Update - December 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Mike Murphy President and CEO

They say, “Time flies when you are having fun”. If that is the case, then I must be having fun! The first year as President & CEO of the Chamber flew by. I have enjoyed being involved in so many activities and events this past year and I am proud of our many accomplishments. Having the responsibility of heading up the second largest chamber in Illinois with 1,300 members has its challenges, but it also gives me the opportunity to have a seat at the table and represent those members on a variety of issues.

This past year I have been asked to serve on 13 different boards, committees and working groups, which includes ones like

ONE YEAR UNDER MY BELT

the Springfield Rail Improvement Project Steering Committee and the University of Illinois iHub Public Policy Working Group, to name a few. All tackle a variety of issues, and my service in this capacity allows our 1,300 members to be represented on these groups that have a positive impact on the community, and in many cases, will be transformational for our business community for many years into the future.

We held nearly a dozen events in 2022, but I want to highlight two: Our Shoes, Brew & Biz was one of our largest Chamber events ever with 832 guests learning about 50 business vendors while taste testing offerings from seven restaurants and five micro-breweries.

Our Corporate Cup Challenge Golf Outing was an early sellout with 54 teams of golfers enjoying perfect weather both days.

We increased our member benefits offerings to include an Association Group Health Plan and a 401k plan, giving members an opportunity to provide these benefits to their employees. Our Leadership Springfield is a very successful program and will graduate its largest Class this year. A priority of mine was to create a pathway for the next generation of leaders of the Chamber - starting in 2023

Chamber’s Core Functions Advocacy

we will have an opportunity for those graduates and other young professionals to continue their engagement with The Chamber through RISE, our newly created young professional program. RISE will have networking opportunities and professional development along with a community service aspect to their mission.

I am also proud that we announced The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Business Scholarship, which will award $2,500 annually to a junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in the business program at UIS. The first recipient will be selected in the summer of 2023. We plan on this being the first of many ways we work with local highereducation institutions to support their students in a variety of workforce efforts.

I am excited about the potential of 2023 and look forward to being able to take advantage of more opportunities to enhance our business community. Happy Holidays and thank you for giving me this tremendous opportunity to work with and for you.

Resources & Support

Leadership & Professional Development

Visibility & Connections That Matter

Executive Committee

Chair

Mark Donovan

Chair-Elect

Sharon Riechers BUNN

1st Vice Chair

Kayla Edwards Express Employment Professionals

Vice Chair

Tyler Cormeny O’Shea Builders

Secretary/Treasurer

Josh Shugart KEB

At-Large Directors

Roger Austin Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.

Kathyy Battee-Freeman University of Illinois Springfield

Jennifer Boyer Springfield Clinic, LLP

Chris Bullock Capitol Radio Group

Jennifer Call ..................................................... TROXELL

Mylas Copeland Green Toyota Volkswagen Audi

Kevin Corbin Edward Jones

Dr. Ruby Davis Ruby Funeral Services & Chapel, Inc.

Michelle Eccles Horace Mann

Anna Evans Memorial Health

Josh Flanders

Buzz Bomb Brewing Co.

Ronda Folkerts Hanson Professional Services Inc. Angela

Solomon Colors, Inc.

ANNUAL GALA SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 3

VOLUNTEERS, OTHERS TO BE RECOGNIZED

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Gala, presented by PNC Bank, on Friday, February 3 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center.

This prestigious dinner provides an opportunity to gather with top business and community leaders throughout Sangamon County. This year, we will recognize exceptional volunteer leaders, share accomplishments from the prior year and provide the Chamber’s vision and priorities for the year ahead. Leadership Springfield graduates from the Class of 2022 will be recognized, as well as recipients of the 2022 Small Business Awards.

The evening will begin with cocktails starting at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm, and the program at 7:45 pm, followed by a networking reception.

Tickets are available at $75 per person for Chamber members on or before the early bird deadline of Friday, January 13 ($90 after this date) or $950 to sponsor a table of 10. To register, visit www. gscc.org.

We hope you will join us, other Chamber members, and community leaders for what promises to be a great evening!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PREMIER SPONSORS

STATE RETIREMENT PLAN MANDATE

PLANS NOW REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYERS WITH 16+ EMPLOYEES

As of November 1, Illinois state law requires every Illinois employer with sixteen (16) or more full-time and/or part-time (FT/PT) employees to offer their own retirement program, either through a private plan or through Illinois Secure Choice, a retirement program offered through the Illinois State Treasurer’s office.

Employers who do not comply with the law will be subject to fines and penalties as described in 820 ILCS 80/85. Employers are not required to contribute financially to these programs.

Employers that meet the following criteria must comply with the law:

• Employ sixteen (16) or more FT and/or PT employees

• Business operating at least two years

• Currently do not offer a qualified saving plan such as a 401(k), SEP IRA, or Simple IRA

Effective November 1, 2023, employers with five (5) or more FT and/or PT employees will be required to comply with the law.

