2026 IHCC Annual Business Conference and Expo
Join us at the 2026 IHCC Annual Business Conference and Expo for networking, insights, and cool business trends!
Get Ready for the 2026 IHCC Annual Business Conference and Expo!
📍 Navy Pier | August 27
The IHCC Annual Business Conference & Expo is back at Navy Pier on August 27, and it’s more than just a business event. This single day event brings together corporate leaders, public agencies, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs under one roof.
With 90+ exhibitors, tailored workshops, and thousands of attendees from across industries, this is where connections turn into real opportunities. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling your business, or looking to connect with diverse suppliers and partners, this is the place to be.
Come ready to connect, learn, and leave with more than business cards. Leave with momentum.
What to Expect
🍽️ Opening Breakfast (Ticket Required)
Hear from industry leaders and visionaries as they share insights, experiences, and inspiration to kick off the day.
🤝 Networking Opportunities (Free)
Meet entrepreneurs, executives, mentors, and potential partners who can help you move your business forward.
🏢 Exhibitor Floor (Free)
Explore a wide range of businesses and organizations showcasing products, services, resources, and opportunities.
🎓 Workshops & Conferences (Free)
Gain practical tools and strategies through expert-led sessions on entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and more.
Event Agenda - August 27 (More Details Below)
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Opening Breakfast Registration (Ticket Required)
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Opening Breakfast (Ticket Required)
11:00 AM
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
General Admission (Free)
• Exhibitor Hall
• Workshops & Conferences
• Professional Headshots
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Exhibitor Hall
👉 Become an Exhibitor Today!
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Workshops & Conferences (Included with General Admission)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Matchmaking One-on-One Sessions (By Invitation Only)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Cocktails & Networking at Bar Sol (Ticket Required)
Exhibitors include: 11:00 AM a 4:00 PM: General – Free
Accelefund
Advocate Health Solutions
Aeromexico
Agsant Insurance Group Inc
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Alzheimer's Association
Amazon
American Airlines
Bally's Casino
BMO Bank
By-Line Bank
Centro Castillo for Personal and Family Wellbeing
Chicago Fire
Chicago Transit Authority
CIBC Bank
Ciudad Maderas
Collars Inc
COMED
Costa Ivone Injury Lawyers
Del Real Tax Group
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Dominican University
DOT Press LLC
Eight Percent Corp (AT&T)
Erie House
Fifth Third Bank
Financial Renaissance
Gebesa
Global Industrial
HACIA
IL Independent Chief Procurement Office (CPO)
IL Tollway Authority
Illinois Credit Union League
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Illinois State Treasurer
Joseph School of Business
JP Morgan Chase
Julio Acosta
Kempster, Corcoran, Quiceno & Lenz-Calvo, Ltd., Immigration Attorneys
McDonalds
Metra Railroad
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Michels Power, Inc
Monterrey Security
Motr Grafx
National Retail Solutions
Navy Pier
Negocios Now
NEIU
Nicor Gas
Northeastern Illinois University
Nourishing Hope
Numark Credit Union
Old National Bank
Old Second Bank
One Digital
Pace
People Gas
Pursuit Lending
Record A Hit
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
Rivers Casino
Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Smart Technologies ULC
SomerCor
Square
TIAA Bright Start 529 College Savings
United Health Care
University of Illinois Systems
US Bank
V-Outsourcing
Verizon
Volaris
Wintrust
Mercadito Participants: Support these small businesses!
Additional Exhibitors:
🔸 Areli's Soy Candles
🔸 Canela Granola LLC
🔸 Cuidate LLC
🔸 De La Tierra Ceramics
🔸 Deli Barritas
🔸 Los Amigos Books
🔸 Mezcal Artesanal Oaxaqueño
🔸 Oceana Jewels
🔸 Ollin Roots
🔸 Simply Josie Rivera Sweets & Treats LLC
🔸 Soltair Fragrances
🔸 Sweet Picante
🔸 Tanimu Pet Bodega
🔸 The Bound Studio
🔸 Yanél Naturals Handmade Products Inc
Workshops: Free Workshops & Conferences
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM :
Marketing in a Digital World
This “Marketing in a Digital World” workshop is a friendly, educational session on how to get noticed online and build a strong community on the internet. We’ll talk about what makes your business unique, how to strengthen your brand, and where your customers spend time online. You’ll leave with simple, practical ideas for using social media, email, and other online channels, plus tips for tracking what’s working and adjusting over time.
