Some Warrenville residents don’t think the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce is a big deal. If it sticks around, fine. If not, that’s fine, too. Here are some frequent activities that find their way to the chamber—situations that would not arise if the chamber disappeared.
•A business wonders if Warrenville would be a good place to relocate. Who has the information to share with this person? They usually start with city hall, the city’s webpage, and maybe a Google search. But ultimately, the phone call is transferred to the chamber office.
•A family relocating to the Chicago area has family or friends in the western suburbs and wants to learn more about Warrenville. They Google the city’s website, but more than likely they contact a realtor and then the chamber office for more information.
•A new family moves into town. They search for stores to make routine purchases, asking their new neighbors for suggestions. Then the chamber’s Greeter Service drops by and talks with them and helps orient them to their new community.
•Santa comes to town in early December. Who organizes Holly Days for the community and local retailers? The chamber has been involved in this event for more years than anyone can count.
•Annual Good Citizenship Award to fifth graders. Another chamber program that helps our children understand why it is important to be informed, involved and a good partner with others in their social circle.
•The city wants to find out how businesses would react to a proposal that might affect them. They call the chamber to ask them to send an inquiry or survey to its members. Feedback is readily available and shared with the city.
•State of the City address is given by the mayor in February each year to a gathering of chamber members. Public is invited. Channel 10 coverage is usually arranged.
•Reaching out to other communities and their businesses to determine if they can find worthwhile business opportunities in Warrenville. Would they fill a needed retail or service niche in our town that is not now provided for? Or, do they have a need for one of our businesses to serve a niche market in their town?
•Networking throughout the community to help sell the goods and services of our local businesses. Does one business understand another’s business well enough to refer new customers to it? And vice versa?
•Workshops and seminars—these cover business operating basics like planning, marketing, human resource regulations, accounting and tax issues, plus whatever other topics are needed by the local small business community. These are provided at nominal cost by the chamber to its members.
•Summer Daze—who will continue this 32-year tradition absent the chamber? Will the city and park district carry the entire event forward?
•Candidate Debate Night—local candidates running for office participate in a biennial Candidates’ Night sponsored by the chamber. This is the only such program provided for on the local scene.
•The coffee table magazine “Warrenville” is produced every other year and mailed to every home and business in town. It is also mailed to prospective new businesses and families considering a move to Warrenville.
•Community telephone directory—long a fixture of our community, the little book of resident phone numbers and local business information has been a project of the chamber for decades. Who will handle this project if the chamber is gone?
There are other programs and services performed by the chamber. Some are more visible than others, and most people value each very differently than others. Still, without the chamber, many traditions would be lost. And by the time their absence is noticed, it will be too late.
Is that really what our community deserves?
