Welcome to May! Warmer weather, longer days and Women's Health Month. We have lot's going on to support those ladies in our lives. Our Women in Business Care for Down There product drive on May 12 will be supporting women for a dignified family life, while our Health & Wellness Affinity Group is doing a cross-over event with Women in Business on May 17. Come along and care for yourself and for those you love. We are all in this together. | |
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Plan Your Week!
What is coming up this week?
We know you are busy. To help make it easier and help you to join us at as many things as you would like, we have gathered our events for this week.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Tuesday May 9, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Business After Hours at The Sheridan
Our May Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by The Sheridan at River Forest, the beautiful senior living community. The Sheridan offers assisted living and memory care options in an award-winning new building. Come enjoy a lovely evening of networking, food, raffles, and more in the fresh air under the overhang on the west side of the building!
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Thursday May 11, 5:30 - 7:00pm - Design, Construction, Real Estate Group invites the Health & Wellness Group
Join us this month at one of our newer Chamber member locations, Yonan Carpet One Floor & Home. Our topic for the evening is safe housing for seniors - an aspect of universal design. We'll have presenters and discussion about how to design and build for the needs and abilities of older adults, while enjoying refreshments courtesy of our hosts, and making connections within and across industries.
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Friday May 12, 1:00 - 2:00pm - Women in Business Care for Down There Drive to benefit Beyond Hunger
Join us for our May gathering where we will be meeting at Beyond Hunger in Oak Park. Bring a donation of menstrual products, diapers, adult incontinence pads, wipes, or toilet paper. Grab a coffee and something yummy to eat - courtesy of Beyond Hunger.
Can't make it to this event, check out the website for all of the drop-off locations around Oak Park & River Forest!
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We believe that all who live and work in our community should have the opportunity to thrive. This is our Chamber vision, and we work tirelessly to make this a reality in everything we do! Keep an eye on our NEW LGBTQ+ Programming and Resources page to stay up-to-date on any events and resources to help your business starting in May and continuing throughout June, and the rest of the year! | | |
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Tuesday May 16, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Pride Marketing 101 Lunch & Learn
Join us at Salerno's to learn all the basics on how your business can support the LGBTQ community during June, Pride Month. During this event, we will tap into the expertise of the folks from D.M.Burton and leverage all their tips & tricks to make your business loud and proud! These will be tangible how-to's and information that you can use to guide your June marketing.
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Wednesday June 7th, 9:00 - 10:30am - Building an Inclusive Workplace on Zoom
Join us for this workshop to learn how to better welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community into your workplace. In this fast-paced session you will learn how and where to advertise for employees as an LGBTQ+ advocate business, how to best support all employees, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, to be more inclusive, and much more.
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Tuesday June 13th, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Business After Hours at FFC Oak Park
Our June Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by FFC (Fitness Formula Clubs) Oak Park. Join us for a night of networking and hors d'oeuvres in this high-energy setting, to enjoy spring on the outdoor deck! Meet the staff, get a tour and, who knows, maybe even be inspired to get in a workout.
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Thursday June 22nd, 5:00 - 9:00pm - Thursday Night OUT in the Burbs
OPRF Chamber PRIDE is taking over Downtown Oak Park's Thursday Night Out on June 22!
Come along and celebrate with us. Drag Queens will be roaming the event and marketing our local businesses. Grab your Thursday Night Out in the Burbs shopping bag. Eat great food and listen to amazing music!
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Do you want a Drag Queen strolling around Thursday Night Out
and talking about your business??
We will have 10 fabulous Drag Queens who can be sponsored to hand out your marketing and talk about your business for 2 hours at
Thursday Night Out.
There are only 5 Drag Queens left to Sponsor!
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Plan Your Month!
Like to plan ahead?
Here are some events we have coming up over the next month so you can register now and receive a reminder right before the event.
Join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and
continue to grow your business!
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Wednesday May 17, 1:00 - 5:00pm - Stop & Shop at Purple Sun Arts
Join us for this month's Stop & Shop event at Purple Sun Arts. Purple Sun Arts LLC is an immersive arts experience located in the Heart of the Oak Park Arts District designed for those who seek purpose and meaning. Their space offers purchasable art, wall decorations, jewelry, collectable glassware and crystals.
Come check out their space and get 15% off your purchase the entire day, just mention that you are a Chamber Member!
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Wednesday May 17, 5:30 - 7:00pm - Health & Wellness & WIB Mixer
Join us at One Lake Brewing to get to know other local Health & Wellness businesses and grow your network of trusted referrals.
We will also be celebrating all the hard work of the Health & Wellness Fair Planning Committee! Come and raise a glass to thank them for all of their hard work.
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Thursday May 18, 8:00 - 9:30am - New Member Breakfast at Brookdale Oak Park
Join us at Brookdale Oak Park for our quarterly New Member Breakfast to introduce yourself and tell us about your business. This is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow new members, Chamber staff and Board leadership. You will also learn about your benefits, hear how you can get involved and get answers to your questions.
This event is typically sold out. Make sure to register now and save your space!
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Friday May 19, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Sit Down Lunch and Wine Tasting at Spilt Milk
Join us for this month's sit-down luncheon (with wine tasting!) and networking at Spilt Milk! Spilt Milk has long been known for their delicious bakery creations, and now offers a savory menu as well! And after long being carryout only, Meg and Molly have now reopened their cafe for sit-down dining - and we'll get to enjoy a buffet-style lunch under their backyard tent!
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Monday May 22, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group Asian American History Month at Civinte Candle Bar
Join us this month at Civinte Candle Bar where we will be celebrating Asian American History Month with Susie Goldschmidt of Byline Bank. Susie and her mother have an amazing story of resiliency, come hear it for yourself!
We look forward to you joining us as we stay connected with Latinx, Asian-American, Black and Indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community!
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2023 Economic Luncheon
Rise of the Robots
The Launch of ChatGPT brought Artificial Intelligence technology to the masses however, the AI race has been happening for many years. Join the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce as they explore how Artificial Intelligence is changing the business landscape for organizations of all sizes.
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Visit the website to Sponsor, attend, or simply learn more! Less than 50 tickets left. Make sure to reserve your spot today! | | |
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Cashless Business Survey
The Village of Oak Park seeks feedback from the business community to better understand the conditions around operating in a cashless environment. Many communities have already begun conversation around this topic as it raises interest on the impacts cashless has within the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. Therefore this survey is one of many engagement opportunities to gather community voice.
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The State of Illinois, working in partnership with the NCRC Community Development Fund (NCRC CDF), will open applications for the B2B Restaurants, B2B Hotels, and B2B Creative Arts grant programs.
Eligible existing small businesses who experienced business interruption or adverse conditions due to COVID-19 may apply. Award amounts will vary and are subject to review and adjustment pending application volume, reported losses, and take into account previous grant awards received.
Deadline: May 10
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Are you a business, nonprofit organization, or sole proprietor in the creative sector that suffered losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Thanks to advocacy efforts by @Arts Alliance Illinois, the @Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will distribute $50 million in grant money to those eligible.
Applications for Illinois Creative Recovery (B2B Arts) Grants must be submitted to the DCEO for consideration by May 10 at www.Illinois.gov/B2B. Additional resources from @Arts Alliance Illinois, including access to a help desk and webinars, are available at artsalliance.org/creativerecovery/.
Deadline: May 10
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This eBlast was sent out by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce on behalf of a member in good standing as a member benefit. For information about the event described please contact the host. For information about joining the Chamber, click our website below.
STAY CONNECTED TO THE OPRF CHAMBER
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