World Business Chicago

The Chicago International Gala celebrated World Business Chicago’s efforts to position our city as a premier hub for global business and foreign investment. This year’s gala not only highlighted the achievements of remarkable Chicagoans but also underscored Chicago’s ability to convene leaders from around the globe to drive progress and innovation. Together, we are shaping Chicago’s reputation as a vibrant and thriving global city. Click below to read this week’s newsletter and discover more about how we’re positioning Chicago on the world's stage!

Gensler, a World Business Chicago board member company and globally renowned architecture firm, recently hosted its Global Board & Management Committee meeting in Chicago, featuring a dynamic panel of the city’s top leaders and influencers. This annual tradition brought together voices that are shaping the next chapter of Chicago’s urban development and global standing. Hannah Loftus, WBC’s new?Vice President?of Research, joined an esteemed group of panelists, including Jeff Shapack, Shapack Partners, Ann Thompson, Related Midwest, Danny Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawks, Leon Walker, DL3 Realty ? The event was moderated by Eleanor Esser Gorski, Chicago Architecture Center, who led the conversation into the challenges and opportunities shaping Chicago’s urban landscape. Key Highlights: ???Hannah shared data revealing a population increase in Chicago’s downtown, underscoring that the city’s bold plans, like transforming LaSalle Street into a vibrant residential corridor, are on the right track. ???Panelists explored how collaboration between developers, civic organizations, and the city is driving innovation in housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization.?Chicago’s strong civic community is ready to face challenges and opportunities for growth. ???From the South Side's transformative investments to the integration of design and community needs, the conversation celebrated Chicago’s resilience, and forward-thinking vision.? ? Events like this showcase the power of partnerships and bold ideas in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for Chicago. We’re proud to collaborate with board member companies like Gensler to highlight the city’s strength and potential. Thank you to all the panelists and Gensler for leading this important dialogue.? ? Together, we’re building a better Chicago!

World Business Chicago wrapped up our 8th?Founders Delegation for women and non-binary entrepreneurs this week!? ? Led by Nicole McCarthy and Arantxa Valverde, our group had a jam-packed 48 hours in NYC. They dined with investors and economic development partners, watched the opening bell ceremony and took a tour of?NASDAQ?(thank you,?Kendall Wisinski!) attended the Female Quotient’s Women in AI Summit featuring?Chelsea Clinton and?Dr. Joy Buolamwini?of the Algorithmic Justice League. ? At World Business Chicago, Inclusive economic development is at the core of what we stand for. The purpose of these trips is to move the needle for women and non-binary founded companies so they can increase their access to funding, expand their business networks, and build founder community in new markets.? ? Since April 2023, we have hosted delegations in major tech hubs like: Silicon Valley, Toronto, London, Miami, New York, and Austin. We’ve funded nearly 50 diverse women and non-binary founders to attend conferences like Collision Conf, Rally, SXSW, Emerge Americas, Techstars, and London Tech Week.? ? Thank you to all the partners who helped make this delegation to New York a success!

This past October was Manufacturing Month—a career awareness experience to showcase opportunities in Chicago’s manufacturing industry and the skills required to be employed in this high-demand sector. Chicago Public School high school students and?educators?spent their day touring a variety of manufacturing employers, learning about career opportunities, and engaging with manufacturing employer professionals. ? As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, this initiative included… ? ? 3 days of workplace tours ? Participation of over 100 students from 5 CPS high schools—ranging from 10th?to 12th?grade ? participation from 40 CPS educators tours of?10 Chicago?manufacturing facilities: Labelmaster? The Will Group? MassPersona? Laystrom Manufacturing Company Drift Net Paket Corporation National Safety Apparel NanoGraf Corporation Freedman Seating Company WaterSaver Faucet Co. ? A big thank you goes out to WBC's Workforce Development leaders, Tana Francellno and Joanna Madigan, our partner organizations, Chicago Public Schools and IMEC Illinois, our participating manufacturers, and the students and educators who came out to be a part of this initiative! ? Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times: https://lnkd.in/d4zSSVTC The story will be in tomorrow's print edition of The Chicago Sun-Times.

We are thrilled to celebrate WBC Board Member Mellody Hobson , co-CEO and president, Ariel Investments who has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business! Mellody's unwavering commitment to driving investment excellence, financial literacy, and addressing the nation’s racial wealth gap, is remarkable. Beyond her influence in the business world, Mellody is also a recent author! Her children’s book on financial literacy hit #4 on the New York Times Best Sellers List last month—and was recently named to Oprah’s Favorite Things list, helping to empower the next generation with essential knowledge—and even teaching adults a thing or two about money! Check out her book: https://lnkd.in/gE7cEWJc And read more about the Fortune 100 Most in Crain's Chicago Business: https://lnkd.in/gDU7Gqra Congratulations, Mellody, on this well-deserved recognition and for embodying the best of Chicago on the global stage! #WhyChicago #ChicagoLeadership #Fortune100 #OprahsFavoriteThings

We are proud to celebrate our board member Eric Lefkofsky, who exemplifies the spirit of Chicago through his leadership, passion, and commitment to our city. As the newly appointed board chairman of the Art Institute of Chicago, Eric will help guide transformative growth at this iconic institution, ensuring its historic South Michigan Avenue campus continues to thrive and inspire. Thank you, Eric, for your dedication to shaping Chicago’s cultural and civic future—just one more reason why Chicago continues to lead by example. #WhyChicago #ChicagoLeadership

Kudos to Leon Walker and everyone dedicated to transforming downtown Chicago! The recent approval of $98 million in TIF funding for the ambitious redevelopment of 135 S. LaSalle is a major step forward. This project, with plans for 386 apartments, a grocer, and a parking garage, reflects the collective creativity and vision driving transformative developments across downtown, from Google’s reimagining of the JR Thompson Center to JPMorganChase’s redevelopment of Chase Tower, all contributing to a vibrant and diverse "neighborhood" in the heart of our city. When we speak to prospective employers about #WhyChicago is the top metro for corporate relocation and site selection—it’s ambitious, catalytic projects like the revitalization of LaSalle Street that capture their attention. We’re proud that this project also serves as a model for cities worldwide tackling the challenge of vacant office spaces. Read more below ? #WhyChicago #LaSalleCorridorRevitalization

This past month we hosted Exploration Day at TeamWorking by TechNexus, bringing together early-career tech professionals and students for a dynamic day of networking, gamification, and growth. The event highlighted diverse voices from the Chicago tech ecosystem, keynotes from Marina Malaguti, and Uchenna S., with a special focus on supporting underrepresented groups, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and gender-diverse technologists. A huge thank you to our incredible partners, including Tech Elevator, Discovery Partners Institute, NSBE Professionals | National Society of Black Engineers, Chicago Innovation, ThinkChicago by World Business Chicago, HACE, City Colleges of Chicago and Tech Equity Network members, for helping make this event a success! Picture credits - LaSalle Smith

Today is the last day to register for the 2024 Small Business Tech Symposium! Tomorrow at 9 AM, come to uChicago's Polsky Center to connect with small business owners and learn about all sides of technology best practices to grow your business! ?? Beginner and advanced AI workshops presented by Forrest Alonso Haydon and Marley Rosario, MPP from MJV ?? E-commerce workshop from Terrand Smith, founder and CEO of 37 Oaks ?? Google Analytics workshop from creative director and Google digital coach, CJ Harris ?? Fintech workshop from Jason Treadwell, CEO of Treadwell Consulting Group ?? A panel on digital business transformation featuring Qiana Allen, CEO of Munchiez, Chicago's first cereal bar! Register at: https://lnkd.in/gZRnm7_4

We're incredibly proud of our board member Karen Murphy, COO of the Chicago Bears, who brings an unstoppable drive and visionary leadership to elevate Chicago's future!! As the driving force behind the Bears' proposed $5 billion lakefront stadium campus, Karen exemplifies leadership and commitment to our city. Her inspiring journey, rooted in a childhood shaped by sports and strong female role models, fueled her relentless pursuit of a career in the male-dominated sports industry. Now, she's leading one of Chicago's most ambitious development projects with the same passion and determination that have defined her path. Check out her profile in ? Crain's Chicago Business to learn more about this Chicagoan who truly makes a difference: https://lnkd.in/g_sWanVB #WhyChicago #ChicagoanToKnow #ChicagoLeader