FUTURE OF COMMERCE | THE BLUEPRINT: BUILDING TOMORROW'S INNOVATION
The Future of Commerce, Chicago’s premier business and technology summit, is taking place during TECHICAGOWEEK 2025. This year's event will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from diverse industries.
The 2025 theme = The Blueprint: Building Tomorrow's Innovation.
The Future of Commerce aims to highlight the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
From AI-powered workshops to a Maker Faire showcasing Chicago’s finest builders, this event is designed to inspire collaboration and spark new ventures!
SPONSORS
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GET INVOLVED
A dynamic showcase of the world’s finest creators, inventors, and builders.
Calling all innovators and product makers! Showcase your work at our Maker Faire and engage with potential buyers and investors.
Let the world know about what you have been working on regardless of if you are in the early stages or if you have are experiencing commercial success.
🚀 Young Innovators, Makers, and Entrepreneurs — This is YOUR Moment!
The NXT GEN Pitch Competition is your chance to turn a bold idea into a real business! This 4-week program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs (ages 16+) how to build, solve, and pitch with power. And it all leads to the main stage at The Future of Commerce event!
📅 Key Dates:
✔️ Submissions due: June 10th
✔️ Program begins: June 23rd
✔️ Pitch Ceremony: July 21st at the Future of Commerce
The Future of Commerce isn’t just an event — it’s a movement driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Englewood and beyond.
💼 As a sponsor, you’ll gain:
✔️ Direct exposure to Chicago’s next-gen innovators, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs
✔️ On-site visibility and promotional opportunities
✔️ Community impact through support of local makers, minority-owned vendors, and emerging talent
📍 Join us July 21, 2025 at Kennedy-King College and align your brand with progress.
PARTNERS
FEATURED
SPEAKERS
Building Sustainable Communities
EDUCATION TRACK | Time: 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
Description: This panel brings together leading organizations from across Chicago who are at the forefront of sustainability work. Panelists will share innovative approaches to recycling, clean energy, and community-driven development, and discuss the current climate, future visions for Chicago, and actionable steps for making our neighborhoods greener and more resilient.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Alt_ (pronounced Alt space)
VP of Workforce Development, Grid Alternatives
Director of Sustainability for Urban Efficiency
CEO of Daze of Autonomy
Chicago Reimagined
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK | Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Description: This dynamic fireside chat brings together visionary community leaders/BSO’s to discuss how Chicago’s rich cultural heritage can be transformed into economic opportunity. Panelists will share real-world insights on leveraging local culture, creativity, current climate and community assets to drive inclusive economic development. Attendees will hear stories of neighborhood revitalization, innovative business models, and collaborative efforts that are shaping the city’s future.
Executive Director and Co-Founder, Greater Englewood Chamber
President & CEO of Community Desk Chicago
Co-Founder & Director of Duo Development
Executive Director of AAABNA
Found of Rooted Ventures
CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE
INNOVATION TRACK
Time: 4:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Location: Great Hall
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Description: Highlighting creators and entrepreneurs showcasing innovative projects, emerging brands, resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners and more.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Auditorium
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Description:
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5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: NextGen Pitch Competition
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Emerging entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a $500 prize.
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6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Chicago Reimagined: Culture into Currency | Moderator: Ja'Net Defell
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This dynamic fireside chat brings together visionary community leaders/BSO’s to discuss how Chicago’s rich cultural heritage can be transformed into economic opportunity. Panelists will share real-world insights on leveraging local culture, creativity, current climate and community assets to drive inclusive economic development. Attendees will hear stories of neighborhood revitalization, innovative business models, and collaborative efforts that are shaping the city’s future.
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EDUCATION TRACK
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Breakout Room
Description:
A series of hands-on workshops designed to empower entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders with practical tools and strategies. These sessions offer actionable insights on using data, building sustainable neighborhoods, and harnessing the power of AI for business growth.
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4:30 PM - 5:15 PM CMAP Workshop: Leveraging Public Data for Business Growth
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In this interactive session, the CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) team will demonstrate how small business owners, community organizations, and emerging entrepreneurs can tap into publicly available data to inform and strengthen their business strategies. Participants will learn how to access, interpret, and apply data on demographics, consumer trends, transportation, and neighborhood development to make smarter, data-driven decisions every day.
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5:30 PM - 6:15 PM Building Sustainable Communities
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This panel brings together leading organizations from across Chicago who are at the forefront of sustainability work. Panelists will share innovative approaches to recycling, clean energy, and community-driven development, and discuss the current climate, future visions for Chicago, and actionable steps for making our neighborhoods greener and more resilient.
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6:15 PM - 7:00 PM Harnessing Google Studio & Emerging AI Tools
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In this hands-on workshop, CJ Harris will guide participants through the latest tools and features available in Google Studio, with a special focus on emerging AI technologies. Attendees will learn practical ways to integrate AI into their businesses and projects—whether it's for marketing, customer engagement, data analysis, or workflow automation. The session is designed for all experience levels and will provide actionable steps to start using AI today.
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2024
SPONSORS
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The 2024 Future of Commerce event kicked with a dynamic panel focused on the future development and revitalization of Englewood.
Our panelists shared their insights and vision for transforming Englewood into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and connection.
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FUTURE of BUSINESS: "So You Want to Be a Millionaire: Business Building Workshop": Part workshop and part Q&A, offering valuable strategies for building a successful business.
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FUTURE of RETAIL: "T-shirt Bar: Create a Memorable T-shirt": A creative session to design and print unique T-shirts, guided by experts from Wagu Studios. The first 100 RSVPed guests who arrive will have the opportunity to create their custom T-shirts.
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FUTURE of ENERGY: "Solar Innovators: Hands-On Solar Power Workshop": An interactive workshop on the opportunities of solar power technology.