| Date | Event | ||||
| 7/3/2024 | Have you ever wondered what’s inside of that BIG building along I-155? It’s the Precision Planting Global Operations Center! Join us for a walking tour to see how we’re improving farmers' operations worldwide. We’ve been a part of the Morton community for years, and we're excited to share our facility with you. Seats are limited, so pick a date to come visit us! more info... | ||||
| 7/6/2024 | The Route 66 Watch and Clock Club is sponsoring a free Central Illinois Watch and Clock Show and Sale on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at the American Legion, located at 24 E Adams Street in Morton, Illinois between 11 am and 2 pm. The show is free, and open to the public. more info... | ||||
| 7/11/2024 | This is the second of our 5-part series on learning the basics of Canva. Whether for marketing, business, or educational materials, using Canva will ensure your success with its template selections and ease of use. Sponsored by the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn Canva at no cost to registrants. Canva Part 1: In this introductory class, small business owners will learn how to use Canva and its Magic Studio to revolutionize their marketing materials using AI. Attendees will start by exploring Canva's basic functionalities and understanding how AI can simplify the creation of visually appealing, professional, and effective designs. This session will cover AI-driven templates that automatically align with your brand’s style and the powerful Magic Write tool for generating text, ensuring content is eye-catching and resonates with your target audience. We will delve into practical examples such as designing business cards, flyers, and social media posts, demonstrating how these tools can save time and reduce costs while maintaining a high standard of quality.
Additionally, we will explore Canva’s analytics tools, teaching users how to leverage data to make informed decisions about their marketing strategies. By the end of this session, attendees will have a solid foundation in using Canva's AI capabilities to create Topics:
Stacy Brooks, SKB Cyber CEO, specializes in sales, marketing, and public speaking. A former English teacher and speech coach turned CEO, she co-founded SKB Cyber, an innovative tech start-up with a mission to revolutionize how people learn and interact with information and technology. Stacy's unique blend of pedagogical insight and tech prowess has enabled her to create synergistic bridges between academia and industry, serving as a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when one's dedication meets the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age. more info... | ||||
| 7/13/2024 |  more info... | ||||
| 7/14/2024 -7/18/2024 | We encourage you to add our VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Breaker Rock Beach VBS will be held July 14-18 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall. more info... | ||||
| 7/18/2024 | The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University are presenting a no-cost, two-part webinar on the roles of integrated carriers, like FedEx, and freight forwarders, like BDG International, to enable companies to choose the right shipping partner at the right time. Years of bottlenecks and a rapidly evolving global transport environment loom over companies’ shipping strategies. Moreover, many businesses, from retailers to manufacturers, find themselves reevaluating their existing shipping solutions, as they grow. How do my shipping needs dictate my options? When should I use an integrated carrier and when should I use a freight forwarder? Is it best to commit to using one provider for all my shipping? These questions and many more will be answered by our experts to enable you to get the most out of your shipping partnerships. Join your local FedEx International Sales Team to learn more about FedEx’s international service offerings. From e-commerce to global air freight, FedEx has a solution to support your small-to-medium-sized business. Take advantage of complementary tools and resources available and gain a better understanding of how FedEx can power your global connections. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
Scott DeWitte, Sales Executive International Sales Scott started his transportation sales career with Emery Worldwide. He has been with FedEx for 22 years with the last 5 years specializing in International Sales.“What I enjoy the most as an International Sales Specialist is helping small and medium accounts grow their international business. Many customers can be a little anxious about growing their business overseas but with FedEx, there are many resources and departments that can assist them and help grow their business. I work with the best team and people in the transportation and supply chain business.” Scott holds a B.A. in Organizational Studies from Bethel University (Minnesota). Kristen Duckmann, Regional Sales Manager, U.S. International Sales, FedEx Kristen has been with FedEx for 11 years with the last 6 years specializing in International Sales. She supports a Team of 9 International Sales Specialists in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. “What I enjoy most about International Sales is consulting with small and medium business to support their plans of global e-commerce. Navigating country requirements and utilizing resources reduces the scare factor – FedEx has a myriad of support mechanisms available for review. I learn something new every day.” Kristen holds a B.A. in Integrated Strategic Communications from the University of Kentucky. Amelia Smarto, Sales Executive International, FedEx Amelia started her career in International Sales with FedEx. Her 1 year anniversary was on June 5, 2024. “Over the past year at FedEx, I have enjoyed being able to play a part in helping our customers grow their business internationally and forming long lasting relationships!” Amelia holds a B.S. in International Business and Marketing from Bradley University (Peoria IL) more info... | ||||
| 7/18/2024 | This is the third of our 5-part series on learning the more advanced settings, tips and tricks of Canva. Sponsored by the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn Canva at no cost to registrants. Canva Part 2: Advanced AI for Business Growth: Mastering Magic Studio in Canva This advanced session is designed for small business owners who are familiar with Canva and ready to dive deeper into its powerful AI features to further enhance their marketing efforts. The class will focus on mastering Magic Studio’s advanced tools, including in-depth use of Magic Write for creating varied and engaging content across different platforms. Attendees will learn how to employ smart mockups and branding tools that ensure consistency and professionalism in all visual materials. We will also cover AI-powered video and animation tools, enabling businesses to produce dynamic content that stands out in today’s crowded digital landscape. The session will guide participants through the process of designing an integrated AI-driven marketing campaign, from conceptualization to execution, illustrating how to maintain a unified brand voice and aesthetic.
