On September 27, the McLaran Leadership Foundation's Salem Emerging Leaders launched a new professional development series called "Lunch with Leaders," kicking off the series with a presentation by motivational speaker, author, and emcee Bonnie Milletto - @bellissima21. The new series is designed as a platform for Salem's Emerging Leaders to interact with prominent individuals in our community who have compelling stories and are widely admired for their positive influence on others. Each 90-minute session includes a delightful lunch, a 30-minute presentation, and an engaging 30-minute interactive Q&A session. During this kick-off luncheon, Bonnie, author of "Dedicated to the Cup: Nine Ways to Reinvent a Life," urged those in attendance to 'get out of our their way,’ reminding us that true power does not come from titles, and that overnight success is a myth. Instead, as Bonnie noted in her presentation, success is the culmination of consistent effort in the small actions we take daily. Visit bonniemilletto.com to learn more about Bonnie Milletto and her work. This eight-month series takes place on the first Tuesday of each month, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, hosted at various Salem Chamber member locations. Our next Lunch with Leaders is on November 7 at @ritterseatery, featuring Ernesto Toskovic, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Banker with @keybank. Contact McLaran Leadership Foundation Program Director Katie Costic ([email protected]) if you are interested in participating or know a colleague who would benefit from this new program. Thank you to our Lunch with Leaders Presenting Sponsor, @chemeketa, for making this program possible!

Yesterday (October 5), we traveled with 150 community members to Las Vegas aboard the first commercial flight from Salem Municipal Airport in 15 years, courtesy of the exclusive carrier to Salem, @aveloair! The day marked the culmination of years of work between the @cityofsalemoregon, Salem Airport, @fly_salem, @travelsalem, businesses, and community partners. Look for more photos and video content from the trip as we continue to celebrate this momentous achievement for our city and our community!

Last Friday (September 29), we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for @millersbbqcafe! Owner Matthew Miller and his staff enjoyed a spectacular turnout and outpouring of support from members of the Salem business community, who came to celebrate the opening of the new business while sampling some of its delicious offerings. The event was broadcast live over @kslmradio's airwaves and included remarks from Salem Chamber CEO Tom Hoffert and Chamber Board President Alan Rasmussen. Located at 4600 25th Ave NE # 165 in Salem, the Cafe is a brick-and-mortar addition to @millersbbqcatering. Incorporating its signature, mouth-watering smoked meats and freshly baked treats, the Cafe is serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 7AM to 3PM. So, if you are hungry, rush on over and check out the new Miller's BBQ & Cafe! Please join us in congratulating the entire Miller's BBQ & Cafe team! We can't wait to return for some more great eats!

Thank you to the incredible team at @resilient_h_p for hosting Greeters last week! Networking in the gym helped us feel strong and inspired as our Chamber community learned about this business. With its talented roster of coaches, Resilient Human Performance offers strength, conditioning, performance, and fitness training to empower its clients toward a more fulfilling and healthier life. Meet the team at 1920 McGilchrist Street in southeast Salem, or visit its website to learn more! resilienthumanperformance.com Be sure to join us for Greeters again this Friday, October 6, for a meeting hosted by New Wave Laundry at its new full-service laundromat at 2195 Lancaster Drive NE. Click the link in our bio to see Greeters details.

On September 19, our monthly Chamber Business Women luncheons returned with a presentation from the Chamber's own Director of Business Advocacy Lena Prine on "Understanding How Local and State Policy Impact Your Business" at @rothsfreshmarkets in West Salem. Lena shared with the CBW group what's happening in local politics, including a timely update on the Employee-Paid Payroll Tax, which will be on the ballot for Salem voters in November. Thank you to everyone who attended, and thank you to Roth's, as always, for hosting! Join us for CBW again this month, on October 17, as we welcome @kravmagasalem Lead Instructor Sheena Williams to talk about personal safety and protecting your family while debunking some of the urban myths about self-defense. Click the link in our bio to sign up for the next CBW luncheon!

A big shout-out goes to Jackson's Body Shop Inc. for hosting Greeters at @northernlightstheatrepub and for celebrating its 65th anniversary last Friday! More than 120 business community members joined us for another engaging Greeters as we learned more about this longtime Salem business, which welcomed another strong contingent of supporters to its shop at 3353 Silverton Road NE for its anniversary party. Learn more about Jackson's Body Shop here: jacksonsautobody.com Owner Larry Jackson also recently appeared as a guest on the new Salem Chamber Podcast to talk about doing business locally and Jackson's milestone anniversary. Click the link in our bio and visit our podcast page (salemchamber.org/podcast) to view the podcast episodes, including the one with Larry Jackson (episode 2). Join us for Greeters again tomorrow, September 29 (8:30am) for a meeting hosted by @resilient_h_p! Click the link in our bio for details on the next Greeters.

