The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) hosted their annual Construction Summit on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Each year, this event provides residents and business owners an unparalleled opportunity to network and gain information about upcoming construction and construction-related projects in the City of Chicago. In addition, attendees met with 80 exhibitors representing all levels of government, City of Chicago Assist Agencies, and other anchor organizations in the business industry. This year's Summit included vendors participating in the Business-to-Business matchmaking sessions and engaging with industry PRIME Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers, and other business representatives to discuss how they can joint venture on contracting opportunities.

 

2023 CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT AGENDA

 

OPENING REMARKS:

Aileen Velazquez, Chief Procurement Officer, City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Nosa Ehimwenman, President & CEO, BOWA Construction

 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM         LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: RETHINKING AND FINDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR

        YOUR BUSINESS

The Financial Services industry constantly evolves to encompass a broad range of business services in today's business environment. This panel will explore key business opportunities and challenges and share various innovative solutions and financial best practices.

MODERATOR:

Laforce Baker, Vice President of Community Impact, World Business Chicago

PANELISTS:

Allies for Community Business

Brad McConnell, CEO 

HACIA and Wintrust Financials

Susana Meza, HACIA Board Member and Vice President Wintrust Financials

JP Morgan Chase

Pamela Randle, V.P. Sr. Business Consultant, Minority Entrepreneur 

U.S. Small Business Administration

Robert Esquivel, Supervisory Lender Relations Specialist

 

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM         LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: DEVELOPING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT WILL

       TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES 

There are over two million people incarcerated in the United States prison system, and there are over 600,000 inmates released from our prison system annually. Returning residents often face distinct challenges and social inequalities when transitioning from incarceration back into communities. For example, with a skilled labor gap issue plaguing the construction industry, people desire to achieve gainful employment. Regrettably, most returning residents struggle to secure employment and return to prison.

Employment and a stable income are necessary to support tone's family, pursue life goals and strengthen the community. Unfortunately, along with the stigma for formerly incarcerated people re-entering society, there are also barriers to employment and a lack of training and job skills. However, many skilled trade jobs offer some form of on-the-job training in addition to technical or vocational education and apprenticeship.

Join us to discuss initiatives, programs, and services that support formerly incarcerated individuals re-entering from life behind bars and how they can gain skills and resources for entrepreneurship.

MODERATOR:

Lisa Freelon, Department of Procurement Services, City of Chicago

PANELISTS:

City of Chicago Office of the Mayor

Willette Benford, Director of Re-Entry

Chicago Women In Trade

Jayne Vellinga, Executive Director

Power Construction

Bob Gallo, Chief Operating Officer

Revolution Workshop

Manny Rodriguez, Founder & Executive Director

 

10:00  AM -   4:00 PM       EXHIBIT HALL - We will open the Exhibit Hall at 10:00 AM after the Keynote Speaker

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM          LUNCH

12:00  PM -   4:00 PM         BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MATCHING EXPERIENCE

                                             (There will be a registration for this event once the Prime Contractors Confirm)

 

1:00  PM -   2:00 PM         LEADERS ROUNDTABLE: BUILDING INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

DIVERSITY IN CONSTRUCTION

Small business is big in America: There are 33.2 million small businesses across the country, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), and they employ 61.7 million people. That’s 46.4% of all U.S. workers. Small businesses create jobs for residents. By giving jobs to workers in their communities, small businesses promote economic self-sufficiency and help to reduce poverty. When small businesses thrive in these communities, it creates jobs that foster “neighborhood wealth and financial stability.”

Today we will explore racial equity and economic development in government contracting and how local government can assist the advancement of racial equity by strengthening community and business partnerships with vendors and PRIME Contractors.

MODERATOR:

Karen Freeman-Wilson, President, Chicago Urban League

PANELISTS:

Business Leadership Council

Montel Gayles, Chief Executive Officer

Escarpita Construction

Jorge L. Escarpita, Founder & President

Trice Construction Company

Stephanie Hickman, President & CEO

UJAMMAA

Jimmy Akintonde, President & CEO

 

2:30  PM -   3:30 PM         LEADERS FIRESIDE CHAT: REVITALIZING A RESILIENT CITY WITH

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Economic data from recent years shows that women, minorities, and immigrants are pursuing their dreams of building their businesses. Many marginalized groups have realized that starting a business may be the most pragmatic route to financial independence and prosperity.

Join us as we talk with women in construction who are invested in revitalizing the City of Chicago and its 77 communities.

MODERATOR:

Guadalupe Vasquez Co-Founder, CEO, US Council of Hispanics in Construction

PANELISTS:

CKL Engineers

Mae C. Whiteside, CEO

Federation of Women Contractors

Jaemie Neely, Executive Director

Garza Karhoff Engineering LLC

Brenda Garza Karhoff, President & Principal Founder

National Association of Black Women In Construction

Ann McNeill, Founder

Sandi Llano & Associates

Sandi Llano, President

 

4:00  PM -   5:00 PM        WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS

ROOM 1101: INTRODUCTION TO THE JOB ORDER CONTRACT (JOC) PROGRAM

A construction-focused workshop with an overview of the bidding process and highlights of incentives and programs that relate to construction opportunities. The JOC Program includes the Small Business Initiative (SBI), Mid-size Business Initiative (MBI), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Apprentice Utilization Bid Preference, and many more. Join us to learn how a Job Order Contract could benefit your company.

PRESENTED BY:

Gordian

Michael Judd, Senior Account Manager, Mid Lakes Region 

                                             ROOM 1102: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO INCENTIVES AND PROGRAM

The Department of Procurement Services has prioritized ensuring that all interested businesses have the opportunity, information, and resources to compete for City contracts. This workshop will feature incentives and programs created to increase the diversity of the businesses that bid on and earn City Contracts. Learn comprehensive information on ways to grow your business, increase capacity, foster mutually beneficial business relationships, and be more competitive on City contracts. Learn about the Small Business Initiative, BEPD Incentive, M/WBE Mentorship Program, Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE), and many more.

PRESENTED BY: 

City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

Courtney DelGiudice, Attorney

ROOM 1103: WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES: PROCUREMENT AND CERTIFICATION 

Are you interested in bidding on government contracting opportunities? Join us to hear an overview of each government procurement office's requirements for contracting opportunities and a brief overview of how to become certified.

                                             MODERATOR:

                                             City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

                                             Cordell McGary, Sr. Certification Officer

PANELISTS:

Cook County Department of Procurement Services

                                             Raffi Sarrafian, Chief Procurement Officer

                                             State of Illinois, Business Enterprise Program

                                             Bruce Montgomery, Commissioner Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion