LPCC Elects New Board of Directors

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) recently approved its slate for the 2009 LPCC Board of Directors, as well as Officer positions including Board Chairman, Board Chair-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Marketing and Membership Council Chairs. On February 18 the LPCC held its first official meeting of the Board of Directors for 2009 and voted unanimously to approve its new Officer positions, securing the leadership necessary to move key initiatives forward for the year.

The 2009 LPCC Board Officers include:
· Chairman: Mark Rogers, National City Bank
· President-Chair: Chris Ramsey, Lincoln Park Massage Spa
· Secretary: Tim Lane, Goose Island BrewPub
· Treasurer: Gail Zelitzky, Silver-Robins Consulting, LLC
· Marketing Council Chair: Colette Rodon Hornof, Vesta & 2RZ
· Membership Council Chair: Chris Ramsey, Lincoln Park Massage Spa

Rogers is taking over as Chairman of the Board after new treasurer Gail Zelitzky served in the position throughout 2008. During her tenure, Zelitzky was vocal in the LPCC’s planning and implementation of a new mission statement and strategic plan that will move the LPCC into the future. The new strategic plan focuses on how the LPCC serves its members and creates benchmarks for participation, execution and interaction.

Joining the Board of Directors in 2009 are Joseph Utschig of digitalife, LLC, for a three-year term and Chris Matern, Attorney at Law, who is returning to the Board for a two-year term. Vacating the Board are David Wiercinski of the Juvenile Protective Association who served for six years, Frank Mylander from Frank's on Clark who also served for six years, and Bethany Winkleman from Bank of America after one year of dedicated service.

The LPCC Board of Directors and Officers are responsible for providing and creating innovative programs and initiatives that support both the LPCC membership and the surrounding neighborhood. The LPCC’s Board of Directors is an integral piece of the membership puzzle, working to further link members to necessary services, serving as ambassadors in the community and developing key policies and procedures.

“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome our new Board Members and Officers for 2009,” said Kim Schilf, President and CEO of the LPCC. “The expertise and experience our Officers and Board bring to the Lincoln Park neighborhood are paramount to the success of our business community.”

Key events and initiatives for 2009 include the LPCC’s Annual Awards Luncheon, increased legislative visibility, neighborhood and business marketing, social networking and end of the year Holiday Gala.

LPCC Encourages All to “Ring in the New Year” at Networking Event

WHAT: “Ring in the New Year” Coffee Connection
WHO: The Chicago Business Community
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Robbins Bros., 2184 N. Elston
COST: Pre-Registration: LPCC Members $10; Non-Members $20
After March 9: LPCC Members $15; Non-Members $25

They say that diamonds are forever. At networking events organized by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC), connections made with fellow Chicagoland businesses can be lasting as well. Are you looking to expand your business throughout the Lincoln Park neighborhood and across Chicago? Have a new product or service you think will be beneficial to colleagues or competitors? Then the LPCC’s first Coffee Connection of 2009 is the resource your business needs to succeed.

Join the LPCC and dozens of community business members on Wednesday, March 11 at 8:30 a.m., for coffee, conversation and a large selection of diamonds. Robbins Bros., an engagement ring store in Lincoln Park located at 2184 N. Elston will serve as host of the event sponsored by LPCC member Lincoln Park Network.

“With an uncertain economic landscape affecting the bottom line for nearly every business nationwide, now is the time to make the connections that will help promote your product or service,” said Kim Schilf, President and CEO of the LPCC. “I encourage both LPCC members and Chicago businesses to attend our first Coffee Connection of 2009 to network with the community’s business leaders.”

Pre-registration for the event is now open. The pre-registration price is $10 for LPCC members and $20 for non-members. The price after March 9, or at-the-door, is $15 for LPCC members and $25 for non-members.

LPCC Launches New Website

New Site Targets Member News and Events, Legislative Agenda

CHICAGO (February 17, 2009) – In an effort to further enhance the way they communicate with and understand their membership, while offering unique tools for members, residents and visitors alike, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is proud to announce the launch of their redesigned website. The site – still located at http://www.lincolnparkchamber.com/ – now focuses on the benefits of LPCC membership, important business and legislative news and members-only features.

“Our old website was outdated, and we saw an opportunity to learn more about our membership and their collective needs while updating the site,” said LPCC President and CEO Kim Schilf of the new site. “In addition to updating our website, we are also increasing our efforts to market the website as a tool for the community and to our members. With more traffic headed to our site, LPCC members can expect more traffic through their doors.”

Through the ChamberMaster database program being used by the LPCC, members are given a dedicated username and password as well as access to their own profile, contact information and members-only website features. In an effort to better track event attendance, registration and payment for LPCC events are now being done exclusively through our the online system.

The partnership of the new website with the ChamberMaster database system also allows a unique “Hot Deals” program that allows LPCC members – free of charge – to post special sales for visitors to the site. Restaurants, boutiques and more can include special savings in addition to sales already taking place or as a unique benefit to those who frequent the site. As an added benefit, members can also post available job openings at their business on the site, free of charge.

In 2008 the LPCC launched a Government Affairs Committee to help businesses stay in touch with the issues affecting their bottom line on a local, state and federal level. Helping support these efforts, the LPCC’s new website features interior pages dedicated to key legislative issues, proposed ordinances and contact information for our elected officials as well as news stories updated daily. In addition, members are free to post news about their own organization that they want to share with the LPCC and more.

“In addition to an updated website and communication outlets, our members and Lincoln Park residents and visitors can look forward to LPCC profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and other web-based networking sites,” Schilf said.

The new website also offers an opportunity for members to advertise their business on the site visited by more than 4,700 unique users each month.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce's very own blog!

Founded in 1947, the LPCC has grown into Chicago's largest neighborhood chamber. We lead numerous initiatives in support of our mission - helping businesses in Lincoln Park succeed and grow.

While we define the Lincoln Park neighborhood as the area north of North Avenue, south of Diversey Parkway, west of the Lake Michigan and east of the Kennedy Expressway, our members include businesses throughout the Chicago area. We hope you enjoy visiting our website, and learning more about our organization, the benefits of LPCC membership and Lincoln Park.

The LPCC is dedicated to helping our member businesses succeed and grow. Hence, our new blog! We have created this resource as another tool to reach out to our membership and learn more about the needs of Lincoln Park businesses during these difficult economic times. We hope this blog will help complement the newly-designed website, as well as our pages on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Check us out throughout the e-world and stay connected!