|
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events | LOTB - First Time Home Buyers
May 19, 2010
12:00-Giovanni's
Anniversary Party
May 20 - 7:00p.m.
Old K's Merchandise
next leaders webcast luncheon
May 26, 2010
11:30 am - Radisson
UNPLUGGED w/ FatWallet CEO
Tim Storm!
June 10
5:15-Fatwallet HQ!
LOTB - Investment Fundamentals
June 16 - 12:00p.m. Giovanni's
After 5 - Irish Rose
June 17 - 5:30p.m.
Member Meeting - Afternoon
June 23
12:00p.m.- Franchesco's
Member Meeting - Evening
June 30
5:30p.m.- Radisson
|
IGNITE
Founding Partners
| |
Holmstrom & Kennedy, P.C.
KMK Media Group
Williams McCarthy, LLP
Coyle-Varland Insurance Co., INC
RSM McGladrey
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
GrahamSpencer
Rockford Area Realtors
Rockford Area Economic Development Council
Williams-Manny, INC
Rock River Valley Blood Center
Rockford Park District
Rockford Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
The Ignition Switch
| April 29, 2010 |
Congratulations New Leadership Team Members!
The Leadership Team is proud to welcome the following members to the Team:
Laura Vaughan from Williams-Charles Environmental Services,
Vice President
Todd Hansmeier from Northwestern Mutual,
Treasurer
Landon Pryor from Affiliated Surgeons of Rockford,
Ex-Officio Member
Meghan Full from The Morrissey Family Businesses,
GIVE Co-Chair
Melissa Schraiber from The Radisson Hotel & Conference Center,
GIVE Co-Chair
Tricia Diduch from The Village of Machesney Park,
REACH Co-Chair
Michael Hopkins from Oblique Ideas,
LEAD Co-Chair
Thank you to every one who applied! The Leadership Team is extremely excited to welcome these members aboard! We invite the membership of IGNITE to join us at one of the Members' Meetings on either June 23 or June 30 to meet our Leadership Team and learn about the direction IGNITE is headed in. If you would like to become more involved by joining an IGNITE committee, please contact Caitlin or any of the committee chairs. |
Don't forget your Anniversary Bash tickets!
 You are cordially invited to join in the celebration! IGNITE turned 1 in April and we're ready to celebrate! On May 20th, from 7-10p.m., IGNITE will celebrate all it has accomplished in the past year, but more importantly, all that is yet to come! With your ticket, receive a complimentary drink, appetizers, live music provided by Cover Story, Photo Booth fun, networking with friends (new and old!) and prizes galore! Purchase your tickets in advanced and not only save money, but be entered into our drawing for fabulous prizes such as RSO tickets, Rockford RiverHawks tickets, gift certificates to Meg's Daily Grind or $100 gift card for Privileges! Bring a friend, bring a date, bring a co-worker.... No one wants to miss this party! Tickets are $23 for members/$25 for non members in advance. All tickets are $27 at the door. Purchase your tickets here!! |
Excitement Brewing Downtown
Over the years, Downtown Rockford has seen many changes. Today, there is an excitement surrounding downtown coming from all directions from business owners, community members and elected city officials - there's a movement like never before. Here are a few of the exciting events, committees and ideas brewing downtown!
The Higher Education Alliance for the Rock River Region (HEARRR) is comprised of Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College, Rockford College and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. HEARRR has developed a three part lecture series focusing on the revitalization of downtown Rockford. While two of these lectures were held in March and April, the third and final lecture is May 6th at 6:30p.m. at Rockford College's Regents Hall. Max Reim from Live Work Learn Play LLP, a planning and development firm hired by the Rock River Development Partnership will be speaking.
The Rock River Development Partnership was formed by Mayor Larry Morrissey and Peter Provenzano, SupplyCore's CEO and is an organization of downtown business, stakeholders, property owners and civic leaders dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Rockford. The Rock River Development Partnership hired Live Work Learn Play LLP to create an action plan for revitalization and has chosen East State Street from Third Street to the river as the initial grounds for change and revitalization. One of the first projects hoping to attract more attention downtown is the Rockford City Market scheduled on Fridays from 3-7p.m. from June 11 through October 29.
