KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Prof. John Lynch, Associate Professor, Director of Institute of Leadership Excellence and Development (iLEAD)

Join the WCA for our first Speaker Series Luncheon of the 2026! Professor John Lynch will present the results of the Chicagoland Small Business Outlook Survey and share the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in our city.

Prof. Lynch is a respected economist and Director of Institute of Leadership Excellence and Development, he leads research on labor markets, firm performance, and survey-based business indicators. He’ll reveal key findings on Chicago's small business revenue, hiring, capital access, and tech adoption.

Agenda:

12:00pm - Welcome & Networking

12:15pm - Lunch

12:30pm - Small Business Survey Presentation

1:00pm - Q&A with Professor Lynch

1:30pm - Networking

2pm - Event close

Parking is available across the street in the Halsted & Taylor Street Parking Structure (760 W Taylor St). The entrance to this parking structure is on Taylor Street. Upon entry, guests should pull a ticket. Upon exit, guests will insert this ticket into the pay station to pay the appropriate total. (Cash, debit cards, and credit cards are accepted at this lot.) Cost is $15 for the day.

Register today - seats are limited