United by a common business culture, a new alliance between Northern Illinois Special Events, LLC, and DeKalb County Online has been signed. The acquisition cements Northern Illinois Special Events, LLC as the forerunner in the event promotion and management market, enhancing the company’s future growth and performance. DeKalb County Online brings in an excellent online news product and an established, consumer base of over 40,000 local households and more than 150,000 unique visitors each month. Terms of the acquisition are undisclosed.
Chairman and CEO of Northern Illinois Special Events, LLC, Michael T. Embrey, said, “DeKalb County Online is a well respected online newspaper and portal to the wonderful businesses and events in the county. We will enhance that position and bring even more services to this country paradise we call home.”
Embrey, who is currently CHO/EAD for FunME Events Entertainment & Excursions, is known to local area people as someone involved in special events but is also well known outside the DeKalb County area in the arena of tourism and entertainment. He is VP of Chicagoland SKAL, an International Tourism organization with over 22,000 members, 470 clubs in 80+ Countries. Embrey also serves as Vice President on the executive board of Tour Colorado (Colorado’s group tour organization). In addition, he serves as Executive/Artistic Director for BroadwayToYou.com and MusicFestivalsToYou.com, as well as the organizer of the popular Kishwaukee Fest during the summers in DeKalb County.
DeKalb’s Mayor Jerry Smith calls Michael Embrey the ‘Music Man’ and one of the top special event producers in the Midwest.
“Michael has an unequaled team of talent and is unrivaled as an event promoter and organizer,” said Mac McIntyre, publisher of DeKalb County Online. “I am quite confident of Michael’s ability to take this online publication to another, higher level.”
McIntyre is retiring from active publishing due to a series of health-related setbacks. He will remain in an IT role and editorial advisor for the online publication he started 21 years ago. He is transferring ownership of the web site service organization eWorldLinx.com to his longtime partner Grace Mott.
“Our web site hosting customers will continue to be serviced and be well taken care of,” explained McIntyre. “Gracie is all about customer service and this move allows her to focus her many talents on our website customers.”
Northern Illinois Special Events, LLC is hosting a retirement party for McIntyre Thursday, May 31, from 5pm-7pm at Fatty’s Pub and Grille on 1312 West Lincoln Hwy in DeKalb. DeKalb County Online readers are invited to attend and celebrate as well as meet Michael Embrey and Mary Rehak, the new editors of the online newspaper. Join us for appetizers and a cash bar.
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7 Comments
Congrats! I too appreciate all that you have done, itâs a benefit that will be missed, and not forgotten.
Great writing as usual Mac McIntyre Thrilled to think of you and Gracie, Communications Director Sammy and Tugs getting out of Dodge and retiring. Hope everyone who you have served well sends money lol as it is truly deserved. Best wishes and Congrats to Mike and Mary. You can do this!!
Thank you Shari! Good to see ya again, well kind of.
Mary Peterson Rehak excited for you!
I need a sad and happy button for this one. I wish you the best on your retirement Mac and would like to shout out a special thank you for always making DeKalb and our county number one. DeKalb County Online has always and foremost been about the people of this county and their best interests.
The countless hours you spent for the betterment of DeKalb and DeKalb County is deeply appreciated by those of us who know of the work that you, Gracie, and your staff put in.
I consider myself to be the lucky one to have met you all those years ago but more importantly Mac, to be able to call you friend and brother. Best wishes.
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Thank you Mac McIntyre and Grace Mott for all you have done for Dekalb County. You will never be forgotten.