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

REGISTER NOW!

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, Women's Business & Buyers Mart

September 20, 2012

McCormick Place-West Chicago, IL 

Registration is now open. Click here for more information and to register at early bird rates!

PLEASE 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: ktravis@wbdc.org 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!

CONTRACTING 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.

Corporate Contracts

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

BUSINESS RESOURCES

JOIN US ON:

Support the work of the WBDC!

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

NEWS

WBDC 14TH ANNUAL CHILD CARE BUSINESS EXPO

Do you know a Chicago-area child care entrepreneur?  Invite them to the WBDC 14th Annual Child Care Business Expo, a full day of business-centric information, resources, networking and peer support.  The Expo, themed "Shining a Light on the Business Side of Child Care" will be held on June 2, 2012 at the UIC Forum in Chicago.  To support the critical needs and concerns of IL child care providers, the WBDC has recently reduced the price for the Expo.  Please click here for more information.

ILLINOIS PTAC ANNUAL REPORT - DCEO

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently released its Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Annual Report.  Highlights include: over 1,500 Illinois jobs created, over 3,500 Illinois jobs retained and more than 3,000 contracts awarded to Illinois businesses totaling over $1.6 billion in value.  Please click here to view the full report.

ANNUAL EILEEN FISHER BUSINESS GRANT

PROGRAM FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

The Eileen Fisher Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs is seeking applicants from wholly women-owned businesses that combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability and innovation to create new businesses or invigorate existing ones.  Up to five grants of $12,500 each will be awarded, in either start-up or established business categories.  Applications are due May 15, 2012.  Please click here to learn more and apply today.

CERTIFIED WBES CAN NOW SAVE ON SHIPPING WITH UPS

Take advantage of the recent partnership between UPS and the WBDC.  Working with the WBDC, as a certified WBENC WBE, you have exclusive access to the UPS Savings Program, which provides great discounts on UPS domestic air and international services.  Please click here to learn more about the program.

EVENTS 

WBDC WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

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

• Take the Mystery out of Finance (May 15, 2012)
• Where Do You Fit in the Supply Chain? How to Win Contracts and Become a Long-Term Sustainable Supplier (May 16, 2012)
• WBDC-MN and MMSDC Joint Procurement Meeting Hosted by Best Buy (MN Workshop) (May 16, 2012)
• How to Leverage Your WBENC Certification (May 23, 2012)
• WBDC-MN Procurement Meeting Hosted by Target Corporation (MN Workshop) (June 5, 2012)
• Wisdom, Wine and Cheese: Introduction to WBDC Services (June 11, 2012)
• Is Certification Right for You? (June 14, 2012)
• Connection Points: Networking with Construction Businesses, Architects, Landscape Architects, Interior Designers and Realtors (June 14, 2012)

 ONLINE JOINT BUSINESS COUNSELING

These online interactive small group sessions are specifically for established business owners seeking to grow their businesses through government and corporate contracts. 

• How to Find Contract Opportunities (June 5, 2012)
• How to Write Winning Proposals (June 26, 2012)

PARTNER EVENTS 

• Business in the Cloud - Email Marketing & Cloud Computing for Small Business (May 10, 2012; Location: Waukesha, WI)
• The Art of Doing Business Across Cultures, A Syposium for Women in Business (May 17, 2012; Location: Rolling Meadows, IL)
• Be Master of Cloud & Social Media Productivity! Seminar Series (May 22, 2012; Location: Oak Brook, IL)
• PNC Bank: How to Run a Successful and Responsible Dental Practice: Key Strategies Every Dentist Should Know (May 30, 2012; Webinar)
• Turbo Charge Your Network for Extraordinary Growth - The Business Accelerator Boot Camp (June 7, 2012; Location: Chicago)
• Techweek Chicago (June 22-26, 2012; Location: Chicago, IL)

FEATURED CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES 

• Construction, Transportation & 2012 IDOT Letting Schedule
• Services: Consulting, Marketing, Training, Etc.
• Technology
• Wholesale & Supplies

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