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Illinois Latinx Economic Summit 2024

2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit - Rising Together: Empowering and Shaping the Future Strategically
Thursday | July 18, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm | in-person

Malcolm X College - Conference Center, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through its Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) Latinx Business Colectivo cordially invites you to the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit. The bilingual event will feature matchmaking opportunities for funding, guidance on building and sustaining business networks - scheduled networking opportunities, navigating certifications, and more. You will gain valuable information on marketing and crafting an elevator pitch for your business!

This event:

  • Is fully bilingual with simultaneous translations.
  • Will have a new Exciting Éxitos series, where business owners will share their business journey with the audience.
  • Lunch will be provided.
  • Is free to attend, and parking is available onsite as well as near public transportation CTA Blue Line stop, Illinois Medical District, or CTA Bus #157, #126, or #50. (Please bring your ticket to have it validated at the Conference Center area).

Co-Host: Latinx Business Colectivo

  • BMO Harris Bank
  • Center for Changing Lives
  • Chicago Latina Magazine
  • Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
  • IC U Latinas
  • Southwest Collective
  • Sunshine Enterprises
  • United Credit Union
  • Federal Executive Boards

Agenda

8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Exhibitors are available

8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration & sign-in

9:00 – 10:35 AM Programming (including the Exciting Éxitos series and a panel discussion on Marketing)

10:45 - 11:35 AM Breakout Sessions #1

  • Match Making to Funding Opportunities
    Want to learn about what lenders can offer your business? In this session, you'll have the opportunity to connect with various lenders. This session will consist of two parts. Part 1 - Panel to learn firsthand from lenders about documents needed to apply for a loan, strategies, and tips to building a relationship with a lender, and the difference as well as the importance of business and personal credit. Followed by Part 2 where you will be matched with a lender to have a small group discussion about the lending opportunities and services, they can offer your business.
  • Building & Sustaining Business Network
    Let’s Network. Let’s build your social capital. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about different strategies for networking, forging partnerships, and leveraging community resources to foster business growth and sustainability. This interactive session will be followed by a guided networking activity to put your new knowledge into practice.
  • Setting Your Business for Success
    Calling all businesses 3 years or younger or businesses that want to learn strategies and tips in setting up your business for success. Hear insights from a recent business owner, a business consultant, a lawyer, and an accountant on strategies to set up your business for success.

11:35 AM - 12:30 PM Working Lunch (with Clean Energy Panel)

12:35 - 1:25 PM Breakout Session #2

  • Match Making to Funding Opportunities
  • Building & Sustaining Business Network
  • Navigating Certifications
    Learn how to become a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE) certified and the benefits of becoming certified. This session will go over the required documents needed to apply, the flow process, the different certifying agencies, and how to identify which one is the correct one for your business based on the type of contracts/work you are seeking.

1:30 - 1:40 PM Closing Remarks and Wrap-Up

 

2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit Toolkit

In the link below, you’ll find tips, sample social media posts, graphics, and ideas on promoting the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit!

2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit English Toolkit and Spanish Toolkit. 

#LatinoBusiness
#ILLatin@Summit

For more information on the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit, contact Diana Alfaro, Business Development Manager, at Diana.Alfaro@Illinois.gov.