Fundraising
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Chair: Tonya West
The Fundraising Committee is a group of Chamber of Commerce Board members that work together to plan fun, informative events for our members and raise money for the Chamber to ensure we are able to provide services to our members throughout Champaign County and beyond. Events include Annual Dinner, Golf Outing and Chamber Night at the Races. Other fundraising efforts include raffle prizes, silent auctions and The Best of Champaign County. |
Second Saturdays
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Chair: Jeremiah Stocksdale
The Downtown Urbana Second Saturdays Committee—comprised of downtown merchants, business leaders, sponsors, and vendors—is dedicated to growing and maintaining the success of Second Saturdays. Their mission is to attract visitors and boost business in Downtown Urbana through vibrant monthly events that have become a source of entertainment and pride for Champaign County residents and a fun, memorable experience for visitors. |
Safety Council
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Chair: Spencer Mitchell
Developing and maintaining a safe work environment is no easy task. That is why local companies and the community make a combined effort to develop and maintain a safe workplace and workforce. In Ohio, a Safety Council’s purpose is to increase safety awareness, prevent occupational accidents, and provide quality occupational safety, health, and wellness programs. Locally driven, our safety council identifies existing and potential safety problems that our businesses are encountering and coordinates presentations that provide access to current information regarding techniques, products and services to improve the safety and health of our businesses and workforce. Membership provides opportunities for professional development on occupational safety, accident prevention, risk management, and workers compensation claims as well as networking with other industries. Additionally, membership and participation saves businesses money by providing access to worker’s compensation rebates and public recognition for efforts to prevent workplace injury. |
Young Professionals
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Chair: Alexa Atterholt
The Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with participants from the 2015 Leadership Champaign County program and other community members, launched a new initiative in January 2015 to bring together area young professionals at social and networking events to build a stronger business community in Champaign County. The new program was named “iLead” - Inspiring, Learning, Encouraging, and Developing Champaign County young professionals. The objective of iLead is to facilitate valuable business and social networks and create opportunities to connect this generation of professionals with the Champaign County community in a number of ways. Social events provide an opportunity for young professionals to meet other area business leaders and share information and resources. The ultimate aim of the program is to create a robust local economy that both retains and attracts young professionals to our area. Quarterly events are held at various locations in the area and encourage conversation between all members of the community - not just young professionals. All ages are invited to attend, so be sure to check out iLead’s upcoming events on the calendar! |
Visitors Bureau
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Chair: Grace Kurtz
This “department” of the Chamber is a DMO: Destination Marketing Organization, whose mission is to promote Champaign County as a premier destination of leisure travel, highlighting the area’s historical, cultural, and recreational activities - and as a result, attracting visitors who help enhance the county’s economic and social vitality. The Visitors Bureau collaborates with area businesses to produce guides to shopping, dining and other activities in and around Champaign County and produces and maintains a calendar of events annually and supports Champaign County events weekly via online marketing and social media. Funding for the Visitors Bureau is generated by lodging taxes collected by the county. |
Leadership Champaign County
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Chair: Brett Spriggs
Leadership Champaign County is a community development program in which participants with diverse backgrounds and experiences will have the opportunity to broaden their perspectives, enhance their leadership skills and learn from others who are active in our community. The program is for those who wish to gain knowledge, skills, experience and commitment needed to be effective leaders in both our community and our professions. Those attributes will then allow participants to better address community needs and opportunities. The goal of the program is to develop informed, civic minded leaders for the Champaign County community. |
Facilities Committee
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Chair: Elton Cultice
In 2018 the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce purchased the Bancroft House at 127 West Court Street in Urbana. This is the first time in the 100 year history of the Chamber that it has had ownership of its office space. The Facilities committee is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of this historic building. So far, carpets have been pulled and original hardwood floors refinished, new touchless faucets and toilets have been installed in bathrooms, a video conferencing system installed in the boardroom and fresh coats of paint have gone on the walls. Future and long term planning is underway to make this a great resource for our community and members to benefit from for many years to come. |
Downtown Urbana DORA
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Chair:
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) Subcommittee plays a pivotal role in enhancing the vibrancy and economic vitality of Downtown Urbana. This dedicated group collaborates with local businesses, city officials, and community stakeholders to oversee and promote the DORA program, which allows patrons aged 21 and older to purchase alcoholic beverages in designated cups and enjoy them while strolling, shopping, and dining within the defined downtown area. A unique aspect of the program is that for every DORA cup sold, $1 goes into a special fund dedicated to ongoing revitalization efforts in Downtown Urbana. These funds support beautification, programming, and enhancements that help make downtown a more inviting and lively destination for residents and visitors alike. By supporting the DORA initiative, the subcommittee aims to attract visitors, encourage longer stays, and increase foot traffic to local establishments—fueling both community pride and economic growth. |
