With January, we finally got winter! The snow didn’t arrive in time for those dreaming of a white Christmas, but once it did come, followed by frigid temperatures, we were blasted out of any notion of a temperate winter. We may as well accept that winter weather has come to the Midwest and welcome the change of seasons as we kick off a new year of building business.
Did you make a resolution to get more involved and network more? Perhaps you’re a bit leery about trying this out. How about easing into networking by joining the Batavia Chamber staff for lunch at noon Friday, Feb. 7? We’ll gather at WindMill Grille and Pizzeria, located at 90 N. Island Ave. in downtown Batavia, for this casual event. Buy your own lunch and chat with Chamber staff and other attendees. There is no registration required. Just pull up a chair at our table, enjoy a delicious lunch and perhaps meet your new best friend or business power partner.
Perhaps a morning event appeals to you. During the second week in February, we have three available. Choose one or all. Each offers a different spin on networking and building relationships.
First up on Wednesday, Feb. 12, is our monthly Coffee & Commerce, an informal gathering that takes place on the second Wednesday of each month and is hosted by a Batavia Chamber member. In February, we’ll gather at 8 a.m. at Torus Center for Integrative Healing, 117 Flinn St., Batavia. Registration is encouraged.
Need more than just a cup of coffee to jump-start your day? Join the Batavia Women in Business at their first event of the year, a networking breakfast Thursday, Feb. 13. The event takes place at 8 a.m. at Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia. Help support the featured nonprofit Moose Charities by bringing birthday gift bags and plain-colored gift bags for the children and teachers at Mooseheart. A buffet breakfast is included in the cost of the event. Register by calling the Chamber at 630-879-7134 or online at Bataviachamber.org/events.
Completing the trifecta of networking breakfasts is a multi-chamber progressive breakfast on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Join 14 area chambers at 7:45 a.m. at the Bloomingdale Golf Club, 181 Glen Ellyn Road in Bloomingdale, to expand your reach. Registration is required by Friday, Feb. 7.
Last, but certainly not least, on February’s networking calendar is The Great Winter Mixer. Our normal third Wednesday after-hours event is expanded to include the Geneva and St. Charles chambers. Cure the winter blues on Wednesday, Feb. 19, by gathering at Grainology BrewStillery, 131 Flinn St., in Batavia beginning at 4:30 p.m. Support the featured nonprofit CASA Kane County by donating new infant pajamas, size 0-3 months through 2T.
How to help employees during difficult life moments
Issues and topics related to mental health have been buzzing ever since the COVID-19 lockdown. Brenson Advisory, a member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, is tackling mental health trends in the workplace during an exclusive roundtable discussion Thursday, Feb. 20. The dialogue will feature Chamber members, business leaders and mental health experts providing practical tools for supporting employees through challenges. This multi-chamber event begins at 8 a.m. and takes place at the Batavia Public Library’s Founders Room, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Register with your local chamber: Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Chamber of Commerce or St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Inspire scholarships open for applications
Do you know a senior at Batavia High School? Encourage them to apply for the Batavia Chamber Inspire Scholarship program, which is motivated by the makeup of our membership. This is the sixth year that the Chamber is offering four scholarships worth $1,000 each to Batavia High School seniors. The financial award shall be paid directly to the institute the recipient will be attending. More information and a link to the applications is available on the homepage of our website, www.bataviachamber.org.
As always, we love it when you stop by our office to ask questions or just say “Hi.” Except when we are at events or off-site meetings, you’ll usually find us at 106 W. Wilson St., Suite 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, we close at 2 p.m. You also can call 630-879-7134 or text 478-CHAMBER and we’ll get back to you.