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Volume 6, Issue 3
Friday, May 22, 2009 | Volume 6, Issue 3  
 

FRONT & CENTER

Young Entrepreneurs Present Their Inventive Business Plans for $25,000 in Prizes at 'American Idol' Style Competition

The Honorable Mayor Richard M. Daley kicks off the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s Future Founders program student business plan competition at ESPN Zone

Volume 6, Issue 3 Students from four South Side high schools competed in a thrilling business plan competition on May 6 as a capstone to their experiential study of entrepreneurship, and showcased their inventive plans to launch new products and services as promising, young entrepreneurs. The ‘American Idol’ style competition, hosted by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) at ESPN Zone, culminated with students being recognized for their promising business plans by a panel of local entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy senior Ariell Buckingham received first place in the business plan competition for founding Smile Entertainment, a company that coordinates children’s birthday parties.

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Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center Honors Top Business Leaders, Volunteers for their Participation in Future Founders

Volume 6, Issue 3 The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) recently recognized eight business leaders for their ongoing commitment to its Future Founders program. The CEC launched Future Founders to give motivated high school students in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods the opportunity to learn about and experience entrepreneurship during the school year from some of the city’s most successful entrepreneurs. Since 2005, volunteers have dedicated over 3,000 hours of their time to the program through mentoring and strategic coaching for the students. This year, the CEC recognized its top mentors/volunteers during the 4th Annual Future Founders Citywide Business Plan Competition & Luncheon.

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FEATURED EVENTS

CEC to Spotlight Top Women Business Owners, Recognize Landmarks Achieved Through ATHENAPowerLink® Program on June 4

Volume 6, Issue 3 As part of its ongoing efforts to promote business development amongst leading women entrepreneurs, other business owners, executives and investors, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) announced that it will host its Sixth Annual “Successful, High Energy, Entrepreneurial” (S.H.E.) awards reception and cocktail banquet on Thursday, June 4 at the Chicago Cultural Center from 6 pm to 8 pm. The 2009 S.H.E. Reception will also spotlight leading participants in the CEC's ATHENAPowerLink® program through this past year, and present awards to the program’s 2009 Business of the Year and Advisory Panel of the Year.

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Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Hosts 105th Annual Meeting; Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to Speak

Volume 6, Issue 3 Join over 1,000 of Chicago’s top executives to hear updates on current issues and new initiatives that are vital to Chicagoland businesses. The Chamber will also discuss its vision and plans that will push the organization forward.

To keep the Annual Meeting theme of “Reinventing your Business Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” the keynote presenter will be Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft Corporation. Governor Pat Quinn will also be on hand to present his vision of innovation for the State of Illinois. This event is not just for Chamber members; the networking starts at 7:00 am and continues until the program and breakfast at 7:45 am.

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Crain's Fast Fifty Breakfast on June 17

Volume 6, Issue 3 Attend the Crain’s Fast Fifty Breakfast, a networking reception and breakfast, to hear from a panel of successful entrepreneurs from Fast Fifty companies who have proven their business strategies with astronomical revenue growth, both in good and challenging times. Some have landed on Crain’s Fast Fifty list multiples times. Find out how to emulate their recipes for success.

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