Topics:
Additionally, we will teach advanced techniques for analyzing customer data and segmenting audiences, allowing for more targeted and personalized marketing approaches. Attendees will leave with the ability to strategically harness AI tools in Canva to optimize their marketing, increase engagement, and drive business growth.
Stacy Brooks, SKB Cyber CEO, specializes in sales, marketing, and public speaking. A former English teacher and speech coach turned CEO, she co-founded SKB Cyber, an innovative tech start-up with a mission to revolutionize how people learn and interact with information and technology. Stacy's unique blend of pedagogical insight and tech prowess has enabled her to create synergistic bridges between academia and industry, serving as a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when one's dedication meets the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age. more info... | ||||
| 7/20/2024 |  more info... | ||||
| 7/23/2024 | The Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University are presenting a no-cost, two-part webinar on the roles of integrated carriers, like FedEx, and freight forwarders, like BDG International, to enable companies to choose the right shipping partner at the right time. Years of bottlenecks and a rapidly evolving global transport environment loom over companies’ shipping strategies. Moreover, many businesses, from retailers to manufacturers, find themselves reevaluating their existing shipping solutions, as they grow. How do my shipping needs dictate my options? When should I use an integrated carrier and when should I use a freight forwarder? Is it best to commit to using one provider for all my shipping? These questions and many more will be answered by our experts to enable you to get the most out of your shipping partnerships. For over 40 years, BDG International has been offering world-class freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and international trade consulting to companies throughout Illinois. Participants in this webinar will gain crucial insights on managing trade logistics in the global marketplace. BDG will share insight on key logistics considerations such as:
SPEAKER: Lisa Victoria Waller (Anderson) is a President and co-owner of BDG International, Inc. located in Elgin (Chicago) Illinois. BDG International, Inc. (BDG) was founded in 1983 by the Anderson family. BDG is a full-service international freight forwarder, U.S. Customs Broker, FTZ and Trade Consultant. BDG is a proud recipient of the President’s “E” Award for Excellence in Exporting from the U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary in 2013. Lisa is a Licensed Customs Broker, Certificated Export and Customs Specialist. Over the last 30 years Lisa has developed a unique FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) consulting and administration program for U.S. and Foreign Direct Investment companies. She is well versed in the up-to-date changes with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and the many Partner Government Agencies. more info... | ||||
| 7/25/2024 | This is the fourth of our 5-part series on learning how to use AI to optimize your website. AI and machine learning can be powerful tools to improve SEO by providing insights, automation, and optimization, in turn increasing your online traffic. AI technology is revolutionizing how businesses create and manage websites. Today businesses can leverage AI to accomplish essential tasks and optimize performance on websites, saving time and resources. Topics:
In summary, these AI tools can help businesses create, manage and optimize websites, making them invaluable for all business owners venturing into website development. Sponsored by the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn AI tools to optimize your website. No cost to registrants. Speaker: Denny Nunez, Military Trained Technical Engineering Leader with SKB Cyber, is a seasoned technology specialist with 20 years of cross industry experience in the IT field. Trained as a Data Network Systems Specialist in the U.S. Marines he has expertise in a wide variety areas, including complex networks, modern firewalls, network routing, and wireless network management from many vendors to suit all business needs and requirements. Denny is also an expert in critical data center functions like server and domain management including VMware, Hyper V, and more. He has worked with a multitude of clients and organizations, providing them with reliable and secure IT solutions. He is passionate about learning new technologies and staying updated with the latest trends and news. He is also a certified professional in several IT domains and a member of various IT associations. Denny Nunez is a critical part of the SKB Cyber team, and an asset to every client he works with. more info... | ||||
| 7/26/2024 | The Morton Park district wil be offering a Family Pool Party/ Movie night at the Morton Pool and at Idlewood Park. Bring your crew for a fun time. Pool party will start at 6:30-8:00 pm. Then join us after for a free movie across the park at the Arts Pavilion. Cost for the family pool party is $10 per family (must live in the household). *Entry is limited to the first 500 people through the gate* Movie in the Park is "Paw Patrol" and will start at 8:30 pm and is FREE to the public. more info... | ||||
| 7/29/2024 -7/31/2024 | You're invited to our 11th Annual Backpack Giveaway! Over a decade of community support with over a million dollars in supplies! We are excited to welcome you back to our store for this years event. Join us July 29-31 at any BeMobile location to get your backpack. Backpacks are filled with school supplies and when you stop in register to win a year of FREE laundry supplies! (Limit of 3 per family while supplies last, no pre-registration required. Some restrictions apply) more info... | ||||
| 7/30/2024 |
more info... | ||||
|
Events in the month of July 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||