Chamber@Work Newsletter

Thursday, December 17, 2015

From the President’s Desk: 2015 Year in Review

With more than 130 events each year, the Chamber serves as a hub for Chicagoland businesses to connect with each other, influence important legislation, and learn about trends and best practices that will drive their business forward.

Our members are our number one priority, and I am proud to say that with your support we accomplished so much this year. In 2015, we hosted 138 total events, connecting more than 6,700 total attendees.

Below are some of the highlights:

• We hosted dozens of networking receptions, including our Business After Business and Breakfast Club

• We activated our 12 Forums, offering our members an opportunity to collaborate and participate in high-level panel discussion events such as Multicultural, Multigenerational: The New Workplace; Top Marketing Trends for 2016; Top Healthcare Trends for 2016; and Top Technology Trends for 2016.

• Our International Programs hosted 14 different international events and inbound delegations involving more than 800 people from all over the world, including events with Ireland, Turkey, Poland, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, China and India.

• We increased the scope of the Chicagoland Chamber Foundation, which launched a successful STEM Internship Program last summer and hosted the 1^st Annual Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit in November.

• The Exchange 2015 in March was a huge success, featuring a dynamic panel discussion between leaders in Chicago’s food and beverage industry and a packed tradeshow in the ballroom at the Hilton Chicago.

• We celebrated our 111^th Annual Meeting at Navy Pier in June, where we announced Neil Byers, Owner of Horse Thief Hollow, as the winner of the 2015 James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award.

• We honored Northern Trust Chairman and CEO Rick Waddell at our 24^th Annual Daniel H. Burnham Award Dinner. Even among Chicago’s business elite, Rick stands out for his commitment to philanthropy, his passion for civic involvement, and his dedication to giving back to the community he serves.

We are very excited to carry this momentum into 2016. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming international programs with Ireland, the EU, and China; new and exciting Forum programs; Signature Events like The Exchange and Annual Meeting; and much more.

Sincerely,

Theresa E. Mintle
President & CEO
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce