| Date | Event |
| 5/1/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is excited to offer a new webinar series, “Exploring AI for Entrepreneurs: Automating and Innovating Your Business.” This series is specifically designed to empower small business owners with practical, actionable strategies that drive success. Each session focuses on giving participants clear, step-by-step plans that can be implemented immediately to enhance key areas of business operations, from streamlining tasks and improving customer engagement to making smarter data-driven decisions. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business. Developing a comprehensive business plan is crucial for setting clear objectives and guiding your company's growth trajectory. In this session, participants will learn how to develop a personalized business plan, incorporating AI-driven insights to inform decisions and strategies. Attendees will learn how to create a concrete plan and roadmap tailored to their business's unique needs and goals. Topics:
Webinar series presenters: Our AI U Certified SBDC Advisers from the Illinois SBDC at Bradley University. Theresa Bloom, Director of AI U & Social Media Adviser at Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Amy Lambert, Assistant Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Eric Sampson, Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. more info... |
| 5/2/2025 -5/3/2025 | Blain’s Farm & Fleet, a trusted Midwest retail destination since 1955, is marking its 70th anniversary with two-day celebrations you won’t want to miss. The anniversary events will be packed with savings, giveaways, memorable experiences, and appreciation for the customers, associates, and communities who built the brand. more info... |
| 5/3/2025 | The Route 66 Watch and Clock Club is sponsoring a free Central Illinois Watch and Clock Show and Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2025 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... |
| 5/7/2025 | In today’s fast-paced business environment, success requires more than just individual talent—it is built on trust. Our Building Stronger Teams huddle series is designed for businesses ready to invest in their Frontline leaders, equipping them with the skills to drive effective communication, foster accountability, and create a culture of collaboration. Embracing Change :This huddle will provide you with the necessary tools and strategies to adapt to change adequately. You will discuss the Change Process and learn how to navigate through constant changes in our lives. You will reach an understanding as to why we react as we do to change and be given tips and techniques to manage the stress associated with change.Huddle 1: Building Trust | February 12 Huddle 2; Effective Communication | March 12 Huddle 3: Leading to Inspire | April 9 more info... |
| 5/8/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is excited to offer a new webinar series, “Exploring AI for Entrepreneurs: Automating and Innovating Your Business.” This series is specifically designed to empower small business owners with practical, actionable strategies that drive success. Each session focuses on giving participants clear, step-by-step plans that can be implemented immediately to enhance key areas of business operations, from streamlining tasks and improving customer engagement to making smarter data-driven decisions. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business. Understanding and articulating a compelling value proposition is fundamental to attracting and retaining customers. This session will guide participants in developing a clear value proposition, supported by AI-enhanced research and data analysis. Attendees will learn to develop an actionable roadmap and a task list tailored to their business needs, ensuring their value proposition resonates effectively with their target audience. Topics:
Webinar series presenters: Our AI U Certified SBDC Advisers from the Illinois SBDC at Bradley University. Theresa Bloom, Director of AI U & Social Media Adviser at Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Amy Lambert, Assistant Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Eric Sampson, Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. more info... |
| 5/12/2025 -5/13/2025 | DigiMarCon Midwest – The #1 Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition in Midwestern U.S. Get ready to be inspired and informed at DigiMarCon Midwest, the premier annual conference and exhibition for digital marketing, media, advertising and business professionals in Midwestern United States, returning May 12-13, 2025 to the Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. Experience two action-packed days including keynotes, master classes and panels from experts and thought leaders with cutting-edge strategies and numerous networking opportunities. Also check out the next generation of technology & innovation; Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech & SaaS Technology. Attend in-person or online to access the next wave of digital innovation, including insights in AI and ChatGPT, marketing automation, content creation, growth hacking, social media marketing, SEO, and more. Highlights: • Top Industry Keynotes: Hear from visionary speakers who push the boundaries of digital marketing. • Networking Opportunities: Connect with thought leaders, reunite with your peers, and expand your professional network. • Emerging Trends: Discover strategies and latest technologies to move your business to the next level. • Hands-On Learning: Master classes, case studies, and strategy sessions to equip you with practical solutions for immediate impact. This year’s edition will feature topics such as: • Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Marketing Automation • Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Influencer Marketing • Conversion Rate Optimization, Mobile Marketing, and Video Marketing • Data Science, Big Data, Programmatic Advertising and Predictive Analytics • UI / UX Design, User Experience, Omnichannel Marketing, and much more! Challenge traditional ideas, gain actionable insights, and discover how to thrive and succeed as a marketer in a rapidly evolving digital world. See why people keep coming back year after year to this must-attend event for any marketer wanting to stay ahead! Register and secure your seat today at https://digimarconmidwest.com. more info... |
