Go Back Up
CED_logo_color-png file
  • Days
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds

May 20, 2026 Renaissance Center- Joliet

P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium

Platform for Opportunity, Workforce, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience

Centering Women, BIPOC, Veteran and Disabled 50% owned and operated small businesses

Register Now Become a Vendor
P.O.W.E.R. Flyers (1)

May 20, 2026

About The Symposium

This FREE conference is designed to give business owners and operators the resources needed to succeed.

 

The P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium, presented by the Will County Center for Economic Development, brings together entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders for a dynamic day of connection, education, and opportunity. This high-energy event is designed to spark growth, deliver actionable insights, and build meaningful partnerships that move businesses forward. Centered on supporting Women, Minority, Veteran, and Disabled owned and operated businesses, the symposium connects attendees with the resources, experts, and opportunities needed to elevate and strengthen their operations. Vendors represent a wide range of industries, ensuring that every attendee—regardless of annual revenue or stage of growth—walks away with tools and connections that make an impact.

P.O.W.E.R. stands for Platform for Opportunity, Workforce, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience, reflecting our commitment to equipping businesses with the tools, connections, and momentum they need to thrive.

Register Now Become a Vendor
Next Section

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

POWER Sponsorships
  • POWER Sponsorships (2)
    Economic Development Partner
  • EBC Spons-1
    Economic Development Partner
  • Wintrust
    Small Business Advocate
  • Busey Spons
    Community Supporter

Event Partners

Symposium Agenda

Check back at a later date for a detailed agenda.

  1. 11 a.m. Full Business Symposium Ticket

    Vendor Fair Opens + Networking

  2. 12 p.m. Full Business Symposium Ticket

    Keynote Speaker + Seated Lunch

  3. 1:15 p.m. - 4 p.m. Vendor + Breakout Sessions Ticket

    Vendor Fair Reopens + Workshops

  1. 1:15 P.M. Allies For Community Business

    How to Secure Funding and Support to Grow Your Business 

    Briana Tellis

    Allies for Community Business (A4CB) provides the capital, coaching, and connections entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses that create jobs and wealth in their communities. A4CB offers loans between $500 and $500,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses at fair prices. In addition, A4CB provides free coaching to anyone who wants to start or grow a business, and A4CB connects entrepreneurs to trusted partners that can help further. Join Briana Tellis, A4CB’s Senior Community Lender, to hear an overview of what is required to apply for a small business loan and details about A4CB’s business coaching service.

  2. 1:15 P.M. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

    Unlocking State Resources for Business Growth 

    Diana Alfaro

    Discover the state resources available to help your business thrive—from technical assistance to funding opportunities and more. Join us to learn how to take full advantage of these valuable tools. Open to businesses of all stages e.g., startup, those with an idea, and establish businesses. 

  3. 2:15 P.M. SizeUp

    Using Data to Grow Your Business and Outperform the Competition

    J.R. Charles 

    SizeUp presents hyper-local data insights that small businesses can use to make smarter decisions. In this presentation, you will learn how SizeUp will show you how your small business stacks up to the competition, maps your competitive landscape, identifies optimal areas for advertising, and provides local demographics, all in an easy-to-use interface.

  4. 2:15 P.M. XRAI Vision

    Using AI to Work Smarter and Grow Your Business

    Erica Burton

    From smarter customer communication to content that practically creates itself, AI is changing what's possible for small business owners. Discover how today's most powerful AI tools can help you get more done and grow with confidence. In this fast-paced session, Erica Burton breaks down the tools, tips, and time-savers you can start using right away. 

  5. 3:15 P.M.

    Exploring Careers and Opportunities in Clean Energy

    JJC CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator 

Dan Seals Headshot

P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium

Inaugural Keynote Speaker

Dan Seals

President and CEO, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council

Dan Seals serves as President & CEO of the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (ChicagoMSDC). He previously served as CEO of Intersect Illinois, where he helped drive more than 5,000 new jobs and nearly $4 billion in investment while strengthening the state’s business attraction efforts. His career spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and holding senior leadership roles with the American Medical Association, GE Capital, and T-Mobile.

Workshop Presenters

Meet The Speakers

More to be announced
View the Lineup
Diana Alfaro

Illinois DCEO

Diana Alfaro

Latinx Business Development Manager

Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3)

JR

SizeUp

J.R. Charles

Customer Success Manager

Briana Tellis

Allies for Community Business

Briana Tellis

Senior Community Lender

Ready to Transform your Business Register Today!

Register Now

YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium?

 The P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium is a one-day event hosted by the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) designed to connect small business owners and entrepreneurs in Will County with resources, service providers, and regional partners. The symposium focuses on information-sharing, networking, and practical insights that support business growth and sustainability. 

Who should attend?

 The event is open to small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, established firms, and business support organizations throughout Will County and neighboring counties/communities. The symposium intentionally centers Women, Minority, Veteran, and individuals with disabilities who own businesses, while remaining open and welcoming to the entire small business community. Whether you are launching a new venture or looking to scale an existing business, the event offers access to valuable connections, resources, and perspectives. 

Is there a cost to attend?

 No. The P.O.W.E.R. Small Business Symposium is free to attend. Registration is required to help us plan appropriately and ensure a quality experience for all participants. 

How can my organization get involved?

Organizations may participate as vendors or sponsors. Vendors have the opportunity to showcase services and resources that support small businesses across the region. Sponsorship is exclusively available to Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) Investors and provides recognition for their commitment to advancing economic development efforts throughout the region.

For more information about vendor participation or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kayla Sorensen at Kayla.Sorensen@WillCountyCED.com or Jeremiah Anderson at Jeremiah.Anderson@WillCountyCED.com.

 

Is there a fee to participate as a vendor?

 No. There is no cost to participate as a vendor—vendor participation is completely free for this event.