Chase
Legal Clinic: Business Law Essentials for Entrepreneurs
This exclusive legal panel features an accomplished group of attorneys whose collective experience in business law, wealth management and running a law business will benefit all IHCC members. Our panelists are former Bar Association Presidents, current Bar Chairpersons, managing law partners, successful business owners, and nationally recognized leaders in the legal profession. Drawing from decades of experience advising businesses across multiple industries, the panel will provide strategic insights on the legal issues every entrepreneur and business owner should understand.
CIBC
Inteligencia Artificial Hecha Fácil: Domina lo que nadie te enseña de la IA
Las grandes cadenas y franquicias ya disponen de equipos de marketing y herramientas de inteligencia artificial a su servicio. Esta sesión enseña a los propietarios de pequeños negocios familiares a utilizar esa misma tecnología - sin necesidad de un presupuesto de marketing - para crear o mejorar un sitio web sencillo, redactar instrucciones (*prompts*) que realmente generen respuestas útiles en herramientas como ChatGPT (Claude o Gemini), y saber qué NO hacer ni compartir en línea para protegerse a sí mismos y a sus negocios. Trabajamos partiendo de tus objetivos reales, de modo que cada herramienta que aprendas esté vinculada a algo que puedas poner en práctica esa misma semana.
Al finalizar, te llevarás una plantilla de calendario de contenidos, un esquema sencillo para planificar teniendo en mente el objetivo final y un código QR con acceso a guías, recursos y una breve tarea para aplicar lo aprendido de inmediato.
Unicorn Properties
How Bankable are you? Understanding Business Credit & Borrowing Power
Your business credit score is just as important as your personal credit score! A strong business credit profile can open the door to financing, better supplier terms, government contracting opportunities, and long-term business growth. In this interactive workshop, you'll learn why business credit matters, how it differs from personal credit, and the practical steps you can take to establish and strengthen your company's financial reputation. Whether you're just starting your business or looking to position your company for future expansion, this workshop will provide the knowledge and actionable tools to help you build a credit foundation that supports sustainable growth and opens new financial opportunities.
Bank of America (BMO)
12:30 PM - 1:20 PM :
Forecasting Like a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
"Forecasting Like a Chief Financial Officer" is an interactive workshop designed for entrepreneurs, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and finance professionals who want to make strategic financial decisions with confidence. Participants will learn the forecasting techniques that CFOs use to anticipate cash flow, plan for growth, manage risk, and secure financing. You will hear real-life success stories of small business loans that were granted.
Wipfli
Franchising Master Class Room
McDonalds
Tu Gente, Tu Negocio, Tu Salud
Investing in employee health may help improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, support retention, and contribute to long-term business success. In this session, UnitedHealthcare will break down healthcare options available to local businesses, highlight the benefits of Chamber-sponsored health plans, and explain how employers can leverage the Illinois Chamber program to offer quality, affordable coverage. Walk away with a better understanding of your options and the resources available through your Chamber membership.
United Healthcare
The Golden Alternative: The Credit Union Advantage for Small Businesses
Credit unions are uniquely positioned to help entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed by combining access to capital with personalized guidance, financial education, and community partnerships.
Join leaders from the Illinois Credit Union League and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for a discussion on how credit unions are helping small businesses start, grow, and thrive.
Panelists will share real-world examples of supporting entrepreneurs through business lending, SBA financing, financial education, and technical assistance programs. Gain practical insights into available resources and learn how credit unions serve as trusted partners throughout every stage of the business lifecycle.
