2. Welcome to the 2013 Membership
Meeting
• Meeting Overview
• Introduction of Elected Officials & Community Organization Leaders
• Introduction of Chamber Leaders
3. WCCTB Executive Board
President: Gregg Pill, Oak Brook Racquet and Fitness Club
Vice-President: Al Carson, Carson Business Communications
Secretary: Tammi Karam, Humidor of Westmont
Treasurer: Kevin Carey, Community Unit School District #201
4. Board of Directors
Steve Bauer: Phillip’s Flowers and Gifts
Bill Gust: Westmont Yard Indoor Sports
Ozzie Haleem: Audi of Westmont
Violette Hawkins: Edward Jones Investments
Mary Huska: Re/Max Enterprises
Kim Lojewski: Westmont Park District
Umesh Patel: Best Western Oakbrook Inn
Dan Rattary: Seniors Helping Seniors
Ron Searl: Westmont Village Manager
Pam Wagner: Pam and Joe Wagner-Avon
Past President: David LaBrash, Clarendon Hills Bank
Executive Director: Larry Forssberg, WCCTB
5. GDP
Growth-Establish specific membership goals for 2013-2014. Increase outside of
the Westmont border recruitment to have 250 Chamber members by December
31, 2014
Develop Fiscal Stability-Establish sound budget review procedures with a
balanced plus approach. The Westmont Chamber—similar to most chambers—
works on a lean budget. For many years, we have not had a reserve fund and
one of my priorities is to establish a reserve fund that will grow to 10% of budget
over the next several years.
Participation-Typically, one in four Chamber Members in our region (N. IL) get
actively engaged with their Chamber. Here in Westmont, we have a higher
participation ratio of just over 1/3. Our goal is to increase this to 40-50% over the
next 2 years.
6. Ambassador Team
Responsibilities: Acts in support of WCCTB Membership growth, activation and
retention. Provide support at Chamber luncheons and dinners to support positive
member networking.
Co-Chairs: Frank Brady, Quality Telephone Communications; Alex Tomanovich,
Market America/SHOP.com
Meets: 4th Tuesday of February, April, August, October and December at
4:00pm, or at the call of the Chamber or Committee Leadership. At Westmont
Centre.
7. Westmont Power Partners
Responsibilities: Building quality business referrals through networking and
business connections. Also serve as a business advisory group for its members.
Co-Chairs: Tammi Karam
Meets: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at Westmont Centre or
locations TBD.
8. Westmont Auto Mile
Responsibilities: Partners with our world-class auto dealer to promote Westmont
as a destination for purchasing vehicles. WAM uses online marketing tools to
promote our cluster of local dealers. Test drive the Westmont Auto Mile at
westmontautomile.com
Co-Chairs: Larry Forssberg, WCCTB and Ozzie Haleem, Audi of Westmont
Meets: On a quarterly basis, on dates and locations TBD. Time is 12:00pm.
9. Business Development & Growth
Responsibilities: Business Seminars, Business Expos, Business Luncheons,
Business After Hours, Welcome Neighbor Program, Light Pole Banner,
Community Guide and Map, Westmont Power Partners, Cooperative Advertising
and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Co-Chairs: Christine Kuhn, Westmont Public Library; David LaBrash, Clarendon
Hills Bank
Meets: 2nd Monday of January, March, May, July, September and Novemeber at
8:00am at Westmont Centre, or at the call of the Chair
10. Downtown Westmont Business
Alliance
Responsibilities: Partners with organizations that conduct annual activates and
event in the B-1 business district (Taste of Westmont, Cruz Nights, Homecoming
Parade, Holly Days, etc) to more effectively promote the downtown business
merchant. Will also conduct the following events: Progressive Dinners, Trick-or-
Treat Trail, and Frosty and Friends Open House.
Co-Chairs: Mark Link, Uncle Bub’s Hickory Smoked BBQ; Jon Kostal, Uncle
Jon’s Music
Meets: The first Thursday of each month at 8:00am at Westmont Centre, or other
location TBD.
11. Education and Awards and Westmont Chamber of
Commerce Education Foundation
Responsibilities: Annual Awards Dinner, Westmont Chamber of Commerce
Educational Foundation Fundraising, Annual Chamber Awards Program
Co-Chairs: Mr. Joe Moffa, Honorary Member; Debby Piha, College of Dupage
Meets: February, April and October at 3:30pm at Westmont Centre, or at the call
of the Chair.
12. Home Based Business Owners’Alliance
Responsibilities: Meet to partner to promote and market their business and to act
as an advisory group for members
Co-Chairs: Cindy Bennecke, Pawz on Park; Jeff Compton, Send Out Cards
Meets: 3rd Wednesday of January, March, May, May, July, September, and
November at 6:00pm at Westmont Centre
13. Membership
Responsibilities: Membership Growth and Retention Campaigns, New Member
Packets, Chamber Ambassador Program, Chamber Open House, Prospective
and New Member Breakfasts.
Co-Chairs: Pam Wagner, Pam and Joe Wagner-Avon Joe Bednarksi,
Community Bank of DuPage.
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at
9:00am at Westmont Centre
14. Tourism and Events
Responsibilities: Community Golf Outing, Taste of Westmont Participation,
Winter Ball, Chamber Special Events, Westmont Holly Days Support, Pet
Promenade, Progressive Dinner, Red, White and BBQ participation.
Co-Chairs: Al Carson, Carson Business Communications; Kim Lojewski,
Westmont Park District.
Meets: 2nd Thursday, of each month at 8:00am at Westmont Centre.
15. Westmont Chamber Overview
Source for new business relationships and information
Voice for identifying and expressing the concerns of the business community
Vehicle for promoting and marketing Westmont
Chamber Infrastructure=Opportunity
Success is predicated on Membership Participation
