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Chamber Members,
I invite you to join us for our Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 5th. This gathering is not only a chance to celebrate our collective achievements but also an opportunity to share some exciting new developments that will shape our future!
As both your board president and a local business owner, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the past year. We’ve reached significant milestones, and we’re setting the bar even higher to elevate our entire community. Let us come together, so that we can thrive together.
Respectfully,
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This Thursday, we will come together to celebrate our achievements as an organization and share the exciting plans we have in store!
Our Annual Meeting will have a fresh format this year, but it will still feature all the elements you love, including:Complimentary breakfast bites, valuable networking opportunities, and an engaging program.
Join local business leaders for a morning of celebration and connection!
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Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Annual Spotlight Soirée, where we honor the outstanding businesses and organizations that make our community shine. This year's event will be held on October 8th at the historic Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Let's come together to celebrate the spirit, creativity, and dedication that define our vibrant community. | |
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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!
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Sign up to be part of our Frosty Affair Holiday Market! We'll have festive shopping featuring a delightful array of local retailers showcasing their unique products and services for sale. Don't miss out on being part of where shopping becomes a magical experience for all! | |
Join the waitlist to volunteer for the Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park! It's a great opportunity to sell tickets, while advertising your business. | | |
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The Small Business Source
Referral Program
Small business owners, The Source is here to help you! Get expert advice paired with customized advising for no-cost. Don't navigate your business journey alone—get free expert advice and support from The Source today.
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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!
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Wednesday Sep 4, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM -
September Nonprofit Affinity Group Meeting: Establishing an Endowment
Please join our nonprofit affinity group for camaraderie and professional development! This month's topic is:
Establishing an Endowment
The goal of an endowment is to provide a reliable and consistent stream of funding, supporting the organization's mission over the long term.
Meet This Month's Speaker:
Carrie Summy, Director of External Affairs at Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, is responsible for supporting and growing the Foundation’s fund portfolio and increasing charitable giving to and through the Foundation as well as general communications and community engagement.
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We’re currently looking for Hispanic-owned vendors to participate in our HHM Mercado. This opportunity is free for Chamber Members and $50 for nonmembers to be a vendor.
To register please use the following link:
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The HHM Mercado will be on Wednesday, October 2 from 3-7 pm at The Coffee Shop Oak Park.
For any questions, please reach out to Michelle at
Mvalle-flores@oprfchamber.org
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Join us for our Business After Hours (BAH) a casual setting where members can meet and network. Tacos '76 is hosting in September—members attend for free, and non-members are welcome too!
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Our HHM Marketing Panel from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM! Connect with industry experts and discover impactful strategies to support the Hispanic community through thoughtful marketing. Don't miss this chance to learn and network! | |
We'll be hosting our first-ever HHM Mercado where Hispanic-owned vendors will be selling their goods and services at The Coffee Shop Oak Park! From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, stop by to see local artisanal goods. | |
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Get ready for a night of frightful fun and friendly competition at the OPRF Chamber's Halloween Trivia Night! This isn't just any trivia event, your participation directly supports our local Non-Profits.
How does this help our Non-Profits?
Non-Profits that register a team get a FREE membership to the Chamber! Whether you're a business owner, community member, or trivia enthusiast, come join the fun and make a difference.
What's Included?
- Delicious Dinner
- 1 Drink Ticket
- Trivia Fun
- LIVE Auction
Don't have a team?
No worries! Register solo, and we'll match you with a group for a night of collaborative brainpower.
Why Attend?
Your participation helps us fund memberships for Non-Profits, so they can continue to thrive in our community. Plus, it's a great opportunity to network, have fun, and maybe even win some amazing auction items!
Come in your best Halloween costume, and let's make this a night to remember. 🎃
Register Now and secure your spot for a night filled with trivia, treats, and community spirit!
PRIZES!
Team Trivia Prizes: $125 worth of gift cards to local businesses
Costume Contest for the Funniest, Spookiest, and most original costumes:
$25 Gift Card
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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!
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Monday Sep 9, 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM -
Ribbon Cutting at Financial Freedom and Legal Services
This week we'll be celebrating with the brand new business Financial Freedom and Legal Services! We'll be celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come discover this new resource for planning and safeguarding your family's financial future!
