January 2022
Happy New Year!
Welcome Back!
It's hard to believe it is 2022 already! We hope you had a restful break with family and friends and were able to celebrate the holidays together.

We are kicking off the year with many great initiatives.

A Very Special Event


Special guests:
Mark Pfister, Executive Director Lake County Health Department/Community Health 

Dr. Jeffrey D. Kopin, MD Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, North Region Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

This event will include a timely presentation and update on the continuing impact of the pandemic and future concerns -- topics that are front of mind for all of us. We are very grateful for the participation of our distinguished guest speakers who will also provide the opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

This is the Chamber's annual meeting and as one of the highlights will be the presentation of the Chamber's 21st annual COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD which will go to Gorton Community Center this year in recognition for an exceptional level of commitment to community service.

Admission to the webinar is complimentary but RSVPs are required to obtain a link -- please be sure to register to receive access. The general public is, of course, welcome.
 
B4Work
B4 Work in January

 We’re changing things up a bit to start the new year. Our first date will be via Zoom and our second will be co-hosted at LifeWorking by our friends from Tropical Smoothie… yum!

B4 Work
2nd & 4th Fridays at 8 am

January 14th via Zoom

January 28th In-person at LifeWorking Coworking, 717 Forest Avenue, LF
This meeting will be an opportunity to meet our Chamber leadership and staff and enjoy food and beverage provided by Tropical Smoothie.

You have planned your 2022 strategy and networking is part of it, right? Make B4Work a habit to cultivate those referrals! (Can't make it but want more info on how the Chamber can help? Click HERE and we'll follow up with you!)

(Complimentary admission and guests are welcome -- RSVP requested.)

The LF/LB Chamber adheres to all state and local COVID guidelines for indoor events.

2022 Community Guide
Be a Part of our Annual Community Guide
and Reach 16,000+ Residents!
The 2022 Community Guide planning is underway. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business.

Benefits:
  • Over 16,000 copies will be sent out to residents and businesses

  • 300,000 digital impressions will be on chicagotribune.com promoted to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents

  • Digital edition will link directly to your website when clicked

Jump on board soon to take advantage of the early bird rates! Click HERE to see the ad rate sheet in more detail and HERE to reach out to Kathleen Frey from the Chicago Tribune to place an ad.
Member Spotlights
Jay Miles, CrossFit Lake Forest
Nick Wissman, Lake Shore Harley-Davidson
Barrett Hazelwood, Ron Oesterlein, Craig Moore and John des Rosiers (not pictured)
Thank You to our Member Spotlights!
We featured some great businesses over the last month in our Member Spotlight feature. Thanks to Jay Miles from CrossFit Lake Forest, Nick Wissman from Lake Shore Harley-Davidson and Ron Oesterlein, Barrett Hazelwood, Craig Moore and Jon des Rosiers from Hub & Cycle and BONK. Please click here to learn more about these great members.
Hiring
Looking for Staff?
The Chamber has some leads for you! Don't forget to post your openings to our Facebook page LF/LB@Work and we’ll keep you posted on partnerships being developed with students from CLC and LFHS.
 
Please reach out here about how we might help you promote or connect about your hiring needs.
Membership
Thank You to our Newest Members and Don't Forget to Take Advantage of all your Member Benefits this Year
Our membership is growing! Thank you to the 77 new members that joined in 2021, bringing us up to a family of 411. Please see the list of the newest members here.

Don't forget to use your member benefits this year to help grow your business. We have some new offerings this year too.

  • Promote your business through all of our channels--- social media, e-newsletters and our website
  • Participate in Chamber Events and Promotions -- Holiday Events, Restaurant Week, Sidewalk Sale
  • Network with other businesses-- B4 Work, Industry Events
  • Tap into Chamber Resources with expanded services and new sponsorships to increase visibility
  • Industry Based Special Interest Groups

Please reach out here to learn more about how these benefits can help grow your business.
Save these Dates

Annual Business & Government Breakfast
 
NEW DATE- March 4
7:30 - 9:30am
Deer Path Inn
255 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest


Due to the increasing COVID cases, we have decided to postpone our annual breakfast until March. Stay tuned for more details and we hope you will join us then to hear the annual “state of the towns” presentation by Lake Forest City Manager Jason Wicha and Lake Bluff Village Administrator Drew Irvin over a delicious breakfast.

Multi-Chamber Mega Connect Webinar

Thursday, February 10
12 - 1:30 via Zoom

Take advantage of the many connections at this Multi-Chamber event. This webinar presentation titled, "Empower Your Business by Building Connections with 24 Chambers of Commerce!" Brought to by MultiChamber Mega Connect.

$15 Chamber Members
$25 Non-Member
Biz to Biz News
Oshima Brothers
Part of the Gorton Center Live Series

January 22
7 - 9pm

Tickets $29 – $39
$20 student tickets available with I.D. Enter promo code STUDENT
Lake Shore Harley Davidson
Say Yes to Freedom Special

Ends January 31

Buy a new Harley-Davidson today!
NO money down.
NO interest for 90 days.
NO payments for 120 days.

Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) is pleased to announce the addition of an important conservation parcel to its portfolio of preserved natural areas and nature preserves. The 102-acre natural landscape, which is prominently sited on the north side of Half Day Road at Old Mill Road, had been proposed for a 265-unit mixed-use development. Now permanently protected, it is LFOLA’s goal to restore the land and plan for a future public nature preserve for all to enjoy.
Attend Together in Innovation: Inner space and Outer Space

January 26
 
Calling all innovators and entrepreneurs! The world needs your ideas. From the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, learn how to unleash them at this free online event from teams of innovators who will expand our knowledge of inner and outer space. 

How to Start or Grow a Business in Illinois

January 4
3pm
Virtual

Whether you're starting a new business or positioning your company for growth, the Small Business Development Center at College of Lake County can help.

LifeWorking January
Free Day Pass

Valid in January 2022 for first time Lifeworkers only.
January Special Snow Rate

The Forester Hotel is offering a special snow rate of $79. The booking code is CR#55995
Lake Forest College Digital Marketing course is looking for small businesses that need assistance

Lake Forest College has a Digital Marketing course that is looking for small businesses wanting free digital marketing and social media consulting / advice. This class, part of the Department of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, has students undertaking a capstone semester project working closely with a local business to develop or optimize their digital marketing strategies. See the program overview linked here for more details. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out directly to Professor Dan Gandor at dgandor@mx.lakeforest.edu. These projects kick off in mid-January, so don't hesitate if you are interested.

CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen and Pianist Matthew Hagle

January 30
3pm
Nichols Concert Hall

The Music Institute of Chicago presents Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Robert Chen and Music Institute faculty Matthew Hagle performing Classical and Romantic masterpieces for violin and piano. The performance also will be available via livestream.

Lifeworking Coworking January Event-
Beauty & Wealth

January 21
5 - 7pm
Lifeworking Coworking
717 Forest Ave, LF

Join host Sam Khan, Beauty Expert and guest speaker Liz Todorovic, Financial Expert, for an afternoon of powerful education, local networking, appetizers, refreshments and local prizes!
Stepping out to Fitness

Starts January 2022

Free 90- day Fitness Challenge for all fitness levels. Log any exercise and be entered to win a flat-screen TV or Apple Watch. Free virtual exercises bi-weekly.

The Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center at College of Lake County

January/February

Take advantage of these free resources! Check the upcoming schedule of NEW no-cost virtual workshops.
Thank you to our Chamber partners for their support...