The Chamber has researched alternatives and is offering the new member benefit, Signature Fiduciary Connect by John Hancock, which offers small to mid-size companies a simple, flexible and easy to administer plan.

Regardless of whether your business selects a private plan or Illinois Secure Choice, it is important that your business is compliant with the law to avoid the fines and penalties.

If you have questions about this requirement and/or Signature Fiduciary Connect, go to www.gscc.org/retirement-program or contact Mike Murphy at mmurphy@gscc.org or 217-525-1173 ext. 205.

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

In Spring, 2023, city elections will be held for several offices, including Mayor of Springfield. Two candidates, incumbent Mayor James Langfelder and City Treasurer Misty Buscher, are running for the top City post.

The Chamber is partnering with Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal to host a Mayoral Forum from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on January 25 at the Hoogland Centre for the Arts. Candidates will respond to questions presented by moderator, Bernard Schoenburg, former journalist for the State Journal-Register.

When you’re targeting the Sangamon County business or consumer market, The Chamber can play an important role in your marketing plan. Chamber membership creates a strategic partnership that links your business with the proven chamber of commerce brand and that affiliation enhances your business credibility. Our exclusive marketing opportunities include:

UPDATE MAGAZINE

The Update serves as a communication and information source to keep members current with our advocacy efforts, business issues, and Chamber programs and activities. Approximately 2,000 full color copies are distributed to Chamber members, business and community leaders.

WEBSITE

The Chamber’s website is a trusted source of business information and one of the reasons individuals visit our site is to find reputable businesses

in the area. GSCC.org is a powerful advertising tool. A banner ad or an enhanced listing can help you stand out from your competition! Members with an enhanced listing receive priority placement, business logo, unlimited search keywords, long business description and more!

THE BRIEF E-NEWSLETTER

Each week, The Brief can include your marketing message in a banner ad, sent to over 3,000 people. Our e-newsletter contains information about issues that can impact the business climate, updates on Chamber events and activities, business tips, and member news.

DIRECT MAILING

The Chamber organizes a monthly mailing containing promotional flyers from member businesses and for upcoming Chamber events. It’s a cost-effective way to advertise everything from a grand opening to the launch of a new product or service.

For more information about any of these opportunities, contact Teri Hill at (217) 525-1173 ext. 208 or thill@gscc.org

2023 CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

Sharon Riechers

BUNN 2023 Board Chair

Executive Committee

Chair

Sharon Riechers, BUNN Chair-Elect

Kayla Edwards, Express Employment Professionals

1st Vice Chair

Tyler Cormeny, O’Shea Builders

Vice Chair

Jennifer Call, TROXELL

Vice Chair

Kevin Corbin, Edward Jones Secretary/Treasurer

Josh Shugart, KEB

Immediate Past Chair

Mark Donovan, INB

At-Large Directors

Kathyy Battee-Freeman, University of Illinois Springfield

Jennifer Boyer, Springfield Clinic, LLP

Chris Bullock, Capitol Radio Group

Mylas Copeland, Green Toyota Volkswagen Audi

Jeff Dillman, MASCO Packaging & Industrial Supply, Inc.

Michelle Eccles, Horace Mann

Anna Evans, Memorial Health

Josh Flanders, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co.

Ronda Folkerts, Hanson Professional Services Inc.

Angela Nguyen, Hospital Sisters Health System

Erica Riplinger, Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP

Adam Solomon, Solomon Colors, Inc.

John Staff, Staff Carpet

THE JOHN MAXWELL COMPANY LIVE2LEAD REBROADCAST OFFERED FEBRUARY 21

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will be holding The John Maxwell Live2Lead Re-Broadcast on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Memorial Learning Center from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.

This is a leadership development rebroadcast featuring John C. Maxwell, #1 New York Times best-selling author, coach and speaker who has sold more than 26 million books in 50 languages. Attendees will breathe new life into their leadership during this information-packed half day event.

Speakers for this year’s event will include:

• John C. Maxwell - #1 Leadership Expert and Best-Selling Author

• Patrick Lencioni – Founder & President at The Table Group

• Eric Thomas – Author, Speaker, Consultant, Pastor, and Audi Awards Finalist

• Dr. Tim Elmore – CEO and Founder of Growing Leaders, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker

• Doris Kearns Goodwin – Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning Author

Learn from these world-class leadership experts in the morning and return to your office ready to implement your new action plan and lead with renewed passion and commitment.

Registration will be opening soon. Early Bird pricing is $49 per person on or before Wednesday, February 1. After February 1, the price will increase to $65 per person. Non-member pricing is $85 per person.

A continental breakfast and networking will begin at 8:00 am with the Re-Broadcast starting promptly at 8:30 am.

For more information on registering or becoming a sponsor of this event, please contact Melissa Horn at 217-525-1173 x 216 or by email at mhorn@gscc.org.

