News from the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce

Please note: this month's First Friday Coffee will actually be held on the second Friday of the month due to Labor Day weekend falling on the first weekend in September.

The Chamber office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

LEAD Champaign County is designed to mold young professionals into strong local leaders. Participants will gain confidence, knowledge, professionalism and new leadership skills they can bring back to their place of employment. The program is a great way to connect young professionals with their peers and build strong business relationships. The value of establishing a business peer network is beneficial to both the employee and your employer.

The ten-week program will feature speakers each week presenting on a variety of leadership-related topics from the strength finder assessment to leadership management skills and business etiquette.

All sessions will be held in-person. According to the most recent CDC guidance, masks are recommended for all individuals while indoors.

The Chamber encourages our members to follow the CDC guidance. Please remember that people will have differing levels of comfort as we return to in-person events. Handshaking and standing in close proximity may still make people uneasy. So, we ask that all participants be respectful of this. Bring your best fist bump, reconnect and enjoy.

CLICK HERE to view the complete 10-week schedule. The 10-week course will begin on Thursday, September 9.

Early bird discount ends Friday, August 27, register now before the prices increases.

Interested in having an estimated 75 Chamber members brought to your door?

We have a few months open for hosting a Business After Hours networking event: September 2021, October 2022, November 2022 and December 2022

Hosting a Business After Hours is a great way to bring new customers to your door, market your company and expand your business network. Events will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Hosting requirements:

Hosting fee: $425.
Must provide food and beverages. While alcohol is not required, it has become a standard offering at the event.
Refreshments must be from a fellow Chamber member business.
Must have reasonable indoor space for up to 75 people. The space must have acceptable room for people to congregate safely.
Must have adequate parking for 75 people.

Interested in hosting one of these months?

Email Lindsay at LindsayQ@champaigncounty.org or call 217.359.1791

Pay Rates in our Community:

Are you Competitive?

The US Department of Labor tracks the pay rates for jobs across the US. You can use this information to see the high, low and median wages being paid in our area.

Clic k for the link to the Departmen t of Labor and information on how to use the website.

This resource and more can be found on our website h er e.

BIGG Tip of the Week

Why Do Your Best Ideas Come in The Shower?

Survey says: A hormone in your brain called dopamine. Relaxing activities – like exercising, listening to music, or taking a shower – provide a distraction that gives your brain a break. You make insightful connections, and the dopamine flow triggers more creative thoughts. So even when you’re taking a shower, keep a notebook handy to capture your BIGG ideas. It leads to BIGG Success! Get more tips from BIGG Success here.