{"id":9501,"date":"2025-12-15T09:50:05","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/?page_id=9501"},"modified":"2026-03-30T09:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T14:36:11","slug":"annual-se-business-service-center-summit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/se-business-service-center\/annual-se-business-service-center-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Annual Business Center Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>\n\t\t\t4th Annual Connect &#038; Contract Summit: Fueling Growth Together\t<\/h1>\n\t<p><strong>Join us to explore the benefits of providing energy solutions and prepare for what&#8217;s on the horizon while building valuable connections!<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/cc\/2026-connect-contract-summit-weekend-4798152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegister For The Event\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<h3><strong>March 30th, 2025 8:00AM &#8211; 5:00PM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t<h3><strong>Colegio Malcolm X<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>City Colleges of Chicago<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t<h2><strong>SPONSORS<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1000002365-300x186.webp\" alt=\"1000002365\" height=\"186\" width=\"300\" title=\"1000002365\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/AmericanWaterlogo.png\" alt=\"AmericanWaterlogo\" height=\"53\" width=\"277\" title=\"AmericanWaterlogo\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Peoples-Gas-North-Shore-Gas-300x14.png\" alt=\"Peoples Gas North Shore Gas\" height=\"14\" width=\"300\" title=\"Peoples Gas North Shore Gas\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Copy-of-121024-4-300x300.png\" alt=\"Copy of 121024 (4)\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" title=\"Copy of 121024 (4)\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Copy-of-121024-1080-x-400-px-300x56.png\" alt=\"Copy of 121024 (1080 x 400 px)\" height=\"56\" width=\"300\" title=\"Copy of 121024 (1080 x 400 px)\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-Will-Group.png\" alt=\"The Will Group\" height=\"188\" width=\"188\" title=\"The Will Group\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<h2><strong>ABOUT THIS EVENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t<p><strong>Fueling growth. Together.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Save the date for the 2026 Connect &amp; Contract Summit, presented by the Strategic Business Service Center. Join us for this dynamic event designed to spark connections, power new partnerships, and fuel your future!<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/cc\/2026-connect-contract-summit-weekend-4798152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegister now\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<h2><strong>Day 1 | Sunday, March 29, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><em><strong>SHE LEADS: A Celebration of Women in Leadership<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n<p>* Times are subject to change.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">3:00 PM | Connections &amp; Social Time PLUS Live Music<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Collapse<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Enjoy Hors d&#8217;oeuvres, all while enjoying live music!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-1\">3:30 PM | Lunch is Served<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-1\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Menu: Shrimp &amp; grits, scones, scrambles eggs, croissants, turkey sausage, bacon, fruit parfaits, roasted vegetables, potatoes, and more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-2\">4:00 PM | Welcome Remarks<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-2\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-3\">4:15 PM | Presenting Sponsor Remarks<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-3\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-4\">4:30 PM | Guest Speaker<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-4\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-5\">4:45 PM | Recognition of Honorees &amp; SHE LEADS Awards<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-5\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-5\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-6\">5:15 PM &#8211; 6:00 PM | Music &amp; Networking Reception<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-6\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-6\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-7\">6:00 PM | VIP Awards and Reception Concludes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-7\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t<h2><strong>Day 2 | Monday, March 30, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><i>Connect &amp; Contract Summit: Fueling Growth Together<\/i><\/h3>\n<p>* Times are subject to change.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">8:00 AM | Registration Opens<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Collapse<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-1\">8:00 AM &#8211; 9:00 AM | Breakfast &amp; Vendor Visits<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-1\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3><em>Breakfast<\/em><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Breakfast consisting of breakfast sandwiches, fruit parfaits, pastries, juice, coffee\/tea, and water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-2\">9:00 AM &#8211; 9:15 AM | Welcome &amp; Opening Remarks<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-2\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-3\">9:15 AM &#8211; 10:30 AM | Main Stage 1: Energy &amp; Utility Industry C-Suite Fireside Chat<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-3\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-4\">10:45 AM &#8211; 11:45 AM | Main Stage 2: The Growth of Manufacturing and Technology; Living in the new world of AI <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-4\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-5\">11:45 AM &#8211; 12:15 PM | Lunch Served<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-5\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-5\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Menu: Soul-food inspired, health-conscious dishes with sweet treats.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-6\">12:15 PM &#8211; 1:15 PM | Main Stage 3: Scaling for Growth: Doing Business with Federal, State &amp; Local Agencies<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-6\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-6\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-7\">1:30 PM &#8211; 3:30 PM | Concurrent Breakout Sessions <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-7\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2><em>Sessions:<\/em><\/h2>\n<p><strong>1.1:30 &#8211; 2:30 PM\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Constellation is Open for Business<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. 