City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops.
The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, (BACP) offers FREE business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall
Located at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805 unless indicated otherwise. You can register for a workshop by emailing BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or by calling 312.744.2086. ALWAYS call first to confirm. Workshops subject to change and cancellation.
10/24 Fundamentals of Payroll 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
This presentation will detail the basics of what payroll is for a company. We will discuss what taxes you must be aware of and how to classify your employees. Payroll is usually a company’s biggest expense and the biggest liability. We will discuss how to protect yourself and what you need to be aware of when starting a business and hiring employees.
10/26 Intro to Digital Marketing & Advertising 101 (For Businesses with a website) 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 11th Floor, Room 1103
Learn basic skills on digital marketing and advertising at this free workshop. Receive guidance on improving your business web presence. Receive social media recommendations and learn the importance of branding.
10/31Cybersecurity for Small & Mid-size Businesses 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
American businesses are now considered the hottest targets for Cyber Criminals worldwide who often focus on smaller businesses because they are most vulnerable and willing to pay a ransom. Ransomware is only one of many cyber threats. Better Business Bureau teamed with Cyber Security experts to address your questions and to create a program that any size company can use to create a cybersecurity program.
11/2 How to Open a Concession at O’Hare or Midway Airport 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Room 1103
Presented by the Chicago Department of Aviation – Concessions Department
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or shop at O’Hare or Midway International Airports, but don’t know where to begin? Come and learn about the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, how to operate a business at the airports, and a summary of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.
11/7 City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.
11/9 Intro to Digital Marketing & Advertising 101 (For Businesses With a Website) 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Room 1103
Presented by JinJa Birkenbeuel, CEO, Birk Creative and Google Digital Coaches
Learn basic skills on digital marketing and advertising at this free workshop. Receive guidance on improving your business web presence. Receive social media recommendations and learn the importance of branding.
11/14 How to Really Start Your Business 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by Score
Do you have what it takes to start and run a successful business? If so, what are the first steps you should take? This workshop will help you assess your prospects, give you the initial direction you need, and inspire you to move forward to realize your dream.
11/16 10 Legal Tips for Small Businesses 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Room 1103
Presented by Lema Khorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC
Running a small business takes a lot of work. Often, a handful of employees fill a variety of roles, meaning that everyone has to bring serious hard work, dedication, self-motivation, and multitasking skills to the table. Amid all this, it can be easy to forget about the legal aspects of running a business. However, attending to these matters sooner rather than later is likely to save you time, stress, and expense in the long run. Join us in this workshop to learn our top 10 legal tips for small business success.
11/21 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY
11/23 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY
11/28 How to Obtain the new Pop-Up User or Pop-Up Host Business License 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
Starting December 1st, the City’s new Pop-Up User and Pop-Up Host business licenses will be available for short-term general retail or food sales, providing new options to entrepreneurs and owners of commercial spaces. Learn about the unique features which allow the User to “pop-up” around the City during the license term, the license application requirements and process, as well as the benefit provided to existing Shared Kitchen Users and Retail Food license holders. Be ready to become one of the first to obtain these innovative licenses.
11/30 How To Setup WordPress and Start Blogging Successfully in 2019 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Marcie Hill, Author of “62 Blog Posts to Overcome Bloggers Block” and Dante Hamilton, founder of Chicago WordPress Meetup Group
WordPress powers 32% of all websites. Watch Dante Hamilton show attendees how to register a domain name and point it to a new WordPress website hosted on Google Cloud Platform. Marcie Hill will then provide blog post ideas that will keep your audience returning.
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