Jazz Brunch

hosted by the

Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce

January 31, 2009

11:00am - 2:00pm

at the

Hotel Arista at CityGate Centre

Come experience a masterfully prepared southern style brunch while listening to live jazz at the Hotel Arista. The Chicago suburbs only luxury hotel locatd in the heart of Dupage county's vibrant business corridor.

Tickets: $55.00 per person

Please call for tickets at 630-859-9776 or e-mail your request to

qcaaevents@qcaachamber.com

Sponsorships are welcomed

___________

Table Sponsor -$550

10 Event tickets

Table signage

Silver Sponsorship - $1500.00

Full year Chamber Membership

6 Event Tickets

Logo affixed to all signage at Jazz Brunch marketing campaign

1/4 page website advertising for one year o the QCAAC website

Gold Sponsorship $2500.00

Full year Chamber membership

10 Event Tickets

Logo affixed to all Jazz Brunch marketing aids

1/2 Web page ad for one year

Logo on all QCAAC, marketing materials aids

Platinum Sponsor - $5000.00

Full year Chamber membership

10 Event Tickets

Logo affixed to all Jazz Brunch marketing

Full page Web page for one full year on the QCAAC website

Logo affixed on all QCAAC promotional and marketing aids

Preferred seating at all QCAAC events, Premium placement of logo at all QCAAC Events

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was guest of honor

at a Business Meet and Greet on Thursday in Aurora. The program is hosted by the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Quad County African American and Aurora Hispanic chambers of commerce.

The reception was held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Long Island Sound Banquets, 1920 E. New York Street, Aurora.

Giannoulias was visiting with local business, trade and educational leaders from the Aurora area.

"This is a great opportunity for business leaders to talk to the treasurer and learn more about the programs his office offers that benefit our local businesses," explains Joseph Henning, Greater Aurora Chamber president. "From the renewable Green Energy and Green Rewards to Opportunity Illinois and Employ Illinois, the treasurer's office has a number of programs available to help grow our local businesses."

‘Any opportunity to meet with the state leaders to be kept apprised and updated on the direction of the State is always welcomed. The success of the State has a close correlation to the success of businesses and organizations in the four county area in which Aurora sits.” explained Ray Jackson, Chairman of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce.

Small businesses are critical to the economic strength of Illinois. The Treasurer's Office helps those businesses in Illinois start, build, sustain and grow through the Employ Illinois program.

Pictured: N. Ray Jackson, Chairman, QCAAC

Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois State Treasurer

Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce hosts 2008

Diversity

Business Fair

on Wednesday, December 3, 2008

For More Information on the Diversity Business Fair, Contact:

Judy Dawson at judydawson@qcaachamber.com or 630-859-9776

Aurora, IL – The Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAACC) proudly presents its 2008 Diversity Business Fair on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at Hollywood Casino 49 West Galena Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506. Featuring an exhibit and trade show area, the goal of this event is to provide minority and woman-owned businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services to purchasing agents from area casinos, businesses, business resource organizations, and other minority business owners in the Chicago metro area.

The QCAACC 2008 Diversity Business Fair will help minority and woman-owned business owners build relationships with the individuals responsible for making public and private purchasing decisions.

To register for the exhibit and trade show or to request more information, please contact Judy Dawson at 630-859-9776 or via email judydawson@qcaachamber.com. A registration fee of $50 will apply to all exhibitors. Exhibit space is limited and reservations are required to display. Admission is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.Valued sponsors for this event include: Hollywood Casino, Empress Casino, Grand Victoria Casino and Disney Destination, LLC

Quad County African American Chamber To Hold Networking After Hours Event Titled "Procurement and the Minority Business" On September 5th...

The Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAACC) will hold its next networking event in its quarterly series on Friday, September 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Phillips Park Visitors Center, 1000 Ray Moses Drive in Aurora. The title of the networking event will be "Procurement and the Minority Business" and will feature Terry Michels, director of purchasing for the Hollywood Casino Aurora and Sally Pullara, director of purchasing for the Grand Victoria Casino Elgin.

Registration for the event is requested. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The purpose of this event is to offer a better understanding of how to best prepare and position a company to compete for business in the Quad Counties. For more information or to register, contact the Chamber at 630-859-9776.

QCAACC Participates In Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference & Exhibition In Chicago

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce held its 3rd Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Renaissance Hotel Chicago recently. This year's conference titled "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now!" featured informative workshops and seminars and attracted African American business people from across the country. For more information about the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce call (309) 303-0782 or visit the website at www.ilbcc.org.

