September 25th, 2022

I freaking LOVE my job. I am grateful to be surrounded by and interact with the brightest, most ambitious, kindest, most invested, engaged professionals in Oak Park and River Forest. If you can’t say that, maybe you need to join the Chamber - today! It’ll be your best decision ever!

Diane Cranford

Director of Membership

Monday September 26, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group at Jeffrey Hines State Farm

We will be gathering at Jeffrey Hines State Farm Insurance at 5:30 pm. Connect with Latinx, Asian-American, Black and indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community! 

Come join us to make connections with great folks, and be part of this new group!

Tuesday September 27, 5:30 - 7:30pm - Second Annual Young Professionals Game Night at Adam Doe State Farm

Adam of Adam Doe State Farm and his crew are having us over again for cornhole/bags and other sidewalk games on the back patio, and providing food too! Join us for an outdoor evening while the weather is still good - though if weather is bad, we'll just move indoors and maybe play board games? 

Feel free to bring your favorite games for indoors or out!

Wednesday September 28, 10:30 - 11:00am - Ribbon Cutting at Oak Park Barber Salon

This time we'll be at Oak Park Barber Salon celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! 

Oak Park Barber Salon is open again after a complete renovation, necessitated by extensive fire damage. We're thrilled to welcome them back on their grand re-opening! 

Friday September 30, 12:00 - 12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Great Sip Cafe

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Great Sip Cafe! In this event, we convene at a designated restaurant to pick up our takeout lunch choices, and get to see each other for a bit while we're at it.

Be sure to check out the available items on our website and book your meal today.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday October 5, 5:30 - 7:00pm - DCRE Affinity Group Meeting at American House

Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group at American House, Oak Park's newest building, not yet open to the public! Come check out this new landmark on Madison Avenue, and enjoy food and drinks courtesy of our hosts.

Plus, get to know the new co-chairs of the Chamber's Design, Construction and Real Estate Affinity Group!

Thursday October 6, 1:00 - 2:00pm - NPO Affinity Group: How to Approach Businesses for Support

Come join the Chamber's nonprofit affinity group for our monthly gathering - and this month American House is hosting us! Check out this brand new senior living home in the middle of Oak Park, before it opens to the public! 

This month we'll learn from local businesspeople about how they would like to be approached by nonprofits looking for support. Confirmed guests are Natalie Casas of First Eagle Bank and David Silverstein of Whirlwind Coffee; we hope to add one or two more! 

Thursday October 13, 4:30 - 5:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at Oak Park River Forest High School

This time we'll be at OPRF High School celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Huskies Booster Club!

For half a century, the OPRF High School Booster Club has supported academics, athletics, and activities at Oak Park - River Forest High School through their fundraising work. The Award Wall of the remodeled lobby at the school is just one project funded through the efforts of the Boosters, who also take on such immediate needs as microphones for performing arts students to use during pandemic when they had to be masked. 

Friday October 14, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business Meeting at The Sheridan

We are thrilled you will be joining us this month at The Sheridan! WIB is continuing our monthly series with Maura Mitchell, JD/MBA. Maura is the Managing Director - Entrepreneurial Programs & Services of the Women's Business Development Center. Maura will be providing an overview of the resources available at WBDC for female entrepreneurs. You won't want to miss this discussion! 

Spotlight Celebration

Who are the Titans in YOUR Community?

When you think of all of the business people who have helped you over the years, who are they? How have these amazing Visionaries, Innovators, Community Impact Makers, Mentors, Social Responsibility Warriors, and Collaborators impacted the community? What better way to honor them, than to nominate them to be recognized by the OPRF Chamber of Commerce and the business community at large? 

Then join us at the Spotlight Soiree on October 11th at the Cheney Mansion where we will honor each of these nominees, with the the help of our Exclusive Presenting Sponsor, Oak Park Bank!

Exclusive Presenting Sponsor

Each month there will be one specific topic that is timely and relevant to the community. Planned topics include:

• October 5, 2022 - "Inflammation Eradication: Health & Harmony from the Inside Out
• November 2, 2022 - "Balanced Boundaries: Healthy Habits When Saying YES & NO"
• December 7, 2022 - "Protect Your Peace: How Not to Kill Your Family or Yourself During Obligatory Gatherings"

Host a Takeout Stakeout!

Want business owners in the community over to your place for lunch?

Hosting a Takeout Stakeout is a GREAT way to do that! We will pre-order food, meet outside your space, do some networking, meet your staff, and then taste your delicious food. What better way to introduce the movers and shakers from the Oak Park & River Forest communities to your space?

Not a member yet? Don't worry, just click on the image or button below to learn more!