The Village of River Forest is committed to supporting their businesses to recover and rebuild after the last few years. That's why the Village has partnered with the Chamber in 2022 and will provide a FREE 6-month Chamber membership to every business in the Village! So spread the word and tell your favorite local River Forest business. Or check out our website now and sign up - it's free - you just have to reach out and grab it! |
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Complimentary Membership
Did you know... All businesses in River Forest receive a 6-month complimentary membership?
Beginning in 2022, all River Forest businesses can receive a complimentary 6-month membership to the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce.
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Are you starting a new business in the Oak Park or River Forest Villages? Check out our new page to get some guidance on how best to proceed!
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Plan Your Week!
What is coming up this week?
Check out the events we have put together for you this week.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Monday May 16, 12:15 - 12:45pm - Meditation Mondays at CrossFunction Flexible Workspace
Join us as we launch our NEW Chamber program aimed at taking care of you, our small business community. Welcome to our monthly Meditation Mondays! All it takes is half an hour (that's only 30 mins!) for us to help you put your to-do list aside, empty your head of all the chatter and truly look after yourself.
We will be meeting at The Boulevard Arcade in Oak Park, the home of CrossFunction Flexible Workspace.
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Thursday May 19, 8:00 - 9:30am - New Member Breakfast at Oak Park Arms
Join us at our New Member Breakfast at Oak Park Arms to tell us all about your business, to meet Chamber staff and board leadership, learn about all of your benefits, and find opportunities to get involved. Board members and staff are on hand to meet new members and answer any questions!
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Friday May 20, 1:00 - 1:30pm - Ribbon Cutting at Empower Family Therapy
Come join us to celebrate the new-ish location of Empower Family Therapy! We'll welcome them with a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new space for this center for support for local families.
Come on by for a little networking, to meet Tina and her team, and for the photo op!
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Plan Your Month!
Want to plan ahead?
Here are some events we have coming up over the next month.
Join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and
continue to grow your business!
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Monday May 23, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group at Jeffrey Hines State Farm
We will be gathering at Jeffrey Hines State Farm at 5:00 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 help us shape the future of this new group!
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Wednesday May 25, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Pride 101 Lunch & Learn at Salernos Pizza & Pasta
Join us to learn all the basics on how your business can support the LGBTQ community during June, Pride Month. Have questions about how you might want to celebrate in June? Bring them along! There will be plenty of time to ask questions of our experts and make sure that your marketing ideas are on point and align with your business goals.
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Friday May 27, 12:00 - 12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at KyuRamen
Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at KyuRamen! 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. Lunch is a flat $16 including tax and tip.
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Economic Luncheon
Save the Date!
The Covid pandemic has brought into sharp focus the interconnectedness of technology and the daily machinations of our economy. Now more than ever we are doing business on-line and in a virtual world. But do our communities have the infrastructure to continue to grow in these areas? What can we glean from trends in consumer spending? How has the world of property development (including design & construction) been impacted? And how can the arts contribute to navigating this world?
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Getting Involved!
Would you like to get more involved in the Chamber & your community?
Coming up in June, we have many opportunities for you to get more involved. Check out all of the possibilities here!
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Sunday June 5, 11:00am - 4:00pm - Be a Chamber Ambassador at Day in Our Village
Get out of the house, spend some time with friends and promote your business! Choose a 1-hour time slot for you and your business to be in the tent. Only one time slot per business please! Plan how you can promote your business while in the Chamber tent. Join us on the day to reconnect with friends and spread some Chamber love!
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Sunday June 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm - March with the Chamber in the Juneteenth Parade
Come and join us in Oak Park's inaugural Juneteenth Parade. Bring your family, wear your business-branded gear, and show this community how much you love it!
This is a benefit for Chamber Members only.
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Newest Blog Post - Cue the Music!
These events don't fit your schedule? Or looking for another way to get involved? Check out the newest blog post, written by our very own Diane Cranford, for a few more ideas
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Get to know your Board!
Want to learn more about your Board of Directors?
Each month we will be featuring a different Board Member (or two). These features will tell you who they are, what they do, and some fun facts about them. This month we are featuring two, Carla Taylor & Michael Glab.
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What does she do for fun?
I sing in a band and in my car and I enjoy hanging out with my son and cuddling with my furry 4-legged son, Winston – he brings me joy.
Why does she love the Chamber?
I get to meet awesome and like-minded business owners in the community for networking and hanging out. And most of the time there’s delicious food involved!
Please tell us about the event you helped run this month and what it meant for our community and small businesses.
This month the Women in Business group closed out our 2nd annual menstrual products and diaper drive to help stock the Community Fridge located at Carnival Grocery store. There were donation boxes at six businesses throughout the village, which offered them the opportunity to give back to the community. We are grateful for all who contributed and happy to be able to help families in need live a dignified life.
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What does he do for fun?
I can't sit still so I'm always moving - hiking, biking, swimming, walking, lifting weights or playing frisbee. In the summers you can find me at the beach or at a Cubs game. I'm starting to catch the travel bug as well - I'd like to go to Italy this summer.
Why does he love the Chamber?
I love being able to connect with a network of people who understand what it means to put all your heart and soul into your business. Before the Chamber, I didn't know anyone who started a business. Getting to know different member's business success stories was highly motivating. There are so many opportunities from networking events, to special events committees and professional development. Everyone I met in the Chamber was so nice and welcoming!
Please tell us about the event you helped run this month and what it meant for our community and small businesses.
The Community Health & Wellness Fair was today - Sunday May 15 at 11am. This event has been on a 3 year hiatus due to COVID so we were extremely excited to reconnect with the community and local health and wellness businesses. This event gives OPRF residents direct access to the area's finest health professionals in a fun environment!
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Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce
143 S Oak Park Avenue
708.613.0550
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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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