World Business Chicago

Chicago made a statement at #SXSW2025. With 2,500+ attendees, powerhouse women leaders, and bold activations by top Chicago brands— from Portillo's, Jeppson's Malört, Farmer's Fridge, Microsoft, Nature's Fynd, Chicago Bulls, Obama Foundation, Pie, and 1871—we showed the world what Midwest innovation and energy truly look like. Catch the full recap in this week’s Business Pulse, powered by LinkedIn. 👇

Registration is now open for SelectCHI 2025!   MAY 8-9 - SelectChi 2025, the premier event for global companies looking to expand in clean tech, food & beverage, and advanced industries, is now open for registration. Connect with decision-makers, experience Chicagoland’s innovation, and explore why it’s the #1 U.S. region for business expansion.   ✅ Business Matchmaking Sessions ✅ Networking Lunch & Expert Panels ✅ Tour of Clean Tech, Energy, and Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industries ✅ White Sox Send-Off Event ✅ SelectCHI Reception   SelectCHI 2025 is your gateway to business in Chicagoland. If you represent an international company in cleantech/energy or food and beverage, we'd love to have you. Registration closes April 20th!   Register here: https://lnkd.in/g6MXhKt3

The application window for IMEC Illinois and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's #MadeInIllinois Grant Program is coming up fast! This grant provides matching funds up to $50,000 to small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state - If this resource makes sense for your business - or someone you know - they have from April 15th to April 30th to apply.

At World Business Chicago, convening is our superpower. Earlier this week, we witnessed the true strength of collaboration—bringing together the boldest minds shaping Chicago’s future. We started the day bright and early at the beautiful offices of Spencer Stuart, hosted by our incredible Chicago ambassador, Greg Welch, where Chicago’s top CMOs and marketing leaders gathered to discuss something we all have a stake in: our city’s brand and reputation. From brand storytelling to corporate ambassadorship, the message was clear—we’re all walking billboards for Chicago. Just hours later, we shifted to another powerful table: the co-chairs and steering committee of WBC’s Economic Plan for Jobs & Growth—a dynamic group of civic, corporate, academic, and nonprofit leaders focused on strengthening Chicagoland’s position as a super-region. Together, we explored our competitive advantages, identified shared challenges, and charted a path forward. Two meetings. One mission: Advancing Chicago’s narrative as a global city of growth, innovation, and opportunity. #WhyChicago #Chicago2050 #EconomicDevelopment #SuperRegion Suzanne Martin Diane Primo Eric Sedler Tanya Earley Casey Foss Marilynn Gardner Gerald Kunde Denise Young Alice Phillips Topping Lisa Nucci Judy Toland Sofia Colucci Mark Mitten Milena Tous Amanda Kranz Teresa Poggenpohl Jill Kouri Brooke Skinner Ricketts Liz Buchanan

A heartfelt thank you to Choose Chicago Interim CEO Richard Gamble—what an absolute pleasure it has been to work alongside you, travel with you, and collaborate on all things Chicago. Your steady leadership, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to our city have made a lasting impact. The city owes you a debt of gratitude for guiding Choose Chicago through a pivotal time of transition. Thank you, Rich, for your unwavering dedication to our great city.

#BuildBetterTogether

Last week we had the privilege of touring 2112 Creative Industries Incubator, guided by its Founder and Director Scott Fetters. Incubators play a crucial role in Chicagoland’s economic landscape by providing a launchpad for innovation, collaboration, and business growth. For entrepreneurs, these spaces lower barriers to entry, foster partnerships, and connect members to the capital, mentorship, and resources they need to scale. Scott first had the vision of 2112 during the rise of global tech incubators like 1871—if the model worked for tech, why not for the music industry? 10 years and over 100 member companies later, 2112 has grown into a thriving hub, supporting not just music but a broad spectrum of creative industries. Much like its members, 2112 itself is part of something bigger—the incubator is just one branch of a sprawling B2B creative ecosystem including Fort Knox Studios, a renowned 120,00 sq ft music rehearsal & creative workspace.    At World Business Chicago, we champion the ecosystems that fuel our city’s economic future—because when Chicago’s creative industries grow, so does the entire business community. We're thrilled to continue our partnership with the incredible team at 2112!

