Schedule of Events.
2023 schedule in development
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Registration MAIN LOBBY
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration
Or Individual ticket purchase
Continental Breakfast
10:00 AM - 10:05 AM
Opening Ceremony MAIN LOBBY
10:00 AM – 11:50 AM
1:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Exhibit Area Open CORRIDOR
2019 sessions
Opportunities Presentations - Hear details on a future project or projects by the presenting firm or agency and have an opportunity to meet key leadership on the project/s being presented.
2:00 PM – 3:30PM
OPEN TO ALL
Vanguard Awards and Meet and Greet
This occasion presents the Vanguard Award followed by a Meet and Greet with the recipients.
Conference Concludes
3:30 PM
Opportunities Presentation
10:10 AM – 10:50 AM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO ATTEND
Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway's 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future has more than $8 billion to spend. Hear about upcoming opportunities and how your firm can bid to win.
Meet the newly appointed Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development, Terry Miller.
Presenting
Peter H. Foernssler, Deputy Chief Program Implementation
Opportunities Presentation
10:10 AM – 10:50 AM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO ATTEND
Related Midwest
Presenting
Don Biernacki, Senior Vice President Construction
Information Session
10:10 AM – 10:50 AM
open to all
"Build Your Business Using this Powerful Strategy: Teaming or Joint Venturing"
Check on site for location
Both teaming arrangements and joint ventures afford small businesses the opportunity to contract with government agencies for larger projects than they would otherwise qualify to complete.
Presenting
Atty. Jeremy Baker, Founding Attorney, Baker Law Group, LLC
Atty. Robert Shipley, Founding Partner, Shipley Law Group
Opportunities Presentation
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO ATTEND
Capital Development Board
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion state construction plan, which he calls "Rebuild Illinois" has a multitude of projects identified which are managed by the Capital Development Board. Hear about the projects and opportunities available for your construction, architecture or engineering firm.
Presenting
Michael A. Wilson II, Deputy Director Construction
Jesse Martinez, FEP Administrator
Ron Wright, Construction Administrator
Opportunites Presentation
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO ATTEND
Clayco
Clayco is one of the nation’s largest privately-owned real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firms with over $2.6+ billion in revenue for 2018 and more than 2,000 employees across the country.
Check on site for location
At any time, Clayco can have over 11.5 million square feet of construction underway throughout the country. Hear about the projects and opportunities available for your firm.
Presenting
Sandra Marks, Senior Vice President.
Information Session
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
open to all
"Access to Funding"
Learn about the CTA funding program to assist contractors and how your firm can qualify.
Presenting:
JuanPablo Prieto, Director of Diversity Programs, Chicago Transit Authority
Marcus Yancey, Economic Development and Small Business Lender, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago (LISC).
Suzanne Arkle, President, ZANN
Luncheon
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO ATTEND or lunch ticket
Featuring a "Fireside Chat" with Mr. Donald Biernacki
Senior Vice President Construction
Related Midwest
Check on site for location
Information Session
1:30 PM – 2:20 PM
OPEN TO ALL
"Access to Surety Bonding"
Surety bonds play a critical role in construction. Meet agents who can educate you and help prepare your firm to become bondable.
Presenting:
Junior Pierre, Assistant Vice President, Lambent Risk Management
Mark Walters, Principal, CS Insurance Strategy
Information Session
1:30 PM – 2:20PM
open to all
"How to Stay Out Of (or Get Out Of) Trouble With The IRS"
The IRS can be extremely frightening. Unlike most other government agencies, the IRS has the power to attach your wages, freeze your bank account and even confiscate your property.
Presenting:
Atty. Patrick T. Sheehan, CEO, IRS Problem Solvers
Information Session
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
open to all
"The Workforce Dilemma-Building Your Workforce For Tomorrow's Opportunities"
Major shortage in the workforce are eminent as larger projects come on line. These shortages impact the ability to get the job done for owners, developers and contractors. This session will discuss some approaches being employed and discussed by project owners and providers to close the current and future manpower shortage gaps. If you're looking to participate on future commercial projects you need to know how to address this problem.
Moderator: Peter A. Creticos Ph.D., President & Executive Director, Institute for Work & the Economy
Panelists:
JuanPablo Prieto, Director of Diversity, CTA
Eddie S. Read, Chairman, Chicago Black United Communities
Jay Rowell, Executive Director, HIRE360
Jayne Vellinga, Executive Director, Chicago Women in Trades
Private Engagement Sessions
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM
requires YOUR ALL-ACCESS Full conference registration TO participate
You will receive an email notifying you when to register for these appointments two weeks before the conference.
These are private meetings with representatives from participating firms and agencies. These meetings allow interested attendees to obtain information on how to do business with the participating company or obtain information on programs and services offered that could be of benefit to their business. These are introductory 10 minutes meetings, so come ready to make a strong, positive impression. These meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis on our website.
Location: Main Lobby
