CSR Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - March 24, 2009 - The economic downturn has impacted the resources that businesses and their partners can provide to minimize community impacts, but this is not stopping dedicated corporate citizens from strategizing about ways to make a difference. Business, community and government leaders from across the country will convene in Chicago on May 3-5, 2009, to discuss how to accelerate community recovery.

The unprecedented meeting will take place during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s second annual National Conference on Corporate Community Investment. The event will raise awareness about programs to address basic needs, housing assistance, financial responsibility, career counseling, entrepreneurship, community and economic development and other services.

"Everyone has been wounded by the economic crisis, but the business community wants to do what it can to be a part of the recovery," said BCLC Executive Director Stephen Jordan. "This is a movement of a group of companies and organizations that will help the nation move past the finger pointing and focus on getting people, businesses, and communities back on their feet instead."

The conference is part of BCLC's campaign to raise awareness about products and services that are available to people who have been temporarily economically displaced. With unemployment at 8.1%, credit card defaults at a 20 year high, and over 1 million foreclosures last year, companies have reallocated funds, developed new training tools, and re-purposed investments to cushion the blow of the economic crisis and help jump-start the recovery. Companies are also joining forces with local, state, and federal government agencies and major community service organizations to help connect individuals to these resources.

Expert speakers and conference participants will discuss practices and partnerships already in place. Confirmed speakers include:

• Carolyn Berkowitz, President, Capital One Foundation


• Paula Kerger, President and CEO, PBS


• Joel Kotkin, author of "The City: A Global History"


• Sari Macrie, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Allstate and Chair, BCLC


• Rhonda Mims, President, ING Foundation


• Jerry Roper, CEO, Chicagoland Chamber


• Mark Santacrose, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tecta America Corporation


• James Whaley, President, Siemens Foundation

Business, community and government representatives interested in attending should visit the conference website (www.uschamber.com/bclc/cciconference) for full details. Register online (www.uschamber.com/bclc/cciconference) by April 9th to secure your seat.

BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the Chamber's voice and resource for the social and philanthropic interests of the business community. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

For more information, please contact:

For more from this organization:

U.S. Chamber’s Business Civic Leadership Center