WBDC Plain Logo THE INSIDER
Contract Opportunities, News and Events
Issue 3
March 15, 2012
Annual Report cover

Please click on the image above to download the WBDC 25th Anniversary Annual Report as a PDF. 

SAVE THE DATE!

 

The 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, Women's Business & Buyers Mart, will be held Thursday, September 20, 2012 at McCormick Place-West in Chicago.  Registration for the Conference will commence May 1, 2012.  Please click here to view footage from the 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference.

EconomicImpactSurveyPLEASE FILL OUT YOUR 2011-2012 ECONOMIC IMPACT SURVEY FORM

 

As you know, the WBDC is committed to providing you with services to assist you in building successful companies at no or very low cost.  We are able to do this because our funders also want to see you succeed.  Our goal is to provide the best consulting and training resources, and it is essential that we receive feedback from you throughout the year to accurately reach this goal.

 

Please click here to download your copy of the 2011-2012 Economic Impact Survey Form.

 

Return your completed form via email to Kristin Travis with the words 'Economic Impact' in the subject line to: [email protected] or fax it to 312.853.0145.

 

Thank you and we encourage you to call us today to schedule an appointment.  We can assist you in achieving your next business milestone!

ContractingContracting Resources

 

Federal Contracts

If you are an Illinois company in search of assistance with government contracts, please click here and a PTAC representative will contact you shortly.  For companies located outside of Illinois, please click here to find a local PTAC in your state.

 

PTAC Color  

Corporate Contracts

For information and assistance with corporate contracts, please contact Cynthia Johnson at: cjohnson@wbdc.org

BusinessBUSINESS RESOURCES

    

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Mailing

 

Grow Your Business with These Exciting Opportunities! 

Click here to visit the Contract Opportunities page on our website to access current government contracting opportunities on the local, state and federal levels. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Please click the links below for quick access to our features.
 

NewsNEWS

 

YOUR BOTTOM LINE: WHAT HEALTHCARE REFORM

MEANS FOR ILLINOIS SMALL BUSINESSES 

This webinar will focus on what the new healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, means for small businesses as well as both federal and state provisions to help local small businesses understand how the law will affect them.  The webinar, which will take place March 23, 2012, will feature resources to several organizations to include WBDC's PTAC Director, Freida Curry.  Please click here to learn more and to register today.

 

THE ERNST & YOUNG 

ENTREPRENEURIAL WINNING WOMEN PROGRAM

The Ernst and Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program is a national competition and executive leadership program that identifies a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs whose businesses show real potential to scale - and then helps them to do it. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2012. Please click here to learn more and to nominate yourself or a deserving woman entrepreneur for this prestigious program.

 

NEW NAICS CODE SIZE STANDARDS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

For the first time in about 25 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has changed its definition of "small business" in a variety of industries.  Please click here to read more about these changes and which industries are affected.

 

CHICAGO MAYOR ANNOUNCES THE ALLOCATION OF

FUNDS TO SUPPORT MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the City's plans for the $11 million received from a settlement dispute with Allied Waste Transportation, Inc. The entire $11 million will be used exclusively for the development and improved administration of the City's Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses programs and encouragement of M/WBE participation.  To read more about this announcement, please click here

 

24TH ANNUAL TURNER SCHOOL OF

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

This seven-week training course dedicated to instructing minority and women business owners in the disciplines practiced in the construction industry will accept applicants until May 15, 2012. The program is free and will be limited to 25 participants.  Please click here to learn more.

SUCCESS STORIES: WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM FELLOW WBES
 
Jodi Pliszka - HEADLINE IT!
 
WBE of the Month:
Jodi Pliszka, M.S., President/Inventor, Pliska's Adventures, LLC dba HEADLINE IT!
Some people posess the skills to make lemonade out of the lemons life hands to them. Jodi Pliszka's incredible success story stems from her development of a unique product called HEADLINE IT! aimed at creating solutions for herself and many others.Please click here to read her story.

EventsEVENTS 

 

WBDC WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

All WBDC workshops will take place at our 8 S. Michigan Ave. Center, Chicago, IL, unless otherwise noted.

  

Taxes! What's New and What to Do (March 16, 2012)

 

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Event (March 20, 2012; Location: IIT, Chicago, IL)

 

Take the Mystery out of Finance (March 20, 2012)

 

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Event (March 21, 2012)

 

Wisdom, Wine and Cheese (Introduction to WBDC Services) (April 5, 2012)

PartnerPARTNER EVENTS

 

 

M/WBE Focus Groups (March 19-23, 2012; Chicago, IL)

 

WBENC Summit and Salute (March 21-22, 2012; Baltimore, MD)

 

WBBM Newsmakers Series: Race to the Presidency (March 23, 2012; Chicago, IL)

 

2012 Creative Chicago Expo (March 23-24, 2012; Chicago, IL) 

 

5th Annual African-American and Latino Social Work Symposium (March 29, 2012; River Forest, IL)

RegionalProcurementREGIONAL PROCUREMENT RESOURCES

The WBDC operates within a nine-state Midwestern region. Please click the links below to access additional state-specific procurement resources.

 

Illinois 

Minnesota 

Missouri

Wisconsin