Chamber Member, did you know September is Chamber Member Appreciation Month? It also includes “Chamber of Commerce Week” in Illinois, proclaimed by Governor JB Pritzker for September 13 through 19. In the proclamation, he recognizes the role Chambers and their Members play in creating jobs, supporting commerce, and making Illinois a better place to live. Chambers can onlyContinue reading
When was the last time you participated in a fire drill? I mean a real one. The alarm sounds, everyone stops what they’re doing, exits the building, and meets at the designated location. We did these several times a year in school. We knew the sound of the alarm, which door to use, where to gather, and that someone would be counting heads.Continue reading
Every person, every leader, has a bubble. The question isn’t whether you have one. The question is what you’re doing to step outside of it. No matter how successful your business is or how long you’ve been leading your team, it’s easy to fall into routines. We talk to the same people. We attend the same meetings. We solve problems the same wayContinue reading
One of my favorite things about working at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is that no two weeks are exactly alike. Last week was a perfect example. We had several inquiries come in about renting space at the Chamber. (And if you didn’t know, yes, we do rent out our meeting and conference rooms!) The requestsContinue reading
In April, I joined fellow chamber executives from across the country in Washington, D.C. as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 (CCC100). CCC100 members meet twice a year, and our role is to support national advocacy efforts, strengthen connections across business communities, and advise the U.S. Chamber’s Board of Directors. The agendaContinue reading
Ten years ago, the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (NACC) Young Professional Network (YPN) launched the Four Under 40 Awards to highlight young professionals who are changing the way our community works, leads, and grows. This year, as we celebrate the ten-year anniversary of these awards, we are marking that milestone with a special classContinue reading
In business, pressure is constant. Revenue goals. Hiring decisions. Policy shifts. Client expectations. Unyielding deadlines. Most leaders I talk to aren’t asking for less responsibility; they are asking how to carry it well. Few people understand pressure like Olympians. The Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina just ended, and one storyline stayed with me. During theContinue reading
One of my favorite events we host at the Chamber is Lunch with a Leader. It’s intentionally small, conversational, and real. You get a behind-the-scenes look at someone’s journey, not just their title or résumé, but the person behind the business. The series actually grew out of the COVID era, when we could only have about 15Continue reading
Welcome to a new year at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, I choose a word or phrase that helps frame our work and set the tone for the year ahead. For 2026, that phrase is Back to Basics. This idea was sparked by our Fall General Membership Luncheon and our keynote speaker, Matt LaCosse. DuringContinue reading
Welcome to December. As the season of gratitude and giving continues, we want to begin with a sincere thank you to our Members and our entire community. Your engagement and support allow us to continue moving Business Forward, and for that, we are truly grateful. I also want to thank everyone who joined us for two meaningful events in November,Continue reading