FFLS is a low-cost, flat-fee financial and estate planning firm located in Oak Park. Their focus is bringing education to the people of the West Side and Western Suburbs of Chicago. FFLS doesn't take your money under their management and then collect fees - they teach people how to manage it strategically themselves.
Join us for the ribbon cutting, and celebrate this helpful new business!
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Friday Sep 13, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM -
Women in Business Meeting - Estate Planning
Just in time for October’s National Estate Planning Month, join us for some real life estate stories from a financial planner who will share her experience, and provide practical tips.
Dorothy Murdock of Westpoint Financial Group, will also cover:
- 5 most essential documents to have in your Estate Plan
- How different assets get passed on to beneficiaries
- Who needs a Trust
- Changing Federal estate tax rules
- The 1% rule for business owners
You work hard to build a business, accumulate assets, and make wise financial decisions. Don’t let your hard work get derailed by incomplete estate planning.
Plus, as always, enjoy the company of fellow women from the local business, nonprofit, and government communities - this is a wonderful group and we're glad for you to be part of it!
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Friday Sep 13, 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM -
Ribbon Cutting at Schoolhouse Kitchen & Studio
This week we'll be celebrating the brand new location of Schoolhouse Kitchen & Studio! We'll be celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity! Come discover this treasured resource for local families, newly relocated from River Forest!
Schoolhouse Kitchen and Studio operated for years out of a River Forest space, providing fun tasty skill-building for hundreds of local kids. After their building was sold, they are now re-launching in Oak Park with all kinds of classes teaching basic life skills of cooking and baking, and making it all a great time!
Join us for the ribbon cutting, and celebrate this delicious new Oak Park business!
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Thursday Sep 19, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM -
Chamber 101 - Your Digital Advantage
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
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Thursday Sep 19, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM -
Design / Construction / Real Estate Meetup: Healthy Homes!
Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group - meet colleagues in the industry while you learn about threats to a healthy home, and their solutions!
This Hispanic Heritage Month event takes place at ReMax in The Village the growing real estate firm led by Erika Villegas and Joe Castillo.
We're gathering to learn about the things that can make a home unhealthy to live in - radon, mold, lead, asbestos, smoke damage, biohazards, etc. But of course we won't stop there - we're gathering to learn about solutions, too! Much of it will be covered by Gregg Sierra of All-Dry Services of Chicago, a leading local disaster remediation company, which has experience dealing with all kinds of domestic health hazards. Plus, home inspector Phil Gould of Property Guidance Inspection will share with us about radon: what it is, why it is a health concern, and how to address it if elevated levels are found.
Come on by for a little networking to build your connections in real estate and the trades, and to learn how to identify and respond to health threats in one's home!
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Friday Sep 20, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM -
Meet Me For Lunch at Taco Mucho!
Join us for a Chamber sit-down luncheon! A business lunch in a casual setting, with small group networking. Come enjoy the food while you connect and get to know Chamber members.
Where Are We Eating This Month?
Taco Mucho, the dining destination in Oak Park's Arts District! Taco Mucho is a neighborhood taqueria and tequila bar serving authentic flavors and handcrafted cocktails. They use fresh ingredients and make their own tortillas from scratch, reflecting their commitment to keeping it local and real!
Tell Me About This Month's Host:
We're headed to Harrison Street to visit Taco Mucho as part of the Chamber's honoring Hispanic Heritage Month! Join us for a little lunch fiesta as your work week winds down - great food and company await you!
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Thursday Sep 26, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM -
Ribbon Cutting at Grenke Leasing!
This week we'll be celebrating with Grenke Leasing, an international company that has just chosen Oak Park for its Midwest headquarters! We'll be celebrating this business, taking pictures of the ribbon cutting, and enjoying a great networking opportunity. Come meet the Grenke team and discover the services they offer!
Grenke Leasing helps small and medium-sized businesses by reducing their capital costs for startup, expansion and operation, leasing all kinds of equipment and furnishings to businesses so they don't need to buy them. They have just opened in Oak Park as the hub of their Midwest operations.
Join us for the ribbon cutting, and celebrate this new addition to Downtown Oak Park!
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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
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