The City of Highland Park hosted the 4th Annual Business Summit on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Highland Park Country Club. The event brought business and community leaders together to facilitate economic growth within Highland Park and beyond.
The Summit welcomed back keynote speaker, Howard Tullman, the CEO of 1871 in Chicago, a nonprofit dedicated to early-stage digital start-ups, and General Managing Partner of G2T3V, LLC, an investment firm committed to early stage innovations. Mr. Tullman presented “If You’re Not In A Hurry, You’re Probably Too Late.”, Tullman focused on the rapid-fire review of technology and social trends that are radically changing the ground rules and the ways in which every business will reach and engage customers.
Speakers for the event included Mayor Nancy Rotering, Councilman Alyssa Knobel, City Manager Ghida Neukirch and Chamber of Commerce President Ginny Glasner. City Manager Neukirch provided an overview of the City’s Business Development Strategic Plan including business resources, business attraction efforts, and developments underway and planned in the community.
After the presentations, attendees had an opportunity to network with colleagues, elected officials and like-minded professionals.
“The City truly appreciates the continued community support from the businesses, which makes the Business Summit such a successful event year after year,” said Business Development Coordinator Carolyn Hersch. “The City’s Business Development Division is honored to serve as a resource for businesses in Highland Park, and will continue to serve our businesses and act as a valuable resource and ongoing partner in their endeavors.”
“The Summit continues to provide value and networking opportunities for business owners year after year,” said local business owner Sherry Levin, Style Shack. “The Style Shack appreciates the City of Highland Park’s support.”
“SCORE appreciated the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Business Summit,” said Jennifer Lang, SCORE's Highland Park Branch Manager. “We are available to help businesses in Highland Park all year round through our one on one Mentoring or our Suburban Seminars.”
“Ravinia is proud to support the Highland Park Business Summit, which is a powerful reminder of the obstacles, market trends and opportunities each and every business will face,” said Senior Associate Director of Advertising and Creative for Ravinia Festival, Russell Jenkins. “Keeping our businesses informed and interconnected can only lead to a stronger community and a better life. Congratulations on four years of continued thought leadership.”
Each year the City of Highland Park Business & Economic Development Commission works with the Office of Business Development, the City Council and sponsors to plan the Summit. The 2016 City of Highland Park Annual Business Summit was sponsored by Ravinia Festival, First Bank of Highland Park, North Shore Gas, Fifth Third Bank, NorthShore University Heath System, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Synergy Marketing Solutions, Dunkin Donuts, Renaissance Place, Amber Insurance Services and Lake County Partners.
Additional Information about the 2017 Business Summit will be available at www.cityhpil.com/BusinessSummit. To learn more about locating a business in Highland Park visit www.Cityhpil.com or contact Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com.
