The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is celebrating National SBDC Day with a full day of informative workshops and networking opportunities followed by a public reception and celebration on March 20.
“We are thrilled to participate in SBDC Day 2024 and showcase the successes of small businesses in the region and highlight the impact the Illinois SBDC at SIU has on the small business community,” said Melissa Ray Roach, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU. “‘Nurturing Dreams, Growing Futures’ is the theme of the 2024 SBDC Day, and nurturing dreams and growing futures are at the heart of what we do. We are committed to empowering entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.”
Sessions all day
The morning session will feature three workshops focused on “The Power of Planning”:
- 9 a.m. – Strategies for Starting Small and Scaling Up, with tips and techniques for achieving business growth in today’s competitive market.
- 10 a.m. – Do You Really Know Your Numbers? Participants will learn how to get an accurate and comprehensive look at the financial aspects of their businesses so they can make informed decisions and grow.
- 11 a.m. – Mastering the Maze: Marketing and the Power of Planning, helping those in attendance discover what it takes to navigate the current business landscape and how to successfully market in today’s world.
Sign up online for the morning session at no cost. Seating is limited, so claim a spot soon. It all takes place at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive in Carbondale.
Participants can also enjoy lunch sponsored by the Office of Innovation and Economic Development featuring the presentation “Retaining Talent: Learn How to Create a Space that Challenges the Comfort Zone Without Expanding It” by Brian Croft, president of Jackson CEO and director of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. The presentation and meal are available at no cost, but organizers ask that only those who will actually attend sign up in order to minimize food waste and allow proper planning. Advance registration is required by signing up online.
The afternoon session, highlighting “The Power of Collaboration,” will include these workshops:
- 1 p.m. – Importance of Networking and Collaborations – You Shouldn’t Do It Alone, exploring the role the SBDC and other local agencies and economic development leaders play in providing resources and connections and how vital networking and collaboration are for local businesses.
- 2 p.m. – Enhancing Access to Capital – Leveraging Programs and Resources, offering strategies for optimizing access to financial assistance programs and resources.
- 3 p.m. – Lessons Learned in Business – What I Wish I Would Have Known, featuring insights offered by seasoned entrepreneurs from their own personal journeys and experiences.
- 4 p.m. – Empowering Small Businesses: Leveraging Partnerships for Success, exploring resources available to small businesses and how to establish partnerships and leverage the programs to achieve growth and development.
Advance registration for the afternoon is required and available at no cost. Organizers note that participants need to sign up separately for the morning, afternoon and luncheon sessions.
Proclamation and reception cap the day
The day will culminate with a proclamation ceremony, SBDC Impact Presentation and reception beginning at 5 p.m., and the public is invited. The city of Carbondale will issue a proclamation declaring March 20 as SBDC Day, and then Ray Roach and staff at the center will discuss the SBDC’s milestone achievements and success stories, including the Carbondale Accelerator Program, Launch That Business, various community engagement initiatives and workshops, and more and highlight plans for the future.
“We invite the community to join us on SBDC Day as we celebrate the achievements of our small business clients and the SBDC impact, both in the region and nationwide,” Ray Roach said. “Together, we can continue to hep nurture dreams and grow futures for entrepreneurs in Southern Illinois and beyond.”
No registration is required for the reception, which concludes at 6:30 p.m.
For more information about the event, visit the website, email sbdc@siu.edu or call 618-536-2424.
Media advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover the SBDC Day on March 20 at Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. There will be a variety of opportunities for engaging photos, video and interviews during the event showcasing small business owners, SBDC representatives, community leaders and supporters. The best times to attend are during the final workshop at 4 p.m. and during the proclamation ceremony, impact presentation and public reception which begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m. For additional information, contact Melissa Ray Roach at melissa.rayroach@siu.edu or 618-536-2424.
