November 29, 2021

Have you ever wondered why some companies get great media exposure?

This week we'll uncover that mystery with our first-ever media panel, featuring communications professionals Erica Loiacono from Community School District 200, Jeff Reiter from Cantigny Park and Golf and Janet Mathis from Gary United Methodist Church. Craig Dellimore from WBBM news radio and Orrin Schwarz, editor of the Daily Herald Business Ledger will share from the journalist's side of the desk. You'll hear from the experts on how to leverage "The Power of the Press."

Social media is important but traditional media can be a critical component of your marketing plan, too. We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to hear from the best of the best on how to get your message heard, in print and on the airwaves.

To your success,

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Bonilla of Salon J, a new salon located at 278 West Loop Road in Wheaton. We are delighted Jennifer will be part of the Chamber and encourage you to reach out to her with a personal welcome. Also, we hope you'll save December 9 for Salon J's ribbon-cutting which will be held at 5:00 p.m.

Are you looking for new ways to boost the visibility of your business?

There's still time to register for this week's "The Power of the Press: Boosting Your Business Through Media Relations," a media panel hosted by the Women in Business Committee. This event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. this Wednesday, December 1, via Zoom, and you'll be able to ask questions of our esteemed panel members. You can register here.

Janet Mathis, a former broadcast journalist and communications director at Gary United Methodist Church, will moderate this discussion with:

Learn how media relations can help your business grow. Cost for the program is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members which will support our upcoming "Reset for Success: Women in Business Expo" scheduled for March 18, 2022. RSVP here.

We love to #BragandTag about our members, so please send us your press releases, member-to-member deals and "Hot Deals." We'll share here in Monday Matters, on our website and on our social media platforms.

Here are some press releases from our members who already understand "the power of the press." And don't miss our Wheaton Chamber member "Hot Deals" from Best Booth Plus, The Moment on Main and Keane Media Group. Anything you'd like to share for either member-to-member deals or "Hot Deals" for the community? Let us know and we'll help you post it on our website.

Tomorrow we'll celebrate #GivingTuesday and there are countless ways for you to give and support our Chamber non-profits. Click here to visit the list of our members who make a difference in our community through their services to those in need. Several of them have opportunities for matching gifts.

Growing your business doesn't stop just because it's the holidays. In fact, there's never a better time to connect and network. The Women's Business Development Center is offering workshops through December, including seminars on intellectual property and preparing your business for 2022. Learn more here.

If you know of anyone who is job-hunting, recommend a visit to the Career & Networking Center's website which is full of opportunities to learn and connect.

We welcome your news so we can share it with other Chamber members, whether that's via press release, an announcement, a ribbon-cutting or an upcoming event. Please send your news to us and we'll include here in "Monday Matters" as well as on our social media platforms.

One of our Chamber members, Bluebird Day, is offering a Sensory-Friendly Vaccine Clinic from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, at their clinic in Wheaton, 140 E. Loop Road. This clinic is for "neuro-diverse individuals" whose sensory conditions may impact accessibility to the vaccine. This clinic is being held in partnership with Eyas Landing, and two other clinics will be held in Chicago on Saturday, December 4. For more information, click here.

Gary United Methodist Church is offering a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8. Pediatric and 12+ doses as well as vaccines and boosters for adults will be available. Learn more here.

Sports spectators, here's a great chance to be part of the 2021 Cyclocross National Championships being held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, through Sunday, December 12, at Cantigny. This event is being held in partnership with the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau. The event will crown national champions in both age group and professional categories, with elite riders qualifying for the world championships. Spectators are welcome and the purchase of a $20 wristband entitles you to parking and access to the event throughout the week. Children 10 and younger are free.

There's a lot going on with our Chamber members this holiday season. Here are some of the celebrations and events coming up that our members have shared with us.

What would the holidays be without music? The Glen Ellyn/Wheaton Chorale is hosting its "Wintersong 2021: Merry and Bright" concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3, and again at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, at College Church, 335 E. Seminary Avenue in Wheaton. According to Jennifer Whiting, director, "We are eager to share this outstanding holiday program with you--full of songs that express profound emotions, from deep longing to utter joy." The chorus and musicians are fully vaccinated and the Chorale is following CDC and World Health Organization recommendations. Masks will be required for audience members (just like on Broadway). To buy your tickets, click here.

The folks at Fairhaven Wealth Management have invited us all to attend their Christmas Open House this Friday, December 3, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at their offices at 104 E. Roosevelt Road, Suite 100. Ring in the season with hors d'oeuvres and holiday cheer with the Fairhaven team. Don't miss this opportunity to visit their beautiful office, filled with original artwork, and meet with friends old and new. Please RSVP here. And if you haven't seen their fall/winter edition of the Fairhaven Journal, click here to download. The publication is filled with more than just finance information--it's a gem.

Hurry, there's still time to register for the annual Reindeer Run that's coming up this Saturday, December 4. This 5K, a project of the Wheaton Lions Club Charities and the Wheaton Park District, will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Wheaton. You also have a virtual registration option to run between December 4 and December 18.

Cantigny is hosting "Celebrate the Season" from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 4, with horse-drawn sleighs and music by the Community School of the Arts (CSA) from Wheaton College. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots and receive free parking. Train buffs, don't miss the Lego Train Show at the Visitors Center.

The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park is also hosting two programs via Zoom that highlight military history. An author event and a presentation about Pearl Harbor will be held in December. Learn more here.

This is the 52nd year of Christmas Sharing of Wheaton Warrenville, providing for our neighbors in need within Community Unit School District 200. This long-time community effort has gone virtual and contributors are asked to give money which will help purchase food and gift cards that will be distributed via drive-through at three different church locations. For information on giving and volunteering, click here.

Cosley Zoo will host its Festival of Lights through December 30. This annual event is a perfect way to celebrate the season, complete with twinkling lights, greenery with trees & wreaths for sale and that perfect gift for your favorite animal lover in their Wild Side Gift Shop.

B.R. Ryall YMCA has opened its Christmas tree lot and you can purchase your tree, wreath or garland at the Y. Proceeds will go to their financial assistance fund which supports children and families in need. Click this link for more information.

This year, we received a copy of a letter from April Redzic, president of DuPage Pads, written to Annette Hernandez, VP of sales at Villa Park Office Equipment. Annette shared the letter from April with us:

"Thank you for the overwhelming generosity contributing to another successful year of our VPOE Thanksgiving Food Drive. Together we were able to make an impactful difference, extending beyond the holiday festivities ensuring much-needed assistance throughout the winter. This is truly a Thanksgiving blessing for many families within our community."

Not only did these two Chamber members come together but a third Chamber member, Marc Horner from Fairhaven Wealth Management, offered to be a drop-0ff site for VPOE's drive here in Wheaton. We love when our members work together! Here's Wheaton Chamber board member Chad Pedigo of DuPagePads, our very favorite Thanksgiving turkey, as he helped to deliver 225 turkey dinners along with six other cars and 15 amazing volunteers...