| Date | Event |
| 10/1/2025 | 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:
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. more info... |
| 10/15/2025 | 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. more info... |
| 10/15/2025 | 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... |
| 10/16/2025 | 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... |
| 10/16/2025 | 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... |
| 10/22/2025 | 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:
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. more info... |
| 10/23/2025 | 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:
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. more info... |
| 10/29/2025 | 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:
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. more info... |
Events available for Registration... 2025 Leadership Morton_Fall Session 9/25/2025 - 12/18/2025 register for this event... |
Events in the month of October 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||