Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.
In this session we’ll cover:
An introduction to Google Analytics.
Creating and understanding reports.
Making goals.
Using Analytics with other Google tools.
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship (SBDC and Peoria Next), IMEC, Barton Makerspace
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
How do you design and create a prototype?
How does a prototype become a product?
What is the Barton Makerspace?
What do you need to bring a product to market?
What is IMEC?
How does a product become mass produced?
How can you partner to scale?
Why Manufacturing? Why Now? Why Illinois?
Part 2 in November (10th or 14th TBD) – Manufacturing Partners and Logistics led by IMEC in-person at Peoria NEXT
Who should attend:
Inventors who need to develop a prototype
Makers who want to commercialize or scale their products
Small Scale Fabricators and Manufacturing Shops
Contract Manufacturing Partners
OUR SPEAKERS:
Jeremy Brockhouse, Bradley University Barton Makerspace: Machine Shop Supervisor and BECC Safety Coordinator
Jeremy Brockhouse brings over 25 years of manufacturing and project management experience. At Bradley University, he oversees the Business and Engineering Convergence Center’s Machine Shop and is the Safety Coordinator for the building. His prior experience as a Production Supervisor at Pursuit Aerospace included managing teams of machinists and leading manufacturing operations for aerospace components.
Adrian Garces, IMEC, Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist at IMEC with 2½ years of experience delivering 400+ services under the SCOIN grant. I leverage analytics and technical expertise to help Illinois manufacturers improve supply chain performance and operational efficiency.
Eric Sampson, Illinois SBDC at Bradley University, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University, advises individuals who want to start a business or expand existing businesses. Guidance provided includes developing business and marketing plans, creating financial projections, addressing business formation issues, and obtaining financing. Eric also assists owners and managers of existing small businesses to identify solutions to business related problems, to examine strategic opportunities, expand their product portfolios, and enhance or diversify their sales efforts. His areas of interest include supporting entrepreneurs and local small business owners toward capital funding options, market expansion and improved profitability, and supporting growth, hiring and competitiveness through innovation and effective strategies. Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bradley University.
Chris Youngmark, Peoria Next Innovation Center, Director
Peoria Next Innovation Center is a business incubator, featuring wet and dry laboratories, private offices, and shared coworking space for entrepreneurs and small businesses. In partnership with the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University, Peoria NEXT provides an affordable business environment, education, networking, and a host of amenities onsite, with support from Bradley University systems.
This event is always a hit! By the time Fall Fest rolls around, people are in the full fall mood and are ready for yummy food, cozy clothes, a crisp day of weather enjoying all things pumpkin spice, and shopping with their friends and families. This event continues to grow each year and with live music and vendors all together - it's the perfect way to enjoy a fall day. more info...
Super excited to have local fans of Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, World of War Craft, D&D, Magic the Gathering & so much more gather at our DQ! Make a SWEET deal on cards / games & get yourself a SWEET treat - only at your local DQ in Morton, IL! Thank you to Miss Megan for organizing this fun event for her store! We know a lot of our kiddos are very excited to bring their cards & see what new ones they can collect! See which of your friends are going! Check out the Facebook Event here! >>> https://www.facebook.com/share/1WbXHsRZDQ/ more info...
YouTube is the second-largest search engine—and it’s now feeding AI tools directly. Learn how to create trust-building, searchable video content that boosts authority, leads, and visibility.
What You’ll Learn:
How AI pulls video content into search results and overviews
The structure of a trust-rich YouTube channel
Smart topics and titles that support visibility and authority
Easy repurposing workflows for long-form and shorts
How to tie video into your SEO and visibility system
Built for:
• Business owners, educators, and marketers who want to expand visibility using AI-optimized video content on YouTube
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
What is #GIRLSDAY? Started by Marie Morris, #GIRLSDAY strives to build a community where individuals feel safe to be who they truly are, embracing the good, the bad and the ugly. #GIRLSDAY raises funds for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, which provides 100% free and confidential services to help all people live free from violence and abuse. It’s not easy to talk about abuse, assault, violence, and harassment. The conversations can feel uncomfortable because it never seems like the right time to discuss it. That’s why the Center for Prevention of Abuse is here. To help survivors. To build a safe community. To start the conversation.
Join a community of friends and supporters as we honor the resilience of survivors, learn about available resources and how to offer unconditional and nonjudgmental support and understand what you can do to help. Enjoy fun, hands-on activities, delicious food and camaraderie. Make connections and take part in a #GIRLSDAY with old and new friends.
This training provides ecommerce businesses with the strategies and tools to increase revenue and expand their reach. Topics covered include website optimization, effective marketing campaigns, social media engagement, customer service and retention, and data analytics. This training is designed to help ecommerce businesses thrive and succeed in a competitive online marketplace.
