Lisa Bock, who’s been president of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce since September of this year, says she does not foresee any major changes in the organization right away.

“We want to improve what we have going on right now,” she said about the numerous Chamber activities.

Three major events that function as fund raisers for the Chamber each year are

February Fortune, the Golf Outing and Steak Fry, and Autumn Fest. February Fortune festivities include a reverse raffle, a silent auction, entertainment and dinner.

The Autumn Fest, which the Chamber has been running for the past 35 years, is held annually in September in Memorial Park. It’s become Wheaton’s largest community event, boasting a four-day carnival in the downtown area and a two-day music, food and exhibitor festival in the park. More than 12,000 people visit the park and carnival each year.

“It is a business-to-consumer expo,” Bock said. “We also have family-friendly activities and entertainment in the band shell. This year we had a Taste of Wheaton tent. Between 40 to 50 businesses participate and we also have non-profit organizations involved.”

The Chamber’s annual Golf Outing and Steak Fry is held in June.

“This is only the second year that we combined the two events into the same day,” Bock said. “The reason it is combined is that it was labor intensive to do them separately.”

As is typical of many chambers of commerce, the Wheaton Chamber helps business members with networking and informational activities. But rather than a monthly or bi-monthly Business After Hours, the Wheaton Chamber plans to hold four bigger events in the coming year.

“The idea of a larger Business After Hours plan came out of a brainstorming session we had,” said Bock of the minor alteration to the ongoing program. “What we will do is have a number of businesses who are clustered together in the same area host the event, like a block party. We hope that will get more people out.”

Another opportunity for Wheaton Chamber members to find out about other businesses is during the Open Houses that have been held on a monthly basis.

“The Open Houses are where members can showcase their facility, whether it be to show the new remodeling they just did or to introduce a new CEO,” Bock said.

Bock believes that a major benefit to becoming a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce member is the Business and Community Directory that is sent to residents and businesses in town.

“For the price of being a member, businesses are listed in the hard copy and online version of the directory,” she said. “In 2008, the directory will be distributed to 18,000 single-family homes and town homes and 2,000 businesses in Wheaton.”

Bock also thinks that the Chamber offers members a basic service.

“You get to know other business people in the community,” Bock said about being a Chamber member. “There are many networking opportunities and people can get involved in helping the community.”

CHAMBER FACTS

Wheaton Chamber of Commerce

108 E. Wesley St.

Wheaton 60187

Phone: 630-668-6464

Web site: www.ewheaton.com

President: Lisa Bock

Chairman of the Board: Vickie Austin, CHOICES Worldwide

Year incorporated: 1902

Number of members: 475

Mission statement: The Wheaton Chamber is dedicated to the success of the business community through leadership, education and service.