Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Salgado.
Kara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Do Division Street Fest started in 2007 with a committee of Chamber Member business owners on Division Street expressing interest in a fundraiser for their corridor. In my role as Executive Director at the West Town Chamber of Commerce, I had started West Fest, a successful fundraiser and street festival on Chicago Avenue in 2004. We produced West Fest “in-house” at the Chamber of Commerce office, so I had some experience planning a large-scale special event, securing all of the operational elements, sponsors, and vendors etc… Street festivals produced by the West Town Chamber of Commerce benefit local non-profits including the Chamber, a 501 C6 providing valuable services for the businesses in West Town, and also the events benefit local schools and other non-profits.
To plan Do-Division Street Fest I reached out to live music experts in the neighborhood. Do Division Street Fest features two stages booked by the talent buyers from local live music venues: Subterranean and Empty Bottle.
The Empty Bottle is known for booking diverse, cutting edge and high-quality indie-rock and alternative music and was named “One of the best clubs in America” by Rolling Stone Magazine. Having the east stage at Do Division programmed by Empty Bottle Presents assures that the event features a very current, original, and diverse live music line up of the highest quality. Subterranean programs the talent for the west stage. They have a fantastic track record booking in-demand acts for their club and other local festivals such as Wicker Park Fest and Green Music Fest. Subterranean’s reputation for featuring the most current and popular indie-rock bands is also outstanding, and their stage’s draw combined with that of the Empty Bottle Presents stage guarantees huge crowds of diverse live music lovers at Do Division Street Fest.
The Chamber also works with local school PTOs to plan a Family Fun Fest at Do Division Street Fest with a family stage, kid activities and vendors, and 100% of the proceeds from activities benefit the local schools. The event had grown since 2007, it reflects and benefits the neighborhood, highlights local independent businesses, and event sponsors have the ability to reach a very desirable demographic of trendsetters, Millennials and more.
The high-quality music, focus on local vendors and
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I was trying to first produce West Fest, it was a struggle to convince vendors and sponsors to participate. Over time, we have proved the Chamber events to be unique and successful, and now West Fest and Do-Division Street Fest are sought after by sponsors and vendors.
Producing large-scale special events out of doors, the biggest struggle is usually the weather factor. Some years we have been really lucky with great weather and in turn a great turn out, and some other years… not so lucky. If we get cold rain all day, the event is not going to raise any money, and as a non-profit organization producing the event, we had to get into a position to be able to take those risks.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce – what should we know?
This is my 15th year as the Executive Director of the West Town Chamber of Commerce, I basically created the organization with a small grant and by starting these festival fundraisers. Pictured with me in the photo provided is Susan Aldous, the Assistant Director at the Chamber. Together we plan and coordinate the large-scale events “in-house” and by doing so we are able to make more money for the organization and local schools and non-profits, and we are able to continue to feature local talent, local artists, West Town retailers and vendors at our events. By increasing our program funding with the special events, today the West Town Chamber is a thriving neighborhood business development center with over 200 active members, four full-time employees, two part-time employees, and a healthy programming budget.
Chamber programs and events are initiated and steered by local business owner volunteers. We strive to involve the local business community and the chamber holds regular board and committee meetings to assess the needs of the businesses and create programs and initiatives under the direction of the local business members.
The West Town Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to further strengthen its business community so that West Town continues to be a destination for shopping, dining, professional services, nightlife, and culture. We foster community and economic development by empowering businesses with information, networking opportunities, marketing, and other programming. The chamber extensively promotes the unique elements of the West Town neighborhoods and strives to engage the public through the organization of special events that highlight existing businesses and attract consumers and new businesses to the West Town area. The chamber serves as a channel through which members can cultivate a diverse, symbiotic, and growth-oriented community.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Confidence, knowing when and to whom to delegate, and perseverance. “Fake it until you make it!”
Pricing:
- $5 donation requested to attend Do Division Street Fest
Contact Info:
- Address: 1819 W Chicago Ave Chicago IL 60622
- Website: www.westtownchamber.org www.westtownchicago.com www.do-divisionstreetfest.com
- Phone: 312-850-9390
- Email: info@westtownchamber.org
- Instagram: WestTownChicago / DoDivision
- Facebook: West Town Chicago / Do Division Street Fest
- Twitter: #WestTownChicago / #DoDivision
- Other: www.do-divisionstreetfest.com
Image Credit:
REP3, Garret Gomez, VitalKopy
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