AABA Presents the 2022 Will County Black Business and Entrepreneurship Conference
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\n\nTheme: &ldquo\;The Art of Entrepreneurship&rdquo\;
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November 11\, 2022
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\n\nNetworking Night:
\n\nBring your Business Cards and your best elevator pitch
\n\nHeavy Hors d&rsquo\;oeuvres
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\n\nThe Art of Entrepreneurship Panel:
\n\n&ldquo\;Advancing Business Capacity for Economic and Social Change&rdquo\;
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\n\nPanelist:
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\n\nMatthew Simpson\, African American Business Development Manager\, IL. DCEO
\n\nRonald Milsap\, Director\, Industry Vertical Team\, BMO Harris Bank
\n\nMelissa Duff-Brown\, Director of Strategy\, Joseph Business Services
\n\nDonnie F. Chestnutt\, Mission Advancement Director\, Greater Joliet YMCA
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\n\nModerator:
\n\nNatalie Coleman
\n\nCEO\, After The Peanut
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\n\nSat. November 12\, 2022
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\n\nContinental Breakfast
\n\nBreakout Sessions
\n\nFull Lunch
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\n\nLuncheon Keynote Speaker:
\n\nDr. Boyce Watkins
\n\nScholar\, Author\, Producer\, Writer
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\n\nLuncheon Session entitled:
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\n\n&ldquo\;Building Sustainability through Collaboration within Our Underrepresented Business Community&rdquo\;
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\n\n(5) Breakout Sessions Include:
\n\nSetting Your Business Up for Success: Structure\, Organization and Certification
\n\nFacilitators:
\n\nDesiree M. Otkins\, CEO of Dynamix Consulting LLC
\n\nStephanie Bonner\, Owner of SEE Consulting
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\n\nABC&rsquo\;s of Procurement and Grant funding Opportunities
\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nMatthew J. Simpson
\n\nAfrican American Business Development Manager
\n\nOffice of Minority Economic Empowerment
\n\nIllinois Department of Commerce &\; Economic Opportunity
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\n\nFinances: Building and Balancing Business Cash Flows
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\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nRonald Milsap
\n\nDirector\, Industry Vertical Team
\n\nBMO Harris Bank
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\n\nInformation Technology: Infrastructure\, Innovation\, and Communication Post Pandemic
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\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nJames R. Farrell\, MS
\n\nChief Information Officer
\n\nVillage of Bolingbrook
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\n\nMarketing and Sales: Building a Profitable Brand and Sales Cultural
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\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nMelissa Duff-Brown
\n\nDirector of Strategy
\n\nJoseph Business Services
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\n\nFor questions\, please call AABA at 779-707-0778 or you can also email us at aabaemail@gmail.com. You can also visit our website at aabaconnect.org
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\n\nBreakout Sessions Details
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\n\nSetting Your Business Up for Success: Structure\, Organization and Certification
\n\nFacilitators:
\n\nDesiree M. Otkins\, CEO of Dynamix Consulting LLC
\n\nStephanie Bonner\, Owner of SEE Consulting
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\n\nSession Description:
\n\nIn this session\, participants will learn how to ensure that their business is setup for success. They will learn the various types of business structures and how to apply it to your business. Learn about the certification process and how businesses can expand their businesses through the certification process and all it entails. Further\, learn successful best practices that you need to have in place in order to be in the best position of business success.
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\n\nABC&rsquo\;s of Procurement and Grant funding Opportunities
\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nMatthew J. Simpson
\n\nMatthew Simpson\, African American Business Development Manager\, IL. DCEO
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\n\nSession Description:
\n\nIn this session\, participants will learn the importance of achieving and positioning for procurement opportunities. They will also learn about the process and best practices when looking for procurement opportunities. Participants will learn how to seek for grants and what are best practices that will help businesses win. Lastly\, Participants will learn about current grant opportunities available to apply for now.
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\n\nFinances: Building and Balancing Business Cash Flows
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\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nRonald Milsap
\n\nDirector\, Industry Vertical Team
\n\nBMO Harris Bank
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\n\nSession Description:
\n\nIn this session\, participants will learn the basics of financial statements and why financial statements are so important. Along with how to gauge the financial health of their business and how to make smart financial decisions. Participants will learn how to effectively monitor and compare financial results to other industry peers.
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\n\nInformation Technology: Infrastructure\, Innovation\, and Communication Post Pandemic
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\n\nFacilitator:
\n\nJames R. Farrell\, MS
\n\nChief Information Officer
\n\nVillage of Bolingbrook
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\n\nSession Description:
\n\nIn this session\, participants will learn the importance of Information Technology. Participants will learn the importance of having a robust and cost effective I.T. infrastructure that will set you apart from your competitors. Participants will learn best practices for building meaningful communication strategies for internal and external use. They will also learn how to leverage innovation in technology to build a sustainable post pandemic company. Lastly\, participants will learn about various systems that are needed to be in place in order to compliment a strong I.T. infrastructure.
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\n\nMarketing and Sales: Building a Profitable Brand and Sales Cultural
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\n\nFacilitator:
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\n\nMelissa Duff-Brown
\n\nDirector of Strategy
\n\nJoseph Business Services
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\n\nSession Description:
\n\nIn this session\, participants will learn the basics of branding and how to identify which products and customers promise to be the most profitable. Participants will also learn which markets have the greatest potential for growth and how to best understand competition. They will also touch upon effective ways to reach customers and improve sales while improving the sales culture.
\n LOCATION:National Hook-Up of Black Women Joliet Chapter 1705 Richards Street Joliet\, IL 60433 UID:e.2207.6534 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260526T120106Z URL:http://members.jolietchamber.com/events/details/2022-aaba-will-county-black-business-entrepreneurship-conference-6534 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR