County Chamber begins new networking program

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Shaunese Teamer

Updated: March 9, 2012 8:14AM

GURNEE — The Lake County Chamber of Commerce has launched a new program aimed at expanding member business connections.

“Connections Across Lake County” will schedule networking events taking place beyond the county seat.

“Although we are expanding the reach of our networking opportunities throughout the county, our regular monthly program schedule will continue to serve the needs of area business leaders that value our current events format,” said Shaunese Teamer, executive director of the Chamber.

“Connections Across Lake County” will offer new programming to help member organizations expand their business connections and visibility from one end of Lake County to the next, she indicated. The program will also provide new opportunities for chamber members to host events at their locations.

The Chamber has coordinated a number of events that will take place beyond the immediate area and Teamer said she welcomes business leaders to participate as an opportunity to learn more about the value of belonging to the Chamber.

“Without question, we are still making our way through a challenged economy and want to help businesses identify new ways to grow,” Teamer said. “As businesses take a closer look at their marketing initiatives for the coming year, we encourage them to consider the value of joining their local Chamber. This not only supports the economic strength within Lake County communities, it also supports economic growth throughout Lake County.”

Founded in 1915, the Lake County Chamber continues to host monthly events, including the bi-weekly Earlybird Networking Breakfast; a monthly Women’s Networking Lunch; and an after-hours event coordinated by their Hispanic Business Networking Group. In addition, the y Chamber will continue coordinating educational events highlighting business topics of interest, as well as annual opportunities for members to connect with local, regional and state legislators about business issues of concern in Lake County.

“Embracing our new direction as a regional chamber not only allows the organization to respond to the growing needs of our membership, we also hope to serve as a greater asset for those businesses that provide products or services that they would like to expand beyond their community,” said Horacio Lopez, chairman of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and owner of Pro Data Payroll Services in Gurnee.