YEA! Participants Receive Funding, One Local Student Heads to National Scholarship Competition

Ben Kusswurm, a junior at Conant, was selected to compete for a $30,000 scholarship. The ten students who participated in the Young Entrepreneur Academy also received funding from area business professionals.

Ten high school students from Township High School District 211 pitched their business ideas before a panel of seven real-life investors to compete for funding at the First Annual Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Ben Kusswurn, a junior at James B. Conant High School, was chosen to compete in the national Saunders Scholars Competition, vying for a $30,000 scholarship. He developed a security app for smart phone users. The Investor Panel Presentation Event was held at The Cotillion Banquets. The students presented before representatives from area companies as well as an audience filled with family, friends and members of the community, for the opportunity to gain funding for their original ideas- that could be the next big thing!  About 60…

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YEA! Gives Palatine, Fremd and Area Students Real Business Education

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy guides students through all aspects of starting a business, and is sponsored by the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and District 211.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) was started in 2004, with the goal of giving middle and high school students a real education in what it takes to become an entrepreneur. The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and District 211 are now in the middle of their flagship year sponsoring the academy for area high school students. To date, it has helped to produce seven new businesses between its 10 student participants from Palatine, Fremd, St. Viator and Conant high schools. “It’s a lot of work for these students, in addition to their studies and other activities they are involved in, I’m proud of the fact that they’ve put in the time to really get something out of YEA!,” said Mindy Phillips, Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce executive …

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Palatine Chamber Honors Businesses, Individuals for 2012

The 4th annual Key to Success awards dinner was held late last week, where tow businesses and three individuals took home honors for their work and dedication in 2012.

Palatine Chamber Holds Key to Success Awards and Installation Dinner

The event was held at Cotillion Banquets Thursday. Three businesses, two people and one school district received awards.

The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce held its 4th annual Key to Success awards banquet Thursday, and a number of area businesses and business people received awards and accolades. Larry Moats, from Moats Office Properties won Member of the Year, Community Organization for 2012 was given to Township High School District 211. Left Hand Marketing was named Emerging Business of the Year, and Joseph Quinn, of BMO Harris Bank was honored as the Business Leader of the Year. Business of the Year was awarded to Marktime Media, and Hank Sobotka of Palatine Bank and Trust was named Volunteer of the Year. 

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Chamber Launches YEA! for D211 Students

The Palatine Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy is aimed at helping students learn to start their own businesses or movement through mentoring, instruction and support.

The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA!) recently launched for District 211 schools, with the goal of guiding students to help start a business or promote social change.  There are 17 students from D211 involved in the year-long program housed at Palatine High School.  They will receive instruction and guidance from more than 35 area businesses and organizations.  "We are overwhelmed by the support that YEA is receiving from District 211 and our business community," said Mindy Phillips, director of Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce.  YEA takes young people through the process of running a real business or inspiring a social movement. It includes idea and objective development, instruction on how to write a …

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Palatine OKs Chamber of Commerce's New Downtown BBQ, Pig Roast Event

The July 28 event will feature food and live entertainment.

There's going to be a new festival to attend in downtown Palatine this summer. The village of Palatine at its June 4 meeting granted approval for the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a BBQ and Pig Roast at the end of July. The event will be held in the BMO Harris Bank Parking Lot in Downtown Palatine on July 28. The event will run from noon to 11 p.m. and will feature live entertainment, food vendors and beer service. To accommodate both the event set-up and the downtown car show on Friday, July 27—which BMO has provided previous permission to utilize the parking lot—BMO Harris Bank will allow spectators for the car show to park in Harris lots at northeast corner of Slade and Greeley streets on Friday evening, according to village…

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Alley 64 Welcomed to Palatine

Alley 64 was welcomed to Palatine with a recent ribbon cutting ceremony.

Alley 64 celebrated its grand opening and was welcomed to the village by Mayor Jim Schwantz during a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 27. Alley 64 is a motorcycle-themed restaurant owned by Jeremy Casiello. It features appetizers, burgers, a Friday night fish fry and more. It is located at 2001 N. Rand Road, near the the City Limits Harley Davidson dealership. The ceremony was sponsored by the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce.

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Signature Sweets Welcomed to Palatine

Signature Sweets was welcomed to Palatine with a recent ribbon cutting ceremony.

Signature Sweets celebrated its grand opening and was welcomed to the village by Mayor Jim Schwantz during a recent ribbon cutting ceremony. Signature Sweets is owned by Camelia Traistaru and sells gourmet popcorn, homemade gelato, delicious Panini sandwiches, hand crafted desserts and a selection of coffee and tea. Traistaru specializes in individualized catering platters and gift baskets. It is located at 220 N. Smith St., east of the parking garage. The ceremony was sponsored by the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce.

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