January 22, 2024

Last week was a whirlwind of Wheaton Chamber activity, including orientations for our 2024 Board of Directors and new committee chairs at St. James Farm and our January luncheon at Arrowhead Golf Club.

We were thrilled to welcome 140 people to Arrowhead and appreciate the Honorable Mayor Phil Suess for being our speaker at the highly-anticipated "State of the City" luncheon. If you couldn't be there, you may watch this video presented during the event that highlights accomplishments in 2023 and a peek at what's to come in 2024. Special thanks to Susan Bishel, the City of Wheaton's public information officer, and Rich Sagen, the City's municipal producer, for their contributions to the video. Pictured here with the Mayor are City Council members (L to R) Bradley Clousing and Scott Weller; Mayor Suess; Lynn Robbins and Mike Barbier.

Here are a few more photos from the event, and don't miss our Photo Gallery at the end of this e-newsletter. You just might be in it!

To the success of our City~

Tracy Bennett of Wheaton Living, John Rutledge, CUSD200 board member and Bunny Mirralees from Coventant Living Windsor Park share their smiles

Jim Kozik of the City of Wheaton chats it up with Pam Sharar-Stoppel of Wintrust/Wheaton Bank & Trust

Newly appointed City of Wheaton Chief of Police P.J. Youker leans in, dressed in official winter police gear

Wheaton Chamber Welcomes Newest Members

Please help us welcome Mike Tenerelli of Exit Real Estate Partners. Exit Real Estate Partners is a full-service, professional real estate office in Downers Grove serving Darien, Westmont, Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Woodridge and surrounding areas.

Mike currently owns a plumbing company, CrossFit gym, and is also an agent with Exit Realty. Mike grew up in Glen Ellyn, eventually graduating from Glenbard South High School, and then onto North Central College with a bachelor's degree in business. Please help us welcome Mike.

We're happy to also welcome Denise Krohn of The Money Store. The Money Store provides competitive, responsible mortgage loans to everyday homeowners and is licensed in 47 states across the country.

For a decade, Denise has employed a hands-on, customer-centric approach, collaborating with her referral partners to bolster their businesses. Simultaneously, she has been guiding homeowners in Chicagoland, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Florida, helping them navigate on their home financing journeys. Please help us welcome Denise.

Join Us for a Ribbon Cutting at VASA Fitness

Please join the Ambassadors and members of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon-cutting for new member VASA Fitness, scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at their new location, 501 S. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Please RSVP here and help us welcome VASA to our community and to our Chamber.

Learn More About Search Engine Optimization at our February Ignite University

Ever wonder what search engine optimization (SEO) is and how it can benefit your business? Learn from Ignite University guest faculty Jonathan Szewczyk of Neur Digital. His presentation "SEO Strategies for Local Business: How to Maximize Your Online Visibility" will take place Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 12:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N Cross St, Wheaton. This is a lunch-and-learn, so feel free to bring your lunch. For more information and to register, please click here. Ignite University is offered in partnership with the Wheaton Public Library and sponsored by Wheaton Bank & Trust.

"AI is Coming: Are You Ready?" February Luncheon Features Dr. Felix Davis of COD

Our February members luncheon, "AI is Coming: Are You Ready?" features Dr. Felix Davis, professor and department chair of the Computer & Information Technology (CIT) Department at the College of DuPage. Learn as Dr. Davis shares his insights about Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how your business can benefit (or protect itself) from the inevitable impact of AI in the workplace. Join us on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley, St., Wheaton. For more information and to register, click here.

AlphaGraphics Honors Frank & Barbara Kohout After 35 Years

AlphaGraphics is hosting an Open House on February 8 to bid farewell and to honor Frank & Barbara Kohout as they retire after 35 years as franchisees here in Wheaton. Frank and Barb have contributed countless hours and in-kind donations to the Wheaton Chamber throughout these many years, and both are past winners of the Chamber's prestigious Brinkman Community Leadership Award. This also will be an opportunity to meet and welcome the new franchisees, Ron & Doug Stanley. Please join AlphaGraphics on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 4:00 to 6:00 at their Wheaton storefront, 128 N. Main St., as we wish Frank and Barb well in their next chapter. You can RSVP by emailing Christine Fenne.

People's Resource Center in Need of Winter Clothes

People's Resource Center (PRC) is in need of warm clothing for the winter season. Heavy winter coats are especially needed but other items like socks, pants, and warm shirts in small, medium, and large for men, as well as new underwear for all, are highly requested. PRC is accepting new or gently used of all sizes. For more information and a full wish list, click here.

The Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Presents "The Outgoing Tide"

The Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents "The Outgoing Tide" a must-see story of family and genuine love. Blending sensitivity, humor, and uplifting moments, this narrative dives into the essence of personal choices and examines the tender bonds that hold families together. Watch Diana Martinez of the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) as she interviews Director Steve Scott on "Backstage Buzz" about the production.

The show runs from February 1 through March 3 with an American Sign Language (ASL) performance on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the MAC. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

DuPagePads Hosts "18th Annual Taste of Hope"

DuPagePads will host their "18th Annual Taste of Hope" on February 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The event features samples of signature dishes from top local restaurants. Attendees can engage in various activities such as raffles, a wine pull, and mobile bidding on silent auction items. For more information and to reserve tickets, click here.

Winter Windows on Display at Town Square Wheaton

Murals by Wheaton Warrenville South National Art Honors Society students are on display in storefront windows at Town Square Wheaton. On display now through January 31, Winter Windows is an indoor-outdoor activity for families and kids to spot as many winter-themed images as possible. The scavenger hunt map is available here.

TrustBank Rated Five Stars and Named One of America's Best Banks

Congratulations to TrustBank for receiving a 5-star rating in “America's Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2024”, a collaboration between Newsweek and Plant-A

Insights Group.

TrustBank achieved a top 5-star rating out of 9,440 regional banks and credit unions evaluated, placing it in the top 2% nationally. These institutions were evaluated based on their stability, superior customer service, expert guidance, and bank profitability.

Click here to read the full press release.

"Beyond Professional Rugby: A Rugby GOAT Talks Culture, Performance and Business" on The Local

Don't miss the latest episode of "The Local," a podcast hosted by Marc Horner of Fairhaven Wealth Management. Join Marc as he sits down with Will Fraser of 100 & First. As a professional rugby player, Will and his teams won the equivalent of five Super Bowls. Post-rugby, he now shares his insights on high performance and how to create a successful team dynamic. Click here to listen.

Please Tell Us Your News

Our Wheaton Chamber members have a lot going on and you have a lot to say! Read press releases from our members, learn about job openings and see our Chamber members' "Hot Deals." Got a job posting or a special you'd like to share? Contact us.

Downtown Wheaton Association Celebrates Wheaton Culinary Scene

Join the Downtown Wheaton Association for the week-long celebration of the vibrant Downtown Wheaton culinary scene. Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, Jan. 28. Participating businesses are offering special menus, discounts, and charitable givebacks. For more information click here.

Wheaton Park District Presents Bowties & Tiaras

The Wheaton Park District invites attendees to partake in an evening of dance at Bowties & Tiaras on Friday, Feb. 23, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom, located at Arrowhead Golf Club. This father-daughter event is open to dads and father figures and their daughters ages 4 through 10 years old. Guests can anticipate music, dancing, and a sundae bar. For more information, click here.

Wheaton Public Library Hosts Aleta Fox of Mulcare Insurance Agency-Allstate Insurance for Ignite

The Wheaton Public Library's Ignite Program is hosting Aleta Fox of Mulcare Insurance Agency-Allstate Insurance as she presents "Everything You Want to Know about Insurance, but Are Afraid to Ask." Join the library and Aleta on Monday, Jan. 29, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information and to register, please click here.

City of Wheaton Offers Shared-Cost Tree-Planting Program for Residents

The City of Wheaton is offering a shared-cost parkway tree-planting program, and these trees go fast. This program encourages residents to add trees to our community by allowing residents to have a new tree planted in the parkway adjacent to their property at $95 per tree. The program is open for residents who sign up from now through Feb. 29 or until registration is full, and trees will be planted in the spring. For more information and to apply, click here.

Check out the latest job posting from Two Bostons here.

If you have a job opening, please inform us by entering your information into your member profile under "Jobs". Your listing will be included on the Chamber website and featured in our Monday Matters newsletter. If you need help posting your job openings, please contact Brenda MacDonald.

This week:

• Women in Business Committee meets on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office located at 301 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Please note there's plenty of parking on the west side of the building. Giana Ferrari Ayers of Edward Jones and Tracy Bennett of Wheaton Living are co-chairs. Click here to register.
• The VASA Fitness Ribbon Cutting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 4:30 p.m. at the new VASA Fitness gym located at 501 S County Farm Road, Wheaton. Please register here.
• Members Matter, a Zoom call, will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 9:00 a.m. This virtual orientation, now held twice a month, is an overview of member benefits and is ideal for new members, current members, and anyone thinking about joining the Chamber. Please register here.
• Board of Directors Monthly Meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office located at 301 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Mike Dyer of Edward Jones is chair.

Coming Up:

• Ambassadors Committee will meet on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 8:00 a.m. at the Wheaton Chamber office located at 301 W. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton. Deb Brown of Town Square Publishing and Marty Keller of Milton Township/C.E.R.T. are co-chairs.

State of the City Luncheon

Thank you to all who attended our State of the City Luncheon featuring the Honorable Mayor Phil Suess! [Photo Credit: Axiom Media Group LLC]