Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME…ICE!!! We are getting the rink ready for you to come in out of the heat and enjoy the Coolest Place in Town.  Whether you are registering for Learn To Skate or Little Stars Pre-Hockey or coming to Open Skate you are sure to have a great time!  Be one of the first on the ice by joining us for Open Skate on Saturday, October 3, 2015!! For more information regarding registration or Pekin Park District programs, call us at (309) 347-PARK (7275) or visit us online at www.pekinparkdistrict.org .  Find us on Facebook!   www.facebook.com/ppdrecreation

Illinois American Water encourages customers to participate in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted medications at approved collection sites so they can be incinerated, which is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal.  Both flushing medications down the toilet and throwing them in the trash are discouraged. The event is Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 AM to 2 PM.  Collection sites participating in this event can be located by visiting http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html “This event is a great opportunity for residents to securely drop off any unused or expired medications,” said Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President.  “It’s important for us to keep these items out of our landfills and water supplies as well as the hands of those who may misuse or abuse them.”   Hauk added,...

2015 Pekin Winter Wonderland Parade The Pekin Winter Wonderland Committee would like to invite you to join them for their annual Winter Wonderland Festival Parade on Sunday, November 29, 2015. This year’s theme is “An Old Fashioned Christmas”. Come and show off your business, organization or group for holiday spectators while you meet members of the community, schools and businesses during this holiday tradition. By entering the parade, you will be competing for a $100.00 cash prize. The winner will be chosen by the Grand Marshall  before the parade starts and awarded the cash prize at the Opening Ceremonies on the Pavilion Patio after the parade ends at approx 5:00 p.m. Date:               Sunday, November 29, 2015 Time:              2:30 p.m. Line-up/judging begins                   ...

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Pekin Hospital and Progressive Health Systems are pleased to announce that Sarah Edmondson, RN, has completed her Critical Care Nursing Certification, a credential granted by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Edmondson joined Pekin Hospital’s Critical Care Unit in 2013, starting as a student nurse intern before moving to a full-time nursing position. She is a graduate of Illinois Central College and the Methodist College of Nursing, where she was named valedictorian. “Sarah is a wonderful asset to Pekin Hospital and the community,” said Cheri Lawrence, Critical Care Unit Director. “She excels in critical thinking and provides high-quality, compassionate care to the patients we serve.” Part of Progressive Health Systems, Pekin Hospital is a 107-bed medical center serving Tazewell, Peoria and Mason Counties since 1913. For more information visit pekinhospital.org .

SOUTH SIDE TRUST & SAVINGS BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS OF BILL KOENIG AND MARILYN STRICKFADEN PEORIA, ILLINOIS...September 21, 2015… South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Mid Illinois Bancorp, Inc., announces the promotions of Bill Koenig to Vice President Commercial Lending and Marilyn Strickfaden to Vice President Commercial Lending. In this role, both Koenig and Strickfaden will be responsible for the continued growth and development of the commercial lending department, while providing financial expertise to our commercial clients.  Both have extensive experience in business banking and years of experience working with businesses involved in manufacturing, construction, health care, professional services, not-for-profit and real estate investment and development.  Koenig has worked in the banking industry for 26 years.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. ...

Traveling to Houston? Let us make your trip even better! Peoria International Airport and United Airlines are thrilled to have nonstop flights to Houston, where Southern hospitality meets urban chic. It'll be a great getaway this winter or use it as your gateway to 100 U.S. cities and 62 international destinations.    Win hotel stays, museum passes, premier parking and more in our  Happy Trails to Houston monthly giveaway    Click here to enter

Trivia about the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce   The longest serving Executive Director is William T. “Bill” Fleming, who was hired in June of 2001 and has served the organization for over 14 years. The Executive Director with the shortest tenure was A.W. Tartar, who was hired on February 15, 1952. He resigned 17 months later. The first female to serve on the board of directors was Florence Westphal, who was on the board from 1957-1959. The first female to serve as president of the organization was Carol Shields, in 1991. She later became the first female Executive Director in 1996. The more things change, the more they stay the same For over 20 years the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee has worked with a number of agencies, organizations, and governmental units and representatives to advocate for the construction of Veterans Drive. This road will extend from Illinois Route 29 on the south, and then along the City’s easterly border, event...

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The History of Chambers of Commerce As long as commerce has existed, traders have banded together. The purpose of these first associations was to seek common protection against enemies and marauding bands of robbers. Later they established codes to govern the conduct of trade, and still later, they attempted to exert influence on legislation. These early associations of traders have little in common with the modern Chamber of Commerce.   The history of Chambers of Commerce, as an institution representing the interests of business, dates back to the end of the 16th century. In 1599 the Board of Marseilles, France appointed a commission of four merchants and granted it the status of an advisory body on trade matters. The commission was “in charge of increasing the town’s prosperity.” Some time later the commission was named a Chamber of Commerce.    King Henry IV issued a decree whereby he legitimized the institution, which in the course of time became tota...

Miche Independent Representative Manda Brown recently celebrated her membership in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting.  The event took place at the Pekin Public Library where Manda was joined by family and friends.  MICHE began in 2007 with a clear vision—to give a woman the opportunity to enjoy the latest fashion styles beautifully and affordably anytime she wants, in 3 seconds or less, with just one handbag. Their innovative magnetic handbags with interchangeable exterior shells created a strong foundation for the company as they continue expanding their fashion brand. Today, MICHE is a social selling company offering a wide variety of high-quality fashion specialty bags, wallets and even jewelry—and it’s only the beginning! MICHE is fashion at the speed of life, with options for style as unique as you are. Manda can be reached at (309) 620-4149 or browny00.miche.com .  You can see a couple more pictures of the ribbon cutting at:  http://picas...

PROCLAMATION September 14, 2015 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEEK 2015   Whereas, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce works with businesses, merchants, and industry to advance the civic, economic, industrial, professional and cultural life of the City of Pekin; and   Whereas, chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life of Illinois for 177 years - since the founding of the Galena Chamber of Commerce in 1838; and   Whereas, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce traces its roots to 1893 and the formation of the Citizen's Improvement Association of Pekin, organized for the purpose of advancing the business interests and promoting the commercial growth of the City of Pekin; and   Whereas, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and its members provide citizens with a strong business environment that increases employment, the retail trade and commerce, and industrial growth in order to make the City of Pekin a better place to live; and   ...

Thanks to the following businesses who recently renewed their investment in the mission of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: 1-Star Member Morningside of Pekin Classic Members Morningside of Pekin Covenant Heating & Air Cranwill's Drive In Gold's Gym Express (Pekin Express, LLC) Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Patrick E. Oberle, PC Pekin Union Mission Society

A room designed to give long-term residents at the Center for Prevention of Abuse a quiet place to read a book, study or use the computer got a makeover recently, thanks to a sorority from Bradley University. The room, called “Juanita’s Wings”, is located in The Center’s long-term housing. About 50 members of Bradley University’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority brought over seating, a new table, book shelves, books, children’s furniture and rugs to make the room more functional and comfortable. The women of Alpha Chi also worked for a couple of hours to assemble all of the new furniture. Alpha Chi Omega members help victims of domestic violence as one of the club’s primary philanthropic efforts. The staff at the Center for Prevention of Abuse very much appreciates all of their hard work to make the lives of our residents better. The Center’s transitional housing apartments, called “Next Step”, are designed to help survivors of abuse, who are at risk of homelessness, transition...

South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Mid Illinois Bancorp, Inc., welcomes Tony Beiermann as Vice President Commercial Lending.  In this role, he will be responsible for the continued growth and development of the commercial lending department, while providing financial expertise to our commercial clients.  Beiermann was previously employed with F&M Bank in Peoria as Vice President Commercial Banking.  He has worked in the banking industry for 12 years and has experience working with businesses involved in manufacturing, construction, health care, professional services, not-for-profit and real estate investment and development.  Beiermann holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Finance from Eastern Illinois University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Peoria, Success By Six, and St. Philomena Men’s Club.  He also serves on the Strengthening Families Allocation Committee fo...

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed September 14 through September 18 as Chamber of Commerce Week throughout Illinois. The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has joined the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) in celebrating this special recognition of the contributions chambers of commerce make to Illinois civic and economic life. In his Proclamation, the Governor declared, “Chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life in Illinois for 177 years since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838.   Chambers of commerce encourage the growth of existing industries, services, and commercial firms and encourage new businesses and individuals to locate in Illinois.” Locally the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce traces its roots back to 1893.   The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of over 1,200 businesses, with nearly 400 investors coming together to create a vibrant local economy. The IACCE is...

The Marigold Festival weekend kicked off with a Business After Hours at the Pekin Country Club. Wine tasting and delicious food were on the menu. Everyone had a great evening, including the Marigold Festival Grand Marshals, Dean and Linda Cooper, and the Marigold Festival Committee Chair, Mike Vonderheide.  You can see more pictures from this and other chamber events at http://picasaweb.google.com

2015 Sporting Clays Event to benefit Good Shepherd Lutheran School This will be a Fun Shoot A great time for experienced shooters or for beginners to try sporting clays. What: Sporting Clays 100 Birds and Lunch When: Saturday, September 19,2015 Where: Oak Ridge Sportsman’s Club in Mackinaw Cost: $75.00 Call Mike at 309-267-3597 for a registration form or visit www.goodshepherdpekin.com .

 R. Scott Russell, Ph. D. Good Shepherd Lutheran School of Pekin started the 2015-2016 school year with a new principal.

Tips for Social Media Success There are now over 2 billion social media users worldwide. How can you take advantage of social media to market your business (and get some of those customers)? Find out how to manage social media without being overwhelmed, how to choose the right social media sites and what makes your customers loyal followers.  Learn More Get Your Business Ready for an Emergency Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT September is National Preparedness Month. Do you and your employees know what to do if a disaster hits? Join SCORE and the American Red Cross's Thomas Heneghan to learn about the Ready Rating  program. T...