On October 15, Elk Grove Village is hosting their 6th annual Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing and Technology Expo. The Expo is free for both exhibitors and attendees and is a great way to connect with local companies, get face time with customers, and ultimately secure leads.

On this month’s episode of Strictly Business, Josh Grodzin invites Gladys Moscoso, sales and marketing director at E-M Fabricator, and Jeff Taylor, president of Crafts Technology, who both continue to see the value in exhibiting at the Expo. Take a listen to learn about their personal experience as well as how they continue to capture leads at the Expo!

Elk Grove Village’s industrial park, the largest in the U.S., is seeing a record-high occupancy rate standing at 98%. On this episode of Strictly Business, Josh Grodzin invites top local real estate brokers, Chris Lydon, Jack Brennan, and Kevin Brennan to talk about the many factors that are fueling the industrial real estate market from changes in e-commerce to the need for more data centers.

Next Level Northwest is an accelerator program for established businesses that are ready to ignite new ideas that lead to major growth. The public-private partnership was founded by five municipalities to better support Northwest Chicagoland businesses as they work towards reaching the next level.

This month, Josh Grodzin is joined by four top economic specialists who helped design, develop, and launch the NLNW program. They discuss how the program works, from pitching your business to working with a business mentor.

Mike Edgar from the Greater Waukegan Development Coalition and Doug Petroshius from SelectChicago joins Josh Grodzin to discuss what foreign direct investment (FDI) means to the Chicago economy and how SelectChicago is creating a local network for businesses and global investors to connect. SelectChicago is a subset of SelectUSA and is focusing primarily on bringing global investors to the Chicago communities with an upcoming event in June 2018.

Marc Lawrence is part of the family owned Lawrence Foods’ leadership team, which has operated in its current Elk Grove facility since 1960. A producer of premium bakery ingredients and one of the longest established businesses in the Village, Lawrence Foods has found a permanent sweet spot in EGV. The fourth-generation business recently expanded to a second building in the nation’s largest industrial park. Learn why Marc and his family are committed to Elk Grove, and how the fantastic city programs support the success of local EGV businesses.

October was a big month for Elk Grove Village! First was ENCLAVE for Entreprenuers at O'Hare's grand opening, a not-for-profit economic development education initiative supporting the entreprenuership community.

 

A week later, Elk Grove hosted its 5th Annual Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing and Technology Expo with over 80 exhibitors and over 100 attendees. During the Expo luncheon, ENCLAVE Founder John R. Dallas spoke upon his Lead. Solve. Sell. strategy, which provided exhibitors with practical business practices they could utilize on the Expo floor.

 

Also during the luncheon, Mayor Craig B. Johnson and Governor Bruce Rauner introduced the four Business Excellence Award winners, including the new award category: Industrial Development of the Year. If you missed Rauner's speech during the luncheon, here's your chance to listen in.

Brian Walker worked in marketing and advertising. His wife, Sonia, was an attorney. When their oldest son was diagnosed with a peanut and tree nut allergy, they struggled to find baked goods he could enjoy without worry. They started baking nut-free cupcakes at home and their neighborhood caught interest. Six years later, you can find their cupcakes in major Illinois grocery stores, including Mariano’s, Whole Foods, and Fresh Thyme. They’re also known for their incredible custom cakes. Learn more about how they started a bakery without any past culinary experience.

Jon Pieper is the chief manufacturing instructor at Elk Grove High School. In this month's podcast, Pieper walks us through the curriculum and the many benefits it offers for students. Through various tools and programming, the program exposes students to real-life industry experience to prepare them for a successful career in marketing. Take a listen to learn more about EGHS' manufacturing program.

Meet Teodora Boteva. She heads the Commercial and Economic Office in Chicago at the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria. Teodora helps both US and Bulgarian businesses with trade, investments, and other financial needs. She also offers services for US businesses looking to work with Bulgarian businesses or expand into the Bulgarian market. Check out what resources and services she has to offer.

Craft Brew Maker Mike Pallen was looking for the ideal facility to expand his craft beer company, Mikerphone Brewing. He found the perfect place in the heart of Elk Grove's industrial park, equipped with a production warehouse and tasting room. Check out why Mikerphone Brewing is now the place to meet for makers, EGV residents, and Chicago beer lovers.