Date: June 9th
Time: 9:30am - 3pm
Location: Pekin Community High School, 320 Stadium Drive, Pekin, IL - Room B220 (follow the signs!)
This conference is for you if:
- You want to grow your small business from your kitchen table to a storefront or from a side-hustle to a full time business
- You have a business idea but aren’t sure where to start
- You want to connect with local experts and other entrepreneurs
What You'll Experience
Join us for a powerful, distraction-free day dedicated to helping you move your business forward. The SmartStart Small Business Conference brings together small business owners, startup dreamers, and local experts for a day of:
🤝 Networking and Real Conversations with other local entrepreneurs
💡 Actionable Workshops & Expert-Led Sessions on topics that matter most
🚀 Tools, Resources, and Support to help you start, grow, and scale
🧠 Fresh Ideas and Business Trends you can apply right away
You’ll leave with a notebook full of ideas, a contact list full of new connections, and a renewed energy to take your next step—whatever that may be.
This is your day to press pause on the hustle, invest in your growth, and walk away with real-world skills and momentum.
AGENDA (more details to come)
9:30am - Registration/coffee & donuts/networking
10am - Conference kick-off!
⭐ Opening Keynote: Sara O'Shea, owner of So Chic Boutique
Session topics (more to come!):
⭐ Bootstrapping Your Business
⭐ 5 Top Ways To Scale Your Business
⭐ How To Price Your Product or Service
⭐ Local Small Business Resources You Can Use For Free
⭐ AI For Small Business
⭐ 2 breakout sessions for your stage of business: Starting Your Business & Growing Your Business
3pm - Conference adjorns. Go grow your business!
TICKET PRICE INCLUDES:
⭐ An entire day of small business education and connections
⭐ Coffee & donuts in the morning
⭐ Water, beverages, & snacks throughout the day
⭐ Lunch
Take advantage of the EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICE until May 9th. Save $10!
This conference is made possible by Tazewell County, the Pekin Area Chamber Of Commerce, the City Of Pekin, and SmartStart Business Development.