The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

ade Fair Supplement -- Feb. 27,1985 -- Page U TRADE FAIR KEEPS ON GOING (Continued from page 10) p.m. Someone from the tent ompany had to be in attendance luch of the weekend to keep esecuring guy lines. For the first time in Trade Fair istory, the Chamber decided to un the concessions. In the past, a ifferent non-profit Organization lad run them and profits from ood sales went to that organiza- ion's treasury. The only problem lad been volunteer staffing. In an- icipation of a repeat of the crowds >f 1976, the committee overbought ind was left with food for the "ar­ my" that never showed up. After the disappointments of that year, most board members felt that the Trade Fair was no longer worth the effort. Huemann was the one confident voice that urged another try. Many lessons were learned. Thetime of the year was wrong. Late winter or early spring, when people need a pickup" from winter doldrums, seemed to be ideal. Concessions should not be run by the Chamber. The Chamber should develop its own wiring and charge exhibitors who need high power and addi­ tional fee. Huemann and Bryce Klontz (McHenry Electric) agreed to take on the chairmanship for one more try. 1979 saw the Fair back at Parkland on the first weekend in May. A crew of volunteers con­ structed adequate "stringers" to accommodate all exhibitor's elec­ trical needs. Those "stringers" are being replaced this year. A permanent floor plan for the gym was mapped out, which also is still being used today. Under the able direction of Ken and Bernice Sheridan and Dick and Marlene Nethaway, the food concession was the most successful to date. The 1979 Fair was a success by everyone's standards. Today, with the help of Huemann's per­ sistence, it is not only looked for­ ward to as an annual event in the community, but three other major cities in the county have followed McHenry's lead and each have a successful annual trade fair. As time rolled around for the 1980 Fair, Bob Pendergast resign­ ed as executive director of the Chamber. Fortunately, after the 1979 Fair, Klontz had gone through all existing Trade Fair records and made a master checklist of tasks to be ac­ complished. With the assistance of his committee and Dolores Ball, the current secretary in the Chamber office, plans for the 1980 Fair began to take shape. A few weeks before the Fair, Fran Olsen was hired as the new executive director. Some new features and ideas came out ofthe 1980 Trade Fair. A $1,000 giveaway was held. Win­ ners could spend their prize money at any of the exhibitors' places of business. The 1980 Fair was a success and Klontz immediately got signed contracts and deposits from about half of the exhibitors for their choice space for the following year. The practice is still in effect today. March 27, 28 and 29, 1981, saw more innovations and more suc­ cess. Butch Meyers (Blue Camel) chaired the committee. The prize giveway was continued with prizes from exhibitors rather than money, as the gifts to the winners. More exhibitors seeking to par­ ticipate led to expanded use of the learning center. A stage and a large seating area were provided. A fashion show was conducted on Saturday and Sunday ̂ afternoon, and evening entertainment was provided on Friday and Saturday, evenings. WIVS Radio Station and Lakes Cable TV broadcast live from the Fair during all three days of the exhibition. The concept of seminars (an op­ portunity for exhibitors to meet with potential customers in a small group setting) was introduc­ ed. By the time the 1981 Trade Fair was over, the next year's chair­ man had been selected. The 1982 Trade Fair chairman was Tim Ogurek (McHenry Drug). All chamber board members were automatically committee members and each Huemann is electrical chairman John Huemann, a lifelong resi­ dent of the McHenry area and past president of the Chamber, assumes a dual role at this year's Trade Fair. In addition to ex­ hibiting, Huemann is the elec­ trical chairman. His respon­ sibilities include providing elec­ trical power to each exhibitor as needed. This year's responsibility is heavier than usual because all the wiring needed to be replaced. A Chamber member for 16 years, Huemann served as presi­ dent in 1980 and 1981 and was nam­ ed "Man of the Year" in the latter. In 1979, he was chairman of the fair and served with Bryce Klontz as co-chairman in 1978. "The Chamber is a vital part of the community and I am proud to ahve taken an important role in it during the last several years," he said. Huemann currently serves on the Legislative Advisory coun­ cil. Among Huemann's Chamber accomplishments are the concep­ tion and initiation of both the Fiesta Days guide and reinstate­ ment of the July 4 fireworks. He is marred and has four children. After graduating from Marian Central, he attended Nor­ thern Illinois University for two years and served in the Army for two years. Rotello brings organization to coat check room One of the Chamber's most in- ye?"„lv„rt ln ,h„ „„mInllnl Past four years, including statfing •solved supporters is also ? 8 h ahfriin^fntpiin with imployed by one of the strongest gls sec.ond onuncn Chamber-involved companies. 2e„p '"nnpi «roun and :oat Room Chairman Vince McHenry personnel group. and Rotello points to 18 years in Jist 156 'rHrinalinn verv nisiness in McHenry at Brake deyelopment participation very 3arts Company for making his actively C0I)t^}k rhf S^t^&r have been supplied by Ed's Rental fustHaf^ouncifS^a's staffed The coat room haS been "®ns ^^he Girl Scouts^Key belle's responsibility for the Cluband4-H. You won't get lost with Cajthaml's directions and racking. With an industry the size of Brake Parts behind him, manufacturing substantial coat racks was no problem. The racks were made, assembled and delivered by Brake Parts and were used at the fair for two years. Most recently, the racks Mike "Cy" Cajthaml, a McHenry Chamber of Commerce oard member since 1982, riginally designed the Trade Fair logo and the billboards and poster nnouncing the Trade Fair this /ear. He serves as sign chairman, teing responsible for