Road to Success
Road to Success: Financial Planning for Small Businesses conference
Tollway Contractors and Consultants
As an agency dependent on a thriving construction industry, the Illinois Tollway is looking to expand opportunities to ensure each and every business that works on our roadways has the tools necessary not only to sustain but also to grow. With this goal, the Tollway hosted its first annual Building the Road to Success: Financial Planning for Small Businesses conference providing key insight into how businesses can secure their financial stability.
The November 18 event featured members of the banking industry who specialize in business development, as well as Tollway and area transportation officials who provided an overview of the tremendous opportunities coming down the road in our region.
Event Agenda
Here’s a look at the agenda for the day:
| Time | Session Title | Presenter |
| 8:30 a.m. | Doors open, light refreshments | |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome/Opening Remarks | Chief of Diversity and Strategic Development Terry Miller, Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse |
| 9:20 a.m. | Keynote Speaker | Erin Aleman, Executive Director Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, "The Changing Economy and Construction Opportunities Ahead" Fireside Chat–Phillip Sweeney, CPA and member of the Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL), with Terry Miller, "Alternative Ways to Raise Capital" |
| 10:00 a.m. | Intermission and Networking | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Workshop #1 - Planning for Sustainable Growth | Micae Brown, Assistant Vice President and Business Advisor, U.S. Bank |
| 10:45 a.m. | Workshop #2 - Meeting with Financial Institutions: How to Prepare and Questions to Ask and How to Increase Profitability During Inflation and/or a Recession | Letticia Flores Poole, Senior Manager-Industry Vertical, BMO Harris Bank Geovanni Soto, Director, BMO Harris Bank Diana Talpa, Relationship Manager, BMO Harris Bank |
| 11:15 a.m. | Workshop #3 - How to Weather a Financial Storm | Khadija Ganiyeva, Small Business Banker, Wells Fargo |
| 11:45 a.m. | Thank you/Adjourn/Networking and Technical Assistance Exhibitors |