ANNUAL REPORT2013

PPROMOTELOCAL

COMMERCE AADVOCATEBUSINESS

PERSPECTIVES CCREATERELEVANT

PROGRAMS EESTABLISHRELATIONSHIPS

2013

BOARDOF DIRECTORS

Bill LawrencePetrov/Lawrence/Reed Insurance

Chad BooreOSF St. Joseph Medical Center

Jennifer McCarronBusiness Builders

Carl OlsonCentral Illinois Regional Airport

Leanna BordnerIllinois State University

Mike O’GradyEconomic Development Council

Bill LawrenceThe Snyder Companies

Greg CookGreat Plains Media

Steve SebadeCommerce Bank

Bill LawrenceCOUNTRY Financial

Winifred Lee FekenChuck’s Harley Davidson

David StokesEdward Jones

Bob MillerAdvocate BroMenn Medical Center

Laura KraynakEastland Suites

Mary StrackJimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches

Carl TeichmanIllinois Wesleyan University

Shelley LambertState Farm Insurance Companies

Michael SwartzMcLean County Farm Bureau

Sherri ChinskiReiser Chinski & Co., LLP

Steve MallietNormal Cornbelters

To support our members. While easily overlooked, these four words from the beginning of our mission statement are the cornerstone of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. From grass roots efforts promoting local spending practices, to engaging members of Congress on pro-business legislation, it is the needs and wants of our members that establish our program of work and chart the course for our organization’s future.

In this year’s annual report, we highlight our support for our members in four key areas that mirror the Chamber’s mission: Promote Local Commerce, Advocate Business Perspectives, Create Relevant Programs, and Establish Relationships. The report also reflects on the important accomplishments and successes of 2013 and highlights the Chamber’s 2014 goals and objectives.

Your investment and participation with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce help us to achieve our goals, which in turn strengthens our member businesses and our community. There are literally hundreds of volunteers who collaborate with us each year to ensure the Chamber continues to be a resource to the local business community, and to each of you we are truly grateful. It is our privilege to partner with and represent you as the collective voice of business in McLean County.

As we continue to press forward into 2014 our focus will continue to be on supporting our members and ways the McLean County Chamber of Commerce can foster new relationships and opportunities for the continued success of business in McLean County.

To support our members, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Promotes local commerce, Advocates business perspectives, Creates relevant programs and Establishes relationships for business success.

TO SUPPORTOUR MEMBERS

Bill Lawrence2014 Chairman of the Board

Charlie MoorePresident & CEO

PPROMOTELOCAL

COMMERCE

After joining the Chamber I made immediate and beneficial

connections.

They helped me promote my business and their work to

encourage local buying policies is important to our community’s

long-term sustainability!

Cheryl HusainMajestic Interiors

We’re On YOur TeamThe McLean County Chamber of Commerce offers members a variety of ways to promote their business, products, and services. From sponsorship opportunities to ribbon cuttings and advertisements, we pride ourselves on being a resource that supports your efforts in proactively promoting your business to both businesses and consumers.

Make Your Money Mean More is a local initiative lead by the Chamber intended to educate individuals and businesses about how to wisely invest in our community and our future. Simply stated, when we buy from and work with local businesses everyone wins.

Small Business Saturday has solidified itself as one of the major shopping days of the holiday season. Seventeen members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce participated on Small Business Saturday, held on November 30, 2013. Fifteen of those members posted “Hot Deal” coupons on the Chamber’s website, which received more than five hundred hits from coupon seeking shoppers.

In 2013, twenty-five Ambassadors helped to promote and support members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce to our members, our business leaders, our government officials, and our county. Active listeners, participants, and business advocates, Ambassadors are the conduit of influence providing feedback to Chamber staff and knowledge to our members.

McLean County businesses share ideas and showcased their products during the Chamber’s various annual Showcase Events. Each is a great opportunity to network, promote and find out more about other businesses in our community.

MCLEANCOCHAMBER.ORG provides 365/24/7 exposure for our members. All members are listed in our online directory that receives thousands of unique visits each month. While features like Member to Member News and Hot Deals provide opportunities for members to share information with the McLean County business community.

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The Chamber is always there when I need them.

They help connect me with local decision makers, and my business

is more successful because of it!

Mary Bennett HenrichsIntegrity Technology Solutions

AADVOCATEBUSINESS

PERSPECTIVES

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is a voice of pro-business legislation at all levels of government. Leading the charge is our Government Affairs Committee, a group responsible for monitoring issues and providing opportunities for chamber members to be informed and engage with elected officials in an effort to improve the business climate. The group’s Areas of Focus are:

Central Illinois Regional Chamber Legislative Effort (CIRCLE) is a group of 13 chambers throughout the region whose goal is to strengthen the voice of the central Illinois business community with state legislators. The group is currently focused on the budget and structural deficit, pension reform and workers compensation.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (PAC) is organized to support candidates, committees, and issues at the local and/or state level that support a healthy economy, favorable business climate, high quality of life and progressive future for McLean County. In 2013 the PAC distributed $6,935.59.