The new Salem Chamber Podcast is available to watch and listen to now! Hosted by Salem Chamber CEO Tom Hoffert, the podcast features fascinating conversations with local business leaders, policymakers, educators, and other influential members of our community. If it’s affecting our businesses or our community, we’ll be talking about it on the Salem Chamber Podcast. Click the link in our bio and visit our podcast page (salemchamber.org/podcast) to see all episodes and ways to watch/listen. The first three episodes are out now! Subscribe on your favorite platform to get notifications about future episodes! Episode 1 - Featuring @valormentoring CEO and @welcometotherec Owner Tim Davis Episode 2 - Featuring Jackson's Body Shop Owner Larry Jackson Episode 3 - Featuring @chemeketa President Dr. Jessica Howard

October 25-26, the Salem Chamber is re-launching the LEAD (LEARN, EMPOWER, ADVANCE, DEVELOP) Small Business Summit presented by the Chemeketa Community College Center for Business & Industry! Programming is offered in English and Spanish! This unique and dynamic programming will feature a half-day of impactful presentations and valuable breakout sessions designed to provide you with the resources you need to help your business grow. The summit will also give you a chance to expand your network of connections with like-minded business owners, employers, and employees! WHAT: LEAD Small Business Summit WHEN: October 25 (in English) & October 26 (in Spanish), 9:00am to 1:00pm WHERE: Chemeketa Community College Center for Business & Industry Member Price: $40 Non-Member Price: $50 Lunch will be provided! TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER: Click the link in our bio! Topics include: - Top Things Every Business Should Know To Be Successful - Financing/Access to Capital - Business Incorporation & Tax Structure - Best Practices in Retaining & Recruiting Employees - Succession & Estate Planning - Avoiding Major HR Pitfalls - And extra networking time! Thank you to our sponsors: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry; @salemhealth; Summit Wealth Management; Castro Monroy Group; @sbjoregon; @tedferrystatefarm; saifcorporation; and Hector L. Garcia, Principal Broker, John L. Scott Salem Real Estate (@salemorrealtor).

On September 15, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for new member @primordialoregon at its shop at 1880 Lancaster Dr. NE, Suite 125. Owner Tyler Hills' daughter had the honor of cutting the ribbon with the Hills family and Chamber Ambassadors on hand. The business, which specializes in mushroom growing supplies and gourmet cultures, held its grand opening last week, and this week (September 25-29), is offering incredible specials as it continues to grow. For anyone interested in the fascinating process of growing their own mushrooms, Primordial Oregon is your new go-to source in Salem! Best of all, Primordial's products and supplies make it easy. Visit the shop to speak with Tyler to learn how to start your own mushroom garden at home. Congrats to Tyler and the Hills family! And welcome to our Chamber family!

Salem Emerging Leaders! Our next Coffee Social is this Thursday, September 28 at 8:30am! Join us again this month to meet up-and-coming leaders in the Salem community, find resources, and get to know other like-minded individuals. Click the link in our bio to REGISTER FOR FREE! This month's host is @pwlobbygroup, featuring @shatteredglassleaders. With her doctorate in business management, Corban University Professor Dr. Kristine Medyanik will perform a personality test and teach the basics of leadership through emotional intelligence in the workplace. You do not want to miss out on this! Matt Miller of @millersbbqcatering will be catering, and Ryan Tribbett of Pac/West Lobby Group has extended an invitation to attend his Special Client Happy Hour, Housing Forum, and Mini Home Show from 4:00-6:00pm.

On September 15, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for new member West Salem Tax, LLC at its offices located at 1661 Edgewater Street. The celebration included an open house with freshments before Owner and CPA Wilma Eichler cut the ribbon alongside supporters, Chamber Ambassadors, and friends. Specializing in individual income taxes and small business services, West Salem Tax has a wide array of offerings, including tax preparation and planning. This boutique firm can also help small business clients with payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, and more! Learn more about this new Chamber member and how it may be able to help you by visiting westsalemtax.com. Congrats to Wilma and West Salem Tax! We hope you join us in congratulating this new member and welcoming them to our Chamber family!

On Monday, September 11, 2023, the 2023-2024 Forum Speaker Series season began with a welcome to and presentation from new @salemkeizer Superintendent Andrea Castañeda. Photos: @zakstonephotography (with additional photos provided by the Salem Chamber) To watch the Forum, click the link in our bio and visit our YouTube channel. RECAP: In her first full address to the larger Salem business community, Superintendent Castañeda shared key details about the school district's budgetary challenges, the district's demographical data, how SKPS works to ensure school safety, the story of how she became education administrator, and what she is most passionate about when it comes to our region and our schools. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this 2023-2024 Forum kick-off Luncheon, which also honored former Oregon Senator Gene Derfler with this month's Spirit of Salem Award. Click the link in our bio and visit our Forum page to see the remainder of the 2023-2024 Forum Speaker Series schedule. We also thank the @salemconventioncenter for providing the venue and meal, and @alliedvideoproductions and @ccmediasalem for their help with producing this event. Finally, special thanks go to @mapscu for sponsoring this month's Forum Luncheon, and to @haganhamilton for being the Presenting Sponsor of the entire 2023-2024 Forum Speaker Series season.