| Date | Event |
| 5/4/2022 | more info... |
| 5/4/2022 | In honor of the SBA's National Small Business Week where American entrepreneurs are celebrated for their resiliency and tenacity by doing their part to power our national's historic economic impact, the Illinois Small Business Development Center is offering a workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs.This workshop is for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn all the components of starting a successful business in Illinois. Participants will get a realistic view of the requirements to start a business and the resources available to support a new venture. While attending this two-hour workshop, at no cost, they will learn how to get their business name registered, where to obtain a tax ID number, which legal form to choose, business planning, taxes, financing options and much more! This event is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank. After registering, participants will receive an email confirmation containing the link to the workshop. For questions, contact sybil@bradley.edu. more info... |
| 5/5/2022 | Taking the Mystery out of Export Success in Thailand Thailand has long been considered a mysterious land of adventure worthy of an exotic vacation of a lifetime. This perception may feed into companies’ hesitancy to prioritize it as an export destination for their products and services. However, in reality, Thailand is a well-established trade partner where people are familiar with and value quality U.S. products and services. According to the U.S. Commercial Service, the United States is Thailand’s top source of exports, and it is our 25th largest export destination. This webinar will take the mystery out of Thailand and provide you with the information you need to succeed in this rapidly modernizing economy. First, we will hear from the US Commercial Service post at our embassy in Bangkok to provide on-the-ground updates and information on available resources. Next, the owner of a company that has been successfully conducting business in Thailand for over forty years will share insights and strategies for successfully selling to Thais. The SEA Change Project The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University (ITC) has been awarded a U.S. Department of Education BIE grant for our SEA Change project to assist companies with increasing exports to Southeast Asia (SEA). As part of this effort, the ITC has brought together trade specialists, subject matter experts and consultants from around the country and across Asia to present a webinar series on this dynamic region. The U.S. Administration is currently signaling a pivot to Asia to increase cooperation and trade, particularly in Southeast Asia. Moreover, countries, companies and even consumers are looking for alternatives to China due to supply chain issues and ongoing trade disputes, making the region even more crucial to businesses’ international success. Our Speakers: Lisa Foss, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce Lisa Foss began her assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2021. Lisa joined Global Markets after serving as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Department of Commerce as part of Enforcement and Compliance (E&C), for over twenty years. While in E&C, Lisa provided guidance to U.S. companies and industry associations facing foreign antidumping and safeguard investigations. She also led efforts to raise U.S. Government concerns with these proceedings to foreign investigating authorities. During her time in E&C, Lisa worked with several foreign governments to promote best practices and increase transparency in the application of trade laws. Lisa has received several Department of Commerce awards including two Gold Medals, the highest civilian award given by the Department, for outstanding achievement in federal service. Lisa has a Master of Arts in European Studies from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and German Studies from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Post-graduate work has included a Certificate in Global Negotiations from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Jacob Cluver,CEO, Ag World Int'l Corp, Bloomington IL Jacob Cluver is the CEO of Ag World Int'l Corp in Bloomington IL. For more than 40 years, Ag World has been exporting high quality swine, beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats to breeders in 100 countries on six continents. As exclusive Powder River and Renco distributors, Ag World also provides customers with access to top of the line livestock testing and handling equipment. In addition to managing a number of ventures offering products and services related to livestock breeding, Jake has provided consulting services through Cluver International Trade Services since 2009, focusing on risk management, marine insurance and marketing services for international trade. Jake has a BS degree in Business Administration and Management from Iowa State University. Ag World has been awarded the prestigious President's E-Award, the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The company also received the Governor’s Agricultural Business Exporter of the Year award. At the 2020 Mid-America Trade Summit, Jacob was recognized as an Outstanding Exporter Honoree. He explains, “My family has been doing business in Thailand since the early 80s. I made my first trip to Thailand in 1985. There is a definite learning curve when it comes to doing business in Thailand. However, once you become familiar with the culture and business environment, it can be incredibly rewarding. Thailand has been a steady market for Ag World for over 40 years.” more info... |
