Business excellence celebrated in McLean County

Photo via McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce brought energy, humor, and heartfelt recognition to the stage at its 2026 Annual Gala on February 7th at the Illinois State University Bone Student Center.

With a creative “Saturday Night Live” theme, this year’s event blended live sketches, video segments, music, and awards into an unforgettable celebration of the businesses and leaders driving McLean County forward.

Thanks to the support of Presenting Sponsor Commerce Bank, the evening welcomed hundreds of business and community leaders for a night dedicated to honoring excellence, innovation, and collaboration across the local business landscape.

“This Gala is always a highlight of our year, but this one truly captured the creativity, resilience, and spirit of our members,” said Charlie Moore, President & CEO of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to celebrate not just achievement, but the passion that make our business community so strong.”

The evening opened with a high-energy production inspired by the iconic live television format, complete with a live band, comedic monologues, and a “Weekend Update”-style segment featuring local leaders.

Guests first heard from host Chris Downing, Associate Vice President of Development and Community Engagement at Heartland Community College, who set the tone for the evening reflecting on what it truly takes to be a business owner. He spoke to the resilience, adaptability, and determination required to lead in today’s environment, reminding the audience that behind every successful business is a leader juggling challenges, solving problems, and showing up each day with vision and grit.

Following Downing, presenting sponsor, Commerce Bank represented by Chase Kusnerik, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Banking, emphasized the importance of partnership, innovation, and continued investment in McLean County’s future. Kusnerik served as the 2025 President of the Chamber’s Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals (BNYP) group.

2025 Board Chair Meghan O’Neal reflected on a milestone year for the Chamber, highlighting the celebration of its 125th anniversary, advancement of key initiatives such as healthcare coalition transitions and regional collaboration efforts, and downtown investment efforts. O’Neal expressed pride in the progress made during her term and gratitude for the board, staff, and members who helped move the Chamber’s mission forward.

Incoming 2026 Board Chair Nicole Hoffman then shared an enthusiastic and forward-looking vision for the year ahead. She emphasized a renewed focus on membership growth, the development of a coordinated regional talent pipeline strategy in partnership with Heartland Community College, and the launch of a new Women in Business Conference scheduled for June. Hoffman underscored the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening businesses through connection, advocacy, and shared opportunity, encouraging members to continue building momentum together in 2026.

“A strong business community is measured not just in projects and plans, but in rooms like this—full of people who care enough to show up, collaborate, and lead,” Hoffman said. “In 2026, together, we’re going to get it done.”