Deck the Downtowns promotions are going on NOW in Downtown Bettendorf, Davenport and Rock Island. Each downtown will promote their own unique activities encouraging people to eat, drink, shop and be merry downtown. “This is the first time the three downtowns managed by the Quad Cities Chamber have come together to showcase the businesses that make each downtown unique with Deck the Downtowns,” said Kyle Carter, VP of Place Management, Quad Cities Chamber. “There is so much to offer in each downtown during the holidays – whether it’s enjoying a holiday event with your family, date... Read More

LaTisha Howlett, owner of Bayside Bistro, at 1105 Christie St. in the Village of East Davenport, has had a crazy past year in business – like many restaurants and countless organizations in the Quad-Cities. At a Quad Cities Chamber legislative webinar Friday morning, with leaders from the Iowa and Illinois restaurant associations, she shared her perspective on the unprecedented challenges of the past year and what assistance she and other small business owners may need moving forward. “Covid has been difficult for everybody, especially small businesses,” Howlett said. “Having the governor... Read More

A cool quarter-million dollars sure sounds like a nice Christmas present. Katie Wilson and her team at Davenport-based TapOnIt, a messaging technology company, are certainly celebrating the hard-won gift. The five-and-a-half-year-old firm – which Wilson founded with her sister Sara Castillo — was recently awarded a $250,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel fund award by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board. TapOnIt provides a platform that enables businesses to reach, engage and convert opted-in customers through personalized multi-channel messaging, known as TapOnIt Technology.... Read More

This is the first part of a multi-part series on local businesses heading into the holiday season. All the stories will be dropping on QuadCities.com between 2 and 5 p.m. today. Please shop local this holiday season and support our local businesses! With the economic and health devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the holiday shopping season is more important than ever for independent Quad-Cities businesses. The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is promoting its recent “Keep It QC” campaign, to urge local residents to keep their consumer dollars in the regional economy. “The past year... Read More

The Quad Cities Chamber on Thursday launched the “Keep It QC” gift card and rewards program as part of its Keep It QC campaign, to boost the Q-C economy and community through local spending. The program is a way for consumers to buy local or to gift local to others by purchasing cards redeemable at a variety of area merchants. “We know that every dollar kept in the Quad-Cities increases our collective success, which is why we’re unveiling the Keep It QC gift card and rewards program,” said Erin Platt, Quad Cities Chamber marketing director. “As we head into the holiday season, this... Read More