Partner Sponsor

REBRANDING OF MONTHLY NETWORKING EVENTS

NAME CHANGES COMING IN JANUARY

In an effort to better describe its popular monthly networking events and make them more relevant to today’s business culture, The Chamber has launched a rebranding effort for Good Morning Springfield and Business After Hours.

The morning event will now be called “Coffee & Connections”, reflecting this casual opportunity to meet other Chamber members over coffee and continental breakfast offerings. The evening event, which is known as a fun, informal way to relax with other Chamber members while enjoying beverages and appetizers, will be called “Chamber on Tap”. Both events sport new logos. Annual passes for both can now be purchased.

The Chamber will include information about each host business on its event page, a menu of food being served, and the host giveaway. If hosts are able to provide a tour of their facility, this will also be noted on the event page. For more information or if you want to be added to our waiting list, please contact Melissa Horn at mhorn@gscc.org or 217-525-1173 x216.

Host locations for most 2023 events have been scheduled and are shown below.

COFFEE & CONNECTIONS

February 7 - Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet

March 14 - i3 Broadband

May 9 - Martin Engineering Company

August 8 - United Way of Central Illinois

September 12 - Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach

October 10 - Boy Scouts of America, Abraham Lincoln Council

CHAMBER ON TAP

January 19 - Hy-Vee, Inc.

February 16 - Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill

March 23 - Medics First

April 20 - Kidzeum of Health and Science

May 25 - Springfield Lucky Horseshoes

June 15 - Knob Hill Landscape Company

July 13 - Buzz Bomb Brewing Co.

August 24 - Resource One of Illinois

November 16 - Land of Lincoln Credit Union December 17 - Legacy Park Sports, LLC

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EVENT CALENDAR

SCHEDULE FOR

2023

The Chamber has scheduled its major events for 2023. Please save these dates on your calendars, and watch for more information in our communications, including The Brief and the Update magazine.

January 25

Mayoral Forum

Hoogland Center for the Arts

February 3

Annual Gala

Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center

February 21

John Maxwell Live2Lead Rebroadcast

Memorial Learning Center

March 29 Job Fair

Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center

May 17

State of Greater Springfield Luncheon

President Abraham Lincoln SpringfieldA DoubleTree by Hilton

June 20

Small Business Awards Luncheon

Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center

July 20 & 21

Corporate Cup Challenge Golf Outing

Piper Glen Golf Club

August 29

Job Fair

Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center

September 13

Elected Officials Reception

Illinois REALTORS

October 5

‘Shoes, Brews & Biz

LRS Hangar

November 8 (tentative)

Economic Outlook Breakfast

Lincoln Land Community College

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS SEPTEMBER

& OCTOBER

For more information on our new members, please visit our Business Directory at www.gscc.org

Adobe

Casa Real Cantina & Grill

Charlie Parker’s Diner CityBlue Technologies

Clay Design Co.

Cousin Eddie’s Sports Bar & Grill Crop Insurance Center

Dew Chilli Parlor (Dirksen)

Dew Chilli Parlor (North Grand)

Dew Chilli Parlor (Wabash)

Dimond Bros. Insurance, LLC

Empire Korean Steakhouse and Bar Engrained Brewing Company

First Mid Insurance Group, Inc.

Godfather’s Pizza (Dirksen)

Godfather’s Pizza (Wabash)

The Grass Guy LLC

Illinois State University - Mennonite College of Nursing John Hancock Retirement Plan Services

Lockwood Finishes, Inc. Mac Strategies Group

Hon. Steve McClure, State Senator (50th District)

McDonald’s (Williamsville)

Melissa Ebken Consulting MKNM Wellness

Papo’s Café

Parkway Cafe, Inc.

PTAH Utility LLC

QC Kinetix Stadium Smokehouse Bar & Grill

SOLUTIONS

PARTNERSHIP WITH EV ENERGY

The Chamber is pleased to partner with the EV Energy Group as our preferred provider for members interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations.

This partnership places The Chamber and the entire community at the cutting edge of this emerging industry. EV Energy Group sells world-class software, equipment and media solutions that are ideal for businesses that want to provide charging stations for their customers and/or employees.

The company offers a variety of charging stations—including some that feature digital media towers so that businesses can advertise or sell advertising and receive analytics through EV Energy’s “Insights” division. EV Energy Group also helps businesses navigate the waters of claiming the local, state, and federal funds that have been earmarked to support the establishment and growth of electric vehicles and electric charging networks.

For more information or to discuss your options with charging stations, please contact Gary King, EV Energy’s Midwest Director of Business Development at (630) 770-1948 or gary.king@ evenergygroup.com .

LLCC night classes downtown!

Work or live near downtown Springfield? Want to get started or continue toward your college degree?

General education night courses now offered at LLCC-Medical District, 130 W. Mason.

Each class meets 6-8:50 one night per week (Mon., Tues., Wed. or Thurs.) beginning Jan. 9.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION MATH PUBLIC SPEAKING BUSINESS GEOGRAPHY SOCIOLOGY

Details at www.llcc.edu/downtown

Fundraising

Mortgages