Next Event:
Forum Speaker Series – “The Pathway Forward”
WHEN: Monday, January 13, 2025, from 11:30AM to 1:00PM
WHERE: Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street SE
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
- City of Salem Mayor-Elect Julie Hoy
- Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark
- Marion County Chair, Commissioner Danielle Bethell
- Polk County Chair, Commissioner Craig Pope
As we embark on a new year, our January Forum Speaker Series luncheon welcomes local elected leaders to express their commitments for bettering our community through their elected service. Hear from our area’s mayors and county commissioners about the most pressing issues facing our community and ways we can make Salem and Keizer safer, more prosperous, and more livable as we chart a new pathway forward together.
Later that evening, recently-elected Salem Mayor, Julie Hoy, will be officially sworn in, along with three new Salem City Councilors. This Forum will provide the perfect opportunity for our community to unite and rally around these leaders while welcoming them to a new (and in some cases, first) term of service.
ADMISSION: $40 for Members, $70 for Future Members
Lunch is included!
See the remaining Forum Speaker Series season dates below and mark your calendars for the upcoming luncheons.
2025 Forum Speaker Series Dates:
2024-2025 Forum Speaker Series Dates:
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 December 9, 2024, our Forum Speaker Series hosted an incredible panel (moderated by Cubicle to CEO Founder Ellen Yin) of Salem business icons and Emerging Leaders for a discussion between business generations.
While illustrating what different generations bring to the workforce and how they approach business, the conversation also highlighted the lessons each generation can learn from one another as our community continues to find partnership opportunities toward collective growth and prosperity.
We’d like to thank everyone who attended, including our moderator Ellen Yin, and our panel for an enlightening conversation:
BUSINESS VETERANS:
- Gladys Blum, Principal Broker at Blum Real Estate
- Dick Wihtnell, Owner of Withnell Battle Creek Co. and former auto dealer
- Gene Derfler, Former Oregon State Senator, real estate broker and furniture store owner
EMERGING LEADERS:
- Porshla Scheuble, Owner of Be Well Esthetics
- Cynthia Lara, Co-Owner of Bison Dump
- Boaz Blair, Licensed Insurance Agent at Ted Ferry – State Farm Insurance
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 Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie & Hoyt 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.