Chamber Developing Database for African American Contractors and Sub-Contractors

The Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce is compiling a database of African American Contractors (construction, electrical, plumbing, carpenters etc) that are based in the counties of Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Will. If you are the president of such a firm, please send your name, address, phone number and email address to: quadcountyafricanamericanchamber@comcast.net. If you have any questions, please contact Sherman Jenkins, chairman of the Contractors Committee at (630) 450-3391. Please remember the companies must be based in one of the four counties mentioned above...no Chicago-based firms. The Chamber is putting this database together and has formed a Contractors' Committee to prepare for major construction projects that will occur in the four counties in the coming months and years.

SBA Helps Small Business Owners Win Federal Contracts With New Web-Based Course

The U. S. Small Business Administration recently launched its latest free online course, Business Opportunities: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts. The instructional, self-paced guide is easy to follow and available on SBA's website at www.sba.gov/training. From the SBA's training site, click the menu of free online courses, and then select the first course listed under Government Contracting. The Business Opportunities online course is designed for all small businesses, especially women entrepreneurs and small firms in underserved markets that have historically had difficulty in tapping into federal contract markets. For more information about SBA programs and services in Illinois, visit http://www.sba.gov/IL or call Mrs. Carol L. Thompson, Assistant District Director/Business Development, U. S. Small Business Administration Illinois District Office, (312) 866-0833.

Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce Elects New Officers

The Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAACC) recently announced the election of new officers for 2008-2009. The new officers of the Board of Directors are as follows:

Chairman: Ray Jackson, Midwest District Sales Manager for Walt Disney Company. Mr. Jackson has served on the QCAA board for two years.
President: Roscoe Greene, Senior VP and Asst. General Manager of Hollywood Casino. Mr. Greene has served on the QCAA board for two years
Secretary: Judy Dawson Sales Manager for AT&T. Ms Dawson has served on the QCAACC board for two years.
Treasurer: Sherman Jenkins, President, SLJ Development Corporation. Mr. Jenkins has served on the board since 1993.

“I am honored to be named to serve with such a distinguished group of business leaders in this capacity,” said Roscoe Greene. “My nomination as Chamber President allows me a greater opportunity to work closely with Chamber leaders in promoting the economic growth of the chamber and its membership. I believe my business background and that of our newly elected officers will be a great contribution to the QCAACC's continued growth and success."

The new officers were elected at the Chamber’s May 2^nd board of directors meeting. For more information, contact the chamber at (630) 859-9776.

Chamber Holds After Hours Networking Event At Hollywood Casino In Downtown Aurora, IL

The Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce held its third event in its series of quarterly After Hours Networking events. The event was held Friday, June 6th at Hollywood Casino, 49 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL Fairbanks Jr. room on the 4th floor. Titled, "Attracting More Clients - Strategies for Success," Sheree Franklin, an established entrepreneur, speaker, writer and counselor, gave an informative and eye-opening presentation. Her business, Specialties Plus, has serviced small and large businesses for close to 20 years. Ms. Franklin has conducted workshops for corporations, colleges, and community organizations. The following are photos taken at the event.

Pictured (left-to-right) are Ray Jackson, Chairman of the Board of the

Chamber; Judy Dawson, Secretary; Sheree Franklin, guest speaker

and Rosoe Grenne, President of the Chamber.

Guest speaker Sheree Franklin makes a point to attendees

during her presentation at the Chamber's Networking Event.

Become a member today!
Membership Application

Individual Memberships (Sole Proprietorships) $150.00

And Non-Profit Organizations

· Receives listing in membership directory

· Receives newsletter

· Receives certificate with letter from Chairman or President

· 20% discount on seminars and workshops

· Information retrieval and access to valuable business database information

· Free attendance to Business Networking sessions

Corporate Memberships $300.00

· Allows company to have 5 employees to attend a Chamber function (excludes fundraisers) at Chamber 20% discount rate.

· Company receives listing in membership directory

· Receives newsletter

· Advertising in membership directory at ½ price off regular rate

· Receives certificate

· Free attendance to Business Networking sessions

· Access to qualified African American suppliers and vendors

“Friends of the Chamber” Program $75.00

The “Friends of the Chamber” (FOC) program allows individuals who are not business people to assist the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (QCAAC) by volunteering time and with their financial support it aids in the continuation of the (QCAAC) agenda. The Chamber holds various workshops, networking sessions, and fundraisers that need the support and assistance of volunteers. Moreover, the program encourages members and their friends and relatives to buy from African American businesses thus helping to build a solid foundation for the mission of the Chamber to be fulfilled.

Through an investment of $75 per year, “Friends of the Chamber” members receive the following:

· Membership Directory (A listing of all Chamber members…including FOCs!)

· Newsletter

· Invitation to Chamber events

· “I Support the Chamber” Discount Card (receive discounts on products or services purchased from Chamber members).