PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NKCC, Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce, is a regional chamber serving the communities of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee. Having worked for the chamber for the past 17 years, I have witnessed the business landscape change significantly. Online shopping, social media engagement, other web-based interactions, have deprived us of the personal relationships and dedicated attention that used to accompany our business transactions. During these changes, chambers have struggled to find relevance: competing with busy schedules and a myriad of other networking opportunities and choices. Some question whether chambers are relevant or necessary today. Here is my answer. Chambers offer the business community a place to come together and share ideas, make new connections, and expand their contact base. Networking opportunities are offered in a multitude of formats and at a variety of times to suit varying schedules. In addition, chambers offer educational seminars and professional development on relevant topics such as marketing, finance, social media, and tools to help the small business owner with limited resources succeed.

In addition to educational and networking opportunities, chambers offer access and advocacy with local government. The NKCC works closely with Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee through community events and other local initiatives to promote shopping local businesses. The past few years has challenged the chamber, our businesses, communities, and ourselves. When circumstances arise that can negatively affect any of us, the chamber quickly goes into action providing resources, information, and support for those impacted. We have been able to do this because we have strong leadership and communication. Our Board, Ambassadors, volunteers, and staff believe in the mission of the chamber and our members know the value of NKCC. The chamber is an essential organization. As we continue to navigate the changing environment we are faced with, I passionately believe, strong businesses make strong communities. We will continue to work with area service organizations and clubs in an on-going effort to make our community a destination and a place people can be proud to call home. We genuinely believe that when we all work together, we all win by making the Northern Kane County region a wonderful place to live, visit, shop and do business!

Northern Kane County Chamberof Commerce

In 2022 the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce launched a Gift Certificate program. The program allows members of the community to purchase a gift certificate and then use them at over 30 restaurants, spas, salons and shops in Northern Kane. For a complete list of participating businesses, please visit www.nkccevents.com.

Shop, Explore, & Dine Local with Northern Kane County Gift Cards When you shop locally, you support an entire community, not just a business.

For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community.

Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors.

Buying from a locally owned business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.