The second annual “The Business Event” held on June 14, 2012 proved to be a powerful networking tool and business development opportunity for almost 5,000 people. Held at LincolnwoodTownCenterin Lincolnwood, The Business Event combined job se
ekers, employers and vendors in
an atmosphere of exchanging ideas, connections and resources. Spearheaded by Shalom Klein, founder of the Jewish B2B Networking and publisher of Jewish Business News, in conjunction with the Small Business Advocacy Council, the event showcased the importance of face-to-face meetings.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) speaks to Shalom Klein, Chairman of Jewish B2B Networking, and other business networkers
“It was a great event with an exciting sharing of ideas,” said Lisa Sheridan of The Giving Tree. “People were open to meeting and wanted to connect our organization with other non-profits.”
More than 20 different breakout sessions led by industry experts were presented throughout the day. Seminars
on job searching, networking techniques, Linked In, resume reviews and more assisted job seekers in their quest. Sessions entitled, “Keeping Up with Today’s Resume Development While Holding on to Your Sanity” and “Building Your Business Using Social Media” were jam packed.
Shabsai Schuchatowitz from New York Life was “looking to both expand and hire,” while Russ Vollmer of Cash Coupon was searching for potential advertisers as well as sales people.
Local politicians greeted the crowd
State and national politicians U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S.Congressman Robert Dold, Deputy Chicago City Treasurer Tom Johnson, Lincolnwood Mayor Jerry Turry, and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen were among the political leaders who attended and came away with the message of “we need jobs.”
Thousands of networkers arrived at Lincolnwood Town Center on June 14′th for the second annual free business and employment expo
At the Village of Lincolnwood’s April meeting, Mayor Turry recognized the efforts of Shalom Klein in helping to stimulate small business and economic development by issuing a resolution proclaiming June 14, 2012 as “The Business Event Day.”
A Real Networking Event
Many of the participants were there to just make connections. DePaul MBA students Steve Kaplan and Ian Menger were scouting out jobs. Kaplan is studying leadership and change management and searching for an opportunity in a people-based consultancy, while Menger is seeking a position in marketing brand management.
Larry Bloom, president of ATI Graphics, Highland Park, thought it was a great group of networkers and it was time well spent. “I even bought a new watch band!”
Vendor Rodger Kadet of Private Jewelers said he met a lot of new people to do further business with in the future. “I also plan to join theSBAC,” he added.
Steve Jaffe of eDot felt the event gave his company an opportunity to demonstrate their newest technology in network security. They were also there to recruit specialized systems engineers.
Stan Gertz, president of American Enterprise Bank,Highland Park, saw a good flow of people throughout the day. “There’s a lot of great potential for us to follow up on. The event created new leads we might not have had otherwise.”
Plans are already underway for the next Business Event scheduled for June 2013.
About Mira Temkin
