Chicago's Small Business Community to Gather for Last Chicago Business Resouce Expo of 2026

Chicago's Small Business Community to Gather for Last Chicago Business Resouce Expo of 2026

Free expo at Malcolm X College on August 29 connects Chicago entrepreneurs with essential resources, workshops and a keynote from a Chicago BBQ business success story.

CHICAGO - Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the last Chicago Business Resource Expo of 2026 will take place on Saturday, August 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Malcolm X College. The free expo will kick off with a networking session sponsored by the Office of the City Treasurer, an exhibition hall offering resources from over 30 nonprofit and government agencies, workshops and a keynote address. The keynote address will feature Chef D'Andre Carter and Heather Bublick, Co-Founders of Soul & Smoke, the Chicago-born BBQ and soul food brand with multi-location restaurants. To register and learn more, visit Chicago.gov/BizExpo.

"At its core, the Chicago Business Resource Expo is about investing in our residents' ideas and dreams," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We are proud to support the local business owners and entrepreneurs who drive revitalization and strengthen our communities by creating jobs and empowering our residents to build generational wealth."

"The Chicago Business Resource Expo is a vital resource for current and aspiring business owners looking to start or scale their business," said Ivan Capifali, BACP Commissioner. "The expo offers no-cost resources and support from exhibitors, workshops and more to help turn ideas into action."

The keynote address will feature Chef D'Andre Carter and Heather Bublick, Co-Founders of Soul & Smoke. The couple met while working together at a restaurant and later turned a catering venture into an award-winning BBQ empire, growing to multiple Chicago-area locations, two food trucks and a retail line without external funding, while providing hundreds of thousands of meals to Chicagoans in need through community partnerships.

"Soul & Smoke started as two people creating pop-up dinner experiences and catering out of their home and a dream, no outside investors, no shortcuts, just grit and a commitment to our community," said Chef D'Andre Carter, Co-Founder of Soul & Smoke. "I'm honored to share that journey with Chicago's small business owners and show them that you can build something real, right here in your own neighborhood."

"Every entrepreneur in that room is at the beginning of their own story, and we remember exactly what that felt like," said Heather Bublick, Co-Founder and CEO of Soul & Smoke. "We can't wait to talk about what it really takes to grow a business while staying true to the people and the community that got you there."

In partnership with City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Treasurer's Office, the expo is sponsored by Wintrust Bank, Old National Bank, CIBC Bank USA and Pursuit Lending.

The Saturday, August 29th expo will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Malcolm X College, located at 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. The schedule is as follows:

8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.: Registration and Expo Opens
Attendees can visit exhibitors, get expert advice and receive free professional headshots.

9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Welcome and Networking Session
Attendees can participate in a networking session sponsored by the Chicago

Treasurer's Office.
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Exhibitor Hall Reopens
Attendees can visit exhibitors, get expert advice and receive free professional headshots.

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Keynote Address
Chef D'Andre Carter and Heather Bublick, Co-Founders of Soul & Smoke

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Business Education Workshops

12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: Exhibitor Hall Open
Attendees can visit exhibitors, get expert advice and receive free professional headshots.

12:45 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Business Education Workshops

To register and for more information, visit Chicago.gov/BizExpo. For inquiries call (312) 744-2086 or email [email protected]. For information about BACP, visit Chicago.gov/BACP.

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