WBDC 2024 MIDWEST BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Location
Get Ready for the WBDC’s 2024 Midwest Business Conference!
Come to the Women’s Business Development Center’s 2024 Midwest Business Conference to accelerate your business growth in multiple ways!
You won’t want to miss the dynamic Business Connections Center, where you can explore a range of opportunities for contracts and collaborations, as well as supportive programs and services.
Take maximum advantage of the Digital Learning Center, featuring interactive demonstrations of technology software and tools that help boost business growth and streamline internal operations.
You’ll also experience a fast-paced, insightful, and engaging keynote session with Laughter on Call and a festive finale Reception with delicious food, signature drinks, and live music.
And our enticing Galleria Marketplace with premier products sold by women entrepreneurs will be open the entire day!
Opening Session Speakers
Emilia DiMenco
WBDC President and CEO
Sandra Rand
WBDC Board Chair
Retired Director of Supplier Diversity
United Airlines
Jim Dionne
Head of Global Procurement Strategy & Execution
Suntory Global Spirits
Dani Klein Modisett
Founder and CEO
Laughter on Call
Dani has a few words to say about why you won’t want to miss this year’s Conference.
Hear from Dani below!
Event Schedule
A festive marketplace with premier products sold by women entrepreneurs.
Vendors:
Amaru Wellness – Mouth Sprays and Tinctures
Brisa Systems – Speed Drying Rack for Reusables
Designs by Uchita – Handmade Jewelry
Fast Lane to Health – Organic, Vegan and Gluten Free Treats
Karviva Wellness – Health Drinks
LF JF Designs – Handmade Hats, Purses and Crochet Clothing
Luxe M Boutique – Clothing and Small Accessories
Madera Designs – Handmade Personalized Gift Items
Mestiza – Culturally Vibrant Gifts
Moxie Leakproof Activewear – Leakproof Activewear Apparel
Nal’s Kitchen – Honey Ginger Dressing and Ginger Spread
One Special Gift – Handmade Gemstone Jewelry
Only One Boutique – Jackets, Purses, Accessories
PoppedCorn – Gourmet Popcorn Boxes
Roxy and Lola – On-trend Jewelry
Scalp and Skin Solutions – Hair care
VietFive Coffee – Robusta Coffee
VIRCIÉ – Tech Accessories
YASOU Skincare – Skincare
Yellowcake Clothing Shop – Women’s Outerwear and Accessories
Location: Grand Foyer
An exclusive, invitation only WBDC program alumni gathering for reconnecting, making new connections, and knowledge sharing.
Location: LAX
Join other WBENC-certified WBEs at this exclusive, high energy gathering to learn how to improve your pitch. Jayne Agency will lead Pitch in the RAW: Ready (you know your position and promise). Authentic (you have the evidence to back up what you’re saying). Worthy (you are selling on value – you know your worth). There will be six open slots to pitch and get feedback from experts. You can also come simply to listen and learn the tips and tricks of great business communicators, as well as to network with other business owners!
Location: United AB
Welcome Remarks and Keynote Performance
- Welcome from Emilia DiMenco, WBDC President and CEO
- Welcome from Sandra Rand, WBDC Board Chair and Retired Director of Supplier Diversity, United Airlines
- Welcome from Jim Dionne, Head of Global Procurement Strategy and Execution, Suntory Global Spirits
- Keynote performance by Laughter on Call
- Keynote Dani Klein Modisett and her company “Laughter on Call” are on a mission to bring laughter–and its physical, mental, and performance benefits–to your business. According to research from such esteemed institutions as Wharton, MIT, and London Business School, “every chuckle or guffaw brings with it a host of business benefits,” writes Alison Beard in the Harvard Business Review article, “Leading with Humor.” Dani and her team will show how humor and positivity are powerful tools that you can use every day to boost your business and enhance your life. Laughter relieves stress, enhances morale and engagement, and spurs not only communication, connection, and collaboration, but also analytic precision and productivity, so don’t miss this chance to laugh and learn!
Location: Grand Ballroom ABC
A robust learning center in a trade show format featuring interactive demonstrations of technology software and tools to help boost business revenues and growth and streamline internal operations. The demonstrations will be given by business advisors and small business owners like you.
Technology Tools to Boost Business Growth
Demonstration Stations:
- Content Design | Canva | Laurie Underwood, WBDC
- Email Marketing | Constant Contact, Mailchimp | Izel Michel, WBDC and KT Howard, Greenleaf Media
- Social Media and Content Management | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Hootsuite | Anahi Leyva, Hawthorne Strategy Group, Inc.
- Website Development | Elementor – Word Press | Andrea Fowler, Andrea Fowler Design
- Website Conversions | FlowMapp | Ari Krzyzek, Chykalophia
- SEO and Website Analytics | Google Analytics, Google Search Console | Salil Ghandi, HCP Buzz
- Business Profile | Google Business Profile | Francisco Ramirez, Chimbly Consultants
- Prospecting and Sales | LinkedIn Sales Navigator | Lakrisha Davis, Lakrisha Davis & Co.