all identify­ ing and directional interior and xterior signs for thie Trade Fair. A lifelong resident of the area, -ajthaml is married to Debbie intozzi and they gave birth to their first son last August. He is a commercial artist and sole owner of Cy's Custom Paint, for custom pinstriping, logo design and hand lettering of all types. The 12-year- old business is headquartered in Johnsburg and concentrates on architectural graphics for school gyms, factory interiors, boats, grocery stores, children's nurseries, recreational vehicles and privately commissioned ven­ dor signs. His unique designs are easily recognizable throughout the northwest Chicagoland area. Cajthaml received the 1984. Outstanding Yoifhg Man of America award, served as Chair­ man of the 1984 Fiesta Days and ls the Chairman of McHenry Area Crime Stoppers. Additionally, he is the vice-president of the Toastmaster's Club of McHenry and a lector-commentator and Eucharistic minister at St. Patrick's Church in McHenry. chaired one area of responsibility. A solution to the biggest current problem, sufficient parking for the attending people, surfaced in 1982. Ogurek approached local automobile dealers to underwrite the cost of a shuttle service. The industrial parking areas at the top of Sherman Hill were available for cars to park and two shuttle buses from Pioneer Center were driven by Pioneer Center drivers. Europa Motors, Buss Fofcl, Mit­ chell Buick and Spe^lman Chevrolet underwrote the tost of the first "shuttle." A hospitality room for ex­ hibitors was arranged by Maxine Cwiak (Plum Garden) and her committee. For the first time in 1982, the concession area was run by pro­ fessionals. The first year, B.J.'s Vienna and Plum Garden Restaurant served refreshments in an eating area that was decorated with fencing and live plants. Seminars continued. rfFor the first time, the chairman of the Trade Fair, the executive director of the Chamber, the prin­ cipal of Parkland, and the head of maintenance had two-way radios. The radios were provided by Radicom Corporation. A coat room was provided for the first time. Coat racks were donated by the Brake Parts Com­ pany and the coat room was staff­ ed by volunteers. With all the innovations, the big­ gest aesthetic change was a con­ tract with Valley Expo from Cherry Valley, which provided professional set-up and take-down help. By the time the 1983 Fair rolled around, the committee was wondering how it could top the previous year. Sue Low (Lare- mont School), chairman, added several new features. The shuttle service, seminars and fashion show were repeat suc­ cesses. Jackie Sorenson's aerobic dancers were added to the enter­ tainment schedule and Alan and Sandy Gabor (Morton Mercantile) emceed a "Price Is Right Game." Congressman Phil Crane, was a visitor to the Fair. The Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception for Crane in the home economics area. In an effort to provide more ex­ hibit space, the band room was pressed into service for the first time. Eight more booths became available for exhibitor's use. Trade Fair bags were also in­ troduced as a means of assistance to fair goers as they collected materials from the exhibitors' booths. Two-way radios were provided again for key people by Radicom and a central announcement center was set up in the foyer. - 1984 saw Brian Cunat (Cunat Brothers Construction) as chair­ man. With still more expansion in the learning center, and using the band room, 128 booths were reserved by Trade Fair time. At 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon poten­ tial exhibitors were begging for a "little corner." For~ffie~ITrsf time, non-profit organizations could reserve mini-booths (card table- sized space) at a reduced cost. What's new for W85? t A new traffic pattern will assure all exhibitors that all spectators will pass their booth. Trade Fair dollars will be redeemed like money for items in the Trade Fair Treasure Chest. An information center will help to facilitate relaying information to spectators and exhibitors. Exhibits will provide the usual wide variety: things for Inside and outside the home, things to make one more beautiful and more con- fortable, and things to make the house more beautiful. Trade Fair goers will find things to improve their physical, emo­ tional, and even financial health and well-being. They wHl have an opportunity to ask a wide range of questions from financial experts. They will have an opportunity to meet some political represen­ tatives. Finally, persons attending the Trade Fair will have an opportuni­ ty to be better acquainted with the community. No matter how long a person has lived here, there are always new and interesting discoveries to be made. O'Connor to oversee security A new addition to the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors is Mike O'Con­ nor, director of corporate finance for Northern Illinois Medical Center (NIMC). "I felt is was important to become involved in the communi­ ty since our hospital serves the community," O'Connor said. A graduate of the University of Chicago with a masters degree in business administration, as well as a certified public accountant, O'Connor's primary responsibility is financial management of the three affiliates comprising the corporate structure of NIMC. As coordinator for security, O'Connor will oversee scheduling of the auxiliary deputies of the McHenry County Sheriff's Depart­ ment and the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency4&SDA) per­ sonnel. These representatives will facilitate parking ana assure that children under high school age are accompanied by an adult at all times. "We will instruct parents who attempt to drop off children at the Trade Fair that they must be ac­ companied by an adult or they will not be allowed to enter," O'Connor said. As a member of tlfe Chamber's professional council, O'Connor will have an opportunity to consult with other professional members in the community wtth regard to how he restructured NIMC's long- term debt. ""O'Connor has lived with his wife and two small children in McHenry for the past two years.