Chamber Advantage
April 17th, 2022
Photos courtesy of Jamilla Yipp Photography
What an amazing evening we had this week at our sold out Speed Networking event! We had an incredible crowd, lots of new faces and amazing energy in the room right from the start. Thanks to Concordia University for being fabulous hosts, to Jamilla Yipp for capturing the evening and to our sponsors, whose support makes events like this possible! 

Need another chance to reconnect with your network? Health & Wellness members can join us on Thursday, April 21 for our Boost Your Network event at Riveredge Hospital. Space is limited so register soon!
Executive Director
#chamberLOVE
Boost Your Network!

Reconnect with your Healthcare Network

Are you planning on being a Sponsor or Vendor for the Health & Wellness Fair this year? Are you a business in the Health & Wellness field and are wanting to increase your healthcare network? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then this event is for you!

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!

Monday April 18, 12:15-12:45pm - Meditation Mondays at CrossFunction Flexible Workspace
We know that life can be busy, and it can be stressful juggling family and work. We are guessing that you could use some TLC!
Join us each month for our 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.
Monday April 18, 5-5:30pm - Ribbon Cutting at KyuRamen
Come join us to celebrate the opening of Kyuramen! We'll kick off the evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome this highly-anticipated restaurant. 
Kyuramen has more than 100 locations in Japan, and is just beginning to spread across the US. Oak Park is the first franchise in the Midwest. 
Thursday April 21, 8-9:30am - Young Professionals Field Trip to Graphic Conservation Company
Join our Young Professionals for a fun field trip to Graphic Conservation Company!
We're off on a field trip to learn something new - how experts preserve important pieces of paper, since that happens to be the specialty of the Graphic Conservation Company right here in Oak Park! Come join us for good company and to get insight into a business most of us know very little about. 
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!

Monday April 25, 5-6:30pm - BIPOC Affinity Group at CrossFunction Flexible Workspace
We will be gathering at CrossFunction at 5:00 pm. Come connect with Black, Latinx, Asian-American, indigenous peers from the OPRF business and nonprofit community! Come join us at CrossFunction Flexible Workspace to make connections with great folks, and help us shape the future of this new group!
Friday April 29, 12-12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Mulata
Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Mulata! 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 in a fun social meetup.
Friday April 29, 4:30-5pm - Ribbon Cutting at Eyelash Me!
Come join us to celebrate the opening of Eyelash Me! We'll kick off your weekend with a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome this new beauty studio. 
Friday May 13, 9-10am - Women in Business at the Community Fridge
Join us for our May gathering where we will be meeting at the Community Fridge in Oak Park.
  • bring a donation of menstrual products or diapers
  • grab a coffee and something yummy to eat - courtesy of Carnival Grocery
Sunday May 15, 11am - 2pm - Community Health & Wellness Fair at FFC Oak Park
Join us as a sponsor or vendor for the largest Health Fair in the western suburbs! We are so excited to announce the return of the Community Health and Wellness Fair this year at FFC Oak Park, with Exclusive Presenting Sponsor, Rush Oak Park. Register now and reconnect with your health network!
Celebrate Earth Day!

Do you need some tips on reducing your waste?

On Friday, April 8th, the Women in Business Affinity Group engaged in a lively discussion about sustainability practices in our workplaces, led by the fabulous Mindy Agnew. She answered many crucial questions including where our recycling actually goes (to Material Recycling Facilities) and should we crush our recycling (No!).

To help celebrate Earth Day this Friday, April 22nd, we thought we would share with you some of the tips she gave to us during this presentation!

If you'd like more tips, visit the Illinois Recycling Association or Earth911.
Ribbon Cuttings!

How would you like to invite everyone over for a party at your business?

Have you just opened? Had a major anniversary? Expanded your location?
Why not schedule a ribbon-cutting with us? We coordinate ribbon-cutting ceremonies on behalf of our members who are celebrating a grand opening, a major renovation, an expansion, or a significant anniversary. 
Hosting a Ribbon Cutting!
Are you a new business in the Oak Park - River Forest area who would like to take advantage of this opportunity? Only those businesses who are members of the Chamber can have a ribbon-cutting at their location. Check out our Member Benefits page to learn more!
Monday April 18, 5-5:30pm - Ribbon Cutting at KyuRamen
Come join us to celebrate the opening of Kyuramen! We'll kick off the evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome this highly-anticipated restaurant. 
Kyuramen has more than 100 locations in Japan, and is just beginning to spread across the US. Oak Park is the first franchise in the Midwest. 
Friday April 29, 4:30-5pm - Ribbon Cutting at Eyelash Me!
Come join us to celebrate the opening of Eyelash Me! We'll kick off your weekend with a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome this new beauty studio. 
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, Andy Kaczkowski & Emily Haglage.
Phone: 312-342-4539
What does he do?
I run a comprehensive financial services practice that focuses on connecting families and business owners with great resources to minimize risk and leverage opportunities. Much of our focus is on lifetime income planning in retirement… how much to save and where to put it… but we help people in a lot of different areas every step of the way.
What does he do for fun?
I like to see local live music. Love Fitzgerald’s! Gardening for some “Andy Reflection Time”. Eating great food, whether prepared at home or at a great local restaurant!
If he had to choose one, summer or winter, which would it be?
I was born on the 4th of July. There never seems to be a shortage of people who want to help you have a good time when your birthday is 7/4.
Phone: 708-210-9800
What does she do?
We offer outpatient orthopedic services. What that means is we treat people for any orthopedic issue (hip, shoulder, knee, neck, low back, and ankle pain or stiffness). I specialize in treating people with hip and knee pain.
What does she do for fun?
I love working out, doing yoga, hiking, and traveling. My fiancé and I are planning on getting married this June and we hope to travel to Greece for our honeymoon! In terms of working out- I am OBSESSED with Pilates. My favorite studio is located in the city, close to where I live in Lincoln Park.
If she had to choose one, summer or winter, which would it be?
Summer- the sun is almost always shining and it’s the best time to listen to some of my favorite country music songs! 😊
Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce

143 S Oak Park Avenue

708.613.0550


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