The MWRD's 2025 Small Business Summit

Join us for the 2025 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Small Business Summit! A must-attend event for small businesses eager to connect with the MWRD, prime contractors and prime consultants across the Chicago area, occurring on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Malcolm X College, 1900 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612 (8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into the MWRD, the types of contracts and projects we service, and strategies for expanding your business once you become certified with us. Register your firm as a vendor to receive invitations for bidding opportunities and stay informed about potential business ventures with the MWRD.

The event will showcase a panel of industry experts, leaders, and organizational decision-makers who bring extensive industry knowledge to address your business needs. You will have the exclusive chance to engage with our department heads to explore the diverse projects and services offered across our departments. Furthermore, direct access to Primes, Subcontractors, Assist Agencies, and Sister Agencies will create an optimal environment to discover new business opportunities, allowing you to identify where you might excel.

Whether you're an established business looking to broaden your horizon or a budding entrepreneur seeking expert guidance, this is the perfect platform to build new relationships.

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elevate your business to new heights and make impactful connections in our match-making segment. This segment will feature key departments such as Construction, Engineering, Job Order Contracts (JOC), Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) Municipalities, and Procurement, to name a few. Join us to explore new partnerships, discover upcoming opportunities, and gain insights from panel discussions, workshops, and roundtable discussions.

Register now to secure your spot and be part of an event that promises to open doors to exciting new opportunities!

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what some of our past attendees have to say.

"It was well organized. Your Diversity Team is reflective of the people that you serve. The breakout sessions were on point and were structured so that it didn't waste the attendees time."

"The event was highly informative, with the MWRD staff readily available to answer questions and enthusiastic about facilitating connections between attendees, vendors, and other staff situated in various dispersed rooms."

"The environment was very inviting. I was able to get more information on how to place bids and where to look for them. This was the first event like this I have attended, and the experience was very enjoyable."

Event Highlights

Business Card Drop & Swap

• A designated table will be set up for everyone to display their business cards, allowing participants to easily exchange contact information.

Industry Icons

• Upon arrival, be sure to grab a sticker marking your industry.

Business Matchmaking

• An industry matchmaking opportunity for small businesses to connect with industry experts through roundtable discussions.

Industry Meet-up

• Your direct connection to the MWRD’s assist agency partners and more.

Exhibitors Attending the Small Business Summit

Alera Group

Arcadis

Asian American Chamber of Commerce Illinois

Black Contractors Owners and Executives

Black & Veatch

Blue Ink Insurance Group LLC

Brown and Caldwell

Chatham Business Association

Chicago MSDC

Chinese Mutual Aid Association (representing our APEX and SBDC centers)

City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

Cook County Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

CORAMA

Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly

Elite SDVOB Network

Eurofins Environment Testing

Federation of Women Contractors

F.H. Paschen

Forest Preserves of Cook County

Gordian

Hire 360

Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)

IHC Construction Companies, LLC.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Illinois Tollway–Diversity Dept.

Inner-City Underwriting Agency, Inc.

Kaytics LLC

K-Five Construction Company

Lift Digital Marketing

McDonagh Demolition

Metra Railroad

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Michael Baker

National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)

Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

OHLA Central Inc. (Judlau)

RME (Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Inc)

TYLin

University of Illinois System Office of Procurement Diversity

United States Department of Labor- Wage and Hour

U.S. Minority Contractors Association (USMCA)

V3

Veterans Chamber of Commerce, NFP

Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

WSP USA Inc.

Zann, Inc.

ZUMITIN INC

Learn more at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago website. You can also find us on • Facebook • X • Instagram • Youtube • LinkedIn • Bluesky