From events featuring local and federal lawmakers to trips to our nation’s capital, we work hard to strengthen relationships with our Elected Officials. In 2013 we utilized our new office space to host several officeholders including: Congressman Rodney Davis, State Senator Jason Barickman, State Representative Christian Mitchell as well as county and municipal legislators.

We engage In COnversaTIOns ThaT InfluenCe Our COmmunITYOur goal is to carry a unified voice of member businesses on policy issues and recommend solutions. By representing the needs of our members through education and collective action we work to limit the impact of external forces that effect business.

Taxes & Fees

Labor & EmpLoymEnt

EducationAgriculture

TransporTaTion & infrasTrucTure

Intergovernmental CooperatIonHealtHcare

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Annual G

alaED

UC

ateA

dministrative

ProfessionalsLuncheon

Event AttendanceWelcomed

119neW members

52 25181BusIness grOups

1775 suBsCrIBers

3098 lIves Insured

20Th

Hosted

ribbon cuttings

refunded

100%of public and private

sector investment fromcommunity air-based service

incentive program casi

leadersHip mclean countygraduated its

class

< 5

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mpl

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5-50 Em

ployees

Norm

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er C

ities

Bloom

ington

51.8

6%

39.18%

21.65

%

14.8

5%

63.51%

8.97 %

50 < Employees

388

577529

475

118

179

258198

253

375344

271

2013 Award Winners

BusIness exCellenCe aWardsA. Renée, Micro BusinessThe Great Display Company, Small BusinessLittle Jewels Learning Center, Large BusinessBloomington-Normal Marriott, Green BusinessMarcfirst, Non-Profit AgencyRoger Hunt, Legacy of Excellence

agrICulTure aWard WInnersDavid Freed, Outstanding ConservationistCarrie Muehling, Emerging Leader in AgricultureBrian Carlson, Outstanding Young FarmerKelly Farms, McLean County Farmer of the YearSteve Dennis, Outstanding Person in AgribusinessRader Family Farms, Outstanding Service to Agriculture

aThena leadershIp aWardVicki Tilton, Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa

TOp admInIsTraTIve prOfessIOnalVicki Tilton, Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa

amBassadOr Of The YearCranston Spraks, Mid-Illini Credit Union

Event Attendance

Revenue$961,314.06

Expenses$863,257.41

Liab

ilitie

s$1

,218

,444

.27

Assets

$1,218,444.27

Fixed Assets23.72%

Current Liabilities34.72%

ExtraordinaryItem* - 10.25%

memBer

shIp -

44.1

4%

evenTs - 45.61%

Ope

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On

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Curr

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*sale of 210 S East Street, Bloomington

The Chamber is an itegral componentfor any size business to become

a part of the community it serves.

There isn’t a better organization topartner with to build our community

leaders of tomorrow!

Jeff LevertonFour Seasons Health Club

CCREATERELEVANT

PROGRAMS

Learning & Development is an organizational priority, and we pride ourselveson offering up-to-date membership-driven relevant programming.

From online learning tools on our newly redesigned website, to programs developed in collaboration with community resources, the Chamber is helping to train and retain our community workforce.

In an effort to better understand the needs of our members we implemented additional assessments of our programs and events in 2013 utilizing focus groups and the latest online survey and polling software.

36 community leaders were a part of the 20th class of Leadership McLean County and more than 50 NEXT Professionals ranging in age from 22-40, became more actively involved and visible within our community in 2013.

Events like EDUCate, the ATHENA Leadership Award Reception, and Administrative Professionals Luncheon taught participants how to manage, inspire, lead and succeed.

2013 was just a taste of what this chamber can do. In 2014 we’re Stepping Up the PACE on the level of quality our members can expect from our programs and events across the board!

WheTher YOu WOrk frOm The kITChen Or The BOardrOOm, We are YOur resOurCe

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Sam LewisPrideStaff

Steve CaponeOwner, Jurassic Pork

The Chamber has been integral to the growth of my business. Through their

many organized events I’ve made connections I never would have

been able to make!

EESTABLISHRELATIONSHIPS

Connecting Businesses to Businesses and Businesses to Consumers is something we do best. Whether it’s a Business Before or After Hours mixer or a featured event like CommUniversity or the Stroker Golf Classic, we have an abundance of networking opportunities that keep you in the loop in McLean County.

