Events in the Ecosystem

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15 Jun

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop (June 2026) - Evening Session

An overview workshop for emerging entrepreneurs on starting a business in Illinois.

June 15, 2026 - June 15, 2026

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16 Jun

Defense Industry Days (Day 1)

Defense Industry Days Day 1 event focusing on strengthening the defense supply chain.

June 16, 2026 - June 16, 2026

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16 Jun

Navigating Illinois BidBuy: How to Find State Contracting Opportunities

A one-hour webinar helping businesses navigate Illinois BidBuy for state contracting opportunities.

June 16, 2026

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16 Jun

Grow Smart: Small Business Marketing Series: Digital Ads

An online training event for small business marketing focusing on digital ads.

June 16, 2026 - June 16, 2026

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16 Jun

Own Your Audience: How Email, SMS & Community Turn Customers into Loyal Fans

Learn how to build customer loyalty through email, SMS, and community engagement in this free workshop.

June 16, 2026 - June 16, 2026

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16 Jun

Own Your Audience: How Email, SMS & Community Turn Customers Into Loyal Fans

A workshop on building customer relationships using email, SMS, and community.

June 16, 2026 - June 16, 2026

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17 Jun

Workforce Solutions for Growing Businesses on 2026-06-17

Participate in a summit focused on strategies for attracting and retaining talent in your business.

June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Industry Ignited Chicago Manufacturing Capital

A conference designed to connect small and mid-sized manufacturers with financial resources and workforce solutions.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Defense Industry Days (Day 2 w/Matchmaking)

Join us for Day 2 of the Defense Industry Days featuring matchmaking and training opportunities.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

SBDC & COD Library In-Person Workshop: How to Research Your Target Market & Lab

An in-person workshop on researching your target market.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Learn the basics of starting a successful business in this training workshop.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Automate Business Workflows Using Gemini

Learn to automate business workflows using Gemini in this free online training.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

How to Start a Business in Illinois

Learn how to start a business in Illinois during this online webinar.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Illinois Procurement Essentials: Methods & BidBuy

An informative session on procurement methods used by the State of Illinois.

June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Starting a business in Illinois

A virtual training session designed to aid aspiring entrepreneurs in starting a business in Illinois.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

13th Annual MESC 2026 KICK OFF EVENT

Join the 13th Annual MESC 2026 KICK OFF EVENT to learn about the Metro East Startup Challenge and win prizes!

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Online Webinar

An online webinar for individuals interested in starting a small business in Illinois.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A free workshop on starting a business in Illinois, providing essential knowledge and resources.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Business After Business at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

A networking reception for Chamber of Commerce members and non-members at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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17 Jun

Happy Hour Networking @ CoCo & Blu (June 17th)

A networking event for local business professionals at CoCo Blu on June 17th.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

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May 2026

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
2026-04-26 26 Harnessing AI for Your Small Business	2026-04-27 27 Beginner Computer Skills: Building Confidence with Technology	2026-04-28 28 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - April 28, 2026 From Renter to Owner: A Practical Homebuying Panel Target Supplier Engagement Symposium – Building Foundations for Growth +5	2026-04-29 29 Creating Your Capability Statement AI Strategy That Scales: Build Smarter Systems That Grow With You - Smart Brand System Culinary & Hospitality Marketplace: Doing Business with McCormick Place +2	2026-04-30 30 Sales vs. Marketing Fireside Chat with John Sassaris	2026-05-01 1 ECommerce with Shopify - Session 3 - Recorded Session 2026 Grant Ready: Unlocking Funding for Your Next Big Idea (May 2026, On-Demand Webinar) Starting a Business in Illinois May 2026 On-Demand Webinar +4	2026-05-02 2 Grow Smart: Small Business Marketing Series Email & Business Documents Empoderamiento Financiero para Proveedoras de Cuidado Infantil - 2026-05-02 +1
2026-05-03 3	2026-05-04 4 The Wedge + SIUE Presents: Legal Support for Small Businesses	2026-05-05 5 The Blue Economy and Chicago's Economic Future: Corporate Water Leadership, Workforce Pathways, and Regional Resilience How to Write a Business Plan Workshop - May 5, 2026 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - 2026-05-05 +2	2026-05-06 6 NorthShore Business Network Happy Hour @ Sketchbook Brewing Starting Your Business In Illinois	2026-05-07 7 Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar ILSBDC Small Business Week Capital Readiness Pitch - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Starting Your Business in Illinois +6	2026-05-08 8 Financial Tips for Your Small Business and the Importance of Cash Flow APEX Live Webinar: From Capability to Contract: Business Development Strategies for Winning Contracts	2026-05-09 9
2026-05-10 10 Legal Support for Small Businesses	2026-05-11 11	2026-05-12 12 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - May 12, 2026 How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality - May 12 Understanding Financial Statements +7	2026-05-13 13 Starting Your Business In Illinois Workshop Quarterly Meeting 2026 SBA Illinois Lender Forums +7	2026-05-14 14 Government Contracting 101: Understanding the Basics Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving SBDC Live Webinar: Insurance Types for Small Business +7	2026-05-15 15 Golden Alumni Induction Ceremony	2026-05-16 16
2026-05-17 17	2026-05-18 18 Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop (May 2026) - Evening Session	2026-05-19 19 Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics 2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections (2026-05-19) Starting Your Business In Illinois +3	2026-05-20 20 Childcare Collaborative Market Your Business with Social Media Building Marketing Assets Faster- Grow with Google +9	2026-05-21 21 Business on the Move Initiative - Business Plan Presentations and Graduation - May 21 2026 Mexico and the United States: The Value of a Strong Neighborhood Oak Brook Business Network Event @ Empire's Rooftop in Lombard +6	2026-05-22 22 How to Start a Small Business in Illinois	2026-05-23 23
2026-05-24 24	2026-05-25 25 Starting Your Business In Illinois Using AI For Your Business	2026-05-26 26 Grow Smart: Small Business Marketing Series: Social Media Marketing SBDC In Person: Tax Know-How for Small Business Get Money Smart in 2026 +3	2026-05-27 27 EXPORT NOW Bootcamp Starting a business in Illinois Before the Business: Building Your Founder's Mindset +10	2026-05-28 28 Turning Business Documents into Action Using NotebookLM Access to Capital Contracting Opportunities Ahead: Meet the Contractor for the MWRD's New JOC Contract	2026-05-29 29 Grow Local: Marketing Your Business in Today’s World	2026-05-30 30
2026-05-31 31	2026-06-01 1 Starting a Business in Illinois June 2026 On-Demand Webinar Introduction to Marketing for Small Businesses - June 2026 On-Demand Webinar WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round +4	2026-06-02 2 Happy Hour @ Riverlands Brewing Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp \| Road to Success Aurora Intro to Goverment Contracting with Brenda Henderson +1	2026-06-03 3 APEX - Process for Becoming a Vendor for the State of Illinois Colleges and Universities - WIU	2026-06-04 4 Breaking Into the Big Leagues: Unlocking Partnerships - 2026-06-04 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 4, 2026	2026-06-05 5 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 5, 2026	2026-06-06 6 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 6, 2026

Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - May 19, 2026

Past

Join the third session of the Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp to enhance your contracting skills.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections - May 19, 2026

Past

Join us for the 2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections event to learn about business opportunities from our Corporate Partners. Engage in breakout sessions tailored to your industry.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics

Past

A live training event on enhancing customer engagement with AI.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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Starting Your Business in Illinois - Pekin

Past

An in-person workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn how to start a business in Illinois.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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