CONTRACT CONNECTIONS

The WBDC is thrilled to be presenting the 10th Annual Contract Connections program at this year's Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference. The purpose of this program is to establish connections between certified Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs) and purchase decision-makers from corporations and government agencies seeking WBE suppliers for specific opportunities. Deadline to register for Contract Connections is Friday, July 20, 2012. Please click here for more information and to register today.

DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE TO TECHWEEK CHICAGO 2012

WBDC clients are eligible to recieve a 20% discount off Techweek registration by using discount code wbdc20. On June 22-26, 2012, experience a five day celebration of technology and entrepreneurship at the Techweek Conference & Expo. Techweek 2012 offers you the chance to interact with over 5,000 engaged and passionate participants, 2,000 unique brands, 300 speakers, 200 sessions and 100 exhibitors. Don't miss all the women panels: The Ladies of Tech: Chicago Women Share Tips for Success in Chicago's Tech Scene and Women Tech Leaders Who Are Changing the World. Click here to register now!

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

LATINA STYLE BUSINESS SERIES

The Anna Maria Arias Foundation in partnership with LATINA Style, Inc. will present the 14th Annual LATINA Style Business Series on Tuesday, June 26, 2012.  The emphasis of the program is in creating a solid business foundation for Latina entrepreneurs.  Come to learn, connect and get ready to grow your business at this one day event.  For more information and to register today, please click here.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS: HIRE THROUGH DAWSON

Dawson Technical Institute, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, well-known Highway Construction Careers Training Program has graduated another pool of skilled workers for this year's construction season.  Dawson graduates are pre-apprentices and have been trained by Union Journeyman to do vertical and horizontal construction work at an accredited institution.  Training consists of a foundation to the various trades and industry terminology in a hands-on environment.  Hiring incentives apply.  Contact Shoshi Mabina at smabina@ccc.edu or 773.451.2082 for more information.

OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER CONTESTS &

SAVE THE DATE: SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

The Office of the City Treasurer is sponsoring two CASH PRIZE contests for Chicago small business owners:

• "TV Time for Small Business Owners" Win free airtime to promote your business on Cable Television via CAN-TV and share in $8,500 in cash prizes.  Deadline is 11:59 PM Friday, June 15, 2012.
• "City Treasurer's Business Plan Competition" The three top winners will get a share of $10,000.  This competition is open to start-ups and existing small businesses throughout the city.  Deadline is 7:30 PM Friday, July 6, 2012. 

Click here for more details and to apply for these business contests.  Do not forget to save the date for the 11th Annual Small Business Expo on Friday, October 5, 2012; please click here for more information.

BUSINESS MATCHMAKING REGIONAL EVENT 2012

Business Matchmaking is a public-private initiative sponsored by HP, Intel, Symantec, Lockheed Martin, Dun & Bradstreet and Bank of America in cooperation with SCORE, WIPP, The Latino Coalition and other local non-profit support groups.  For pre-qualified and eligible to sell small businesses, the program will set a customized procurement schedule for one-on-one meeting(s) with the participating organizations.  Over 90 buyers are expected this at this year's event, which will take place June 27, 2012 in Tinley Park, IL.  Please click here, for more information and to register today.

EVENTS 

WBDC WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

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

• Is Certification Right for You? (June 14, 2012)
• Winning Made Easier Through Teaming and Subcontracting Agreements (June 18, 2012; Location Kennedy King College)
• Take the Mystery Out of Finance (June 19, 2012)
• Webinar: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program (June 20, 2012)
• Connection Points: Networking with Construction Businesses, Architects, Landscape Architects, Interior Designers and Realtors (June 26, 2012; Location: Haworth Showroom)
• Wisdom, Wine & Cheese: Introduction to WBDC Services (July 2, 2012)
• Online Group Business Counseling - Strategies for Writing Dynamic Capability Statements (July 11, 2012)
• Crowd Funding: Alternate Sources of Financing (July 17, 2012)
• Are You Ready for a Government Contract? (July 26, 2012)

 SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES:

JULY - AUGUST 2012 

This interactive workshop series is specifically for business owners seeking to grow their businesses using current social networking tools. 

• Building Your Brand Through Facebook (July 10, 2012)Building Your Brand Through Twitter (July 17, 2012)

PARTNER EVENTS 

• 9th Annual Joint Window of Opportunity Reception (June 28, 2012; Location: Louisville, KY)
• Webinar: Credit Crunch, Small Business Lending (June 29, 2012)
• N'DIGO Foundation's Legends de Soul Gala Concert (June 30, 2012; Location: Chicago, IL)
• Opportunities with Major League Baseball, Diversity Business Summit (July 24, 2012; Location: Chicago, IL)