The Credit Union League
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM :
AI & Cybersecurity for Small Business Success
An essential presentation for business expos, designed to protect local businesses that are currently targeted by cybercriminals nearly four times more often than large firms. With 99% of these attacks driven by profit and median ransomware payments hitting $100k, a single breach can be devastating to a small business. This session explores how artificial intelligence acts as a double-edged sword, empowering attackers with automated hacking and realistic voice and video cloning, while also providing new defensive capabilities. Attendees will move past complex tech jargon to learn actionable, budget-friendly strategies, discovering that effective cybersecurity is about consistency and awareness rather than massive IT budgets. By equipping your members with a "zero trust mindset" and foundational tools, this presentation will empower them to safeguard their livelihoods, supply chains, and customers against today's top threats.
Verizon
Funding Without Failure: How Smart Entrepreneurs Access Capital
Not all capital is created equal, and the wrong type can strain your cash flow as much as having none at all.
This workshop breaks down the real financing options in front of you, from traditional commercial banking with US Bank to community-focused lending through CDFIs like Allies for Community Business, invoice financing with Prairie Business Credit, and public funding resources through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Office.
The right fit depends on more than your revenue; it depends on your industry, your growth stage, and how you plan to use the money. Panelists will speak directly to what each option requires, what to expect, and how to avoid over-leveraging your business in the process.
US Bank
Save Energy: Grow Your Business with Nicor Gas
Explore opportunities to partner with Nicor Gas while learning about programs that can help your business save energy and lower operating costs. We’ll discuss supplier inclusion, doing business with our company, and available energy efficiency resources, including assessments, rebates, financing, and online tools.
Nicor Gas
De Idea a Realidad: Cómo Empezar tu Negocio
¿Está pensando en iniciar su propio negocio?
Convierta su idea en una realidad con la orientación de un panel de expertos comprometidos con el éxito de los emprendedores.
Durante esta sesión, escuchará consejos prácticos de un abogado especializado en negocios, un contador, expertos en seguros y servicios financieros, así como empresarios con experiencia que compartirán los pasos esenciales para iniciar un negocio con bases sólidas. Conozca los aspectos legales, financieros y operativos que todo nuevo empresario debe considerar para comenzar con confianza.
Traiga sus preguntas y aproveche la oportunidad de obtener respuestas directamente de los especialistas, crear nuevas conexiones y llevarse herramientas prácticas para dar el siguiente paso hacia el éxito de su empresa.
Panel de expertos de Serna Legal Services, CMYY Tax y más...
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM :
Build a business with Amazon
In this session, learn how you can build a business with Amazon beyond selling a physical product in the store. We’ll cover how you can leverage Amazon selling programs to help build and protect your brand, self-publish your own book with Kindle Direct Publishing, become an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, earn commissions and monetize your content as an Amazon Influencer, and much more. Finally, we will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success.
Amazon
The Ultimate Guide to Start your Business
Thinking about starting your own business? Get the answers you need from a panel of trusted experts to help launch and grow your businesses. Hear practical insights from a business attorney, accountant, financial experts and experienced business owners as they break down the essential legal, financial, and operational steps to starting your business with confidence. Bring your questions and leave with the knowledge - and connections - to turn your business idea into reality.
Panel of Experts from Serna Legal Services, CMYY Tax, Accelefund, Miller Berger and more...
Artificial Intelligence in Action: Learn to Organize, Automate & Scale Your Business
Most business owners spend their days reacting: chasing leads, answering the same questions, and putting out fires. This hands-on workshop shows you how AI and automation can carry that load for you. Through three simple, real-world examples, you'll learn to organize your contacts so nothing slips through the cracks, automate the manual tasks and processes that consume your day, and scale what works by cloning it into your next campaign.
Go Real Digital
IHCC does not sell or authorize the sale of attendee lists. If you receive an email offering an IHCC EXPO attendee list, please do not purchase it or provide payment information.