Just because the kids are out of school doesn’t mean the chamber fun stops during the summer months! In 2013 we hosted our first Summer Social Series, which featured a Normal CornBelters game and an evening at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Each year we take time to say a special “Thank You” to all of our members and recognize those who volunteered their time and energy to make the Chamber a better organization at ourMembership Appreciation Cookout at the David Davis Mansion.

Our Annual Gala is always the talk of the town and in 2013 we had them rolling in the ailes with a Laugh-In themed event. Featuring former City of Bloomington Mayor, Steve Stockton and Town of Normal Mayor, Chris Koos as emcees, the evening celebrated the contributions and

accomplishments of our members with the presentation of our six Business Excellence Awards.

We BelIve ThaT neTWOrkdevelOpmenT andCreaTIng relaTIOnshIps are The COrnersTOnes Of BusIness suCCess

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We have a tremendous amount of talent on our

staff here at the Chamber.I hope our members recognize the time

dedication and passion that goes in to making our programs and events as

succssful as they are.Charlie Moore

McLean County Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBERSTAFF

McLean County Chamber of Commerce

A-1 Haney Plumbing, Inc.A5.COMAccuquest Hearing CenterAccurate TowingAdecco Employment ServicesAdvanced Women’s HealthcareAfni, Inc.Afni, Inc.AGAPE Counseling Ltd.Agro-Chem West Inc.Alexander Benefits & Insurance, LLCAlphagraphicsALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalAlter Metal RecyclingAmerican Diabetes AssociationAmerican Red Cross of the HeartlandAmerican Vision CentersAmerican Vision CentersApartment MartApex SystemsARAMARKAutism Society of McLean CountyAvanti’s Italian Restaurant - BloomingtonAvanti’s Italian Restaurant - NormalAxline Advanced PharmacyB & B Awards & RecognitionBates Commodities, Inc.Baxters American GrilleBaymont Inn & SuitesBecker Tree ServiceBEER NUTS, Inc.Behr Iron & MetalBellas Home and GardenBenefit Planning AssociatesBiaggi’s Ristorante ItalianoBloomington Area Career CenterBloomington Offset Process, Inc.Bloomington Public SchoolsBloomington Relocation Systems Inc.Bloomington Tent & Awning Bloomington Wellness CenterBloomington-Normal Water Reclamation DistrictBNBoomerBPC - Benefit Planning ConsultantsBradley University Foster College of Business AdminBremer Jewelry & The Wedding Ring GalleryBremer Jewelry & The Wedding Ring GalleryBridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co.Calvary United Methodist ChurchCandlewood Suites HotelCapen Frank Proctor & Bowles, Inc.Center for Performance Development, Inc.Central IL Orthopedic Surgery II, LLCCentral Illinois Score #645Century 21 Aper RealtyCetera Advisors LLC - Cregg MiyatChar Huff’s Property ShoppeCharles N. Erickson Law OfficeChesterbrook Academy Schools Chestnut Health Systems, Inc.Chief City Mechanical, Inc.Children’s Hospital of Illinois FoundationChuck’s Harley-Davidson, Inc.City of Lexington

Clear View ChurchClearly WindowsClemens & Associates, Inc.Coldwell Banker Commercial - Greg YountComcast BusinessComeToBuy, Inc.Commerce BankCommercial & Industrial CoatingCommunity Health Charities of IllinoisCommunity Players TheatreCompass Insurance PartnersConstitution Trail Centre c/o GlenboroughCore 3 Property ManagementCostigan & Wollrab, P.C.Cottage Dental Care - Dennis R. Krug D.D.S.Country Inn & Suites Blm/Nml - AirportCQI Associates, LLCCSP Packaging, Inc.Cullinan Properties, Ltd.D.J.’s Painting & Remodeling, IncDan BradyDavis & Campbell L.L.C.DCC MarketingDiscount Tire CompanyDon Smith Paint & WallpaperDoubleTree by HiltonDr. Dennis M. Brtva & AssociatesEastland Chiropractic & Wellness CenterEastland Dental CenterEDP Renewables North America, LLCEmployers’ Coalition for Health Care, Inc.Environmental Solutions GroupESS Clean, Inc.Farnsworth Group, Inc.FastSignsFederal CompaniesFirst Farmers State BankFirst Midwest BankFirst Midwest Securities, Inc. (FMSI)First Site, Ltd.First State BankFloorX ProFloorCare, Inc.Fort Jesse Imaging CenterFour Seasons Health ClubFreedom Fire Protection LLCFreedom OilFrontier CommunicationsGaggle.NetGCG Financial Inc.Goodwill Industries-Land of LincolnGreat Plains Media, IncGronemeier Concrete Cutting, Inc.H & O Roofing Inc.Habitat for Humanity of McLean Co.Harms ApartmentsHartweg, Turner, Wood & DeVary, P.C.Health Alliance Medical PlansHeart Technologies, Inc.Heartland Bank and Trust CompanyHeartland Foot and Ankle Associates, P.C. Heartland PrintingHENSON DISPOSALHometown Hearing and Audiology Hospice CompassusHoward Johnson, Formerly Signature Inn-NormalHudson Grain Co. Co-OpHumana, Inc. - PeoriaIdentity Security Consultants GroupIllinois Heart & Lung FoundationIllinois House Building, LLCIllinois Institute for Addiction RecoveryIllinois National BankIL Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies

Illinois Prairie Community FoundationIllinois State University Career CenterIllinois State University JLD ProgramInfoTech Solutions and Services, Inc.Inlanta MortgageIntegrity Technology Solutions, Inc.ISU Credit UnionJack Bataoel Real Estate Group - Keller WilliamsJack Lewis JewelersJack Lewis JewelersJacob & Klein Ltd.Jim’s Steak HouseJoe’s Station House Pizza PubJohnson Law GroupKahuna Business GroupKahuna Payment Solutions LLCKeith Sommer Campaign CommitteeKelly ServicesKelly’s Bakery and Cafe IncKibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial HomeKongskilde Industries, Inc.L & L Auto Sales & Service Inc.Labor Ready a Trueblue CompanyLand Engineers LLCLeroy SchoolsLincoln College-NormalLincoln OfficeLogsdon FarmsLynn Cheeseman, CPAMarriott Hotel & Conference CenterMartin Digital DisplayMcDonald’s Restaurants OfficeMcLean CountyMcLean County Farm BureauMcLean County OrthopedicsMcLean County Unit School District No. 5Meadows Mennonite Retirement CommunityMen’s Wearhouse #4624Mid Central Community Action, Inc.Mid-Illini Credit UnionMidstate Transmission Service, Inc.Midwest Allergy Sinus Asthma, S.C. Midwest Food BankMidwestern Family HeritageMillennium Pain CenterMirus Research Inc.Modahl & ScottMonroe CenterMonroe CenterMorrow Equipment Systems, Inc.Mortgage Services III, LLC (MSI)Nerds on CallNordine Remodeling, LLC and NordineCareNTT DATA Inc.Nu-Way TransportationNu-Way TransportationOffice Depot 513OSF Medical Group Panera Bread - BloomingtonParadise Pet Hotel & Day SpaParke Regency Hotel and Conference Center Parker EnterprisesPark-Stoutamoyer & Associates, Inc.PATH (Providing Access To Help)Paul Davis RestorationPeoria Production ShopPersonal Finance CompanyPinnacle Actuarial ResourcesPipeworks, Inc.PLR Insurance Services, Inc.Power Wash ServicesPrairie Oak Veterinary CenterPrairie Oak Veterinary Center

Prairie StoragePridestaffProject OzPrudential Snyder Real EstateR.W. Garrett Agency, Inc./Group Marketing Services, Inc.Randall Cabinets & Design, Inc.Rapha TechnologiesRave BuildersRedbird Dental CareRichard H. Tarvin , Inc./Culligan Water ConditioningRopp Jersey CheeseSam’s ClubSCADAware, Inc.Schertz Aerial Services, Inc.Schnuck Markets, Inc.Schnucks Markets, Inc-NormalSchock for CongressSecurity FinanceSherman’s Inc.Shoop Training & ConsultingSoy Capital BankSpecial Olympics IllinoisSpecs Around Town Optical BoutiqueSpencer PlumbingSpringfield Electric Supply CompanyStarcrest CleanersState Farm Insurance - Axel JimenezState Farm Insurance CompaniesStation Two TwentySulaski & Webb, CPAsSuperMediaSuperMediaSusan G. Komen - McLean CountySuzi Davis TravelSweenz, Inc.Synergy HomeCareTechVertizeThe Baby FoldThe Foehr GroupThe Organic Cleaning Machine, Inc.The Shoppes at College HillsThe Snyder CompaniesThe Vein Specialists - Bloomington, LLCTrilliumTrilliumTwin City Plastic Surgery, LLCUnique DesignUnited Cerebral Palsy- Land of LincolnUnited Way of McLean CountyUS Bank US Cellular ColiseumUS Cellular- Parkway PlazaVillage of DownsVillage of GridleyVitesse Cycle Shop / Often RunningViva La FloraWeber Electric, Inc.Wehrenberg Theatres/Galaxy 14 CinemaWend Normal - Wendy’s Westminster VillageWGLT-FM 89.1Wm. Masters, Inc.Woodward & Associates, Inc.World Painting CompanyWorldwide ExpressWXRJ 94.9 FM/Black Business AllianceWXRJ 94.9 FM/Black Business AllianceYouthBuild McLean CountyYouthBuild McLean CountyZeller Digital Innovations

List of paying Members of Distinction from 2013