May 26th, 2024

On this Memorial Day, as we gather for barbecues, parades, and the unofficial start of summer, let us take a moment to honor the true meaning of this day. Amidst the laughter and festivities, we remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage and dedication allow us to enjoy the liberties and joys we often take for granted. So, while we celebrate with friends and family, let's also pay tribute to the heroes who gave their all, ensuring that our nation remains a beacon of hope and freedom.

Darien Marion-Burton

Executive Director

OPRF Chamber of Commerce

#chamberLOVE

And with that, we've closed out this year's Economic Symposium!

Thank you to our Keynote Speaker, Alycia Mason, for speaking on the burning topic of Economic Resilience. Our guests appreciated your advice and insight.

We certainly couldn't have made it a more entertaining day if it wasn't filled with engaging breakout sessions held by the following speakers: Emily Egan, Marcy Miller, Andy Kaczkowski, Leora Dowling, Tim O'Brien, Stephen Ball, Denis Lee, Liz Singh Holt, and Katie Crouch! Thank you for bringing in your expertise and activities for our guests.

Dominican University - Thank you for letting us host our event in your stunning atrium.

A final thank you goes to the ever-generous Dan Mahoney, Representative of Insperity! We appreciate you always being on board with our big ideas.

Events aren't stopping any time soon- so consider attending the next one!

Celebrate the growth of your favorite local businesses over the past year! One of our most sought after events, Business Spotlight Awards returns Tuesday, October 8th 2024. Save the date and mark your calendars now because this is one you definitely don't want to miss!

Want to get in on the action and help bring this event to life? Join our planning committee and share your ideas and input on how to make this Spotlight Awards the best year yet!

Plan Your Week!

Like to plan ahead?

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

Friday May 31, 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM -

Ribbon Cutting at G & G Home

Come celebrate with us! Ribbon cuttings provide an opportunity to welcome and connect with a new business, network with other attendees, and celebrate our growing business community.  Connecting business to business, and business to community.

This week we'll be celebrating with Giusseppi and Georgianna, owners of G & G Home, who are debuting their new shop with this ribbon cutting ceremony! We'll be celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come meet the owners and discover the services they offer!

Sunday Jun 2, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM -

Day In Our Village Chamber Ambassadors!

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! (CLICK HERE to sign up).
• Plan how you can promote your business while in the Chamber tent (see below).
• Join us on the day to reconnect with friends and spread some #chamberLOVE!

While you are in the Chamber booth, you may also be promoting your business!

• Wear branded gear so people can identify your business.
• Bring your promotional products and giveaways.
• Have a stand-up banner? Bring it along!
• Talk to members of the community about the Chamber and your business.

This opportunity is for Chamber members only.

That's why it's a great time to be part of the Chamber!

We would like to give a BIG thank you to our Pride Month Sponsor, Catan Pisco!

Don't miss out! Keep your eyes peeled for some amazing Pride themed events and opportunities coming your way!

Wednesday Jun 5, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM -

Building a Queer Inclusive Community Within Your Organization

Join us for this workshop to learn how to better welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community into your workplace.

This year's panel includes:

• Matt Johnston, Realtor at Fulton Grace
• Ginger Bencola, Social Worker Oak Park-River Forest High School
• Sonya White, Insperity, HR Solutions
• Marisa Gray, Insperity, HR Solutions
• John Becvar, Co-Chair OPALGA+

In this fast-paced session you will learn:

• How and where to advertise for employees as an LGBTQ+ advocate business.
• Interviewing techniques that ensure you are welcoming to all who apply.
• Measures that can be implemented in your business today that build a more welcoming and inclusive work environment.
• How to best support all employees, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, to be more inclusive.

Drag Queen Sponsorships

Thursday Night Out in the Burbs

One sponsorship is left! Don't delay!

Chamber at Thursday Night Out?

That's right! OPRF Chamber PRIDE is taking over Downtown Oak Park's Thursday Night Out on June 20!

Drag Queens Galore!

Do you want a Drag Queen roaming Thursday Night Out and talking about your business?

Well now is your chance to grab one before they are gone! We will have fabulous Drag Queens who can be sponsored to hand out your marketing and talk about your business for 2 hours at Thursday Night Out.

Each sponsorship will receive:

• Hyperlinked logo placement on the Event page on the Chamber website
• Call-out on the Chamber and DTOP social media before and after the event
• A fabulous Drag Queen roaming TNO for 2 hours talking to the crowd about your business! If you have swag they can hand this out as well.
• Business highlight in any press (still TBD)

NOTE - Drag Queen sponsorships are available for members only--$500.

Saturday Jun 29, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Brunchin' Beauties: Celebrate Pride in Oak Park with Drag - Two Shows

Exciting Announcement! Due to overwhelming demand, we've doubled the fun this year with two spectacular shows at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm! Reserve your spot now! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Indulge in an unforgettable experience at our exclusive event, where delectable brunch favorites meet bottomless delights of Pisco Sours, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys. (Non-alcoholic tickets are also available.) Prepare to be captivated by a high-energy drag show that promises to dazzle and entertain every guest.

