Chamber Advantage

March 5th, 2023

During Women's History Month, we honor women who inspire and motivate us. Those who paved the way for us, those who shaped us and made us who we are today. Those who broke the glass ceiling. Those who stood for those who couldn’t. Those who were strong for those too weak. Those who shined their light so that we could see. Those who are survivors, the warriors among us. 


Join us for this month's Women in Business meeting and connect with all of the amazing women in our community.

Carla Taylor

Real Estate Broker

Baird & Warner

&

Lou Anne Johannesson

Administrative Liaison

Oak Park District 97 Board of Education Committees

Executive Administrator

The Intergovernmental Body of the Village of Oak Park (IGOV)

#chamberLOVE

The Women in Business Affinity Group is a group of strong, smart and supportive business professionals who meet monthly to network and foster personal and professional growth. Different professional development topics are discussed each meeting, facilitated by a group member or local expert.


Join us for our meeting this month, or check out the Affinity Group page to see future dates and learn more about this fabulous group!

LEARN MORE!

Friday March 10, 9:00 - 10:30am - Women in Business Affinity Group

Jacqueline Campbell and Ashley Hardaway of Alexander Legacy Private Wealth Management are on a mission to to help 100,000 families create multi-generational wealth through legacy, philanthropy and and impact. To complete this mission, women-owned ALPW starts with education. Join us this month as JaQ and Ashley discuss investing, budgeting and common misconceptions when it comes to women and investing. 

REGISTER HERE!

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!

Monday March 13, 4:00 - 5:00pm - New Fire Code Compliance Reporting System

Fire Marshal Thompson, from the Village of Oak Park Fire Department, will provide an overview of the Village's new fire code compliance reporting system, known as Brycer, and businesses' reporting obligations. He will answer questions on the system and the fire code regulations. 

The OPRF Chamber is partnering with Takeout25 to bring you this timely program. We hope to see you there!

REGISTER HERE!

Tuesday March 14, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Annual Speed Networking Event

We had such an amazing time last year, that we decided to keep the fun going! Join us at Concordia University for a fabulous evening where you can connect with old friends and meet new colleagues. We can help you get a LOT done in two short hours!

There are less than 20 tickets left, so be sure to register and reserve your space today! And don't forget those business cards.

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday March 15, 10:00am - 7:00pm - Stop & Shop at JAYNE

Join us for our third ever Stop & Shop event, this time at JAYNE. JAYNE aims to outfit women of all generations who are unstoppable, authentic and beautifully themselves! They live by their trademark: “An Ageless Adventure”. Come check out this adorable boutique in downtown Oak Park and find the perfect outfit for your ageless adventure!

REGISTER HERE!

Friday March 17, 12:00 - 12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Fiore Pizza & Bakery

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Fiore! For this event, we convene at a designated restaurant to pick up our takeout lunch choices, and get to meet new folks and see our peers from other businesses and organizations. 

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday March 22, 12:00 - 1:00pm - Young Professionals Meetup

Join us this month as we visit the Oak Park Art League to see all of the amazing artwork they have on display! What a great way to get a mid-week break from all the hustle and bustle of your regular schedule to take in some of the beauty right in your own back yard.

Pop in for a few minutes, or the whole hour. And, don't forget to bring your business cards!

REGISTER HERE!

Thursday March 23, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Boost Your Network at Riveredge Hospital

Learn how to "Boost Your Network" while enjoying food & drink at our Health & Wellness Fair Vendor Pre-Party at Riveredge Hospital! The party is also a great opportunity to network with the other 80+ vendors who will be attending the Health & Wellness Fair. Learn some practical steps to make your Fair experience the best it can be, connect with printers to make sure you have your giveaways ready, and ask any questions you may still have about the event!

REGISTER HERE!

Monday March 27, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Game Night at Styles4Kidz

Tamekia Swint and her team at Styles4Kidz invite everyone to a BIPOC Game Night. Enjoy board games, puzzles, and more as you relax and network with fellow Chamber members. 

We look forward to you joining us each month as we stay connected with Latinx, Asian-American, Black and Indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community! 

REGISTER HERE!

Chamber Blog


Have you seen our blog lately?

This month, our fabulous Director of Membership, Diane Cranford, has provided us with some helpful tips on developing our elevator pitch. This has come just in time for our Annual Speed Networking Event, happening next week! And, if you keep scrolling, you can find some tips on how to best use the Chamber website to promote your business. There are all sorts of helpful tips in our blog!

READ OUR BLOG!

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!

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.

REGISTER HERE!

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!

REGISTER HERE!

Thursday May 18, 8:00 - 9:30am - New Member Breakfast at Brookdale Oak Park

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. 

REGISTER HERE!

Health & Wellness Fair!


Vendor & Sponsor Registration Still Available!

The Health & Wellness Fair is swiftly approaching! We already have over 1/2 the vendor spaces filled, but there is still time for your business to be represented. With our focus this year being on access and education to resources and healthcare, there has been a lot of interest from not only Oak Park and River Forest, but the surrounding communities as well.

This is your chance to be part of the largest Health & Wellness Fair in the Chicagoland area!

Important Deadlines for Sponsors:

  • March 10 - Logo on Posters in Community
  • March 15 - Logo on Bags for Attendees
REGISTER HERE!

Exclusive Presenting Sponsor

Diamond Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Advocacy Committee Update


What is the Chamber doing for you?

Every month, the Executive Director, Liz Holt, along with the Advocacy Committee, Sam Yousif, Rob Guenthner, Carly Grant and other Chamber Board Members are working tirelessly to make sure that your voice is heard. Check out some of the accomplishments so far this month!

LEARN MORE!

Single-Use Plastics

The Village of Oak Park’s Environment and Energy Commission will meet to discuss a proposed policy on single-use plastic foodware. Members of the community are invited to attend to hear the presentation, and provide public comment in person or in writing to the Village Clerk. The meeting will be held on March 7th at 7pm at Village Hall Room 101. The commission agenda can be viewed here: https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/citizen-commissions/environment-energy-commission

Local business owners and other community members are also invited to learn more about the policy and complete a survey at: www.engageoakpark.com/single-use-plastics


LEARN MORE!

Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce


141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3


708.613.0550


info@oprfchamber.org


www.oprfchamber.org

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.

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