- E-commerce | Amazon | Stacey Kohler, Kiddy Crawler LLC
- E-commerce | Shopify | Sarah Cervantes, Send Me a Dream
- Podcasts | Anchor (now Spotify for Podcasters) | Regina Williams, WBDC
Technology Tools to Streamline Internal Operations
Demonstration Stations:
- Customer Relationship Manager | Monday | Grace Toll, WBDC
- Customer Research/Surveys | Survey Monkey, Google Forms | Maura Mitchell, WBDC
- Artificial Intelligence | Microsoft Copilot | Aisha Ahrens, WBDC and Kristen Gehrig, WBDC
- Cybersecurity/Password Management/MFA | Breach Secure Now (Phishing Prevention), DUO | Donna Bugosh, Ntiva and Joanna Mirov, Ntiva
- Project Planning/Management | Asana | Cheyenne Duy, WBDC
- Calendar/Appointment Scheduler | Acuity, Google Calendar, Calendly, Outlook | Kayla Scanlan, WBDC
- Accounting/Expense Management | QuickBooks, Bill.com, Expensify | Ali Fetzer, ORBA and Joyce Carlson, ORBA
- Data Visualization | Microsoft Power BI | Bri O’Reilly, WBDC
Location: Grand Ballroom FGH
A dynamic business center for both business opportunities and business support. Come explore opportunities with corporate, government, and WBENC-certified WBE representatives across diverse industry clusters, as well as collaborations with other participating business owners. And take advantage of the opportunity to gain valuable information and insights from our resource partners who provide a range of small business programs and services.
Table Hosts:
Corporate
Abbott
Allstate
Amazon
Andersen Corp.
Aon
Bank of America
BMO Bank
Caesars Entertainment
ComEd
Constellation
Discover
Fifth Third Bank
Huntington Bank
JP Morgan Chase Bank
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois
Navistar
Nicor Gas
Old National Bank
Outworx Group
Suntory Global Spirits
United Airlines
University of Illinois
University of Minnesota
U.S. Bank
UScellular
Vistra
Government
Chicago Department of Aviation
Chicago Department of Procurement Services
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Transit Authority
City of Aurora
Cook County Office of Chief Procurement Officer
Illinois APEX Accelerator at WBDC
Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion
Illinois Department of Human Rights
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity–Office of Regional Economic Development
Illinois State Treasurer Office
McCormick Place
Metra
Metropolitan Water and Reclamation District (MWRD)
Pace
U.S. GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Region 5
U.S. SBA Illinois District Office
International Trade Resources Hub
EXIM Bank
Illinois District Export Council
Illinois Office of Trade & Investment
U.S. SBA Office of International Trade & Export Finance Programs
U.S. Commercial Service
WBDC International Trade Center
WBE
Ahava Services
Aldis Systems
Art Studio 928, LLC
Artesian Collaborative, LLC
elbē creative partners
Global Capital Ltd
Hustle & Ground
Jayne Agency
Madison Avenue Worldwide
MJ Design and Company
NSP & Co.
Phoenix Fixtures
Reed Burkett Lighting Design
Richards Graphic Communications
SPOKE612 Productions
Strategic Packaging Partners
That’s So Creative, LLC
Trice Construction
Victoria Rock and Associates, LLC
WorkingSmarts
Resource Support
Allies for Community Business
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
Federation of Women Contractors
Hawthorne Strategy Group
Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
It’s Not Just Dinner
Janice Axelrod & Associates
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
NaVOBA
SBO Buzz
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation – VBOC
WBDC – Access to Capital
WBDC – Certification
Location: Grand Ballroom DE
A finale reception where you can mix and mingle with fellow women business owners, private and public sector executives, and community partners while enjoying a light dinner buffet, drinks, and live jazz.
Location: Grand Foyer
Music provided by:
Sponsor:
A special message from Emilia DiMenco, President and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center:
Hotel Rooms, Parking, and Transportation
Room Blocks
For those who wish to stay overnight at the Hyatt, we have a block of rooms available at a discounted rate of $249 per night. Please click here to learn more and book your stay.
Parking
To enter the Hyatt’s self-park garage, turn off River Road onto Bryn Mawr Avenue. At the end of Bryn Mawr Avenue at the dead end, turn left to enter the Hyatt covered garage. Do not turn right or you’ll be in the covered garage for the Stephens Convention Center.
The Hyatt also has an outdoor parking lot.
Valet parking is not available.
The discounted parking cost for conference attendees is $17, for both daily and overnight self-parking. Conference attendees not staying overnight will need their parking ticket validated by WBDC staff at the Parking Validation table to use the discount. Any overnight guests should bring their parking ticket to the front desk, which will be validated during check-in and provide in and out parking access.
Transportation
The Hyatt is conveniently located less than a mile away from the Rosemont CTA Blue Line station.
The Hyatt offers complimentary shuttle service to and from O’Hare International Airport, running every 15 minutes from 4:00 am-midnight and every 30 minutes from midnight-4:00 am.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Current Sponsors:
