Chamber Advantage

October 27th, 2024

Hello fellow OPRF Chamber Members!


My name is Andy Kaczkowski, Board member and Treasurer for your Chamber of Commerce. I

also run a financial services practice that helps families and business owners. When I talk to

people about our Chamber, I always say we as a Board have tried very hard these last couple

of years to meet you, as business owners, where you are… delivering content and value in a

variety of events, formats and times of day.


We have relied on some of our tried and true events (Business After Hours), expanded others (Health & Wellness Fair), resurrected some oldies but goodies (Bite Nite), updated others to stay relevant to the current times (bi-weekly TakeOut StakeOut is now monthly Meet Me For Lunch) and dreamed up newcomers (Frosty Affair). We‘re excited for what’s to come and welcome your feedback on how you think we’re doing.


To build on this momentum, as part of October’s Membership Month, we have been call campaigning, hosting events, and knocking on doors, around the village to raise awareness about what we have been doing at the Chamber.


On Friday, October 4th , we hosted “Beers and Banter” at One Lake… thank you Jason and Shawn! A nice cross section of our community… Chamber members, community leaders and residents alike… came together to learn more about the Chamber and our new Strategic Plan.


If you aren’t already a member, there is still time to take advantage of the Chamber’s benefits

and promotions here.


If you ARE a member, please share the love by introducing us to your fellow business owners

as well as residents who want to get more involved in our community by becoming a

Community Contributor”. For every new member who references your businesses name at sign-up you'll receive a $50 statement credit on your next invoice!


We look forward to seeing you at an event very soon.

Join the OPRF Chamber Now!


Andy Kaczkowski,

OPRF Chamber Board Treasurer

Financial Advisor

We've Planned Your Week!

Here are some events we have coming up over the next week so you can register now and receive a reminder right before the event!

Come dressed in your Halloween best for this Wednesday! We'll be hosting Trivia Night, where the questions are spooky and the prizes are sweet!


You'll have the chance to win prizes, including $125 in local gift cards for trivia winners and $25 gift cards for the best costumes. 🎃

Register your team today!

REGISTER HERE!

Disability Employment Awareness Month

This October will mark the first year the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month with a lineup of organizations who work with individuals with disabilities, joining us at chamber events.

Learn More Here!

Like to plan ahead? Plan Your Month!

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.

Thursday Nov 7,

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM


You asked for it, and here it is!! An evening networking event for our Nonprofit Members!!


Join us for an evening of connection, collaboration, and conversation at the Hemingway Historic Birthplace, one of Oak Park’s most iconic nonprofit treasures.


Come ready to learn, share, and make meaningful connections!

REGISTER HERE!

Friday Nov 8,

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM


Julie Thompson, Certified Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner

Founder of B.O.S.S.: Back Office Service Solutions


It's never too early to get ready for tax season! Join us to learn about what you can do now to set yourself up for success when the deadline arrives.

 

Your accountant will thank you for attending this session!

REGISTER HERE!

Friday Nov 8,

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM


We'll be celebrating this business with owner Juan Carlos Hernandez of Print Innovation Lab! Come discover this resource providing artists and photographers with the tools to bring their creative visions to print, while also making a positive impact on the planet. 

REGISTER HERE!

Tuesday Nov 12,

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM


Our November Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by the Oak Park - River Forest Museum! We hope you can join us for our first BAH in this fascinating setting! Join us for networking, food, raffles, friends, and simply a lovely evening in excellent company.

REGISTER HERE!

Friday Nov 15,

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM


Meet Me for Lunch, a business lunch in a casual setting, with small group networking. Come enjoy the food at Piacere Mio the area’s newest Italian go-to spot. Piacere Mio serves authentic Italian cuisine inspired by the many regions of Italy, focused on Sicilian dishes infused with Chef Jose’s creative vision.

REGISTER HERE!

Thursday Nov 21,

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM


Join us at our quarterly New Member Breakfast at Brookdale Oak Park to introduce yourself and tell us about your business.



This is an ideal opportunity to meet fellow new members, Chamber staff and Board leadership. 

REGISTER HERE!

Open Opportunities

Pete’s Fresh Market is seeking artists for a temporary construction mural at 644 Madison St., Oak Park. The mural will be printed on mesh material and secured to a chain link fence, with submissions accepted until November 1, 2024. Artists can propose up to three original designs that fit a 10ft x 6ft banner, with no text allowed except for Pete’s logo.


A stipend of $10,000 will be awarded, and selected artists must provide proof of insurance.


Apply by emailing your proposal and completed application to info@oakparkareaartscouncil.org. Call for artists began on October 7, 2024.

Check Out the Guidelines!

Join us for the Frosty Affair Holiday Market, where festive shopping meets the local charm of Oak Park! Discover a curated selection of unique products and services from local retailers, all set in a magical holiday atmosphere. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this enchanting shopping experience!

REGISTER HERE!

Exciting career opportunities await with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)! Join a dynamic team, enjoy competitive salaries, a state pension, and 100% tuition reimbursement. Ready to make an impact? Don’t miss our virtual recruitment presentations—offered in both English and Spanish—to discover current openings and get insider tips on how to land your dream job with the state. It’s your chance to make a difference! 

Learn More Here!

Food Vendors, we need your help to make the 8th Annual Bite Nite 2025, the most delicious event of the year!


Warm up a crowd this winter by serving unforgettable culinary delights and/or drinks. We'll take care of the rest! The Nineteenth Century Club's historic ballroom will be filled with live music and hungry guests!


We're carefully picking over 30 local eateries, caterers, and food brands for ONE NIGHT ONLY to treat food enthusiasts to an array of savory bites and sweet treats. 

Ready to take on the challenge to serve your specialties to locals?



Sign up today!

REGISTER HERE!

BUSINESS SURVEY


Oak Park or River Forest Small Business Owner,


The Brennan School of Business at Dominican University is partnering with the OPRF Chamber of Commerce to find innovative solutions to help meet the needs of our local small business community.


To that end, we have created a survey to profile and assess the needs of the local small business community, and our overall goal is to have a measurable local economic impact by accelerating the

Take the Survey

growthpotential of existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses to the community. Our ask is that you take our survey and help enable us to meet this goal. You will find the survey here.


Your response will be kept confidential, and results will only be reported in non-personally identifiable groupings to help us determine the best offerings to meet these needs. The survey will take about 10 minutes to finish.



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Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce


141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3


708.613.0550


info@oprfchamber.org


www.oprfchamber.org

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OPRFCHAMBER.ORG