Please go to https://bit.ly/3Xjg5W1 if you need to register in Spanish.

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through its Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) Latinx Business Colectivo cordially invites you to the 2nd Annual Latin@ Economic Summit. The bilingual event will feature matchmaking opportunities for funding, guidance on building and sustaining business networks - scheduled networking opportunities, navigating certifications, and more. You will gain valuable information on marketing and crafting an elevator pitch for your business!

This event targets Latin@ business owners, future founders, professionals as well as community business leaders. In addition, the event welcomes those who support the Latin@ business ecosystem.

This event is free to attend and all communities are welcome. More information to come!

Parking is available at Malcolm X College, please bring your ticket to have it validated at the Conference Center area.

Breakout Sessions #1

Match Making to Funding Opportunities.
- Want to learn about what lenders can offer your business? In this session, you'll have the opportunity to connect with various lenders. This session will consist of two parts. Part 1 - Panel to learn firsthand from lenders about documents needed to apply for a loan, strategies, and tips to building a relationship with a lender, and the difference as well as the importance of business and personal credit. Followed by Part 2 where you will be matched with a lender to have a small group discussion about the lending opportunities and services, they can offer your business.
Building & Sustaining Business Network.
- Let’s Network. Let’s build your social capital. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about different strategies for networking, forging partnerships, and leveraging community resources to foster business growth and sustainability. This interactive session will be followed by a guided networking activity to put your new knowledge into practice.
Setting Your Business For Success.
- Calling all businesses 3 years or younger or businesses that want to learn strategies and tips in setting up your business for success. Hear insights from a recent business owner, a business consultant, a lawyer, and an accountant on strategies to set up your business for success.

Breakout Session #2

Match Making to Funding Opportunities.
- Want to learn about what lenders can offer your business? In this session, you'll have the opportunity to connect with various lenders. This session will consist of two parts. Part 1 - Panel to learn firsthand from lenders about documents needed to apply for a loan, strategies, and tips to building a relationship with a lender, and the difference as well as the importance of business and personal credit. Followed by Part 2 where you will be matched with a lender to have a small group discussion about the lending opportunities and services, they can offer your business.
Building & Sustaining Business Network.
- Let’s Network. Let’s build your social capital. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about different strategies for networking, forging partnerships, and leveraging community resources to foster business growth and sustainability. This interactive session will be followed by a guided networking activity to put your new knowledge into practice.
Navigating Certifications.
- Learn how to become a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE) certified and the benefits of becoming certified. This session will go over the required documents needed to apply, the flow process, the different certifying agencies, and how to identify which one is the correct one for your business based on the type of contracts/work you are seeking.