February 5th, 2023

Welcome to the month of "lurve"! It's February already, Spring is around the corner and there is optimism in the air for longer days and more sunshine! Join us this month to share the LOVE of all things Chamber. We have lots going on to get us through these dark days of winter. Come and join us - we want to see you!

Liz Holt

Executive Director

February's blog is all about sharing the love. As our Director of Membership, Diane Cranford, has wrote, "February is about more than sweethearts and Valentine's Day. February is about expressing gratitude and appreciation for everyone we care about. It's about paying it forward."

Check out the blog this month for all of the creative suggestions she provides to share the #chamberLOVE!

Plan Your Week!

Ready for more love?

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'd LOVE to see you there!

Friday February 10, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business Meeting at The Sheridan at River Forest

February is not just about red roses and paper hearts. Join us this month at The Sheridan at River Forest to talk about Women's Heart Health with Carolyn Fitzpatrick, MD, CMO, from West Suburban Medical Center. Heart health in women looks vastly different than in men. Show some self-love and heart-health support by wearing red as we learn easy ways to identify issues and keep your heart healthy for years to come! 

Plan Your Month!

Help us continue the LOVE!

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,

continue to grow your business and share the Chamber LOVE!

Tuesday February 14, 4:00 - 6:00pm - Business After Hours at American House

Come experience a little #chamberlove, whether it's before you meet up with your sweetie, or we're your company for the evening! We know it's Valentine's Day and we don't want you to miss out on any love that day, so feel free to bring your Valentine along to celebrate. Join us for networking, food, raffles, friends, and simply a lovely evening in excellent company - we're glad to be yours on Valentine's Day!

Friday February 17, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Sit-Down Chamber Lunch at Fritzi's Delicatessen

Join us this month for another sit-down lunch, this time at Fritzi's Deli. Bring your appetite and your business cards for this networking lunch at one of Oak Park's local Jewish delis! Meet the business owners and enjoy your choice of a sandwich or an entree while relaxing in their newly opened space.

Monday February 20, 1:00 - 1:30pm - Ribbon Cutting at StretchLab Oak Park

Join us for the Ribbon Cutting of one of our new members, StretchLab Oak Park! Help us celebrate this new business by taking pictures of the ribbon cutting and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet the StretchLab team and discover what they do to keep clients limber, active, and healthy!

Tuesday February 21, 8:00 - 9:00am - Young Professionals Coffee & Networking

Join us this month for some relaxed coffee and networking with our fabulous Young Professionals Affinity Group. Not "young"? Don't worry, this group is open to anyone who is young-at-heart.

Start your day off right! Grab a cup of coffee, maybe a snack, and come network with us before heading off for your busy day.

Thursday February 23, 4:30 - 5:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at Wild Fork

Help us celebrate the opening of a new business with a ribbon cutting! This time we'll be at Wild Fork in Oak Park celebrating them, taking pictures of the event and enjoying a great networking opportunity!

Wild Fork has made a name for itself as a purveyor of fine meats and prepared foods, conveniently portioned and at accessible prices. Come meet the Wild Fork team and discover their impressive array of fine food.

Monday February 27, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting at LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services

Join us in February as Dr. Orson Morrison and his team invite everyone to celebrate Black History Month at LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services, LLC. We look forward to continuing to stay connected with our Latinx, Asian-American, Black and Indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community! 

Member Benefits Series

Are you a new member

or new to your business?

Help us to help you make your business a success! Take advantage of these events geared specifically toward new Chamber Members to learn how best to take advantage of your membership. Feel free to join us for any or all of these events, whether you are a new Member business, or simply new to your business.

Check out all of our New Member Programming!

Thursday February 16, 8:00 - 9:30am - New Member Breakfast at Belmont Village Senior Living

Join us at 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. 

Wednesday March 15, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 102 via Zoom

In this seminar we will go over all of your marketing benefits that come with your membership, including:

- how to maximize your e-blast benefits.

- the role of your Member Profile in your marketing advantage and how to track digital traffic.

- how to generate marketing collateral that can be shared in your social media.

- how to tap into our Affinity Groups to grow your network and feature your business.

Wednesday April 19, 2:00 - 3:00pm - Chamber 101 via Zoom

In this seminar we will go over all of your digital benefits that come with your membership, including:

- how to significantly increase your SEO

- how to leverage your Member Profile to boost traffic to your own website

- how to track your Member Profile statistics

- how to be sure that your website is linked to your membership

This event is perfect for new members, or those who need a refresher!

New Members

December 2022 & January 2023

Help us show some #chamberLOVE to these new Chamber Members by welcoming them into the Oak Park River Forest community! We can't wait to meet you and learn more about your business.

FabBooks LLC



Complimentary Memberships

January 2023

These members joined the Chamber as part of the Village of Oak Park or the Village of River Forest complimentary six-month membership. Join us in sharing the #chamberLOVE by welcoming them all to the Chamber!

Birth to Five Illinois

Crepas Culichi

Laura Maychruk Real Estate Co

Malkin Properties of Illinois

Martin Branding Group Inc.

Breakfast in Bed Catering

City Orchards Cooperative

G Cleaners Inc.

Jing-Ish

Maria's Cleaning Services at Elmwood Park

Pedalheads Bike Camps U.S.A. Inc.

Retta's Kitchen LLC

Sarah's Virtual Office Team LLC

Ice Ice Baby

Somethings Cooking LTD.

The Urban Dining League

Dispatch Health

Berger & Burrow Enterprises