The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC), based in Springfield, will receive the 28th Annual Impact Award, Public Sector from the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) at a reception on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, beginning at 6 p.m. at Hyatt McCormick Prairie Ballroom, 2233 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in Chicago. Illinois SBDC State Director Mark Petrilli will accept the award on behalf of the organization.
The Opening Night Reception is the kick-off of the organization’s 28th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference (EWC) taking place on Wednesday, September 17, 2014, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Chicago’s McCormick Place-West, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The Illinois SBDC, a division of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is receiving the award for its leadership and guidance of the state’s small business assistance efforts. In partnership with the U. S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois SBDC Network has been providing information, expert one-on-one business advice and management training to pre-venture and established small businesses throughout the state of Illinois since 1984, and is now celebrating 30 years of small business success. In his position, Petrilli has oversight of the 36 Illinois SBDCs, 12 Illinois SBDC International Trade Centers, 9 Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, and the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program.
Themed Your Growth is Our Business, the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference includes: • Women’s Business Fair Midwest, featuring an opportunity for women business owners to make valuable business connections with supplier diversity leaders and decision makers. • Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Judy Smith, America’s number one crisis management expert. • Breakout Sessions, four interactive sessions showcasing business thought-leaders and entrepreneurs on topics ranging from creative growth strategies and the hottest trends in online marketing to the anatomy of small business finances. • EWC After Hours, casually connecting conference attendees after a high impact day.
Tickets range from $220 to $500, with opening night reception tickets available separately. For more information or to register online, please visit www.WBDC.org/EWC28 or call 312.853.3477 ext. 240. Connect with the WBDC anytime on Twitter @WBDC and on Facebook at Facebook.com/WBDC.Chicago.
