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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251120
DTSTAMP:20260912T114719
CREATED:20250630T222511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T183408Z
UID:33993-1763424000-1763596799@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:2025 WBDC Midwest Virtual Utility Conference & Business Matchmaker
DESCRIPTION:You’re Invited! \nThis conference is a powerful gathering of thought leaders\, energy companies\, prime contractors\, and small businesses committed to transforming how local energy initiatives drive economic development and community resilience. As the energy landscape evolves\, so too must the partnerships that power it. This event explores how inclusive collaboration across the utility supply chain can unlock new opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.  \nKey areas of focus:  \n\nBuilding Local Community and Economies: Learn how utility companies and their partners are working with  businesses to strengthen supply chains and long-term community investment. \n\n\nCollaboration and Partnership: Gain insights on how strategic partnerships can overcome barriers\, drive innovation\, and deliver shared value.\n\nConference Schedule \nTuesday\, November 18\, 2025 9am – 12:35pm CT  \nAgenda:   \n9:00 – 9:10 | Welcome – Utility Corporations\, Utility Companies\, and Small Businesses | Karen Goldner\, Managing Director\, Established Business Programs and Services  \n9:10 – 9:55 | Keynote Speaker: Scott Aaronson | Senior Vice President\, Energy Security & Industry Operations | EEI (Edison Electric Institute)  \nTitle | Energy Security and Growth: How electric companies and the energy grid are powering national security and US economic competitiveness. \nDescription | Electric companies are investing in the energy grid to meet growing demand resiliently\, reliably\, and affordably. This session will be an opportunity to get a national and global perspective on the policies\, geopolitics\, expectations\, risks\, and opportunities that are affecting supply chains abroad and operations at home. \n9:55 – 10:40 | Fireside Chat: Empowering Small Businesses: Building Strategic Partnerships in the Utility Supply Chain \nModerator | ​​Charles Twamugabo​​ | ​​CEO​​ | SVI Services\, Inc.\nPanelist | ​​Patty Ahrens​​ | CEO | Ahrens Contracting\, Inc.\nPanelist | ​​Mike De La Cruz​​ | Senior Vice President Business Development and Diversity | Group O\nPanelist | ​​Katie Ewing​​ | CEO | Ewing Safety and Industrial\, Inc.\n\nDescription | This session explores the dynamic relationships between utilities and their supplier partners\, highlighting how strategic mentorship strengthened supplier capabilities and expanded their market reach. Through real-world examples\, we’ll examine how these collaborations helped both utilities and suppliers meet critical business goals—driving innovation\, improving service delivery\, and fostering mutual growth. Attendees will gain insights into the tangible benefits of supplier development\, including enhanced procurement outcomes and long-term value creation for both parties.  \n10:40 – 10:50 | Break  \n10:50 – 11:20 | Breakout Session 1 – Hosted by Gold Sponsors  \n11:20 – 11:25 | Transition  \n11:25 – 11:55 | Breakout Session 2 – Hosted by Gold Sponsors  \n11:55 – 12:00 | Transition  \n12:00 – 12:30 | Breakout Session 3 – Hosted by Gold Sponsors  \n12:30 – 12:35 | Closing Remarks – Karen Goldner\, Managing Director\, Established Business Programs & Services  \n______________________________________________________________________________________________ \nMorning Networking Breakout Sessions – 3 sessions of 30 minutes each  \nHosted by Gold Sponsors – Learn how to do business with: \nAmeren  \nBorder States  \nCenterPoint Energy  \nComEd \nConstellation \nEvergy  \nPeople’s Gas \nThe Heico Companies  \nSplit Rock ND LLC \n______________________________________________________________________________________________ \nBusiness Matchmaker  \nNovember 19\, 2025 9am – 3pm CT  \nJoin virtual business matchmaking with Utility Leaders for an opportunity to meet with suppliers based on business needs.  **Please note: Buyers determine all meetings. Must be event sponsors to participate as a buyer. **  \nConfirmed Buyer Representatives include\, but are not limited to:  \nAllete  \nAmeren  \nBlack & Veatch  \nBorder States  \nCenterPoint Energy \nComEd \nConstellation \nEvergy  \nMichels Corporation \nPeople’s Gas  \nSplit Rock ND LLC \nThe Heico Companies  \nVistra Corporation  \nXcel Energy  \nCategory Opportunities include\, but are not limited to:  \nProject Development Opportunities – Environmental Services\, Permitting Technical Studies\, Pre-Construction Work\, High-Voltage Tie-Ins/Interconnects\, Abatement & Demolition\, Engineering Services\n\nConstruction – Substation Construction\, Transformers\, Invertors\, Electric / Electric Vehicles\, Solar\, Site