The Rockford City Market is the start of a new tradition downtown. The market will be located on Water Street between State and Jefferson and will offer a wide variety of activities, entertainment and of course, food!! Visitors are encouraged to patronize the market and support local vendors with locally produced products as well as local artists and entertainers. Access to the market is available by car, bus, bike, foot or even boat! There's no reason not to come and enjoy! More information can be found on Rockford City Market's website including a FAQ sheet as well as tips such as for the market! The first eight vendors have been announced and the excitement is catching!
This is just the beginning of a revitalized downtown. As new developments become available, the information will be passed along to IGNITE members.
|
Lunch Outside the Box (LOTB) -
First Time Home Buying
The life of a YP is an exciting one! New relationships, first jobs.... second jobs.... third jobs...., meeting new friends, buying your very own furniture, taking the next step in relationships a  s well as professionally, welcoming a newborn to the family, - it seems the changes are never ending! A very important milestone in the life of a YP is cutting off the landlord and buying a home! But where do you start? How much can you afford? Where do you go for financing information? How do you actually BUY the house or condo? What's the process? IGNITE has gotten the pro's on this confusing topic to break it down a bit. Whether you are planning to purchase a home in the next month, 6 months or 6 years, you'll be sure to find this LOTB useful! Join us at Giovanni's on May 19th from 12:00-1:00p.m. to enjoy lunch and learn from Keller Williams Realtor, Betty Sayad as well as Steve and Michele Hoefle from Midwest Bank. Tickets include lunch as well as the program and are $12 for members and $15 for non. Purchase tickets HERE today!! Space is limited so sign up quickly! |
Still a few Focus Group Opportunities left! -
Student Assignment in Rockford School District 205
Community members are invited to participate in focus groups on the strengths and weaknesses of the current method for assigning students to schools. The current system assigns high school and middle school students based on where they live, however; elementary students are assigned used a computerized lottery system based on parent choice and seat availability with a preference given to students who live within a proximity zone or who have siblings attending a school.
Focus groups are as follows. Any one is able to participate but participants MUST register by calling 815.966.3066 or 815.966.3162 or register online. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Space is limited to 33 participants per session.
The following dates are sessions open to the public with registration:
May 6, 6:00-8:00p.m., Lathrop Elementary SchoolMay 7, 5:00-7:00p.m. - Thompson Elementary SchoolMay 8, 9:00-11:00a.m. - Auburn Freshman CampusMay 8, 12:00-2:00p.m. - Eisenhower Middle SchoolMay 8, 3:00-5:00p.m. - West Middle SchoolFor more information, please visit District 205's website. |
Applications for the Rockford Chamber's 40 Leaders Under 40 will be available in June! IGNITE members are encouraged to attend the celebration on September 30th at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford as well as nominate any deserving IGNITE members as candidates!
Be on the look out for more information! |
|
Rockford Rocks!!
At Ignite, we know that Rockford Rocks but we want to share what we know! Submit events, happenings, cool things to do, things you love about Rockford and we'll share with our members. Let us know what you think makes Rockford Rock!
Beethoven's 9th - RSO - May 8 - 7:00p.m. - Coronado Theatre - Enjoy Beethoven's 9th Symphony (including Ode to Joy, which, trust me, you know) with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra as well as the Mendehlsson Chorale to celebrate the 75th season of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra! This will be a powerful concert you won't soon forget! Tickets Here! Celebration of Leadership - May 13 - 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m. - Mah-Nah-Tee-See Country Club - Celebrate the graduation of the 43rd class of the Rockford Chamber's Leadership Rockford. Peter Provenzao of SupplyCore will speak on the importance of service, volunteerism and community engagement. Celebration the graduation of Leadership Team members Mary Grimborg and Jamie Hintz! Register HERE! Groove Walk - May 15 - 9:00p.m.-1:00a.m.- Downtown Rockford - Enjoy fantastic bands at 10 different downtown locations by purchasing a Groove Walk ticket! Tickets are $7 in advanced, $10 at the door and provide access to all participating establishments. Walk from venue to venue or hope on the Rockford Mass Transit Trolley sponsored by Rasmussen College! Help support local Rockford musicians as well as the downtown scene. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here! Goodwill Diva Dr ess Sale - May 16 - 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. - Holiday Inn - Got a swanky event in the near future but need a dress? Goodwill has pulled the best of the best from cocktail dresses, little black dresses, prom dresses.... they got them all! Even better? Great prices with proceeds helping to fund Goodwill's programs that help provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers in the Rockford area. Feel good about looking fabulous |
|
|
|
|
