Chamber sees membership jump

Numbers are up in the Palatine Chamber of Commerce, and that came as good news to the membership Thursday night at the annual “Keys to Success” dinner.

Nearly 100 people attended the annual installation and awards dinner, held at the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine. Guests walked the red carpet and were greeted by the sounds of a string trio from Fremd High School playing light classical music.

Board Chairman R.J. Stienstra, of BRIDGE Printing & Promotional Products, said membership had increased 9 percent over last year, with more than 370 Palatine-area businesses now represented.

“Now we have to continue to provide new information and relevant services and programs to help build a successful chamber,” Stienstra said.

Chamber President Joe Quinn of Harris Bank said members hope to further more partnerships with the village and local nonprofit organizations on community events.

He pointed to the chamber’s movie night in August, when it showed a feature-length film on the side of the Harris Bank building.

For the past two years, the chamber also has sponsored a public art display, which started with painted benches and last year led to decorated Adirondack chairs in front of local businesses. They were auctioned off at the chamber’s fall event in November.

“They’re a good start,” Quinn said. “We’re looking to do more cross-promoting of community events.”

While chamber members did not divulge the theme of this year’s display, they did concede it will be along the same lines as the benches and chairs.

Awards dominated much of the evening. Dina Scianna, an assistant vice president with Cornerstone National Bank & Trust, was named Member of the Year for her roles in chamber programming and events. She also was installed as the new board treasurer.

Another community bank, Palatine Bank & Trust, was named Business of the Year, while Preventative Health Care was named Emerging Business of the Year.

The Palatine Jaycees were named Community Organization of the Year, while Bob Bauer of Waddell & Reed was named Volunteer of the year.

“I live and work in Palatine,” Bauer said.

“I feel very strongly in the value of being involved in the chamber.”