Ted Novak | Partner
Clique Studios

The Chicagoland Chamber has made relevant, proactive connections happen for us that have turned into positive business relationships. It has served as a platform for us to engage with other Chicago businesses in new ways and has helped us build our reputation in the community as a consultative team for helping other members make the most of their online presence.

As a small business, we weigh an investment into any organization as significant, in that it requires of our agency not only money but more importantly, invest time. The Chamber has improved our business by providing a conduit to relationships that are not built on how many LinkedIn connections you have, but how valuable you can be to each other in growing business, creating jobs, driving innovation and building something positive for Chicago.

Clique Studios counts the Chamber as one of the more valued partnerships we have. The staff is committed, knowledgable, and passionate about helping members gain value out of their memberships. They truly care about creating positive results for their members. The value proposition is simple - 'the Chamber doesn't simply 'advocate' for businesses, they 'generate' for businesses.

The staff is amazing and the membership is comprised of success-driven individuals who understand their commitment to helping other businesses grow. The Chamber has helped amplify our voice in the Chicago business community and from our standpoint, is a must-have partner for any business in Chicago looking to grow, specifically in the B2B market.

Sean Lyons | VP, Business Development
TechWeek

Through the Chicagoland Chamber, I have been able to meet both clients as well as partners who have directly impacted my bottom line and added significant value to my personal network.

The Chamber has directly connected me to influential decision makers who they know will help me grow my business. Those connections also all think highly of Linda Dao at the Chamber, so her credible referrals carry a lot of weight when she makes a thoughtful introduction.

I feel like the Chamber is a trusted Partner and loyal Advocate, both for myself and for my business. I have told everyone that I have referred to them that Chamber is a great conduit to influential leaders in the Chicago Business Community. They are constantly finding new and creative ways to engage and give back to their Members and the membership reciprocates by remaining actively involved in the organization.

I can personally testify to meeting some excellent people through the Chamber that I would not have met otherwise. Far and away, the people I have met and the relationships that have formed as a result is what I have enjoyed the most about being a member. It has been a pleasure making so many valuable contacts through this community and I remain very opportunistic about how these relationships will continue to develop going forward.

If the world truly is all about who you know more than what you know, then the Chamber represents the perfect platform to get to know the right people in the Chicago Business Community.  

Randy Boschulte | State Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer and Investigator for Central Illinois
Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

disabilityworks at Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is unique, and the return on the U.S. Department of Labor’s investment in the program is unbelievably high. I only wish that more national and state leaders knew more about your success stories and services you rendered to the business community, DCEO, and to disadvantaged people with disabilities with limited resources.

Eileen Kent | President
Custom Keynotes, LLC

I was first part of the Chamber as a sales executive deeply involved as the Networking Chair and on the Small Business Board of Directors. I rejoined the Chamber in March of 2012 as a new business owner of Custom Keynote because I wanted to re-connect with Chicago-based companies who needed one-on-one assistance selling to the feds and building custom strategic action plans so they would have a realistic understanding of what it really takes to win federal business.

Since joining, I have captured 5 times my membership investment within my first six months! The Chicagoland Chamber is the #1 Place to Network for Business-to-Business opportunities and lead sharing.

In my first year "back," team members such as Damian Silver have gone far and beyond the call of duty to reach out to me and make me feel welcome and involved. He has given me opportunities to present "The Federal Sales Game, How to Play to WIN!" "Building Blocks of a Winning Proposal" at the Chamber and he has personally invited me to networking events such as business after-hours and speednetworking.com.

I can't thank the Chicagoland Chamber enough for helping this brand new Woman-Owned business - and because of the Chicagoland Chamber - I am up, running and hitting my first anniversary with plenty of opportunity booked and on the horizon! Thank you Chicagoland Chamber!

Gregg Salkovitch | VP of Recruitment
Sales Empowerment Group

My main exposure to the Chicagoland Chamber has been dealing with Linda Dao, and she has been incredible. She genuinely cares and although she's busy and we're a smaller business, she's treated me like we're a big business.

