October 1st, 2023

Hey there, folks!

Get ready to sparkle and shine at the Annual Spotlight Soiree, happening right at the classy Cheney Mansion! It's that time of the year when we come together to celebrate the amazing folks in our community who truly stand out. Picture a night filled with glitz, glamour, and a whole lot of local charm.

Now, here's the fun part: YOU have the chance to nominate your local heroes for the Community Titan Awards. But here's the catch – the nomination window is closing this Wednesday at 11:59 pm. So, don't wait! Nominate those outstanding individuals who deserve their moment in the spotlight, and join us for a night to remember at the Spotlight Soiree. Let's make our community shine even brighter together!

Darien Marion-Burton

Executive Director

OPRF Chamber of Commerce

#chamberLOVE

2023 Spotlight Soiree

Join us to Celebrate!

Join us on October 10 for this year's Spotlight Soiree, the culmination of a month-long Spotlight Celebration of small business resilience in our community.

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE

OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY GREAT!

Who is a TITAN?

The Titans of our business community are those who have worked tirelessly, relentlessly and whole-heartedly for the well-being of our business community. Their strong and wide shoulders support the rest of us to grow and flourish.

They are people who are:

VISIONARIES and saw potential in change and a vision for the future. 

INNOVATORS - ideas, drive and passion.

COMMUNITY IMPACT MAKERS - their mission is to see change for the better.

MENTORS - their wings are wide and they never hesitate to harbor those in need.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WARRIORS - they have a keen sense of justice for all.

COLLABORATORS - they are the consummate partner and sees the benefit of collaboration.

This is a casual gathering of friends and colleagues, outside under the stars!

Would you like to sponsor the food and drinks? Please email Darien Marion Burton at [email protected] and let us know what you would be able to provide.

Plan Your Week!

What is coming up this week?



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 look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday Oct 5, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM -

Ribbon Cutting at Sugaring NYC

This week we'll be celebrating Sugaring NYC, now open in Oak Park! We'll be celebrating this new business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet the staff and discover all the services they offer! 

Sugaring NYC provides hair removal, eyebrow tinting and eyelash tinting.  Sugaring uses only natural ingredients for hair removal.

Thursday Oct 5, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM -

Nonprofit Affinity Group: Creating Win-Win Partnerships for your Nonprofit!

Come join the Chamber's nonprofit group! This month we'll be learning about how to create win-win partnerships with other businesses and organizations. Our resource person is Teri Miller, Director of Development at Beyond Hunger, and former Development Manager with Housing Forward. Come learn about how to build partnerships relationships that benefit both your nonprofit and your collaborators in the community!

Friday Oct 6, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM -

Chamber Takeout Stakeout at Jerusalem Cafe

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Jerusalem 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. Lunch is a flat $16 including tax and tip. 

Friday Oct 6, 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM -

Ribbon Cutting at Village & Vessel!

This week we'll be celebrating Village & Vessel, about to open in Oak Park! We'll be celebrating this new business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet owner Sarah and discover all the products and services they offer! 

Village & Vessel is a retailer of beautiful crystals, and also offers intuitive tarot readings and house healing services.

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.

Come join us for these wonderful networking opportunities and continue to grow your business!

Monday Oct 9, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM -

Ribbon Cutting at Kribi Coffee Albion  - Downtown Oak Park!

This week we'll be at Kribi Coffee at the Albion building in Downtown Oak Park celebrating this new business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet owner Jacques and learn about Kribi's signature air-roasted coffees! 

Friday Oct 13, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM -

Women in Business Meeting

We're continuing fall with a little attention to managing the ups and downs of seasonal workflow. This month, our newest co-chairs will be presenting on Seasonal Planning: Using Your Slower Times to Plan for Busy Ones. We'll hear from Katie Crouch, website copywriter and strategist, and owner of KC Copy; and Nichole Manning-Ashe, owner and CEO of Brown Sugar Caramels.

OPRF Chamber Trivia Night & Costume Contest!

Hosted by our Young Professionals Affinity Group

Calling all brave souls and costume connoisseurs! The Young Professionals Affinity Group of the OPRF Chamber invites you to an otherworldly experience at our Halloween-themed Costumed Trivia Night, hosted at the spine-chilling Fitzgerald's Night Club. Whether you're a trivia virtuoso or just yearning for a reason to unleash your inner vampire, this bewitching night guarantees a macabrely marvelous time!

Join us for an unholy alliance of fun, mystery, and networking that even Count Dracula himself would approve of. Secure your tickets now, or risk facing the most terrifying fate of all – missing out on an evening that could haunt your regrets forever!

What's Included: 

Dinner: pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy potato casserole, side salad, brownie 

Drinks: 1 drink ticket per person Good for ANY beverage; cash bar after your first drink

PRIZES! 

Team Trivia Prizes: $100 gift card to Fitzergaralds 

Costume Contest for the Funniest, Spookiest, and most original costumes: $25 Gift Card 

Don't forget about the LIVE auction!!

This event benefits The gifted membership fund (Vision Fund) of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, providing businesses in need with a year of Chamber member benefits: networking events * professional development * marketing * community information * access to 500+ other members

Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce

141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3

708.613.0550

[email protected]

www.oprfchamber.org