May is upon us, and it's shaping up to be a whirlwind! As we celebrate APIDA Heritage Month, honor moms on Mother's Day, and gear up for our Econ Symposium, get ready for a month packed with cultural celebrations, heartfelt tributes, and invaluable insights. Whether you're diving into new cultural experiences, showing love to the amazing moms in your life, or delving into the latest economic trends, there's something for everyone. So, buckle up and stay tuned for a May filled with excitement, connection, and growth! | |
Darien Marion-Burton
Executive Director
OPRF Chamber of Commerce
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Join us at the 2024 Economic Symposium, where we'll delve into the theme of "Economic Resilience: Insider Tactics on Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Economic Climate." This half-day event is designed specifically for small business owners seeking practical strategies to navigate economic challenges with confidence.
Throughout the Symposium, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in engaging breakout sessions led by industry experts. These sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including financial planning, marketing strategies, operational efficiency, and innovative approaches to business sustainability.
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Our keynote speaker, Alycia Mason, will share invaluable insights and real-world experiences, providing inspiration and actionable advice for attendees to apply to their own businesses. Whether you're looking to fortify your current operations or explore new avenues for growth, this keynote address will offer invaluable perspectives on achieving success in any economic climate.
To wrap up the day's events, we invite you to join us for a networking happy hour where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share experiences, and forge valuable connections. This informal setting provides the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, gather insights, and build relationships with like-minded individuals who share your commitment to economic resilience and business success.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge, tools, and connections you need to thrive in today's dynamic economic landscape. Reserve your spot at the 2024 Economic Symposium and take the first step towards securing a prosperous future for your business.
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Love meeting new people and helping out your community? We have volunteer opportunities for the Economic Symposium! Learn more about our positions below. | |
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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 May 14, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM -
Business After Hours - Animal Care League
Our May Business After Hours (BAH) will be hosted by the Animal Care League. Join us for a night of networking and hors d'oeuvres in this newly-renovated setting, to enjoy a spring evening in great company!
The Animal Care League is a safe, welcoming place for pets in need of homes! The ACL sets up foster and adoption placements for dogs, cats, and rabbits, and takes great care of them until those placements happen. They're a welcoming place for people too! They've got a spacious, newly-rehabbed headquarters we're invited to come check out - and they'll provide tasty people-food and a warm welcome for us too.
Come have a fun evening with great connections to be made for your business or organization!
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Thursday May 16, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM -
FLEX (Young Professionals) Brewery Tour & Networking Exchange
Come FLEX with us at our May outing at One Lake Brewing. Kick back after work and join the fun! A FLEX social gathering is a great opportunity for young professionals to expand their networks, share experiences, and build lasting connections.
This month join us for a tour of One Lake Brewing, where the owners engaged in a beautiful project of adaptive reuse by turning a bank building into a brewery! And while we're there we might as well sample their beverages and hang out with each other for a bit. Weather permitting, they've got a great rooftop deck for us to enjoy, with views for miles - this will be a great kickoff for summer!
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Friday May 17, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM -
Meet Me For Lunch - Sugar Fixe at ComedyPlex
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.
We'll be hosted by the fun folks who own ComedyPlex, the underground sensation that's drawing people to Downtown Oak Park. And in this tasty collaboration, our food will come from Sugar Fixe, the bakery and cafe that's been a DTOP centerpiece for years. Enjoy a full lunch of sandwich, quiche, dessert and pop, while in the great company of your fellow Chamber members!
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Pride Marketing 101 Lunch & Learn | |
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Join us to learn all the basics on how your business can support the LGBTQ community during June, Pride Month.
We will tap into the expertise of Matt Johnston, Real Estate Agent at Fulton Grace, and Catalina Gaete-Bentz, Owner and Founder of Catan Pisco to 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.
- what does supporting Pride mean from a marketing perspective
- how to effectively reach LGBTQ markets
- how to avoid sending unintended negative messaging
- how to visually show your support for Pride beyond flying a rainbow flag
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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 May 20, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM -
BIPOC - Sharing Stories to Honor Asian American History Month
May is designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Michael Viernes, Purple Sun Arts, will tell the story of his Filipino family starting with the immigration of his Grandfather Albert Viernes in the 1930s. Join Michael at Purple Sun Arts, to hear his story, see his family photos, and taste the scrumptious food of his ancestors.
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Thursday May 23, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM -
New Member Breakfast
Welcome New Members! Join us at 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. Brookdale Oak Park is graciously hosting this quarter.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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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