Over 100 Chicago concerts this summer shows that our city is a magnet for talent in more ways than one... From our powerhouse industry workforce and corporate leaders to recording artists at the top of their game—Chicago is a magnet for talent of every kind, age, and genre. The lineup is next-level: Jack White, Ani DiFranco, Charli XCX, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Beyoncé, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Lady Gaga, Linkin Park, and so many more—all coming to our city in the months ahead. They’re hitting iconic, world-class venues like the Salt Shed, United Center, Northerly Island, Soldier Field - ASM Global, and the Riviera Theatre. Chicago isn't just where talent thrives—it's where it belongs. https://lnkd.in/g78-gC3D

On this final day of Women’s History Month, we proudly celebrate the women who’ve shaped—and continue to shape—Chicago’s legacy.   From the trailblazers in City Hall and Congress to the barrier-breaking artists, aviators, entrepreneurs, and activists who’ve redefined what’s possible, Chicago’s story is powered by women.   We’re proud to count incredible women leaders among our board of directors and across the civic, corporate, and creative fabric of our city—but the bench of talent stretches deep across time.   As we close out the month, we share a recent Block Club Chicago story to honor and uplift a few of the countless women who helped build Chicago’s past, present, and future: https://lnkd.in/gDfDgsHY   Kitihawa Point DuSable – the city’s founding woman and Indigenous matriarch who helped establish our earliest trading economy Alta Hulett – Illinois’ first woman lawyer and a fierce advocate for workplace gender equality Bessie Coleman – the first Black woman pilot, who took flight from Chicago to global heights Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina who made Chicago her home and lifted our city’s dance scene Sandra Cisneros – the voice of Chicana Chicago, whose stories have inspired millions Florence Price – the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra, right here in Chicago Anna Langford – Chicago’s first Black alderwoman and a civil rights force Delia Ramirez – the Midwest’s first Latina congresswoman, born and raised in Humboldt Park Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth – the first Filipina and queer woman of color on City Council Nicole Lee – the first Chinese American woman to represent the historic 11th Ward   Their stories are part of a powerful continuum—a reminder that when women lead, cities thrive. To the women moving Chicago forward every day: we see you, we thank you, and we’re building the future together.   #WomensHistoryMonth #WhyChicago

Megaproject Monday: Revitalizing the Loop Chicago’s downtown may still be navigating a post-COVID recovery—but bold, forward-looking investments are already reshaping its future. Last week, the City of Chicago and developers broke ground on the first of five city-backed office-to-residential conversions under the LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative. The $64 million transformation of 79 W. Monroe will deliver 117 new apartments, including 41 affordable units, powered by $28 million in city incentives. Even more notably, this project—originally the last to enter the program—became the first to break ground, thanks to the momentum and support of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Why this matters: A recent report from Moody’s Analytics highlights ongoing economic headwinds in metro Chicago—lagging job growth, soft recovery downtown, and lower-than-average wage gains. But these are precisely the kinds of strategic projects that flip the script. By turning vacant office space into vibrant housing, Chicago is:  ✅ Creating 1,400+ new apartments across five projects ✅ Delivering 434 units of affordable housing ✅ Driving population growth in the heart of the city ✅ Boosting foot traffic and small business activity ✅ Reimagining the Loop for a new era of live-work vibrancy Chicago’s economic transformation is now in its construction phase. Projects like this are central to reinventing downtown, addressing market realities head-on, and proving that urban resilience starts with smart, inclusive investment. Take a look at what's next in the pipeline in the official LaSalle Street Reimagined report: https://lnkd.in/dHrs-Qvv What do you think about more housing in the Loop? We want to know, Chicago.