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Orland Park Chamber President’s Letter

Dear Residents & Friends,

In 2008, the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 51st year of operating as a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization. In 1958, the original 14 members formed the Chamber to make the Orland area a better place to live, work and conduct business. The objectives were to increase business growth, develop jobs and respond to the local community’s economic, educational, governmental and cultural needs.

As our 50th year of operations came to an end in 2007, we were pleased to see that the Orland Chamber boasted a membership of approximately 600, having doubled in size during the past 10 years. Today’s mission statement is very consistent with the original founding members’ goals for the chamber: We are dedicated to being the primary resource helping business and the community grow and prosper. Good ideas and good intentions never seem to get old. At 50 years of age, we as a Chamber feel as if our experience makes us wiser, our growing membership gives us energy, and our diversity of members makes us stronger. As we head into our 51st year of operations, we look to the past for guidance, to the present with pride and to the future with great excitement and hope.

As a member-driven organization, we strive each year to add value for our members. Chamber special events, like our annual Community Expo, are perfect examples of how residents, businesses, schools and the not-for-profit sector come together in one place to enhance each other’s needs. Our annual Golf Outing is one of the best in the Chicagoland area and seems to sell out every year. Local business owners see opportunities to promote their business, to network with each other and to enjoy a round of golf on one of the best public golf courses in Chicagoland. These are just two member events that people look forward to the day after they are over.

Golfing and networking are not all that we do. As the primary resource in the area to help businesses grow, we serve as an important resource of information to both residents and business members. We act as a key liaison to our local schools and government officials. Each year our mayor delivers his State of the Village Address to our Chamber members. Every month, it seems, our members are being treated to informative guest speakers on subjects that matter to them as business owners and area residents. During our 50th year, we often described the Chamber’s goal as moving from “good to great.” Today, we still feel as if we are moving in a positive direction, and we know that can only be done through teamwork and unselfish volunteerism.

As a Chamber, we remember and give thanks to the past leaders who have led us this far. Without their vision, hard work and determination, we couldn’t possibly be the successful organization that we are today. However, great organizations are never satisfied that their work is done……so we look to the future with a renewed commitment to make the next 50 years even better than the first 50 years. Come join us and see what we’re all about.

We invite you to find out more about the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce by calling us at (708) 349-2972 or visiting us online at www.orlandparkchamber.org. We are truly honored to be your Chamber!

Regards,
Keith Massey, President
Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce