CHAMBER GOALS
As a membership-driven organization, the Chamber seeks to:
- Provide opportunities for member businesses to obtain higher degree of success through networking, referrals, marketing and other direct membership services.
- Support tourism development efforts that will positively impact residents and businesses.
- Provide a vehicle through which members can successfully affect legislation and government actions that impact our communities.
- Support educational excellence and assist in efforts to maintain an educated and available workforce.
- Provide a foundation for the future that will ensure the continued success of area businesses and individuals as they strive to reach their greatest potential.
Membership Benefits
Celebrate your success
The Chamber will assist you in coordinating a Ribbon Cutting event with the appropriate village dignitaries. This is for new businesses, relocated businesses, and businesses that experience major changes at their facility. We provide the ribbon and big scissors and work with your staff on getting the word out about your business.
Networking
Networking is the critical element for personal and professional development and contributes to a company’s success. The Chamber’s networking opportunities help you generate new ideas, solve problems, learn from your colleagues, and inform others about your business.
Business After Hours: A networking event designed to showcase the sponsor’s business with an opportunity for attendees to meet their next customer in a casual setting. Business After Hours are held monthly. Contact the Chamber for available dates.
Monthly Chamber Luncheons: Each month the Chamber hosts different speakers to discuss important topics each business or industry might face. This event is designed to allow each participant to network and meet companies within the community while enjoying a lunch and learning about a wide variety of topics.
Community outreach
Through your membership, you have access to the Chamber’s mailing list for use in promoting good/services as well as access to the Chamber’s social media at no additional cost and use of our e-blast system, which reaches over 860 people instantly.
On the Chamber website, Chamber members are listed in the online membership and business directory at no charge. In addition, the Chamber provides links to each Chamber member’s website and a Hot Deals section to advertise special promotions. In addition, you can have your events placed on our electronic Calendar of Events.
Business referrals and promotion
Referrals can be one of your company’s greatest assets. The Chamber of Commerce, due to its brand name recognition, is usually the first point of contact when people are looking for information about a community. Each year, the Chamber office receives thousands of inquires from visitors or
residents for referrals and we refer ONLY members.
Premier events
The Chamber hosts multiple annual events for the community and surrounding areas. These events reach anywhere from hundreds to thousands of participants each year. As a Chamber member, you have the opportunity to sponsor these events and promote your business. Whether you are a small sponsor or the event sponsor, the community has the opportunity to interact with your business.
Greeter program
New Business Welcome Program & New Resident Welcome Program – The Chamber works with the village to identify new businesses in the area. A Chamber representative visits each new business and delivers a packet of information containing area maps, guides, and other community information.
- You receive the names and addresses of every packet sent for personalized follow-up.
- You provide packet inserts (i.e. pens, coupons, magnets, etc.)
- Nominal costs apply for the program; contact the Chamber for details.
Marketing display
The Chamber has the capability to display all promotional flyers and business cards at our location. As a Chamber, people look to us first for community information, business suggestions and tips for places to visit when traveling here. Once you provide us with any marketing materials you would like to display, we will ensure that it is visible to anyone who visits us. The Chamber is a consumer one-stop-shop when looking for specific businesses or restaurants.Chamber Signature Events
Keep your eye open for our next signature event! We are continuing to change and better our events year after year and we’d love to see you there. Our events are open to the public and all are welcome! We hope to see you soon and be sure to find someone on the staff and introduce yourself.
STATE OF THE VILLAGE
January
MARDI GRAS
March
GOLF OUTING
Aug. 19
HALLOWEENFEST
Oct. 25
AWARDS GALA
Nov. 14
Staff Bios
Meet the people behind the Romeoville Area Chamber!
Lenny Criddle
Executive Director
Lenny received his undergraduate degree from DePaul and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He is a former business and staff development manager, business owner and Chamber board member. He is involved in numerous nonprofit boards, where he prefers to focus on leadership, networking and organizational improvement. When not serving the community, Lenny spends time with his wife and five kids. director@romeovillechamber.org
Madison Blackwood
Creative Director
Madison received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Francis and her master’s degree in communications from Northwestern University. She has previously worked for other chambers and organizations, helping those businesses grow through the use of social media and marketing campaigns. She is a freelance photographer, real estate agent and college professor. In her free time, she likes to travel and spend time with her family and dog.
info@romeovillechamber.org
Olivia Hegber
Membership Director
Olivia received her undergraduate degree in human and educational services from Illinois State University. She has previously worked with a local nonprofits mentoring at-risk youth within the Bolingbrook and Romeoville community and has also run multiple special events at Cog Hill, from golf outings to weddings. She is a Romeoville resident who is also a part of the Romeoville Rotary Club. When she’s not at work, Olivia loves to watch movies and read any mystery book she can find. olivia@romeovillechamber.org