Restoration\, Fleet Materials\, Construction of Civil Infrastructure\, Transmission\, Distribution\, Gas\, and Battery Storage\n\nQ&M – Preventative Maintenance\, Vegetation Control\, Panel Washing\, Fence & Road Maintenance\, HVAC Maintenance\n\nBusiness and Professional Services – Manufacturing Materials & Services\, IT Materials & Services\, Advertising\, Janitorial\, Facility Maintenance\, Legal Services\, Gas & Meter Services\, MRO Supplies\, Credit Collections\, Call Center\, Income Verification\, Marketing\n\n**MyBusinessMatches registration link will be provided through a separate email once you have registered for the conference. ** Please check your spam mail if you have not received the link by November 11\, 2025. MyBusinessMatches Registration Deadline: November 12\, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: If you are not registered in MyBusinessMatches by close of business on November 12\, 2025\, you will not be able to participate in matchmaking meetings.   \n______________________________________________________________________________________________ \nUtility Leader or Utility Prime Contractor / Buyers – Reserve Your Spot!\nSupplier / Vendors – Reserve Your Spot!\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/2025-wbdc-midwest-virtual-utility-conference-business-matchmaker/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T123000
DTSTAMP:20260912T114719
CREATED:20251112T204530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T163128Z
UID:34949-1763544600-1763555400@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:"Say Less\, Sell More": A Sales Workshop for Intentional Business Leaders
DESCRIPTION:“Say Less\, Sell More” is an intensive 3-day interactive sales workshop designed for Illinois business leaders who want to move beyond theory and who are not afraid to master the art of persuasive\, authentic sales conversations. This is NOT another ‘lecture-based’ seminar. It’s hands-on performance workshop where you will experiment\, rehearse\, and refine real-world scripts that convert. EXPECT GUIDED SCRIPTING EXERCISES & INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT ROOMS. \nParticipants will explore the psychology of influence and communication frameworks that underpin successful selling. Then participants will then immediately apply these insights through role-play\, improve-style exercises\, and peer-to-peer scripting drills. \nBy the end of the 3-day workshop\, participants will walk away with tested\, high-impact scripts tailored to their specific product/service\, and the confidence to deliver them naturally in any setting. This workshop is for business leaders ready to communicate with confidence\, attract aligned clients\, and sell in a way that feels genuine\, not forced. \nCourse Topics\nSALES FOUNDATIONS | SCRIPT CRAFTING | DELIVERY | MASTERY \n\nSales Foundations\n\nUnderstanding Buyer Psychology & Purchasing Behavior\nIdentifying Your Sales Cycle & Critical Aspects of Your Customer’s Journey\nDeveloping Your Sales Funnel\n\n\nScript Crafting\n\nWriting and Adapting Core Scripts for Different Audiences\nClosing the Deal\n\n\nPractice & Delivery\n\nInteractive Exercises & Simulations\nOvercoming Objections\nIntegrating Emotional Intelligence & Storytelling\nAdaptive Responses\n\n\nMastery\n\nTranslating Prep into Confident Performance\nRefining Tone\, Presence\, and Rapport\nBuilding Long-Term Client Relationships Grounded in Trust & Credibility\n\n\n\nShow up with your voice. Leave with a strategy. Secure your spot and close your next sale with confidence. \nCourse Details\nBusiness Age: Two Years or More   \nBusiness Location: Illinois \nAnnual Revenue: Minimum $50\,000    \nStatus: Working on Business Full-Time  \nRequired: Participation in Interactive Scripting Exercises \n  \n \nThe Illinois SBDC at WBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance\, please contact (312) 853-3477 ext. 100.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/say-less-sell-more-a-sales-workshop-for-intentional-business-leaders/2025-11-19/
CATEGORIES:Established Businesses
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T140000
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CREATED:20250909T191104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T180351Z
UID:34381-1763557200-1763560800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Childcare Collaborative
DESCRIPTION:Childcare Collaborative is a business growth-oriented program presenting relevant topics for childcare providers at all stages of the business lifecycle. Offered on the 4th Wednesday of each month\, Collaborative delivers expert led training and resources\, industry trends\, peer networking opportunities and an on-going partnership supporting participants’ business goals.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/childcare-collaborative-30/
CATEGORIES:Childcare Businesses
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