CIVIC LEADERSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM
South East Chicago Commission (SECC), with presenting sponsor Allstate, will host its 6th annual regional economic development symposium focusing on economic growth and prosperity of small businesses.
The 2024 SECC Southside Connection Symposium is focused on opportunities for business development, changes in the local marketplace, and investments in regional commercial corridors.
Chicago entrepreneurs, business executives, property owners, investors, practitioners and policy leaders will attend the Symposium at The David Rubenstein Forum. #seccsymposium2024
Uniting Ideas, Forging the Future
Saturday | October 5, 2024
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
David Rubenstein Forum
1201 E 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
SECC is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are welcomed.
Overview of Events
- Doors Open / Check In
- Meet & Greet: Coffee & Breakfast Bar
- Opening Remarks
- Keynote Conversation
- Break: Quick Connections
- Founders Panel
- Wrap Up
The 2024 Symposium was Remarkable
Thank you to everyone who registered and attended, our incredible collection of speakers, the SECC board and staff, our volunteers and all of our partners and sponsor who contributed to the success of this year’s Symposium.
Thank you for all of the donations and Congratulations to our Drawing Winner.
THE 2024 PROGRAM
Meet and Greet
The 2024 SECC Southside Connection Symposium begins with casual networking and a light continental breakfast by BARDAVID to jumpstart the day.
Keynote Conversation
Uniting Ideas, Forging the Future
Navigating the Intersection of Profitability and Social Impact
Purpose-driven business owners are leveraging opportunities to grow revenue by focusing on social impact locally in Chicago and across the globe
This keynote conversation will reveal (1) how to include environmental issues, social issues, and organizational governance (ESG) in a business model and (2) how to simultaneously deliver profitable business growth while having a positive impact on our communities. Learn social impact engineering strategies and tactics that help businesses scale up and lead communities with commerce.
Moderated by Art Norman, Special Contributor, NBC 5 Chicago, this discussion features an interview with Caroline Grossman, Executive Director, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation and Xavier Ramey, the founder and CEO of Justice Informed.
Founders Panel
Pivoting For the Future with New Ideas
Envisioning a new future requires the ability to see possibilities and opportunities in the changing economic environment and conditions.
The Founders Panel is a candid discussion about proactively pivoting to maximize growth opportunities. Learn from persistent owners who shifted priorities and resources in a dynamic market. Hear the stories of entrepreneurs who have successfully leveraged opportunities to launch and expand into new products, services, industries or customer categories.
Phaedre Leslie, Vice President, Diversity, Workforce Development, and Community Engagement at ALL Construction Group will moderate the engagement featuring:
- Chef Taylor Mason, Co-founder, Taylor’s Tacos and Taylored event space
- LaTanya Orr, Founder and CEO, Selah Branding and Design, LLC and The FoundHERS Suite
- Donnell Digby, Owner of The Woodlawn, Key Appraisal South and SalonTen35
Special Thanks To The 2024 Sponsors
SECC is a Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) granted by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. As an NBDC delegate agency, SECC provides assistance in the development of small businesses in Chicago, serves as liaison between local businesses and the City of Chicago, and delivers local business development services.