A series of online programs to help local business owners and operators safely reopen and/or expand services during phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Hosted by the villages of Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire, the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, and Vernon Area Public Library.
Learn about the state guidelines for safely reopening your business or organization. The guidelines were developed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) based on community input. State Representative Dan Didech and a DCEO representative explain how to get back to work in phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Illinois plan and how you can provide important feedback and best practices with the state for the further development of the DCEO guidelines.
Speakers: Dan Didech, Illinois House of Representatives, 59th District
Jonathan McGee, Assistant Deputy Director & Acting Deputy Director Office of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
When life gives you lemons...make a drive-up lemonade stand! Hear from a few local business owners whose agile decision-making helped them weather the Stay-at-Home order and connect with their customers in a time of need. They’ll get you thinking about how your business can adapt now to serve your customers.
Speakers: Mike Farrell, Owner of Egg Harbor Cafe; Nick Bennett, Co-Owner of ZaZa Salon; Mike Schulewitz, General Manager at Buffalo Grove Park District
As your company prepares to reopen for business, there are many COVID-19–related personnel issues to keep in mind. Get the tools you need to manage HR matters in the reinvented workplace and ensure ongoing compliance with state guidelines for operating businesses in phases 3 and 4 of the Restore Illinois plan.
Speakers: Adriane Johnson, Populus XP; Steve Golberg, We Place People; Tiffany Carpenter & Aaron Zarkowsky, Howard & Howard Attorneys at Law
Learn about the various business-friendly initiatives the villages of Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove have implemented to make it easier for you, the business owner/operator, to reopen your doors successfully and safely. The Villages are here to support and assist you with permitting, inspections, resource and information sharing, promotion, and other business needs. It truly takes a Village!
Speakers: Nicole Woods, Village of Buffalo Grove; Rati Akash, Village Planner; Tonya Zozulya, Village of Lincolnshire; Ben Gilbertson, Village of Lincolnshire
Learn about all funding opportunities that will help your business remain stable as you reopen and rebuild. Finance experts from the Small Business Development Center, Lake County Partners, and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) present the information you need about the Paycheck Protection Program, the CARES Act, and other important funding sources.
Speakers: Mitch Bienvenue, Small Business Development & International Trade Center; Ron Lanz, Lake County Partners; Miriam Campbell & Kristina Adomaviciute, Vice President, Wintrust SBA; Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust; Diana Alfaro, Latino Business Development Manager, Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Helping customers feel comfortable in your establishment is always an important part of doing business; now it’s more important than ever. Learn to effectively communicate your operating procedures to inform your customers and prevent confrontation. Buffalo Grove police officers Meghan Hansen and Matt Mills and communications specialist Evan Michel explain best practices.
Speakers: Meghan Hansen, BG Police; Matt Mills, BG Police; Evan Michel, Village of Buffalo Grove
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