Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Mike Murphy (pictured) says he is living the dream. “I know this may sound corny to some, but I just wake up every day wanting to make sure everyone has the opportunities that I did,” said the president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “Our members are tremendous. I know how hard it is. I say the most important thing our members do is put the key in the door and open up every day, because it not only gives the people of our community the opportunity for their services, but, more importantly, it gives all their employees the opportunity to have a job.”

Speaking of jobs, the chamber’s fall job fair is Aug. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza. But coming up is another big event: Shoes, Brews, and Biz, Oct. 15 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the LRS Hangar. “It’s definitely the most fun event we have, where we typically have eight restaurants out there giving a sample of their horseshoe,” said Murphy. “We even have some dessert horseshoes out there, so that’s something new, and then we have our local microbreweries and some wineries our there giving a taste of them and a couple of beer trucks, too. You never run out of the opportunity to have some adult beverages.”