Ginny Glasner is the President and CEO of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. She has been in this position since 2004.The Chamber serves as an advocate for Highland Park businesses. It is an organization that also provides resources and education for local businesses and for those businesses considering moving to Highland Park by linking the City's demographics with their website. The organization also provides opportunity with their Network Development for Members and their Power Partnerships foster relationships that encourage leads, referrals and more business for their members. The Chamber is made of local volunteers and is not connected to the US Chamber of Commerce.

 

Ginny cited that during the pandemic business sectors that have done well are liquor stores, hardware, attorneys and furnishings.  In Highland Park, service businesses have closed like the Decoder School and Advanced Concepts. Service businesses feed into restaurants - and even in this pandemic there have been a few stores like Sally's Nuts that opened in Highland Park's Ravinia Business District. Even before the pandemic, local businesses have felt the punch from online shopping.

 

When the members have met to share resources, ideas, and solutions for their businesses, it expanded to include neighbors and friends in need of help. The connections Chamber members make impact more than just their businesses, it impacts their community.

 

During the pandemic, the Chamber is serving as an information hub for members and non-members alike with the PPP and unemployment assistance programs by creating a "ask the pro" series as well as helping them adjusting their budgets from annual to rolling quarters because adaptability is key. Cold weather outdoor dining is one result of doing just that. Many businesses have ramped up their websites, online events and stores, some have created or improved products.

 

Ginny said that many people ask when things will get back to normal, but we should start looking for the 'next normal'. ‘Next Normal’ is what you create for yourself.