20111202 PR - First OB Economic Development Summit attended by 100 local businesses.
Contact: Blaine Wing
Phone: (630) 368-5022
Fax: (630) 368-5023
Email: bwing@oak-brook.org
1200 Oak Brook Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523 Village of Oak Brook
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oak Brook Economic Development Summit a Huge Success
Oak Brook, Illinois (December 2 , 2011) – The Village of Oak Brook held its first Economic Development
Summit the morning of Wednesday, November 30th at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook. The Summit was
attended by more than 100 local business and community members, and featured presentations on
accomplishments, current activities, and future priorities related to Village’s Commercial Revitalization and
Streetscape Plans.
Inspired by Village President Lalmalani, this year’s Summit was oriented to “reignite” the revitalization
effort in Oak Brook by providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss what the Village can do to enhance the
local business climate. Attendees shared their thoughts on how the Village could attract and retain businesses
after participating in a question and answer session with a panel of experts. The panel included: Tracy
Mulqueen, Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer; Joe Endress, Vice President at
McDonald’s Corporation and Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors; Chuck Fleming, General Manager
of Oakbrook Center; Jeff Shay, Vice President at Jones Lang LaSalle; along with Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Village
President; Elaine Zannis, Village Trustee; Jeff Kennedy, former Village Trustee; David Niemeyer, Village
Manager; and Bob Kallien, Community Development Director.
Updates were given on the current and future state of Oak Brook office and retail market. The
importance of the Oak Brook’s brand was highlighted and Village President Lalmalani discussed re-instating the
Commercial Revitalization and Streetscape Committees to focus on the priorities of the Commercial
Revitalization Plan and some of the suggestions from this year’s Summit. “This is the first step in our efforts
truly implement the key components of the Commercial Revitalization Plan,” said President Lalmalani. “We
will continue to solicit input from Oak Brook’s business and residential leaders in this important endeavor.”
About the Village of Oak Brook:
Founded in 1958, the Village of Oak Brook is located 15 miles west of downtown Chicago and is in proximity to
the junction of Interstates 88, 294, and 290. The Village consists mostly of residential subdivisions, with the
exception of the Oak Brook Center shopping mall, other retail and office properties along 22nd Street and
Interstate 88. Oak Brook is the home of many corporate offices, most notably, the world headquarters of
McDonald’s Corporation, Ace Hardware, Tree House Foods, Inland Real Estate and the service club organization
Lions Clubs International. Oak Brook is also known for being one of the few municipalities in the Chicago area
that does not levy a property tax on residents or businesses. To learn more about the Village of Oak Brook,
please visit www.oak-brook.org
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