Gurnee Chamber leaders tell trustees membership and events are growing after staff hires and new software

Representatives of the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce told the Village of Gurnee Board of Trustees during a presentation at the board meeting that the chamber has expanded membership, boosted event attendance and improved online visibility after hiring a full-time executive director and adopting a chamber-management platform.

The chamber’s presenters said the organization has stepped up in-person mixers, partnered with the Gurnee Park District on community events and created committees to manage membership, events, advocacy, marketing and finance. The presenters also urged more annual sponsors to sustain the effort and highlighted a software tool, Growth Zone, that they said increases members’ search visibility and makes dues and event registration easier.

Julie (chair, Gurnee Chamber of Commerce) told trustees the chamber currently lists 89 members and that membership has grown “about 50%” over the past year. Julius Faust, who led a portion of the presentation, said the chamber has used new web and content tools — including a podcast-style…