| 5/14/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is offing a 7-part webinar series on “Mastering Google Tools to Build Your Digital Presence. In today’s digital-first world, being found online isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. If customers can’t find your business on search engines, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities for growth. Get Found, Got Growth is a training program designed to help businesses improve their online presence and increase their visibility on search engines. Led by expert trainer Maria Elena Duron, the program offers practical strategies to optimize your online presence and attract more customers. By attending this program, businesses can learn how to improve their search rankings, increase their online visibility, and thrive online. By the end of this session, you will have the tools and knowledge to improve your search performance, stand out from competitors, and ensure your business is easily found by the right audience. Don’t miss this opportunity to take control of your digital presence and drive lasting growth! more info... |
| 5/14/2025 | 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... |
| 5/15/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is excited to offer a new webinar series, “Exploring AI for Entrepreneurs: Automating and Innovating Your Business.” This series is specifically designed to empower small business owners with practical, actionable strategies that drive success. Each session focuses on giving participants clear, step-by-step plans that can be implemented immediately to enhance key areas of business operations, from streamlining tasks and improving customer engagement to making smarter data-driven decisions. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business. In this workshop, we’ll explore how AI can revolutionize your marketing and social media efforts. You’ll learn how AI tools can save you time, increase engagement, and improve the effectiveness of your campaigns. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to use AI to automate and optimize your marketing strategies. Topics:
Webinar series presenters: Our AI U Certified SBDC Advisers from the Illinois SBDC at Bradley University. Theresa Bloom, Director of AI U & Social Media Adviser at Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Amy Lambert, Assistant Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Eric Sampson, Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. more info... |
| 5/20/2025 | For the past five years, Pathway Ministries has been transforming lives through a whole-person approach to poverty—and we’re thrilled to share the powerful results with you! Join us for a light dinner and an engaging hour of discussion on May 20th from 5-6pm to hear how Jesus is using your support to change lives at Pathway Ministries. Here’s what you’ll experience:
We can’t wait to see you there! Let us know you’re coming. This is a free event but we ask everyone to register here. more info... |
| 5/21/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is offing a 7-part webinar series on “Mastering Google Tools to Build Your Digital Presence. In today’s data-driven world, understanding how customers interact with your business online is key to making smarter, more strategic decisions. Without the right insights, you could be missing opportunities to optimize your marketing, improve customer engagement, and increase revenue. This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of Google Analytics, enabling you to track key metrics, analyze trends, and make data-backed decisions that drive business success. Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions. Topics covered: *An introduction to Google Analytics *Creating and understanding reports *Making goals *Using Analytics with other Google tools By the end of this training, you will have a solid foundation in using analytics to refine your marketing efforts, enhance customer experiences, and ultimately make better business decisions. Don’t miss this opportunity to turn data into action and fuel your business growth! more info... |
| 5/22/2025 | The Illinois Small Business Development Center in the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University is excited to offer a new webinar series, “Exploring AI for Entrepreneurs: Automating and Innovating Your Business.” This series is specifically designed to empower small business owners with practical, actionable strategies that drive success. Each session focuses on giving participants clear, step-by-step plans that can be implemented immediately to enhance key areas of business operations, from streamlining tasks and improving customer engagement to making smarter data-driven decisions. Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and innovation in your business. Robust financial management is the backbone of a successful business. This session will equip participants with tools to develop a financial plan, incorporating AI to enhance accuracy and strategic financial decisions. Attendees will learn to create financial strategies tailored to their businesses for improved financial management, supported by AI-driven insights. Topics:
Webinar series presenters: Our AI U Certified SBDC Advisers from the Illinois SBDC at Bradley University. Theresa Bloom, Director of AI U & Social Media Adviser at Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Amy Lambert, Assistant Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. Eric Sampson, Director of Illinois SBDC at Bradley. more info... |
Events available for Registration... 2025 Morton Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing 5/15/2025 register for this event... 2025 Annual Golf Outing Sponsor Registration 5/15/2025 register for this event... 2025 Morton Pumpkin Art & Craft Market Registration 9/12/2025 - 9/13/2025 register for this event... |
Events in the month of May 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||