The Chamber Lunch at Truluck’s on Wednesday, August 15 was organized and implemented to perfection.  Everybody enjoyed Randy of Sandler Training and Gail is a terrific MC. So thank you for your great Chamber work!

Thank you for a wonderful evening this past Saturday night at Café la Cave for the Community Stars Event. It was a well-run, well-orchestrated, well-choreographed evening down to the smallest detail. The room was resplendent with people who most obviously understand the mission of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Tina and I thank you most sincerely for the honor of becoming one of your Community Stars.

My Park Ridge Chamber membership has been wonderful and well worth it! I LOVE being the go-to carpet cleaner for the members. I'm so grateful Gail gave me the extra push to join the Chamber. I was so hesitant before for some reason, but now I see it as an active way of participating in the community, not only from a business stand-point, but a relationship building tool as well. 

The Park Ridge Chamber has been so incredible welcoming me into this city. They’ve encouraged and enabled me to network with other business owners and meet so many wonderful people within the community. I am so grateful for all of their support and encouragement as I continue to learn and grow while building my business here. Being a part of the Park Ridge Chamber has allowed me to feel much more connected to this amazing community, a community that tends to feel a lot like family. Thank you, Park Ridge Chamber! 

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is friendly, eager to help and awesome in every way. They truly care about their community and it shows in everything they do!

The Park Ridge Chamber serves so many interests among its many members.  It is open to new ideas and is quick to connect with new trends in merchandising at all levels.  I always feel welcome in attending various programs and especially at all social events. Congratulations on your many well planned evens and recognition. Gail and staff are amazing!    

First, it starts with the strong leadership at the top. Gail Haller’s passion for all thing Park Ridge Business is impeccable. She is a hands-on leader, approachable, and truly cares for the financial success of each of her members.

Secondly, the networking events are amazing. Business After Hours, for example, gives us business leaders in the community an opportunity to come together once a month and share ideas, best practices and leads and referrals.

Thirdly are the internal programs. I have been a member of PREN 1 from the get-go and have gotten plenty of solid business from the lead exchange program PREN 1 offers. Learning about other professions during the 10 minute presentation each month is another valuable method of staying in touch  with the local economy.

One would be hard pressed to find a better value for your membership dollar than The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Gail Haller and her staff at the Park Ridge Chamber are essential to what makes Park Ridge a wonderful place to live and work. They promote and accentuate the best of the people of Park Ridge by reminding us every day that as members of a community we have a shared responsibility to each other to make our corner of the world a better place.

The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce has become an integral piece of my business.  The Park Ridge resources are in abundance, and someone is always ready to help with whatever is needed.  Joining the Chamber team was a natural choice for Lettuce Organize® LLC.

Happy to say that I think we have the best Chamber of Commerce anywhere! Always very informative and yet very social which gives members the chance to meet a nice group! Hard working group too.

The members of the PRCC are very active and welcoming in this Chamber! There are always great events and networking opportunities too which make it the best Chamber to be a part of!

I have found our membership in the Park Ridge Chamber extremely valuable. As a new member of the Bugle team, I have made so many worthwhile contacts and met so many prospective clients. I have also learned about many more businesses and new businesses in town because of my membership. I never would have the knowledge that I do without being a part of this helpful, intelligent and generous group. I have always felt welcome and included at all of their events and meetings.

Gail and the rest of the board really go above and beyond to bring business into and advertise local establishments. PRCC really is an advocate for business owners. They are our cheerleaders! We are proud to have joined the chamber 10 years ago!

I attend the Chamber breakfast each month and have enjoyed all of the dynamic people and events on our PRCC calendar. It's a great feeling of community, not unlike that which we have at Notre Dame College Prep.

I went to the Recycling Event on Saturday and I wanted to say how impressed I was. It was well organized and moved very quickly. As a long time Park Ridge resident I wanted to say a big thank-you for all the hard work and planning that went into this

The Chamber's Canopies on Courtland Business to Consumer Expo is always one of my favorite events because we have the opportunity to meet so many people within the Park Ridge community! This year we had record crowds and perfect weather.  It's a great location to be next to Hodges Park where the family activities are happening during the Taste of Park Ridge and they always spill over to the booths. Thank you for putting on another great event!

This was our first year participating in the Canopies on Courtland event and we truly enjoyed it! We were able to meet a lot of great, new people, and now have 4 winners for services at our location after we open. 

Since joining the Park Ridge Chamber, all of the events that we have attended have been awesome - we love connecting with other local businesses. Best yet, I found my forever chiropractor Dr. Whitney! I also cannot wait to attend the upcoming Business After Hours event at FFC this June.

"The Park Ridge Wine Walk was a GREAT idea! Great exposure to businesses in Uptown too. I heard a number of people saying, "I didn't know this [business] was here." Would I do it again? Yes, I would definitely do it again!"

My wife and I had a great time at the wine walk and already plan on attending the next one. The best thing about the walk was getting introduced to all the new businesses.  We moved to Park Ridge just last December and this was a great way to really get to know the downtown better. Thanks again and we look forward to the walk this fall! 

"The Park Ridge Wine Walk was a HUGE success! The best part was that we actually went into places that we had never been before and can't wait to go into again to shop and eat! What a GREAT day."

"The Chamber has been very supportive of my photography business by giving me a lot of marketing exposure and leads. Through networking at various Chamber events, I've made many contacts which help keep my business growing. I'm glad I'm a member of the Park Ridge Chamber and would recommend every business in Park Ridge join the Chamber!"

One of the most useful benefits of being a Chamber member for me is networking with other small business owners. We have shared ideas on marketing, sales, events, and social media - it sure helps to learn from each other's experiences. 

"I always tell people that being a chamber member is like having your own personal Angie's List.    When I have a need, I can count on Park Ridge Chamber members to provide excellent service.  Here's an example.     Dr. Jennifer Hunsader at Lossman Eye Care is my optometrist.  She's absolutely wonderful.  How did I meet Dr. Hunsader? At a Chamber Women in Business meeting!  She was introduced to me by another chamber member who also uses her services!   What better referral is there?   And this is not the only chamber member who provides great service to me.  I have my cars serviced by Nelson Automotive, my insurance through Dave Donovan at Coyne Insurance and Paul Levine at DeCarl, Levine and Friedman, my kitchen was remodeled by Borgic Remodeling.......  the list goes on and on.   So when you think of the benefits of chamber membership, don’t just think about selling your services, think of all the great service you can receive from your fellow chamber members!"

"I am a new member of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce and I am very impressed with the organization.  Each event that I have attended has been exceptional.  I only wish that I had joined years ago!"

"I am a brand new member who joined the PRCC first thing after setting up my new business. Constant Market Analysis is a critical element to my consulting services - at the Chamber I can listen to many perspectives without taking up too much of anyone's time. 

As a long time Park Ridge resident I also enjoy seeing my friends and meeting new ones. It's fun and informative to go to the presentations!  I look forward to many, many years of membership and hope to have a leadership role in the future."

- Cindy Montgomery, Teachability, LLC 

“I have always valued my membership as a way of giving back to the community, being involved with other business owners, and staying relevant.” Dick Barton, Chamber President 2006 and founder of Barton Marketing Group. 847-720-4495  dbarton@bartonchicago.com

"Thank you so very much for celebrating our 45th year in business in Park Ridge. We appreciate all that you have done for us. We also appreciate all your efforts in making the Park Ridge Chamber such outstanding and worthwhile organization."

"The Multi-Chamber Networking at the Chicago Bandits Pro Softball Game was fun! It was a great location and I liked how the area was exclusive from the rest of the spectators. We met some great people and had great conversations."

"My main Chamber activity has been regular attendance at the monthly networking luncheons.  Besides finding the speakers informative, I enjoy meeting other Chamber members and learning about their particular job responsibilities and services they are providing.  The introductions at these luncheons also give me an opportunity to invite the attendees to stop in at the Christian Science Reading Room at 13 N. Prospect, just a few stores north of Six Corners, for some quality quiet time during their busy days. The Reading Room is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. I also bring with me about a half dozen recent copies of the Christian Science Monitor, a weekly  Pulitzer Prize-winning international magazine, for anyone to take with them at the end of the luncheon.  This enables me to provide to many who may not be aware of the quality and scope of articles in the magazine a periodical they would not otherwise read.  I am also the President Emeritus of the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council, which is also a Chamber member.  As a Chamber member who appreciates the many services provided by the Chamber to its members, I will often make a special effort when dining at new restaurants in Park Ridge, to meet the owner and encourage them to join the Chamber, pointing out some of the benefits of doing so."

"Wow! What a fabulous event the Mega Connect was! The benefits of being a new Chamber member continue to be outstanding. From networking Luncheons, Breakfasts, and Business After Hours there are always so many events to choose from. Just wanted to pass along a thank you to all involved."

"When I turned my passion in teaching math into a business by opening Mathnasium, the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce was there for me from the beginning. They provided the right resources and networking opportunities to jump start my business and even more, feel like I'm part of the Park Ridge community. "

"I find the Chamber's many different networking functions are efficient and fruitful: Some of my very best clients are people I have met at Chamber functions! I also find I gain added credibility for my practice by being a board member of this prestigious organization."

I joined the Chamber to promote my hairstylist/makeup artist business and quickly gained enough visibility that I was hired to manage a salon while concurrently running my own business. The Chamber provides lots of ways to promote my business, including the "Shop Park Ridge" Facebook page and networking events with other Chamber members and the public. I joined the Chamber's Retail Committee, became the Chair, and am completely enrolled in First Fridays, Winterfest and other creative joint marketing programs. The Chamber has our backs, and whether your business is large or small like mine, the support of colleagues in our community makes all the difference.

"We were looking for a new accounting firm a few years ago and Gail Haller recommended Chamber member Sullivan & Johnson. They've been our accountants ever since and we've been very happy with them.  Thanks to the Chamber for a solid referral in a crucial business area."

"The Community Stars Dinner was a blast.  We knew so many people there.  It was like a class reunion! It was a great night to celebrate Pete’s accomplishments.  Plus, as a total bonus, we won four of the raffles and one of the silent auctions.  Quite a haul.  A great night to ward off the winter chill in the dead of winter.  So glad to be there!" 

I originally became a Chamber member at the urging of the owner of a store where I regularly shopped. I was reluctant to join at first because our business focus was on large associations not small businesses. However, over the years the Chamber has provided the Barton Marketing Group not only the opportunity to establish long-term, profitable business ties but lasting personal friendships as well. As a strong believer in the “shop local” concept, I love how the Chamber promotes local businesses.

We are already getting calls for appointments from customers who saw us at the Canopies on Courtland during the Taste of Park Ridge! Thanks for all of your support and fantastic coordination.

The Multi-Chamber event was great and well attended.  I was very excited to meet the Marketing person from Whole Foods.  They had a booth, and I was able to talk about our Presence Center for Health and how we can partner together.  It will allow us to work together and grow our businesses. There were so many other wonderful exhibiters too!
 

I went to a Business After Hours and not only learned about a new bank, I discovered a pizza parlor I’d never tried had great food! At just about every Chamber event, I meet someone who is a good prospect for my marketing communications services, and I’ve also found several important vendors through the Chamber. My membership has paid for itself, and quicker than I ever thought possible.

Thank you again for Canopies on Courtland at the Taste last Saturday!  On Monday we got a call for an appointment from someone who visited our booth. Talk about fast results!

I just want to give a shout out to Linda at Rocky Mountain Chocolate. She was able to help design corporate gifts for me this year. As your local neighborhood Podiatrist I thought it would be fun to have some bars of chocolate made up embellished with some chocolate feet to go with bottles of Barefoot wine (yes... a bit subliminal). I think they came out great. Here is a photo before I wrapped them up for distribution. Thanks to Linda again.

I joined the Park Ridge Chamber only at the urging of a favorite retailer, but over time, I got more involved by serving on several committees. I enjoyed the process, was elected to the Board of Directors, and eventually became President. Today, I remain active on two committees and regularly attend Chamber luncheons, networking after-hours events and the annual awards dinner. Chamber membership lets me use my talents to give back to my community, promote my marketing consulting business, find new clients, and develop priceless friendships. I recommend Chamber membership to anyone who is serious about doing business in Park Ridge.

I hate expenses. So when Gail recruited me up for the Chamber I did so begrudgingly, thinking it was going to be just one more expense. But I started attending Chamber events and quickly found that Chamber networking was bringing me new customers and increasing my sales while I was meeting fellow "movers and shakers" and having a great time!  Bottom line, Chamber membership is a small expense that produces a very positive return. I heartily endorse it!

Anyone who knows me well can tell you I’m not much for social media.  But that doesn’t mean that I don’t know how important it is to get to know other people and learn what they do and how we might help each other. When I practiced law, Park Ridge Chamber luncheons gave me the opportunity to do that with others who were active in the local business community.  When I stopped practicing law, I thought that would be the end of the chamber membership, but I’m so glad I joined again as the owner of Pooch Pal where the chamber is still giving me the opportunity to connect with other people at Business After Hours and the Park Ridge Executive Network. It’s an investment well worth making.

Counting the years that I was a member of the Chamber as the Public Relations Director for Maine Township High School District 207, I have been a part of this organization since 1983.  That’s a lot of years and life has brought many changes during that time.  The Chamber has been there for me wherever I have found myself on my career path.  In my latest endeavor, Generation Connection, I have made invaluable connections that have enriched my life not only professionally but personally through my participation in Women in Business, Park Ridge Executive Network, Chamber luncheons, after-hours events, the annual awards dinner and as a Chamber Ambassador.

Our first experience at Canopies on Courtland Consumer Expo went really well! Placement of the Expo was perfect for us: right across from the kids' activities! We definitely will be signing up again next year. It was great exposure for our company and we got many inquiries! Thank you!