As a sales recruiting company, the Chicagoland Chamber has helped me make two placements in John Kerscher and Ryan Dean. I have several others she has given me too that are in the interview process that I plan to place soon.

In addition, every person they put me in touch with has been a connector and incredibly helpful in either referring great sales candidates, business, or just being overall good people. I've obviously gone out of my way for them as well.

The quality of connections that Linda Dao and the Chamber have put me in touch with have been top notch, not only from a business perspective but just as people. I've become friends with some of them, others will be lifelong people to network with, and there's several who I believe I'll place in jobs down the road.

Rob Christy | Vice President, Public Affairs
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been a long standing Board member of the Chicagoland Chamber since 1934. Through our partnership with the Chamber we have forged countless relationships that are vital to our organization.

Our membership in the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is essential as they are extremely responsive to our needs and the needs of the Members.

The Chamber works on behalf of business with legislation that negatively/positively impacts our profit margins. As one of the oldest and most progressive Chamber in the state, there is simply no better place in the Midwest for business, civic and government leaders to work together to position Chicago as one of the world’s leading global hubs.

A conversation with them will show you why 90% of the region's top companies are involved with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Samantha Kendall | President and CEO of Sam's Gourmet Lasagna

I learned about the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce upon reading an article featuring CEO Jerry Roper, who talked about how he applies an alternative diet to his life. I took interest in the article and simply reached out to learn what his diet was.

To my surprise, I met the most wonderful people on the Chamber staff, and they introduced me to the benefits of becoming a Chamber member. Although the membership fee was a challenge at first, I was able to get sponsorship support and became a member. As a result, I was able to connect with the CEC program through the Chamber, gaining access to many valuable resources to help my business.

Shortly after that, and through networks with the Chamber, NBC featured my story, and I was able to promote my business at U.S. Cellular Field. In addition, the Chamber referred me to Mayor Daley's office for the ‘Bulls Wager of Local Products,’ which provided excellent exposure for me through the media, and there is so much more!

One day, Sam’s Gourmet Lasagna will be a Global company, because pasta is my passion. Through tragically losing my daughter to gun violence, a divorce, and homelessness, I pursued my passion. Some things happen that you can’t explain, but I remain hopeful thanks to support of people like the staff at Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Shelley Stern | Central Region Community Outreach Director
Microsoft

Microsoft has been a member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for many years and through our membership we have forged some close client relationships. As someone who regularly attends the Annual Meeting, I’m always impressed with what I learn and who I meet. There is simply no better place in the Midwest for business, civic and government leaders to gather.

Lori Ziesmer | General Manager
OfficeLinks

After a three year absence from Chicago due to a hectic travel schedule, I joined the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce in January 2009 to reconnect with other small business owners in the Chicago area.

I set up a meeting with Damian Silver, membership investment manager, who suggested committees and events I should consider attending. Two years later I continue my membership with the Chamber because of the contacts and like minded individuals I have met through my association on the small business committee and monthly coffee and connections events. I have done business with many people I met through introductions from the Chamber and value my partnership with them.

Paul LaSchiazza | President
AT&T

We find great value from our (Chamber) membership. Jerry Roper is a tremendous advocate for business in Chicago. He has deep and significant relationships with all of the power brokers in the City and is well respected in City Hall. He does everything necessary to support his members. He understands what businesses needs to be successful and is willing to speak out on our behalf.

The Chamber is a thought leader and gets actively involved in public policy debate and policy formulation. They take proactive stands on education, taxes, government intervention.....They also have an effective lobby in Springfield of which has been very beneficial to our company. The Chamber coordinates its activity with IBRT, IL State chamber, and other business organizations.

Courtney Pike | Vice President
JB Training Solutions

From my first event, I could tell that the Chamber was all about doing business. As soon as I walked in the door, the Chamber staff members were introducing me to attendees and helping make connections. I've been a part of many organizations, but never has an organization lived and breathed the mantra - "It's all about our members." The Chamber makes it easier to do business in Chicago.