Gather your friends, family, and fellow community members for a fabulous celebration of diversity, creativity, and local businesses. Our Drag Brunch isn't just an event; it's a sensory journey that will leave you with cherished memories. Join us in supporting our local community while reveling in this truly remarkable experience.

Deadline has been extended to Friday, May 31st!

Join us for an exciting opportunity to showcase your products and services at the Black Business Fair, a vibrant part of our Village's Juneteenth Cookout celebration!

Date: June 15th

Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: South Lawn of Village Hall

This is more than just an event; it's a chance to celebrate Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and community resilience. We invite you to be a part of this empowering occasion by showcasing your business and connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and community members.

Here are the details:

Set-up Time: Vendors can arrive at 10:00 AM to begin setting up their booths. YOU MUST STAY THE ENTIRE TIME.

The Village will provide a 6 ft table for each vendor. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tablecloths to decorate their space. There will be no electric provided for Merchandise Sales/Vendors.

Product Sales: Vendors are encouraged to sell their products during the event, offering attendees a taste of the amazing goods and services our community has to offer.

Please note that service-based businesses and Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) ventures will be vetted by the Juneteenth Committee to ensure alignment with the spirit of the event.

This is your opportunity to shine and showcase the richness of Black entrepreneurship. Whether you're offering merchandise, services, or delectable treats, we welcome you to join us in celebrating and supporting Black-owned businesses.

Don't miss out on this chance to connect with your community and celebrate Juneteenth in style!

To reserve your spot or for any inquiries, please contact Darien Marion-Burton, Chamber Executive Director (Dmarionburton@oprfchamber.org) or The Village's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion email at DEI@oak-park.us

Let's make this Black Business Fair a resounding success together!

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!

Thursday Jun 6, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM -

Nonprofit Affinity Group / Nonprofit Board Recruitment

There's a reason nonprofit board recruitment is a challenge. You're asking accomplished people to provide you with their time, money, expertise and connections, and to do so for free, in an ongoing manner. And their reward for it is not to play with puppies awaiting adoption, nor to help kids discover the magic of reading - but to sit in meetings reviewing financial reports, discussing investment in software upgrades, or updating employee bereavement time off policy. Why would someone give up their precious free time to do something like that?

Amazingly enough, people do! And some people have the knack for getting them to do so. We'll learn this month from Lynda Schueler, CEO at Housing Forward, one of the area's more prominent nonprofit organizations. Come learn from her experience how to handle this challenge faced by all nonprofits!



And, of course, connect with your peers from a diverse array of other nonprofits in the OPRF area. We look forward to seeing you! 

Thursday Jun 6, 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM -

Ribbon Cutting at Porter

This week we'll be celebrating Porter, the new luxury apartment building in the Pleasant District! We'll be celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come see this brand new space and discover what they offer!

Porter is the brand new, 158-unit upscale apartment community just completed at Marion and Pleasant. It features an array of living spaces from studio to 3-bedroom apartments, as well as ground-floor, private-entrance maisonettes. A long list of amenities and services are available to residents, from a yoga studio to plant-watering services. Come check out this newly-created living community!



Join us for the ribbon cutting, and celebrate this new addition to the Pleasant District!

Tuesday Jun 11, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM -

Business After Hours - FFC

Join us at our regular monthly networking event, Business After Hours (BAH), on the second Tuesday of every month. All members and non-members are welcome. (Members are free.) Connecting business to business, business to community.

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.

Friday Jun 14, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM -

June Women in Business / Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Do you get an uncomfortable feeling when you suspect you lack the experience and skill to do your job well? Do you chalk up your successes and accomplishments to luck, despite being high-performing? Do you sometimes think you're just "winging it" or experience a sense of intellectual phoniness? That's Imposter Syndrome. Join our panel of successful businesswomen as we discuss this universal struggle and powerful ways to overcome it. 

Please come as you are. Skirt and office blazer or WFH hoodie and leggings, we are thrilled you are joining us. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served. 

9-9:15 am - network, socialize, gather refreshments, and find your seat. 

9:15-10:30 - program

If you need to arrive a few minutes late or leave a few minutes early, please still join us! We get it, we have things to do. 

Thursday Jun 20, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM -

Chamber 101 - Your Digital Advantage

Welcome to Chamber 101!

Perfect for new members and those who need a refresher. This fast-paced seminar will review all of your digital benefits to maximize your digital advantage.

What will You Learn?

In this seminar, we will go over all of the digital benefits that come with your membership, including:

• how to significantly increase your SEO
• how to leverage your Member Profile to boost traffic to your website
• how to track your Member Profile statistics
• how to be sure that your website is linked to your membership

Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

141 S Oak Park Avenue

Suite 3

708.613.0550

info@oprfchamber.org

www.oprfchamber.org