CED Campaign Close Remarks / May 17, 2006
Last September seems light years ago when the “Step Ahead of Tomorrow” campaign entered its General Phase with an amazing kickoff event hosted by Johnny Greuling and his alter-ego. the Amazing Carnac.
Actually, it was the very end of May, not quite one year ago, that the Board of Directors of the Will County Center for Economic Development launched an ambitious campaign to raise $7.5 million to support its ambitious program of work over the next five years. Ambitious because the financial target was 50 percent higher that the previous campaign. Ambitious because the program of work planned for the next five years was the most industrious and far-reaching ever planned by CED leadership.
I agreed to chair the campaign, but only if I was permitted to rub Mighty Carnac’s magic lantern and be granted the three customary wishes. Despite appearances and rumors to the contrary, The All-Powerful and Mysterious Carnac is no dummy. My every wish was his command.
Now, you may notice that Carnac’s Genie, since last September, has decided to downsize from his spacious, golden magic lantern to this simple blue condo, in reality a gravy boat from my kitchen. Nonetheless, Carnac’s Genie was able to make major magic for us during the campaign.
My first wish, Wish #1, was granted immediately.
This is what was needed to start: A solid, persuasive case for understanding and investing in the work of the Will County CED had to be laid out plainly and positively for current and prospective investors.
Mighty Carnac, fortunately, had the foresight to enlist the aid of Spiritual Advisors, namely R & M Resources, a consulting firm from a land far, far away. R & M’s conscientious pre-campaign feasibility interviews, more than 60 in total, helped immeasurably to fashion a persuasive Case Statement.
It's my pleasure to acknowledge the work of R & M and its principal partner, Mike McCarthy, who flew in from Denver to be here today for this morning’s Eye Opener. Thank you, Mike – please stand and be recognized -- for sharing your expertise in formulating our powerful campaign case.
And, that Case Statement was masterfully turned into a handsome brochure by Dan Stephanich and the creative gang at Joliet’s own Gammon Group. Thank you, Dan!
When it was time to publicly launch the campaign, as we did last September in a memorable way, thanks to host Jeff Pfeiffer and the Argosy Empress Casino Joliet, we needed an energetic and entertaining video resource. A special thank you goes to Ron Romero and StageRight Productions for the superb video presentations including today’s visuals. Ron, please make your presence known and be recognized.
However, feasibility interviews, campaign literature and a damn clever video production would not be enough to get the job done.
To accomplish that task, a second wish had to be granted, and the All-Powerful Genie granted my second wish without hesitation.
Wish #2 was for plenty of firepower on the phones and on the streets, connecting with current and prospective investors, securing face-to-face appointments, making thoughtful presentations, and earning the right to ask for an investment. The job, to be successful, would require the dedication of CED staff and an army of volunteers to make the case for investing in the CED.
Hundreds and hundreds of phone calls and appointments were completed over this past year. Hundreds more follow-up phone calls have been made. Quickly but importantly, I wish to acknowledge and recognize the following individuals who brought the campaign to a successful close:
First the Campaign Committee: If you are present, please stand and remain standing as I call your name. Audience, I ask you to please hold your applause until all are standing:
Matt Alexander Jeff Brickman Bill Caton Joe Domenico Carl Dukes Br. James Gaffney Ted Kanellakes Barbara Ladner Dan Malinowski Carmen Morales Val Rand Michael Rittof Roy Thygesen Derek Wright
Thank you, every last one of you!