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
This workshop is for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn all the components of how to start a successful business in Illinois. Get a realistic view of the requirements to start a business and the resources available to support your new venture. While attending this no cost 2-hour workshop, you will learn how to get your business name registered, where to obtain a tax ID number, which legal form to choose, business planning, taxes, financing options and much more. After attending the workshop, our team of certified business advisors are available to work with you, one-on-one, to navigate the process and help you succeed! This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. more info...
Tariffs, tariffs and more international tariffs! If you are getting confused, don’t worry. The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship is pleased to host a 30-minute webinar covering the basics of international trade tariffs, how to find the tariffs, and what you can do to lower your tariffs. We will review both U.S. import tariffs and tariffs applied by other countries to U.S. exports.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: In this fast-paced 30-minute webinar, we’ll cover:
Understanding the four types of U.S. import tariffs.
Where to find U.S. import tariff rates.
Understanding tariffs applied to U.S. exports and where to find the current rates.
Steps you can take to lower tariffs on imports or exports.
Resources to support making smart tariff decisions.
Q&A: The presenter will be available after the presentation at 12:30 pm for Q&A from the participants.
OUR SPEAKER/s:
Name, James Foley
Bradley University
Jim Foley is the director of the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University. He is also the Director of International Programs for the Foster College of Business and the Director of Business and Nonprofit Partnerships for the university.
Mr. Foley is a frequent speaker on international trade issues and teaches International Business courses at Bradley University. Mr. Foley is the author of The Global Entrepreneur 4th Edition, which discusses techniques to expand exports. He is also the co-author of the eleventh edition of International Marketing by Vern Terspstra. Jim has received numerous recognitions, including the Illinois Governor’s Export Award, the IATTO Lifetime Achievement Award, and the John Otis Lifetime Achievement Award, Nasbite International’s highest recognition. In 2009, Bradley’s International Trade Center was awarded the President of the United States’ E Award. Jim serves as a member of the Illinois District Export Council. Prior to joining the trade center, Mr. Foley worked in the computer industry, living in Los Angeles and London. He has an MBA from the London Business School at the University of London and a B.A. from Knox College.
Outside cosponsors: i.e. GPEDC, FTZ #114, MBDC, SCORE, Hispanic Chamber, Peoria Chamber more info...
The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics celebrate businesses and nonprofits that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to ethics and integrity in all their business interactions. The program not only emphasizes the importance of building trust but also recognizes the efforts of outstanding organizations in contributing to an honorable marketplace. more info...
Join us for a Fish Fry dinner benefiting Carol House of Hope. The dinner includes fish, fries, coleslaw and dessert. A kids meal of hot dog, fries and dessert is also available. The event includes dinner, dessert, raffle baskets and live music! Purchase your tickets online today or get your tickets at the door.
Being found online is no longer just about keywords. It’s about showing up everywhere AI looks. This session walks you through the visibility layers that matter now—and how to build a presence that sticks.
What You’ll Learn:
Where AI search pulls from and how to be listed, ranked, and cited
The role of Google, directories, and structured content in modern search
How to build authority across your digital footprint
What makes your profile and site “AI-citable”
Visibility audits and quick wins for multi-platform search
Built for:
• Experts, consultants, and local businesses ready to optimize for human search, machine learning, and future-facing platforms
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
In this powerful and practical keynote, Maria Elena Duron shares the personal story of the opportunity she missed - the chance to buy into eBay at $1/share - and uses it to deliver a critical message: we’re standing at the edge of the next eBay moment... and this time, it’s AI.
But unlike AI keynotes that focus on tech jargon or speculative futures, this talk is rooted in real transformation: helping business leaders, service providers, and entrepreneurs understand AI as the new operating system for visibility, trust, and authority.
What the Audience Will Walk Away With:
Why AI is becoming the new OS for how people (and machines) search, choose, and trust.
What the real risk of doing nothing looks like (hint: invisibility).
The 3 practical moves every business leader must make to become unmissable in the age of AI.
How to simplify and align your business with how AI sees and recommends.
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.
In this session we’ll show you how to:
Create or claim your Google Business Profile.
Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps.
Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers.
Presented by: Maria Elena Duron, Championing the mission "Helping businesses GET FOUND," Maria Elena Duron has helped over 12,400 small businesses grow with Google by simplifying digital marketing, search visibility, and AI-powered strategies. Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and commissioned by the Grow with Google Program, she is an industry leader in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and online visibility strategies.
Maria Elena doesn’t just teach theory—she delivers practical, actionable training designed to help businesses stand out in search, connect with the right customers, and turn visibility into revenue. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar business, a service provider, or an online brand, Maria Elena ensures that your marketing works smarter, not harder.
If you want to experience the EPITOME of Christmas magic and a Hallmark movie setting, this market is it. It was started in 2020 as a way to safely bring people together outside when we couldn't gather inside....what started as a one time event is now one of our most beloved and best attended. Santa comes, there's children's activities, everyone's in the holiday (and spending!) spirit and it truly is just a magical day from start to finish. We are so excited to bring new and fun ideas into play! Regardless of the weather (which can be dicey outside in November) - it's always an amazing turnout! more info...
