Bloomingdale Chamber wins Illinois Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award
The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce has been named Outstanding Chamber of the Year in the Medium Chamber category by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The award was presented on Nov. 5 during its annual meeting and conference in Rockford, recognizing the chamber as one of the state's outstanding chamber organizations.
The award recognizes excellence in chamber leadership, governance, financial management, advocacy, and membership development. Chambers are evaluated on their organizational accomplishments and commitment to serving their business communities.
“Being recognized as an outstanding chamber is an incredible honor, but what makes this award especially meaningful is that it comes from our peers — fellow chamber professionals who understand the dedication, creativity, and hard work that go into building a successful chamber,” said Cindy Allston, president/CEO of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce. “To have their recognition and respect is truly one of the most rewarding honors we could receive.”
The award reflects years of intentional growth, innovative programming, community involvement, and a commitment to providing meaningful value to chamber members and the broader Bloomingdale community.
The chamber has continually expanded its offerings, creating new and innovative ways for members to build relationships, increase their visibility, and connect with the community they serve which has resulted in membership growth.
Programs such as Pop-Up Lunches and expanded Leads Groups provide opportunities for business owners and professionals to develop meaningful relationships and support one another. Marketing initiatives including Win It Wednesday, Coupon Corner, and New Resident Chamber Bags help businesses reach new customers, introduce their products and services to local residents, and encourage the community to shop chamber businesses first.
These initiatives complement the chamber's networking events, educational programs, and business celebrations, giving members multiple ways to engage based on their individual business goals.
In 2025 alone, the chamber hosted 88 events, providing opportunities that go beyond traditional networking to help members establish connections that lead to business growth, collaboration, and stronger ties throughout the community.
Among its most recognized initiatives is the Best of Bloomingdale Community Choice Awards, celebrated its 10th anniversary. What began in 2017 with 18 participating businesses and four awards has grown into a community-wide celebration recognizing excellence across 27 award categories, with more than 100 participating businesses.
The chamber's impact extends well beyond the business community. Through partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and volunteers, the chamber helps support local food pantries, coordinates a holiday toy drive, and raises funds for those in need.
Its Parade of Gingerbread Houses brings businesses and residents together during the holiday season, with donations benefiting programs that assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The chamber also plays an active role in community traditions such as Bloomingdale Septemberfest and the Festival of Lights/Tree Lighting Ceremony, helping create opportunities for residents to connect while supporting local businesses.
The chamber has also expanded its communication and marketing reach, maintaining an email audience of more than 9,000 subscribers with an average open rate of approximately 35%. This provides members with valuable opportunities to connect with customers, promote their businesses, and increase their visibility throughout the community.
Beyond its programs and events, the chamber continues to invest in its future. A newly developed three-year strategic plan focuses on membership growth, deeper member engagement, and long-term financial sustainability, ensuring the organization remains a strong resource for businesses in the years ahead.
“Our success is really the success of our members,” Allston added. “We have an engaged board of directors, dedicated volunteers, and businesses that believe in supporting one another. We have worked hard to create a chamber where relationships matter, where businesses have opportunities to grow, and where members feel they are part of something bigger than themselves. This award belongs to all of them.”
The statewide recognition adds to the chamber's recent honors, including being voted Best Chamber of Commerce in the Daily Herald Readers’ Choice Awards for three consecutive years.
“Being recognized by our community is wonderful, and being recognized by our professional peers at the state level makes it even more special,” Allston said. “Both honors reinforce that the work we are doing matters, and they inspire us to keep finding new ways to serve our members and our community.”
To learn more about the chamber, its programs, events, and membership opportunities, visit BloomingdaleChamber.com.