JANUARY 2023
Executive Director Update

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday with loved ones. The Chamber office is
always closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and I find it a great
time unplug from work and focus on family and friends instead. I come back recharged
and ready to tackle whatever comes next!

This month, be on the lookout for our 2023 Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce
Community Guide & Business Directory! This year we plan to distribute 5,000 copies of
our guide at area hotels, on campus at WIU and SRC, City Hall, the Amtrak station, and
more! If you would like a stack to keep in your business waiting room, please stop in
after they arrive later this month and we’ll hook you up!

We have great things in store for the year ahead and can’t wait to watch how it all
unfolds! As always, we’re here for you and ready to work for YOU. Make sure you utilize your member benefits to help strengthen your business and our community.

As always, contact me at any time by emailing lauren@macombareachamber.com or
calling the Chamber office at (309) 837-4855. I always welcome your questions,
comments, and concerns.

I wish you and yours a prosperous and happy 2023.
Marketing Director Letter
Hello,

To some of you, you are ready to run right into a new year. That calendar flip brings hope, perspective, and opportunity. Welcome 2023! To some of you, you are limping into the next year still battered, bruised, and just trying to stay afloat. Good riddance 2022!

To some of you, you are ready to hesitantly dip a toe in the water. What if 2023 is exactly the same? To some of you, you could care less what year it is, nothing ever
changes you say. To some of you, you just want to fly under the radar, do your work, and stay safe regardless of what year it is.

To all of you, we at the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce will meet you where you
are. If you are ready to go full force into 2023, we're ready to help turn your ideas into
reality and set you on the path to thrive. If you are barely hanging on, we're ready to
compassionately, baby step help you to survive.

However, you are greeting the new year; there is a spot for you at the Macomb Area
Chamber of Commerce. With hundreds of members and thousands of business
professionals, we're ready to meet you where you are. We know that not just some of you,
but all of you have different expectations and needs. Not just some of you, but all of you
are unique in your positions and passions. Your story is what makes the community such a great one, even if it's a messy one right now.

If you do nothing else in 2023, make this the year you make your Chamber needs known.
Whether you are entering the new year on the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, let us
meet you where you are. Hit us up with all your new ideas, reach out with your questions, and we'll tackle it all together.

As we slide into 2023 - whatever they looks like for you, we hope to continue to work with
you and be a resource to lean on for support, encouragement, and resources. We will keep coming up with tools to help you live and love local. We welcome you to share yours with us at any time. My contact information is below and I encourage you to use it as many times as you need to; I promise no idea is too small or no question is too weird. That's what I, and the Macomb Area Chamber, are here for; to help you find the resources and information you need to be your best business self.

Let's make it a great year.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2022 Business of the Year and Business Leader of the Year! You can submit your nomination at bit.ly/2022annualawards. Deadline to nominate is January 13, 2023. You may also e-mail or mail in your nomination(s).
Gift Certificates
The Holiday season may be over, but there is always something (or someone) special to celebrate. Our Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates are the perfect birthday, anniversary, or wedding gift. Keep some on hand for those helpers in your life: teachers, babysitters, house watchers, dog walkers, or whomever needs a spur of the moment thank you.

Our gift certificates never expire, they never depreciate in value, and they are good at 140+ local businesses right near you. Make 2023 the year to #keepitinmacomb!
Business After Hours/Business Before Hours
Business After Hours is held monthly from 4:30-6 pm at a different member business location each month. This event allows members an opportunity to meet and network with fellow business leaders. There are always drawings and winnings, making for a wonderful mix of business and pleasure at the end of a work day.
Business Before Hours is held quarterly from 8-9 am. This event gives our members another opportunity for networking in the morning. Perfect for those that might have a full agenda after work!
December Business After Hours - First BankersTrust Company
Ambassadors

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee serve as the public relations arm of the Chamber. They enhance the image of our business community and the organization by presenting a positive and professional attitude at Chamber events and throughout their interactions with the business community. These 20+ volunteers are the ultimate Chamber cheerleaders.
Ribbon Cuttings
Jet Air, Inc.: The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on December 8 for Jet Air, Inc. based locally out of the Macomb Municipal Airport (16190 E. 1300th St.). Jet Air, Inc. took over Cobb Aviation on October 1 after the retirement of Lee Cobb. Jet Air operates one of the largest charter fleets in the Midwest with fixed base operations in Macomb, Galesburg, Burlington, and Iowa City. With a full staff of customer service team members, talented mechanics, and specialized hangar facilities, Jet Air Inc. is ready to welcome locals and visitors to the community for years to come.
For information on flights and facilities, visit jetairinc.com.
JBee Designs: The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting and attended an open house celebration on December 14 for JBee Designs - Jena Bredeman, CKBD, a new Chamber member and brand new kitchen and bath interior design located at 17 E. Side Square in Downtown Macomb. Owners Blake and Jena Bredeman have tirelessly updated the facade and inside of the showroom, doing much of the work themselves, while keeping the historical integrity of the space. With over 15 years of experience in interior design and a degree in fine arts from the University of Iowa, Jena has already designed for over 50 clients and currently has a waiting list for next year. JBee Designs offers a full show room of cabinet, hardware, countertop, and cabinet samples and is available for everything from cosmetic touch ups to a full renovation. For more information, call (309) 333-0637 or follow them on Facebook.
Calendar of Events

Welcome to a new month! Local events are in full swing this holiday season. You will find a full range of Chamber member events on our monthly calendar.
As a FREE member benefit, we invite you to send your events to us and we will include them on our website calendar. Whether virtual or in person, we want to help get the word out about the new ways you are helping us all #keepitnmacomb and beyond!
Member Renewals

Thank you to our members who have continued their yearly investment with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce within the last month. Your support of the local business community is much appreciated as we look forward to working with you to serve as a platform that provides opportunities for growth and development for your organization and the Macomb area as a whole. 
Click on the logos below to learn more about each member:
New Members
Job Postings

With several industries and career opportunities in our region, the Job Postings section on the Macomb Area Chamber website has become a one-stop shop for posting and finding quality positions and ideal candidates right in the immediate area. You can find job openings, training programs, and and more at our website below.
Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce
214 North Lafayette Street
Macomb, Illinois 61455