Schaumburg Business Association to toast village like never before

The Schaumburg Business Association will recognize the accomplishments of its members during an especially tough year, during a safety-conscious version of its annual Toast of Schaumburg gala Friday night.

Appropriately titled "Illuminate: A Celebration of Resilience & Ingenuity," the event will be reminiscent of the recent Emmy Awards broadcast, allowing participants to attend via multiple locations or even remotely through Zoom, SBA President Lisa Gilbert said.

There was about a half-second back in April when cancellation of the Toast was considered, but the expertise of three of the SBA's member businesses - led by visionary event Chairman Ben Olson of 3 Monkeys & Aardvark Studios - will ensure the multiple sites are coordinated and interactive via cameras and TV screens, Gilbert added.

All of the locations will adhere to the state's limitation of not exceeding 50 people, and in-person attendees will not be seated at large tables with others outside their pods, Gilbert said.

"We're stronger together, but we can't physically be together," she said. "It's going to be an incredible night and I hope it's one (at which) people are going to be comfortable."

The separate dining locations during "The Show," from 7 to 8:30 p.m., include Fairfield Inn & Suites at 700 National Parkway, the newly renamed Wintrust Field at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Chandler's Chophouse at 401 N. Roselle Road, Chicago Prime Italian at 700 N. Meacham Road, and Chicago Prime Steakhouse at 1444 E. Algonquin Road,

The SBA's annual awards will be presented during the event, and there were an overwhelming number of nominations this year - many of whom were genuinely surprised, Gilbert said.

All were people and businesses whose passion and support for Schaumburg were revealed by their responses to the pandemic this year, she added.

Nominees for the Brian H. Burke Business of the Year Award: AMITA Health, Blink Tees LLC, Lavelle Law, Ltd., Meet Chicago Northwest, and the Schaumburg Boomers.

Nominees for the Laurie Stone Woman of the Year Award: Betsy Skibinski, Goldie Ludwig, Katie Berganske-Frank, Sarah Moreau and Sherry Green.

Leader of the Year nominees: Andy John Kalkounos, Kari-Ann Ryan, Jeff Miller, Matt Hancock and Pratik Trivedi.

Rookie of the Year nominees: All Dry USA of IL, Comfort Inn & Suites, Green Joe Coffee, The Stallard Group / OFF 53 and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers.

For more information about registering for the event before Wednesday afternoon's deadline, visit the SBA's website at schaumburgbusiness.com or call (847) 413-1010.