Northbrook Chamber Annual Dinner Celebrates Businesses, Community

Written by Jean Streeter

Northbrook Chamber

More than 215 business and civic leaders came out to join the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce for an evening of celebration recently. The night featured the presentation of the annual Business Awards and a keynote address on the hot topic of cyber security. The Chamber’s annual meeting and dinner was held on Monday, March 9 at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel.

Northbrook Chamber Board Chair Ashley Delaney, of Whitehall of Deerfield, kicked off the night with an introduction of the Chamber board. She noted that the Chamber is celebrating the organization’s 60th anniversary and highlighted several recent Chamber accomplishments.

“At the end of 2014 the Northbrook Chamber had 738 members, more than at any other time in our history,” she said.

Other major accomplishments include the recent redesign of the Chamber’s website, where information is more accessibly on mobile devices. The Chamber also has a strong partnership with the Village of Northbrook with a Live Shop Dine campaign that drives business into Northbrook through a website, a Shopping and Dining Guide, TV commercial and a Facebook page featuring “Nicki the Elf” which reached 38,000 visitors in December. She noted that it is a goal of the Chamber to build and make the Chamber community even stronger in the coming year. She also commented that the Chamber plans to continue to strive to be relevant as it meets the challenges that lie ahead, and to continue to be a strong advocate for the business community.

Harley Korman, Korman/Lederer introduced the three Business Award winners. For promoting a spirit of giving and community involvement, Northbrook Court was honored as Corporate Citizen of the Year. Caryn Torres, Northbrook Court Senior General Manager Caryn Torres accepted the award, citing the shopping center’s ongoing support for numerous local causes, including Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook, Glenbrook North High School, the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and Orphans of the Storm. The center also purchases goods and services from local businesses, and the staff volunteers time for local charitable causes several times a year.

For demonstrating considerable growth and outstanding customer service, Countryside Montessori School received the Small Business of the Year award. Founded in 1967, the school has experienced steady, growing enrollment over the last 48 years. Begun as a small pre-school, over the years the school added elementary classes for grades 1- 6. A new middle school was opened in 2013. Since then enrollment for grades 7 and 8 has doubled. Accepting the award, Head of School Wendy Calise acknowledged her parents Frank and Annette Kulle, and said that the school is proud to be growing and thriving in a community that values education.

Countryside Montessori was thankful for the honor the following day, posting to Facebook:

“What a terrific honor! Thanks to the CMS families, faculty and staff for all you do that enabled us to receive such a fine honor.”

For his generous support of the organization, Bob Caldwell, NorthShore SeniorCare was honored as Volunteer of the Year. Caldwell serves on numerous Chamber committees where he assists with welcoming new members and serving on volunteer committees.

Photo 1: Volunteer of the Year winner Bob Caldwell, NorthShore SeniorCare (l) is congratulated by Ron Bernardi, Sunset Foods.

Photo 2: Head of School Wendy Calise, with Guy Calise accepts the Small Business of the Year award for Countryside Montessori School.

Photo 3 : Harley Korman, Korman/Lederer introduced the three award winners at the Chamber’s annual meeting and dinner.