1:30 &#8211; 2:30 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Access to Capital and Wealth Building<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. 1:30 &#8211; 2:30 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Young Entrepreneurs and Shaping the Future of Business<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. 2:45 &#8211; 3:30 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AI Shaping the Future of business<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. 2:45 &#8211; 3:15 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Resources for Small Businesses <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-8\">1:30 PM &#8211; 3:30 PM | Matchmaking Sessions<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-8\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-8\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>One-on-one and group sessions connecting primes, subs, and suppliers.<\/p>\n<p><em>Meet the Buyers: Join in Speed Networking with Agency Reps<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-9\">3:40 PM &#8211; 4:50 PM | Main Stage 4 &#8211; Sub-Prime Mentor-Mentee Accountability Program. Subcontractor and Prime Contractor Relationships: Building Strategic Alliances with Integrity<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-9\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-9\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Subcontractor and Prime Contractor Relationships: Building Strategic Alliances with Integrity<\/b><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-10\">5:00 PM | Summit Concludes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-10\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t<h2><strong>WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t<p>Attending the Business Summit could be a game-changer for you! Explore the benefits of joining us as we delve into top sectors like renewable energy, carbon capture, energy efficiency (including green construction), smart grid and ICT solutions, critical infrastructure cybersecurity, climate disaster recovery solutions, electric vehicle and smart transportation technology, and more.<\/p>\n<p>This summit is your gateway to networking and seizing opportunities in these thriving industries. Don&#8217;t miss out on the chance to revolutionize your business!<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/cc\/2026-connect-contract-summit-weekend-4798152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a1Reg\u00edstrate ahora!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"anterior\" type=\"button\">\n<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Siguiente\" type=\"button\">\n<\/button>\n\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMB_1547.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Terrie Simmons and another hugging during celebration.\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMB_0450-Solar-Energy-Panel-.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo of energy panel leadership.\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMB_1606.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo of women leadership at 2024 &quot;Women in Power&quot; post-summit celebration.\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMB_1259.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo from previous year summit.\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<h3>Interested in becoming a sponsor, vendor, or contributor for our upcoming event? Our annual business and community initiatives bring together 1000s of MBEs from across the globe where business relationships are cultivated. When you partner with us, you get:<\/h3>\n\t<ul>\n<li>A <b>structured program<\/b> to assist in meeting your <b>C<\/b>orporate <b>S<\/b>ocial <b>R<\/b>esponsibility and <b>DEI<\/b> goals<\/li>\n<li>Access to and <b>increased visibility<\/b> in global markets<\/li>\n<li>An avenue to provide technical assistance for small businesses and job training for individuals<\/li>\n<li>A <b>consistent pipeline of diverse businesses<\/b> that can fulfill corporate procurement needs<\/li>\n<li>A network of trained business experts<\/li>\n<li>A pipeline for sub and prime contractors<\/li>\n<li><b>Contractor mentorship program<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/summit-participation-sponsorship-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here to register now!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<h2><strong>SHE LEADS VIP BRUNCH<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SEBSC_Logo-3-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"45\" height=\"45\" \/><\/strong><\/h2>\n\t<p>The <strong>SHE Leads VIP brunch<\/strong> takes place March Sunday, 29th at 8:00 AM. Join us for a day of fun, food, entertainment, networking, and more at our 2nd annual VIP Women&#8217;s reception!<\/p>\n<h4>The VIP will be held at Hyatt House Chicago-Medical\/University District, 1835 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612<\/h4>\n\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed\/v1\/place?q=1835+W+Harrison+St%2C+Chicago%2C+IL+60612&#038;key=AIzaSyD09zQ9PNDNNy9TadMuzRV_UsPUoWKntt8\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/iframe>\n\t<h2><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/SEBSC_Logo-3-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"44\" height=\"44\" \/>SUMMIT LOCATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t<p>The summit will be hosted at<strong> Malcolm X College (MXC)<\/strong>, which is conveniently located near the Illinois Medical District and offers one of the largest selections of health sciences degrees in Cook County. MXC is situated near the birthplace of the City Colleges of Chicago, Crane Junior College, which was established in 1911 at the corner of Jackson and Oakley.<\/p>\n\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed\/v1\/place?q=1900+W+Jackson+Blvd%2C+Chicago%2C+IL+60612&#038;key=AIzaSyD09zQ9PNDNNy9TadMuzRV_UsPUoWKntt8\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>4th Annual Connect &#038; Contract Summit: Fueling Growth Together Join us to explore the benefits of providing energy solutions and prepare for what&#8217;s on the horizon while building valuable connections!&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-ilmbda.php","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9501","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9501\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/strategicexceptions.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}