Member to Hub Monthly Discount Email

Member Benefit

Take advantage of this simple way to put you company in front of over 4200+ sustainability-minded Chicagoans. Send your tangible discount (in either dollars or percentage off) your products or services to fsba@foresightdesign.org, plus:

1. Primary contact information including name, email, website, and phone number;
2. 1-2 sentence description of your business;
3. Company logo (.jpg);
4. 1-2 sentence with your discount offer.

Free Chicago Business Resources

The City's Quarterly "Business Works" Seminars

The economic downturn has impacted businesses the hardest and providing free resources to support Chicago businesses is a top priority for 2010. Through this program, we will provide free business resources; have a dedicated financial resources area; hold workshops on developing, financing and marketing a business; and have more than 30 government agencies on hand to provide services, resources and information at every event.

Business Works is a great opportunity to showcase the services and programs your agency provides existing and emerging entrepreneurs. To that end, we are requesting your participation as an exhibitor at all four seminars.

In 2010, Business Works will be at the following City Colleges from 5:30-9:00pm.

Thu, March 11th at Olive Harvey, 10001S. Woodlawn Ave.
Thu, June 17th at Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
Thu, August 19th at Westside Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave.
Thu, November 18th at Malcolm X. College, 1900 W. Van Buren St.

Registration forms can be obtained by calling Geralyn Catino, City of Chicago
Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), Education & Outreach Division at 312-744-5504. The registration deadline is Feb 25th.

These quarterly seminars provided free business resources, services and workshops to more than 800 business owners in 2009.

Financial Incentives Available for Energy Efficiency In New Construction Projects

ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business

If your organization is currently working on a new construction project or is considering it, you should know about ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business New Construction service and incentives.

ComEd’s New Construction service provides financial incentives and technical assistance to encourage building owners, architects, and engineers to surpass standard, new construction and lighting practices. The service is available for non-residential, non-municipal new construction and major renovation projects in the ComEd Service territory.

Learn more.

Special Invitation to The Metropolitan Club, Chicago 2/25

A Green Evening with Jody Murphy and
Special Guest Suzanne Malec-McKenna

Meet Chicago TV star and green entrepreneur Jodi Murphy of the popular Planet Green network show "Total Wrecklamation." Learn about local opportunities for salvaging and reusing high-end used building materials from homes facing demolition or major renovation. Gain valuable tips for renovating your home with used materials and learn ways to make a positive green impact in your community.

Also, Suzanne Malec-McKenna will discuss the initiatives put into place by the City's Department of Environment that have established Chicago as the #1 green City in the US.

Free to CSBA Members but RSVP required by email to: rick.kroner@ourclub.com or call Rick at (312) 993-2511.

Residential Recycling Conference, Chicago 3/23-24

A National Business and Technology Event

The Waste & Recycling News 2010 Residential Recycling Conference, is a new national business and technology event held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. With a 100% focus on the business, technology and solutions for residential recycling, this conference will deliver a unique perspective on the subject and provide a networking environment to learn more about this vital and growing business.

Who Should Attend?
The 2010 Residential Recycling Conference will bring together:
* Municipal/local recycling managers
* Public works directors
* Local and state lawmakers
* Operations managers at public and private recycling facilities
* State and federal regulators
* Waste haulers
* Recycling equipment manufacturers
* Environmental students, educators and advocates from across the country

Learn more.

CSBA Member Salazar Packaging In The News

Reversible Box Launched by Salazar Packaging

The idea of reusing shipping boxes is nothing new, but Salazar Packaging has launched a line of shipping boxes that are made to be easily reversed and reused.

The Globe Guard reusable box, made of 100 percent recycled content and available in various sizes and thicknesses, was created with reuse in mind.

Learn more.

Exhibitor Opportunities for 9 April 2010

2nd Annual K-12 Schools Symposuim

Hosted by the Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council and Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago, this symposium is an opportunity to exchange ideas with symposium participants such as school and district administrators, regional superintendents, school board members, facilities managers and custodial staff, teachers, school health practitioners, facility planners and architects, school-related non-profits and agencies, and high school student environmental leaders.

Speakers and workshops will cover topics such as sustainable school facility planning and siting, green facilities management, sustainable renovation and construction, energy efficiency and conservation, environmental education and service learning, water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable school transportation.

Exhibitor Details
* The fee to exhibit is $100 for non-profits and government entities and $250 for businesses.
* The exhibitor fee entitles representatives of the organization to a 6-foot table and 2 chairs (however $100 level sponsors will most likely have to split a table, if there is a lot of interest to sponsorship, as in last year).
* Exhibits may remain open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm to engage symposium attendees. Projected attendance is 300.
* Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the symposium. Admission to the conference plenary and breakout sessions is free.
* We can only accommodate a limited number of exhibitors. Please RSVP to me by February 11th if you plan on exhibiting. I will send payment information with the confirmation.

Email your questions regarding the symposium or opportunities for exhibiting to:
Eric.heineman@illinois.gov

See last year’s school symposiums.

City's Small Business Development Program

Construction Estimating Workshop

Who Should Attend:
* Small businesses in the construction-related industry,
* Business owners and/or estimators seeking to improve their estimating techniques on construction projects.

Program Content Presented by Richard Eber, Sr. Project Estimator:
* Reading blueprints and specifications,
* Understanding various types of agreements and bids,
* Pre-construction estimating and budgeting techniques,
* Agreement provisions,
* Items that affect cost of work,
* Practice bidding on a sample construction project.

When:
February 10th, 17th, and 24th from 4-6pm
Metra Offices
547 W Jackson Blvd
12th Floor
Chicago, IL

Cost:
$99 for HACIA Members, $149 for Non-members

For more information call (312) 666-5910. Registration.

Alternative Lending Option For Some Businesses

ACCION Chicago Offers Small Business Loans

ACCION Chicago is a not-for-profit alternative lending organization, dedicated to providing credit and other technical support to small business owners who do not currently qualify for traditional bank financing. Since 1994, ACCION Chicago has made over 2,000 loans, totaling over $16 million. ACCION offers small business loans up to $15,000 for start-up businesses and up to $25,000 for existing businesses. These small loans can make a huge difference for small businesses who cannot receive bank financing.

ACCION's loans are funded in part by the City Treasurer's Small Business Development Fund (SBDF) - and a business need not be in a TIF, Enterprise Zone, etc. to be considered for a loan.

Learn more.