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Happy Pride Oak Park & River Forest Chamber! I'm honored to once again be co-chairing the chamber's Pride month programming. This year has already started with some wonderful events from learning how to market your business to the LGBTQ+ community, to how to support those members when they are employees of your company. I hope you were able to make it, but if you weren't then you can still join us for our Pride themed Business After Hours at FFC June 11th, Thursday Night out in the Burbs June 20th, or Drag Brunch at Kettlestrings June 29th. I would like to thank Catalina of Catan Pisco for sponsoring our Pride month events and hope you all get a chance to enjoy one of her tasty beverages!
Pride has always been about change and it's wonderful how much has changed in just a short period of time. I remember when the idea of a same sex couple attending prom was taboo, or registering as a couple in Oak Park had to be voted on, and now those issues seem unbelievable. Much like the issues we face today will seem unbelievable twenty years from now. I urge you to embrace and provide space for all people this Pride month and every month of the year, for we are all a part of the "us's" and we all belong. Happy Pride!
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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!
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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.
Award Categories
We are thrilled to announce the categories for the 2024 OPRF Chamber Spotlight Awards:
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To nominate a business for the 2024 OPRF Chamber Spotlight Awards, please fill out our online submission form: | |
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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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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.
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Wednesday Jun 12, 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM -
Ribbon Cutting at 2 Sistah's Afrocentric Boutique
This week we'll be celebrating with Charman Dortch and Karen Quarles, owners of 2 Sistah's Afrocentric Boutique, who have recently opened this Black-owned shop featuring clothing and accessories! 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 products they offer!
2 Sistah's is a shop that celebrates culture, with clothing, hats, bags, and other accessories that reflect and express African and African-American pride.
Join us for the ribbon cutting, and celebrate this new addition to the Oak Park fashion scene!
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Thursday Jun 13, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM -
Security for your Space: Design / Construction / Real Estate Meetup
Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group - learn about security for your space (business or home!) and get to know others in real estate and the trades!
We're gathering at R Titus Designs on Oak Park Avenue to learn from a few of our peers about ways to look at security for your business' space or your home, and what to do about it and how. Our presenters will include the Oak Park Police Department; Sarah Gullette, owner of The Oak Park HandyHuman; and Mike Lavery, owner of Excel Window Tinting. We'll cover the use and installation of different locks, cameras, window treatments, and more, to control others visual and physical access to your space, and to provide you with monitoring and deterrence capabilities to keep yourself, your stuff, your staff and clients safe.
As usual, this will be a casual gathering with time to enjoy refreshments (thanks to The Oak Park HandyHuman!) and mingle with peers in real estate, design and the trades!
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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.
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We would like to give a BIG thank you to our Pride Month Sponsor, Catan Pisco!
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Come meet Catan Pisco at our Pride events or one of their Pisco 4 Pride Events!
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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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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
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Friday Jun 21, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM -
Meet Me For Lunch at Spilt Milk!
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?
Spilt Milk, the beloved sister-owned bakery-cafe on South Boulevard, on the lovely back patio!
Tell Me About This Month's Host
Spilt Milk has long been known for their delicious bakery creations, and offers some savories as well! Meg and Molly have created a lovely patio space for sit-down dining - and we'll get to enjoy a buffet-style lunch with tasty options for everyone!
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Monday Jun 24, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM -
BIPOC Affinity Group Kick Off Summer Potluck Gathering
Jeffrey Hines and his team at Hines State Farm invite everyone to a BIPOC Kick-Off Summer Potluck & Gathering! Enjoy a delicious homecooked meal as you relax and network with fellow Chamber members. When you register, simply specify what you'll be bringing to share. Bragging rights for the best dish may be at stake...
Have You Met...
...Tamekia Swint of Styles4Kidz and Jeffrey D. Hines of State Farm Hines Financial Services. These two business owners are in their second year as your BIPOC cochairs and are looking forward to seeing you. If you have ideas for programs, topics or speakers, please let them know!
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Flag Raising Ceremony
Oak Park's Juneteenth festivities begin with a flag-raising ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, in the courtyard at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. This free event will feature inspiring speakers, refreshments, and more, creating a meaningful start to the celebration. The community is encouraged to attend and participate.
What: Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony
When: June 12 - 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Village Hall Courtyard Oak Park
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Community Cookout
The entire community is invited to a Juneteenth community cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the south lawn of Village Hall, 123 Madison St. This free event will feature a vendor market, music, and, of course, delicious food. More details will be announced soon, so check the website below for more information!
What: Juneteenth Community Cookout
When: June 15 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Village Hall South Lawn
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Join us for the River Forest Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, Jun 17th. This event takes place in front of the River Forest Library and includes a Juneteenth Traveling Museum and refreshments.
The Juneteenth Holiday celebrates the date in 1865 when General Order #3 proclaimed the freedom of the enslaved people in Texas. For more information on event, click here. For more information on the Juneteenth Holiday, click here.
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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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