| 5/6/2022 | Join us for a fun day on the golf course at the Morton Chamber Annual Golf Outing! Registration is $110 per golfer (Registered Foursome $100/golfer) and includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, games on the course, and a cart. Each golfer will receive a $25 Chamber Check. Check-in begins at 10:30 am; the shotgun start begins at noon. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Project Pumpkin/Festival Giveback endowment funds the Morton Chamber of Commerce launched (in partnership with the Morton Community Foundation) to provide access to the Morton Pumpkin Festival for families in need in our community and giveback to nonprofit/youth groups who volunteer during Pumpkin Festival. Online registration will close on Monday, May 2. If you would like to sign up your team after this date, please call the Chamber at 309-263-2491 more info... |
| 5/7/2022 | It’s almost spring time and that means the return of the annual Morton Bicycle Rodeo! more info... |
| 5/7/2022 | The Route 66 Watch and Clock Club is sponsoring a free Central Illinois Watch and Clock Show and Sale on Saturday, May 7, 2022 between 11 am to 2 pm at the American Legion Hall located at 24 E Adams Street in Morton, Illinois. The show is free, and open to the public. more info... |
| 5/7/2022 | more info... |
| 5/10/2022 | Tuesday, May 10 1:00-2:30pm Comfort Inn & Suites, Reagan Room 201 E. Ashland, Morton No Cost Hear from industry experts on cybersecurity readiness, and tools to identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. Panel: Synergetic Technologies – disaster and cyber security assessment Iona/Float – systems and tools to use Kuhl Insurance – is your business protected i3Broadband – infrastructure and partnerships to support commercial clients Hosted by Morton Chamber of Commerce more info... |
| 5/11/2022 | 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 2-hour workshop, at no cost, 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! These events are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation containing the link to the workshop. more info... |
| 5/11/2022 | Wednesday, May 11th 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kemp 208 (208 N Main St.) $40 per person (includes cooking demonstration and meal) Join us for a private cooking demonstration with Chef Jeffrey Madden at Kemp 208! Space is limited! Sponsored by: Better Banks more info... |
| 5/15/2022 | more info... |
| 5/16/2022 | Singapore: The Gateway to Export Success in Asia As a major historical trading hub, due to its strategic location on the Malacca straits, Singapore has long been considered a gateway to trade with Southeast Asia and larger Asia. Today, its outward-looking, export-oriented economic policy that encourages a two-way flow of trade and investment makes this multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city-state an important economic gateway between East and West. As a result, Singapore is often a company’s first step into the region, enabling it to leverage it as a base to build experience, consumer insights and solutions for Asia and beyond. However, does this mean that Singapore is right for your company? Our speakers, a Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, and the Managing Director of a market entry consultancy firm headquartered in Singapore, will help you answer this question, as they share their expertise in assisting U.S. companies find success in selling their products and services in this dynamic market. What is the SEA Change Project? The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University (ITC) has been awarded a U.S. Department of Education BIE grant for our SEA Change project to assist companies with increasing exports to Southeast Asia (SEA). As part of this effort, the ITC has brought together trade specialists, subject matter experts and consultants from around the country and across Asia to present a webinar series on this dynamic region. The U.S. Administration is currently signaling a pivot to Asia to increase cooperation and trade, particularly in Southeast Asia. Moreover, countries, companies and even consumers are looking for alternatives to China due to supply chain issues and ongoing trade disputes, making the region even more crucial to businesses’ international success. Our Speakers: Christian Koschil, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Singapore, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration,U.S. Department of Commerce Christian Koschil is a Commercial Officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. Most recently, Mr. Koschil was based at the Tampa Bay, Florida Export Assistance Center and served as the Acting Deputy Senior Commercial Officer for the Caribbean Region. Previously, Mr. Koschil worked at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, China (2016-2019). His primary role in Singapore is supporting U.S. trade and inward investment and his area of focus is the digital portfolio, including 5G, fintech, eHealth, and cybersecurity. Mr. Koschil joined the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2009 and was based in Washington, D.C. as a Mexico Desk Officer and in the Chicago Export Assistance Center as a Trade Specialist. His projects included short- and long-term assignments in Mexico, Canada, the UAE, Germany, and Indonesia. Mr. Koschil’s prior private-sector experience includes research and marketing at the Fairfax County, Virginia Economic Development Authority, market research for a D.C.