Southland Development Authority

10/09/2026

45+ South Suburban towns. About 1,000 businesses are helped every year. Here's what the Southland Development Authority has built so far, and where it goes next.

Want to be part of what's next?
Visit southlanddevelopment.org and sign up for our newsletter.

10/09/2026

🔎 FINDING OPPORTUNITIES — LEARN TO NAVIGATE DIBBS

The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is an important tool for companies interested in selling products to the Defense Logistics Agency.

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 12:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual

📚 This training will introduce businesses to:
• Registering for a DIBBS account
• Navigating the DIBBS platform
• Searching Requests for Quotations
• Reviewing Requests for Proposals and Invitations for Bid
• Researching DLA awards and procurement information
• Identifying opportunities appropriate for your business

👤 Presenter: Alonzo Burris II

This session is especially relevant for manufacturers, distributors, machine shops, metalworking companies, and suppliers interested in the defense supply chain.

👉 REGISTER FOR THE OCTOBER 9 DIBBS TRAINING:

10/08/2026

🎤 ILLINOIS' GOT TALENT
Live Capability Briefing & Pitch Showcase

Celebrate National APEX Week at this interactive capability briefing and pitch showcase hosted by the Economic Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association.

Illinois entrepreneurs pursuing government-contracting opportunities will present their businesses and capabilities live before government representatives and an audience of fellow business owners and procurement professionals.

📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CT
📍 4245 N. Knox Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641

💡 Why Attend?
• See how businesses present their capabilities to government buyers
• Learn what makes a capability briefing clear and memorable
• Hear questions and feedback from government representatives
• Strengthen your own elevator pitch
• Prepare for matchmaking and agency introductions
• Network with other government-contracting businesses

Even if you are not pitching, this is an opportunity to learn by watching other businesses communicate their value.

👉 REGISTER FOR ILLINOIS' GOT TALENT:

Join us in-person to see brave entrepreneurs pitch their business' capability briefings LIVE!

10/06/2026

💻 VIRTUAL UNLOCK THE DOCK PREPARATION SESSION

Can't attend the September in-person preparation session? Join the virtual session to prepare your business before meeting government buyers and prime contractors at Unlock the Dock.

📅 Tuesday, October 6, 2026
⏰ 12:00 p.m. CT
💻 Virtual

🛠️ Use this opportunity to sharpen your:
• Capability statement
• 30-second business introduction
• Target-agency strategy
• Government and prime-contractor research
• Matchmaking approach
• Follow-up plan

👉 REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL PREP SESSION:

Modernize workflows with Zoom's trusted collaboration tools: including video meetings, Zoom Chat, VoIP phone, webinars, whiteboard, contact center, and events.

10/05/2026

🚢 SAVE THE DATE — UNLOCK THE DOCK 250

Government buyers. Prime contractors. Manufacturers. Construction companies. Small businesses. Procurement opportunities. Matchmaking.

📅 October 27–28, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Greenbelt Cultural Center | North Chicago, IL

Unlock the Dock 250: Government Symposium & Great Lakes Super Matchmaker brings businesses and buyers together for two days of procurement education, networking, supplier readiness, and targeted matchmaking.

🏆 Premier Sponsor: SomerCor
⚙️ Platinum Sponsor: DMG MORI

Participating organizations include federal, state and local agencies along with major companies and prime contractors.

🎟️ Register today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlock-the-dock-government-symposium-super-matchmaker-tickets-1994688826977

👉 Please share with manufacturers, contractors, small businesses, and suppliers that should be in the room.

SupplierDiversity APEXAccelerator

10/01/2026

🇺🇸 OPERATION SANDTRAP II

Operation SANDTRAP II, presented by Roll Call Chicagoland, provides an opportunity to connect with members of Chicagoland's veteran community, employers, business leaders, and community partners.

📅 Thursday, October 1, 2026
📍 Orland Park, Illinois

🤝 Veteran-owned businesses and organizations interested in strengthening veteran professional and workforce networks may want to participate.

👉 LEARN MORE ABOUT OPERATION SANDTRAP II:

10/01/2026

Why VCs fund hype over profit - Bo's take. Full essay: https://bokemp.substack.com/p/vc-funding-is-just-tinder-for-founders

10/01/2026

New from Bo's Substack: Why VC pitches work like dating apps. Full essay: https://bokemp.substack.com/p/vc-funding-is-just-tinder-for-founders

09/30/2026

🏙️ What if a city’s collapse could become an opportunity to take control?

Allegations surrounding Gary, Indiana, raise questions about abandoned properties, unpaid taxes, and whether financial pressure could be used to reshape who controls a struggling community. 👀

💬 Could economic decline become part of a strategy to acquire land and influence a city’s future?

📖 Read Bo’s full take on Substack:
👉 https://bokemp.substack.com/p/manifest-destiny-has-a-tax-strategy

🎥 View this on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cFFh9ReQ0fo&feature=youtu.be

09/29/2026

Don’t forget to sign up! 🚀

Ready to stop guessing at marketing and start building a strategy that actually works?

Join Level 2: Stop Guessing at Marketing — a hands-on marketing cohort designed for business owners ready to strengthen, refine, and scale their marketing strategy.

You’ll dive into:
✨ Brand & Content Strategy
🔎 SEO, AEO & AI Discovery
📊 Paid Media
📧 Email Marketing
⚙️ DIY, Automate or Delegate?

📅 Starts October 1
🕐 Orientation: 1 PM
🎓 First Class: Wednesday, October 7 at 8:30 AM

Spots are limited — secure yours today!

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/na-bO47_SzCEoDvoMkzTFw #/registration

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