Chamber Advantage

May 14th, 2023

The Chamber is so excited to host this year's Economic Lunch on the timely topic of Artificial Intelligence. We already live with the robots as part our everyday life, but how can you leverage them to grow your business, and what do you need to know to navigate this brave new world? My guess is that they are here to stay so let's get friendly!

Darien Marion-Burton

President

Chair of Economic Luncheon

#chamberLOVE

2023 Economic Luncheon


Rise of the Robots

The Launch of ChatGPT brought Artificial Intelligence technology to the masses however, the AI race has been happening for many years. Join the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce as they explore how Artificial Intelligence is changing the business landscape for organizations of all sizes.

Visit the website to Sponsor, attend, or simply learn more! Only about 40 tickets left. Make sure to reserve your spot today!

REGISTER HERE!

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

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!

Wednesday May 17, 1:00 - 5:00pm - Stop & Shop at Purple Sun Arts

Join us for this month's Stop & Shop event at Purple Sun Arts. Purple Sun Arts LLC is an immersive arts experience located in the Heart of the Oak Park Arts District designed for those who seek purpose and meaning. Their space offers purchasable art, wall decorations, jewelry, collectable glassware and crystals.

Come check out their space and get 15% off your purchase the entire day, just mention that you are a Chamber Member!

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday May 17, 5:30 - 7:00pm - Health & Wellness & WIB Mixer

Join us at One Lake Brewing to get to know other local Health & Wellness businesses and grow your network of trusted referrals.


We will also be celebrating all the hard work of the Health & Wellness Fair Planning Committee! Come and raise a glass to thank them for all of their hard work.

REGISTER HERE!

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

Join us at Brookdale Oak Park for 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. 

This event is typically sold out. Make sure to register now and save your space!

REGISTER HERE!

Friday May 19, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Sit Down Lunch and Wine Tasting at Spilt Milk

Join us for this month's sit-down luncheon (with wine tasting!) and networking at Spilt Milk! Spilt Milk has long been known for their delicious bakery creations, and now offers a savory menu as well! And after long being carryout only, Meg and Molly have now reopened their cafe for sit-down dining - and we'll get to enjoy a buffet-style lunch under their backyard tent!

REGISTER HERE!

We believe that all who live and work in our community should have the opportunity to thrive. This is our Chamber vision, and we work tirelessly to make this a reality in everything we do! Keep an eye on our NEW LGBTQ+ Programming and Resources page to stay up-to-date on any events and resources to help your business starting in May and continuing throughout June, and the rest of the year!

Tuesday May 16, 11:30am - 1:00pm - Pride Marketing 101 Lunch & Learn

Join us at Salerno's to learn all the basics on how your business can support the LGBTQ community during June, Pride Month. During this event, we will tap into the expertise of the folks from D.M.Burton and leverage all their tips & tricks to make your business loud and proud! These will be tangible how-to's and information that you can use to guide your June marketing.

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday June 7th, 9:00 - 10:30am - Building an Inclusive Workplace on Zoom

Join us for this workshop to learn how to better welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community into your workplace. In this fast-paced session you will learn how and where to advertise for employees as an LGBTQ+ advocate business, how to best support all employees, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, to be more inclusive, and much more.

REGISTER HERE!

Tuesday June 13th, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Business After Hours at FFC Oak Park

Our June Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by FFC (Fitness Formula Clubs) Oak Park. Join us for a night of networking and hors d'oeuvres in this high-energy setting, to enjoy spring on the outdoor deck! Meet the staff, get a tour and, who knows, maybe even be inspired to get in a workout.

REGISTER HERE!

Thursday June 22nd, 5:00 - 9:00pm - Thursday Night OUT in the Burbs

OPRF Chamber PRIDE is taking over Downtown Oak Park's Thursday Night Out on June 22!

Come along and celebrate with us. Drag Queens will be roaming the event and marketing our local businesses. Grab your Thursday Night Out in the Burbs shopping bag. Eat great food and listen to amazing music!


REGISTER HERE!

Do you want a Drag Queen strolling around Thursday Night Out

and talking about your business??

We will have 10 fabulous Drag Queens who can be sponsored to hand out your marketing and talk about your business for 2 hours at

Thursday Night Out.

There are only 5 Drag Queens left to Sponsor!

SPONSOR A DRAG QUEEN!

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 May 22, 5:30 - 7:00pm - BIPOC Affinity Group Asian American History Month at Civinte Candle Bar

Join us this month at Civinte Candle Bar where we will be celebrating Asian American History Month with Susie Goldschmidt of Byline Bank. Susie and her mother have an amazing story of resiliency, come hear it for yourself!

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

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday May 24, 10:00 - 10:30am - Ribbon Cutting & 40th Anniversary Celebration for Momenta Dance Company

This time we'll be at Momenta Dance Company celebrating 40 years of their work, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come join us to mark the occasion and to enjoy a live dance performance. 

REGISTER HERE!

Friday May 26, 8:00 - 10:00pm - Young Professionals Drinks & Discussion

Come join us for a fun night at Kettlestrings Tavern! The Chamber's Young Professionals will gather starting at 8 for a relaxed hangout time of drinks and discussion. Use this time to make stronger connections within the Oak Park and River Forest business community. Come network with us for an hour or two, whatever works for your schedule!

REGISTER HERE!

Wednesday May 31, 4:30 - 5:30pm - Ribbon Cutting & Ground Breaking for L'Arche Chicago

L'Arche Chicago is a community of adults with and without disabilities, sharing life in the OPRF neighborhoods. And they are building a 4th home! You're invited to join us for a celebratory groundbreaking along with guests from the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce, Village of Oak Park, and L'Arche Chicago in celebrating the start of this new accessible, universally designed home!

REGISTER HERE!

Thursday June 1, 1:00 - 2:00pm - Nonprofit Affinity Group at OPRF Community Foundation

Come join the Chamber's nonprofit affinity group for our monthly gathering. This month is "Board Governance - Good Grief! How to set your Board and Organization up for Success!" Our featured resource person for this meeting will be Julianne Nery, attorney and owner of Nonprofit Legal Services.  Please come be part of the dialogue! 

REGISTER HERE!

Friday June 2, 12:00 - 12:30pm - Takeout Stakeout at Q BBQ

Come join your fellow Chamber members for our next Takeout Stakeout, this time at Q BBQ! 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. Visit our website to see the menu options and place your orders.

REGISTER HERE!

With over 500 other local businesses, we would love to help you survive these trying times, grow your business and get you more connected into the community.

Our Chamber is all about Community - plain and simple. And this Community knows that "a rising tide floats all boats"...and right now our boats need some float!

We are dedicated to embracing diversity and equity, providing marketing opportunities when you need them, and having a Board of Directors and Staff who reflects our business community and who work tirelessly for you, our small business owners. 

Want to learn more, click on the button below, or email us directly!

LEARN MORE!

Green Business Webinar

Oak Park businesses looking to go green are invited to join an informational webinar from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 18 to learn more Oak Park’s Green Business Program. The webinar will include information about resources, support services and funding available to help businesses launch or continue their sustainability journey. Participants will also learn about the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s BRITE Program, which is offering no-cost assessments and funding to implement recommendations for businesses in the dry cleaning, auto body and repair, metal finishing and food & beverage manufacturing sectors. Click here to register for the webinar. 

MORE INFORMATION!

Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce


141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3


708.613.0550


[email protected]


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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