-area commercial real estate firm acquired by Cushman & Wakefield, and engineering roles with Fortune 500 oil companies and a global industrial gases manufacturer. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mr. Koschil holds an M.A. in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He speaks Mandarin, Ukrainian, and Spanish, and is married with two young children. Sarath Menon, Managing Director, Orissa International Pte Ltd, Singapore In 1997, Mr. Menon founded Orissa International, a market entry consultancy firm headquartered in Singapore with offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The firm provides a range of market entry services to companies from around the world that want to grow their business in Southeast Asia. Orissa International is also the in-market trade consultant in Southeast Asia for the Illinois Department of Commerce. Prior to founding the company, Mr. Menon was the Country Director of the US-Asia Environmental Partnership (USAEP) program in Singapore, a USAID-funded program that focused on trade development, regulatory policy and business facilitation within the environmental industry in Southeast Asia. His achievements in the USAEP program were recognized in 1997 when he received the Distinguished Service Award from the US Government for his work in promoting the exports of American products and services to Asia. Mr. Menon is an active member of the Singapore business community. He has conducted export strategy workshops organized by Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Government export promotion agency. He has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce, and he was also Co-Chair of the Entrepreneur Committee within the chamber, which was active in helping its SME members. He is also a past President of the American States & Ports Association (ASPA), a grouping of US states and ports with a presence in Southeast Asia. more info... |
| 5/16/2022 | Did you start your small business because you love bookkeeping and accounting? No? You’re not alone! Most entrepreneurs are passionate about the products and services they provide, and the clients they serve. But how can you get into business, and more importantly, stay in business, if you don’t know how your business is doing financially? It simply makes sense to learn how to gather, organize, store, and review the crucial financial data around your business that will allow you to make solid management decisions. The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Bradley University is offering a 4-part educational series on financial accounting concepts and their applications in small business, at no cost to registrants. This webinar series is designed to help build a foundation of accounting knowledge and practices the small business owner can use to improve cash flow, improve profitability, and build net worth over time. The series will consist of instruction in multiple segments:
10 participants attending all 4 events will be drawn from a pool to receive 30 minutes of discounted time with our speaker, Grant Seshul, CPA. In addition, Grant can provide online Quickbooks at a discounted price to anyone interested. more info... |
| 5/21/2022 | more info... |
| 5/24/2022 | Many variables can impact our blood inventories such as weather, holidays or tragic events. Every day, patients who need blood are in crisis and you can help by volunteering to donate. Less than 10% of the population gives blood, so donors that give on a regular basis are important to meet these needs. more info... |
| 5/25/2022 | 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 2-hour workshop, at no cost, 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! These events are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University and co-sponsored by Morton Community Bank. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation containing the link to the workshop. more info... |
| 5/26/2022 | The Morton Civic Chorus directed by Denise Adams presents Encore 2022 - A Musical Revue 46th annual benefit for Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund more info... |
| 5/27/2022 | The Morton Civic Chorus directed by Denise Adams presents Encore 2022 - A Musical Revue 46th annual benefit for Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund more info... |
| 5/27/2022 | Join us for an evening of art, music, shopping and dining! This family friendly even has something fun for everyone! more info... |
| 5/28/2022 | The Morton Civic Chorus directed by Denise Adams presents Encore 2022 - A Musical Revue 46th annual benefit for Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund more info... |
| 5/29/2022 | The Morton Civic Chorus directed by Denise Adams presents Encore 2022 - A Musical Revue 46th annual benefit for Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund more info... |
| 5/30/2022 | more info... |
| 5/30/2022 | more info... |
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