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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Women's Business Development Center
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260601
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260707
DTSTAMP:20260828T033225
CREATED:20260429T221747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T155737Z
UID:36112-1780272000-1783382399@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round
DESCRIPTION:This year the WBDC will host WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round in two segments. One will be for professional services and the other will be for products. Applications will open for both at the same time.\nFor the 1st Round\, WBE’s will use storytelling techniques to clearly describe who they are and what their business does\, delivering their message in a way that creates a memorable and lasting IMPACT on both the audience and the judges. \nTiming: Your pitch will only be 1 minutes. \nFocus: IMPACT your STORY \nFormat: Virtual (ZOOM) \nApplications Open: June 1\, 2026 \nApplications Close: July 6\, 2026 \n  \n**Only 20 will be accepted** \n**Applicants are notified by July 14\, 2026. \n**Mandatory orientation on Tuesday\, July 28\, 2026 (12pm-1pm CST) for Professional Services & (1pm-2pm) for Product \n  \nThank you to our prize donors\n            
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/wbencpitch-impact-1st-round/
CATEGORIES:Certification,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WBENCPitch-IMPACT-1st-Round-e1777501111521.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T103000
DTSTAMP:20260828T033225
CREATED:20260603T193718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T154750Z
UID:36572-1781600400-1781605800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Smart Marketing: Leveraging AI for Small Business Marketing
DESCRIPTION:In this 1.5-hour workshop\, small business owners will explore how to leverage AI—especially tools like ChatGPT\, Gemini\, and CoPilot—to boost marketing effectiveness and productivity. You’ll start by understanding what AI is (and what it isn’t) and how the platforms we hear about fit into the broader picture of artificial intelligence. The session will unpack how AI works in simple\, practical terms\, followed by a discussion of key limitations to be aware of when using it. Participants will then learn five smart\, actionable ways to use AI for small business marketing—from crafting effective social posts to brainstorming ad ideas—and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you are new to AI or looking to refine your digital strategy\, this session will help you work smarter\, not just harder. \nSponsored By \n \n \nFunded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions\, conclusions\, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/smart-marketing-leveraging-ai-for-small-business-marketing/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SMART-MARKETING-1.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T120000
DTSTAMP:20260828T033225
CREATED:20260526T144937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T144937Z
UID:36405-1781607600-1781611200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp
DESCRIPTION:ELEVATE YOUR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING JOURNEY \nJune 2-23\, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:00pm \nJoin the Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp hosted by the Illinois Apex Accelerator at WBDC Tuesdays at 11:00 am; for four dynamic sessions\, each packed with invaluable insights and strategies to help you navigate the world of government contracting with confidence. \nHere’s a peek at we’ll cover:\nWeek 1: Introduction to Government Contracting \nWeek 2: How to Do Research to Find Government Contracting Opportunities \nWeek 3: Tips to Create or Improve Your Capability Statement \nWeek 4: How to Create a Government Marketing Strategy for your Business. \n  \nWhen:  \nTuesdays\, June 2-23\, 2026 \n11 am – 12 pm\, CST \nWhere:  \nVia Zoom meetings \n  \nHosted by the Illinois APEX Accelerator at the WBDC \n \nThe Illinois APEX Accelerator at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is provided through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD). Program support is made possible by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Women’s Business Development Center.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/government-contracting-beginners-bootcamp-22/2026-06-16/
CATEGORIES:Government Contracting,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GovCon-Bootcamp-_1_.png
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