September 28, 2017

New Members!

LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant
Auturo Hernandez
Join Date: 09/26/2017

FREDCO
Rick Linton
Join Date: 09/27/2017
 

Daily Deal Discounts

On the 'Live & Play' page on the chamber website, we will be featuring activities and food events that visitors to our area might be interested in.

We are also looking for images to put on this page to spotlight businesses.  Be artsy and creative, but make sure the picture has your logo!



Also on this page, we will feature 'Daily Deal Discounts' sponsored by our chamber members.  These discounts are available online or through direct mail.

To learn more about this program, please contact the chamber office at 618-438-2121.

Beatles Postcards


Now available at the chamber! George Harrison mural postcards!
$1.25 per card.

Unemployment Insurance Update


Effective September 11, 2017, employers can use the MyTax Illinois website to complete all their unemployment insurance wage reports and tax deposits.  IDOR and IDES are working together to improve the tax experience for all Illinois employers.  Please visit the IDES Employer Update website www.ides.illinois.gov/MyTaxUI for the latest transition information.

If you have any questions please call the IDES Employer Hotline at (800) 247-4984.

New Opportunities!

Are you looking for new employment or volunteer opportunities?  Check out the Chamber Opportunity Board!  Start a new chapter in your community!

Promote Your Business!


The Chamber will be doing more promotional tables at our events and 'Welcome to our Area Packets'.  Please drop off information about your business that we can use!

Guides to Our Area


The FREDCO Business Guide and Rend Lake Tourism Guide will be prepping their 2018 publications in the next couple months.  Stay tuned for ad information!

Mural Touchup!


Last week the museum mural received a facelift!  Thank you to the original artist for volunteering his time to refresh the mural and the Preservation Society for providing the materials.  It looks amazing!

Generation Books


Generations of Memories Books are available for purchase at the Chamber Office, Flowers by Dave, Heartland Office Supply, and the Buzz.
Pick up yours today!

Share The E-News

Would you like members of your staff to receive the Chamber E-News?   Follow this link, fill in your information, and list your contact list in the comments section.  

Thank you!

Contact Us!

Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce
211 N. Main St. Benton, IL 62812
P.O. Box 574 Benton, IL 62812
618-438-2121     info@bentonwestcitychamber.com
www.BentonWestCityChamber.com

Rend Lake Car Show


We would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting this year's Rend Lake Car Show.  We are already working on improvements for next year's event, including a live broadcast and sound provided by WQRL 106.3!  

Check out winner information, sponsors, and images from the 2017 event on the chamber website.  We also have an attendee survey available for feedback.

Reality Day: Ranger Hunger Games

The Benton / West City Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with the Benton High School to bring a ‘Reality Day’ to our local students on October 16&17!  This is the first year for this project, and we look forward to working with you to make it a huge success and a great engagement opportunity between our members/community partners and the residents/consumers of tomorrow!

What is a Reality Day?
It is a fun, interactive “financial literacy” simulation for all high school sophomores to learn the “realities” of life after high school or college.

To learn more about this event, volunteer, or represent your business/industry, please call the chamber office at 618-438-2121.

 

Shop Southern Illinois

Fifteen area Chambers of Commerce along with a Main Street program and several regional businesses have teamed up this holiday season in an effort to encourage Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their holiday shopping in the region, rather than traveling out of the area or shopping online.
 
The effort, called “Shop Southern Illinois,” features a strong social media presence where residents can learn some of the reasons it is important for Southern Illinoisans to shop locally and where they may pledge to do most of their own holiday shopping in the region by using the hashtag #IBuySI. By making a post or tweet with the #IBuySI hashtag, participants are entered in weekly drawings to win prizes starting October 20.  The Franklin County Chambers' prize will be awarded December 15.

Benton Fall Festival

The Benton Fall Festival will be on October 28 on the Benton Public Square.  Trunk or treating, activities, costume contests, hayrides, food, and a haunted park will make a thrilling evening for the whole family.  

To sponsor, get involved, or reserve a prime trunk or treating spot, check out the forms on the city's event website: Benton Fall Festival.  Please register by October 18.

Member Events

Benton Homecoming Parade
9/29/2017, 2pm
Benton Public Square
Benton, IL 62812

Student Loan Debt Crisis: Protecting Illinois Student Loan Borrowers
10/02/2017
SIU Student Center, Mississippi Room
1255 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901

Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast
10/04/2017
Helia Healthcare of Benton
1310 Mark Franklin Dr.
Benton, IL 62812

Story Time at the Library
10/04/2017
Benton Public Library
502 South Main St.
Benton, IL 62812

1st Friday Music at Pheasant Hollow Winery
10/06/2017
Pheasant Hollow Winery
14931 IL-37
Whittington, IL 62897

Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/06/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/07/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Illinois Concealed Carry Course
10/07/2017
Extreme Exigency
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/08/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Story Time at the Library
10/11/2017
Benton Public Library
502 South Main St.
Benton, IL 62812

Chamber Board of Directors Meeting
10/12/2017
Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce
211 North Main
Benton, IL 62812

Employer Seminar
10/13/2017
Rolland Lewis Community Building Veterans Park
800 Block of S. 27th Street
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/13/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Fall Festival & Craft Show
10/14/2017
Heritage Woods of Benton
1305 Bailey Lane
Benton, IL 62812

Halloween Fun Murder Mystery
10/14/2017
Extreme Exigency & Home of the Armed Barbers
9911 River Bend Road
Benton, IL 62812

Events in the Community

Check out other community activities and submit events here!

SIU-C Community Listener's Program

If you’ve ever wanted to enhance your education by taking part in a college class without earning college course credits or grades, you’ll want to take advantage of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Community Listener’s Program.

read more...

Live2Lead: Southern Illinois


Live2Lead
 will be presented in Southern Illinois on October 6, 2017 at John A. Logan College in the theater. The worldwide leadership simulcast event will be hosted by Marion Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Heartland Regional Medical Center. Doors open at 7 am for registration. Live2Lead begins at 8 am and concludes at 2:30 pm.

The Marion Chamber has extended their discounted member rate to our members.  
Learn more and register!
Chamber E-Newsletter - September 28, 2017