to work on your behalf each day.
We may not be running national ad campaigns here at the Chamber, but our choices still matter. Our photos, the words we use, and the stories we tell say a lot about who is welcome here The Chamber story isn’t just written by one type of business or one kind of leader. It’s built by you, which means you get to shape and mold it to fit you and never the other way around.
So it’s as complex and simple as this, If my personal and professional brand doesn't make you feel good about yourself or the world, then I'm not doing my job correctly. And I promise if I ever get it wrong, call me on it immediately. I promise it will never take me years, or even decades, to make sure my marketing resources make you feel seen and welcome. That is my vision, my mission, my goal.
Reach out to me anytime and let’s make it a great month!
Q98.1 Classic Hits
Steven & Shay
August 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.
150% CLUB 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.
Dr.Matthew McClure
150% CLUB 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.
Financial Advisor: Seth Minter
KALI FOXALL
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
RIBBON CUTTING RIBBON CUTTING
Hammond and Anderson open new Macomb office
The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on August 4 for the relocation of the Illinois District Office of Senator Neil Anderson and Representative Norine Hammond at 325 East Washington Street in Macomb, Illinois. Hammond and Anderson also share an office in Aledo, which Anderson oversees, the Macomb office is overseen by Hammond.
After the move from North Lafayette Street, the centrally-located office reaffirms their shared dedication to accessible, responsive public service, and a commitment to serving the western Illinois region. Information: 309-836-2707 norinehammond.org
RIBBON CUTTING RIBBON CUTTING
YMCA
Childcare Center celebrates new playground
The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on August 13 as the YMCA of McDonough County Community Childcare Center, 520 E. Piper St. in Macomb, and the Regional Office of Education #26 Preschool for All program came together to install a brand new playground.
As Chelsea Ladd, Director of Preschool for All ROE 26, puts it, “This playground reflects our commitment to learning through play, creativity, and connection.”
After 30 years, the new playground features slides, climbing structures, imaginative play panels, and shaded areas for all toddler and preschool students.
Information: Preschool for All, visit roe26.net or YMCA Childcare Center, visit macombymca.org.
Royce Gracie Academy of Macomb (1601 W. Jackson St., Macomb,Illinois)hasawardedTheTop300MartialArtsSchools intheWorldrecognition,bySparkMembership,agloballeader inmartialartsschoolmanagementsoftware.Sparkworkswith thousands of academies across the world and uses their extensivedataandindustryinsightstohighlightschoolsmaking arealimpactintheircommunities
Graham Health System is investing $250,000 in Spoon River College’s (SRC) new Macomb campus to create a School of Nursing and Allied HealthLearningLab.Thispartnershipprovidesaclear,affordablepathway forstudentstoearnRegisteredNursingcertificationatSRCandcontinue toaBachelorofScienceinNursingatGrahamHospitalCollegeofNursing, helping retain healthcare professionals in Fulton, McDonough, and Mason Counties.“Thisinvestmentisaboutbuildingastrongfoundationforfuture caregivers,” said Graham CEO Bob Senneff SRC President Dr Curt Oldfield added, “We’re proud to work alongside Graham to invest in students, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and meet emerging needs.”
While the initial focus is on core healthcare programs, the Allied Health LearningLabisdesignedtogrowandadaptasthehealthcarefieldevolves, withthepotentialtoincorporatetechnologieslikeartificialintelligence(AI) inthefuture.
Information:www.src.edu
Thecriteriaforthisrankingincludefactorssuchas:
Student growth and retention (the ability to not just attract students,butalsokeepthemengagedandprogressing)
Operational excellence (professionalism, leadership, and consistencyinhowtheacademyisrun)
Overall reputation and culture (building a school that represents thevaluesofmartialartsandpositivelyinfluencespeople’slives.
TheAcademystates,“ForusattheRoyceGracieAcademyofMacomb, thisrecognitionisespeciallymeaningful Itreflectsnotonlythequality of Jiu Jitsu instruction, but also the culture we’ve built helping kids grow in confidence, teaching adults practical self-defense, and providing families a place to grow stronger together. Being recognized alongside schools worldwide is a humbling reminder that what we’re doinghereinMacombismakingarealdifference.
Information:www.roycegraciemacomb.com
CHA M BER
GIFTCER T ICIFATE S
Chamber Gift Certificates Features:
Available in any amount
Never expire
Redeemable at 140+ local businesses
Looking for a gift that fits everyone and supports your community at the same time?
Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect choice for and anyone who loves to shop, dine, and experience all that the Macomb area area has to offer.
Each year, nearly $200,000 in Chamber Gift Certificates is spent at local Chamber member businesses.
Keep dollars right here in our community Keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.
Available at the Following Locations:
Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce
Clock Tower Community Bank
First Bankers Trust Company
MidAmerica National Bank
Help us spread the word: Your Chamber business can opt in to accept gift certificates. Buy Chamber Gift Certificates for holidays, birthdays, thank yous, employee appreciation, and more. Tell your friends and family about them. Choose local first.
United Community Bank . Redemption fees are now 1.75% instead of 1.5%.
This change helps us continue providing a quality program while remaining affordable. Thank you for your support.
