The IHCC Annual Business Conference & Expo is back at Navy Pier this October 9!

The IHCC Annual Business Conference & Expo returns to Navy Pier this October 9, and it’s more than just a business event. It’s the largest single-day gathering of Illinois’ business ecosystem, where corporate leaders, public agencies, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs all come together to connect, collaborate, and grow.

With over 90 exhibitors, expert-led workshops, targeted matchmaking, and thousands of attendees from across sectors, this is where the engines of Illinois’ economy meet in real time. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling your business, exploring new markets, or representing a public or private organization looking to connect with diverse suppliers and partners, this is where you need to be.

Come ready to build momentum, make meaningful connections, and walk away with more than just business cards. Walk away with real opportunities.

Overview

Opening Breakfast (Ticket Required): We’ve secured industry leaders and visionaries who will share their insights and experiences in the business world to inspire and motivate you.

Networking Opportunities (Free): Connect with fellow participants, potential partners, and mentors who can help you advance your career or business goals.

Exhibition Floor (Free): Explore a diverse range of businesses and organizations in our exhibition area, where you can discover new products, services, resources, and opportunities. See the list of exhibitors below!

Workshops and Conferences (Free): Gain practical knowledge and skills through a series of workshops and conferences on various topics, including entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and more. More info below!

Agenda (More Details Below)

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Opening Breakfast Registration - Ticket purchase required

8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, Opening Breakfast - Ticket purchase required

11:00 AM, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, General Admission - Free entry to Exhibitor Hall, workshops, and headshots

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Exhibitor Hall - Become an Exhibitor Today!

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Workshops and Conferences - Included in General Admission ticket

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Matchmaking One-on-One Sessions - By invitation only

4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Cocktail and Networking at Bar Sol - Ticket Purchase Required

Recommended Hotel – Sable Hotel at Navy Pier

Enjoy an exclusive discount when you book your stay through our special link in partnership with the Sable Hotel.

Click [HERE] to access the booking link and fill out the prompt to secure your discounted rate.

Opening Breakfast Speakers (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM)

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

IHCC President and CEO Jaime di Paulo

IHCC Board of Directors Chairman Arthur Miller

State Senator Omar Aquino

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs

State Rep. Leader Lisa Hernandez

CTA President Nora Leerhsen

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza

American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour

Vice Chair of BMO Commercial Bank Eric Smith

Chicago 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez

List of Workshops (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM)

Conozca Su Flujo de Efectivo by Chase

En este interesante seminario aprenderemos los conceptos básicos para que usted comprenda lo que es y lo que envuelve el flujo de efectivo en su negocio.

También hablaremos de puntos clave para minimizar sus gastos y maximizar sus ingresos. ¡Haga que el efectivo trabaje para usted!

*Ideal para negocios en etapa temprana y en etapa de crecimiento

Cómo Empezar Un Negocio Panel by Bank of America, Serna Legal Services, Alianza Hispana Inc, V-Outsourcing, and Cook County Small Business Source at IHCC

¿Eres un emprendedor/a? ¡No busques más! Únete a este taller para escuchar de los expertos en emprendimiento. En este panel compuesto por una contadora, una abogada de negocios, una directora de desarrollo de negocios y un banquero, aprenderás todo lo que necesitas saber para empezar tu propio negocio. Además, el panel será moderado por un asesor de negocios con amplia experiencia.

*Ideal para negocios en etapa temprana

Cyber Security for Business Owners by Bank of America

Don't be caught unsecured and unprotected. In a digital world as navigating threats to your business gets more difficult, get the expert guidance from Bank of America's very own Cyber Security expert on how to protect your business. With over 30 years in the cyber security space, Ben Tweel knows first hand the most common threats small businesses are facing, and the solutions to counteract them. Join for a workshop you won't want to miss.

*A great fit for early-stage and growth-stage businesses

Duct Tape Won't Fix Your Marketing: Tools for Busy Entrepreneurs by Ross Creative Works and Cook County Small Business Source at IHCC

Too often, small business owners piece together their marketing with quick fixes like posting when they have time, running a one-off ad, or trying whatever’s trending. The result? Effort without traction. In this fast-paced, interactive session, you’ll step back from the day-to-day and look at the bigger picture.

We’ll explore how your tactics—social media, website, referrals, local campaigns—work together (or don’t), and how to shift from patching problems to building a clear, sustainable strategy. You’ll walk away with practical insights, fresh perspective, and tools to make your marketing work harder for you, not the other way around.

*A great fit for early-stage and growth-stage businesses

Power Up Your Payments: Smart Solutions for Business Growth by US Bank

Many business owners don't know about the opportunities they are missing out on when it comes to their payment solutions. Don't miss out, learn about the benefits and possible profits to be made when you optimize your payment solutions for your business! Led by Jose Morales and Brian D Leonard from US Bank, learn about the methods and tools you can start implementing in your business today and hack your system into business growth.

