Posted 15 months ago in Expo, Small Businesses
3 MIN READ – The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the first BACP Small Business Expo of 2023 will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Kennedy-King College. The free expo will kick-off with a breakfast networking hour and offer resources from nonprofit and government agencies, workshops, and a keynote address by Chrishon Lampley, founder of Love Cork Screw, an award-winning wine brand.
Now in their fifteenth year, the BACP Small Business Expos are part of the City’s effort to support neighborhood business growth and economic development by offering free business resources to help current and future business owners.
"Each year, hundreds of small businesses benefit from the resources provided at the BACP Small Business Expo," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "Local small businesses are vital to our economy and to our mission of neighborhood revitalization. I'm proud to continue protecting and supporting these important businesses through the Expo and our ongoing efforts to ensure a fair and vibrant marketplace across Chicago."
The expo will offer free resources to business owners and entrepreneurs, with the opportunity to network, consult, gather information and receive expert advice on topics such as licensing, financing, marketing, and business planning. Over 25 government and non-profit agencies will be onsite to offer one-on-one guidance. Additionally, City of Chicago business licensing consultants will be on hand to walk through the steps of obtaining a business license or make an appointment for additional counseling at City Hall.
“The Small Business Expo is where ideas and action intersect for current and future entrepreneurs,” said BACP Commissioner Kenneth J. Meyer. “The expo fosters small business growth and expansion by offering expo attendees free technical assistance and resources.”
Also available to attendees will be free professional headshots to be used for marketing materials, along with consumer protection information, financial resources, Chicago labor laws compliance information, and a tax clinic. The keynote speaker will be Chrishon Lampley, founder of Love Cork Screw, an award-winning, Chicago-based, woman-owned and operated wine brand. Lampley knows firsthand how to turn a passion project into a revenue generating business, with inclusivity and sustainability at the helm. Lampley’s story is one of resilience and determination, but also of compassion and community-building.
To register for the BACP Small Business Expo, visit Chicago.gov/BizExpo.
