Next Event:
Forum Speaker Series – “A Generational Discussion: Hopes, Dreams & Responsibilities”
WHEN: Monday, December 9, 2024, from 11:30AM to 1:00PM
WHERE: Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street SE
In December, our Forum Speaker Series hosts a remarkable panel (moderated by Cubicle to CEO Founder Ellen Yin) featuring Salem business icons and emerging leaders for a discussion between business generations about the past, present, and future of our community. Hear about the contrasting approaches to business over several decades in Salem, but also how the veteran and emerging generations of our business leaders continue to work together while paving the way for a stronger local economy and a better and brighter Salem.
BUSINESS VETERANS:
- Gladys Blum, Principal Broker at Blum Real Estate
- Dick Wihtnell, Owner of Withnell Battle Creek Co.
- Gene Derfler, Former Oregon State Representative and real estate broker
EMERGING LEADERS:
- Porshla Scheuble, Owner of Be Well Esthetics
- Cynthia Lara, Co-Owner of Bison Dump
- Boaz Blair, State Farm Insurance
Panel Moderator Ellen Yin, Founder of Cubicle to CEO:
ADMISSION: $40 for Members, $70 for Future Members
Lunch is included!
About Our Moderator: Ellen Yin is the founder & host of Cubicle to CEO®, a top 100 business podcast and free weekly newsletter asking successful founders the business questions you can’t Google. Her own Cubicle to CEO® journey began with quitting her corporate job without a backup plan, and led to bootstrapping a $300 freelance project into millions in revenue by age 29. Ellen’s work has been featured in Times Square, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, the Today Show and more. Ellen is also an angel investor & advisor for buzzy consumer brands like Soursop Nutrition, Lotza, and fintech platform Cherub, which connects founders with funders.
Season tickets for the 2024-2025 Forum Speaker Series are also available. See below for the complete list of upcoming dates.
2024-2025 Forum Speaker Series Dates:
Monday, September 9, 2024
Monday, October 14, 2024
Monday, November 18, 2024
Monday, December 9, 2024
Monday, January 13, 2025
Monday, February 10, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Monday, April 14, 2025
Monday, May 12, 2025
Monday, June 9, 2025 – Business of the Year Awards
Most Recent Event:
On October 14, 2024, the Forum Speaker Series hosted a debate featuring the candidates running for Oregon’s 6th Congressional District and Oregon Secretary of State.
Oregon’s 6th Congressional District Candidates:
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D)
Mike Erickson (R)
Oregon Secretary of State Candidates:
Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read (D)
Oregon State Senator Dennis Linthicum (R)
The Forum provided an exclusive opportunity for the business community to hear directly from the candidates as we prepare to vote in the upcoming General Election. Each candidate delivered opening and closing statements, responded to questions containing issues of great importance to businesses, and asked their respective opponent one question each.
We’d like to thank all of the candidates for their time and for sharing their views and positions.
We’d also like to thank the Salem Convention Center for providing the venue and meal, and Allied Video Productions and Capital Community Media for their help with producing this event.
Finally, a huge thanks go to Chemeketa Community College for serving as this month’s Forum Sponsor and to Hagan Hamilton Insurance Solutions for being our Presenting Sponsor for the entire 2024-2025 Forum Speaker Series season.
About the Series
Hear from business and community leaders who inform inspire, and network with key decision-makers within our community at the Forum Speaker Series luncheons. Featured speakers cover a wide variety of topics designed to build awareness, foster understanding, and spark conversation in the community. The nine-month series runs from September through June.
The Forum Speaker Series’ purpose is to deliver content, at times through controversial speakers, intended to spark conversation in Salem. The inclusion of these speakers does not imply Chamber endorsement or recommendation of any person, political party, idea, or previous action by these individuals.
The views and opinions expressed in any Forum event do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. The Salem Chamber serves as a host for relevant conversations in town and in the state, and you can be part of these conversations by attending the Forum Speaker Series.
For sponsorship information or questions please contact events@salemchamber.org.