*A great fit for growth-stage businesses

Building Financial Resiliency in Your Business by BMO

Join BMO Bank for an illuminating presentation on how to build strength in your business led by expert Senior Regional Strategist, Letty Flores-Poole from BMO. In this session, you will learn:

• What is financial resiliency?
• How to build short-term cash reserves
• How to strengthen the foundation of your business
• Leveraging work capital for cash flow needs

*A great fit for growth-stage businesses

Transform Your Business: Practical AI Solutions for Everyday Operations (AI Power Hour) by CIBC Bank USA

As technology and AI continue to evolve, staying ahead is essential. Take advantage of the available tools to optimize your business operations. Andrew Silverman, Head of Digital, Data, and Strategy at CIBC US, will lead this session, showcasing practical applications of AI for small businesses. He will share examples of tools you can incorporate into your daily activities and demonstrate effective strategies for integrating AI to benefit your organization. If you are new to AI, you'll want to attend this workshop!

*A great fit for early-stage and growth-stage businesses

Becoming a Data-Driven Business in the AI Era (AI Power Hour) by Wipfli

Discover how to use data to make smarter decisions and uncover new opportunities. Learn to identify key data sources and automate processes for greater efficiency. Understand why clean data is essential for successful AI adoption. See how data is shaping the future of business. Attendees will leave with clear steps to start using data and automation for AI-ready operations. For companies ready to learn how to use data to unlock next level efficiency.

*A great fit for growth-stage businesses

The Sweet Spot: Marketing to Where Your Audience is to Make Sales by The LemonAd Stand - Brought to you by Verizon

This presentation focuses on avoiding being overwhelmed by trying to be everywhere, instead focusing on activities that actually generate income. In this workshop, we discuss:

• The difference between marketing and sales
• Knowing your capability and capacity
• Making sales, not noise
• Assessing the market and your audience
• Tactical methods for closing sales

*A great fit for early-stage and growth-stage businesses

Funding Ready: Your Roadmap to Access to Capital by Wintrust

Learn to speak the language of lenders; walk away from this insightful workshop with the tools to be ready and confident when seeking capital for your business. Wintrust's expert business banker George Santiago will offer an exclusive experience, breaking down everything entrepreneurs need to know about funding your business. Walk away confident for your next meeting for securing capital for your business.

*A great fit for early-stage and growth-stage businesses

How to Start a Business Panel by CIBC Bank USA, Alianza Hispana, Serna Legal Services, and Illinois SBDC at IHCC

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Look no further, join this workshop to hear directly from your dream team of experts in the field. With a panel composed of an accountant, business attorney, banker, and moderated by a seasoned business advisor, you will know everything you will need to know about starting your own business.

*A great fit for early-stage businesses

How to Start Selling on Amazon's Store by Amazon

In this session, discover if you’re ready to sell on Amazon’s store and how to get started. Learn the fundamentals of selling with Amazon, including what to sell and when, how to list and deliver your products, and how to grow and scale your brand online. Finally, we will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success.

*A great fit for growth-stage businesses

Exhibitors include:

1. Chicago Fire
2. Bally’s Casino
3. Siemens
4. People’s Gas
5. Motr Grafx
6. Spirit Cultural Exchange / UNAM Chicago
7. American Airlines
8. V-Outsourcing
9. EisnerAmper
10. CIBC Bank US
11. Chilchota Alimentos
12. Stratis
13. Volaris Airlines
14. Monterrey Security
15. Solvo Global
16. BMO
17. Amazon
18. Illinois Credit Union League
19. Cook County BRITE Program / Monarca Group
20. Illinois State Treasurer
21. Birg Law
22. El Valor
23. Choose Chicago
24. SomerCor
25. Ciudad Maderas
26. Aztec Supply Corp
27. Ameren Illinois
28. Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
29. Wintrust
30. Apache Service & Supply Company
31. Chief Procurement Office – General Services
32. Erie House
33. HACIA
34. IL Secretary of State
35. McDonald's
36. Chicago Park District
37. Teamficient
38. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
39. Herzing University
40. Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
41. Edward Jones / Metaphasis LCS
42. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
43. DOT Press LLC
44. Metra
45. Rivers Casino
46. The Gabriel Exiner American Family Insurance Agency
47. US Bank
48. Verizon
49. Chase Bank
50. Navy Pier
51. Costa Ivone Law
52. ProvenIT
53. Track And Tax
54. TIAA and Bright Start 529 College Savings
55. Community Investment Corporation (CIC)
56. NuMark Credit Union
57. Delta Airlines / Aeromexico
58. Riveron
59. Old National Bank
60. Bridgeforth Wolf & Associates
61. Nicor Gas
62. Self-Help Federal Credit Union
63. Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
64. ComEd
65. Alzheimer’s Association
66. Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
67. Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
68. Illinois Tollway
69. Negocios Now
70. Pace
71. Illinois Department of Transportation
72. Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Professional Headshots by:

• Done By Design
• XR Space

Mercadito (Micro Businesses)

• Aori Botanical
• BLOSSOM MAISON
• Canela Granola
• Chicago Hoodies
• Come Along With Misa LLC
• ELLA Wines & Imports
• Galeria 88 Artesanías
• Joyeria Di Lustro
• K Shulada LLC
• Kika’s Jewelry Boutique
• La Niña Chamoy Candies
• La Zacatecana Inc
• Luciana’s Kitchen
• Mattelis
• SC’s Cake Studio
• Warm Wick
• Werk Mija