2025 Open Office Hours at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2025-12-03 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL, United States
Sarah Michaels, Director of Environmental Health at CUPHD, hosts Open Office Hours every week to assist food/drink/retail establishment owners, managers, and workers with questions related to Environmental Health programs and services: https://www.c-uphd.org/environmental-health.html.
The Open Office Hours are available every Wednesday from 10-11:30 AM at CUPHD: 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820.
No pre-registration is required.

2026 Open Office Hours at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
2025-12-03 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:30 and 6 more dates | Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL, United States

Webinar: Website Audit Checklist for 2026
2025-12-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
When’s the last time you looked at your own website? Let’s take a moment to pause and review what you should audit on your website before going into 2026! We’ll share the latest trends in website design, tips to improve user experience, ways to enhance your search engine optimization strategies, and more!
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time:1-2 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FU8nRU-5TGKFiaHFXNJ0Gw
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Scott Clanin is the owner and director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.com
This webinar is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Champaign Public Library, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Solicitation Preparation Series Part 1 – Deconstructing the RFQ/RFP Solicitation
2025-12-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
This session is part 1 of a 2-part series.
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
How does the agency prepare for their requirements? This course will assist in understanding the components of a solicitation or bid document and a breakdown of the elements used when it is written. In attending this session, you will understand agency preparation, terms you need to know, and how the agency will describe their needs. This includes the Uniform Contract Format as well as the agency’s Proposal Evaluation so you know how to respond.
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 10-11 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pXaAXPFoR7iq00AeahqdSQ
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

2025 Open Office Hours at Champaign Public Library
2025-12-11 12:00 - 15:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
SBDC Director, Madeleine Wolske, will hold open office hours at Launch (at Champaign Public Library) on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 12 – 3 PM.
2025 dates:

March 13
April 10*
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14*
September 11
October 9*
November 13
December 11*

* denotes dates that Madeleine will be joined by Sarah Michaels, Director of Environmental Health at CUPHD, to assist food/drink/retail establishment owners, managers, and workers with questions related to Environmental Health programs and services: https://www.c-uphd.org/environmental-health.html.
SBDC services are offered at no cost & are completely confidential. For those interested in attending the Office Hours and have not worked with the SBDC before, please register as a client prior to your meeting: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup?centerid=118
Launch at the Library business services include a walk-in coworking space, seminars, meeting rooms, and resources to help start, manage, and grow your business. Visit champaign.org/launch for more information.

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Solicitation Preparation Series Part 2 – How to Respond to an RFP/RFQ
2025-12-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
This session is part 2 of a 2-part series.
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
Reading the RFP document. Here we will present digesting the scope of work (SOW) and determining your potential to compete. As essential component is understanding the terms and conditions as well as mastering the evaluation (selection) criteria. This course will help you to follow all instructions leading to the submitted proposal.
Date: Monday, December 15, 2025
Time: 2-3 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IZT9RtwYStWzrrJ8eb7WhA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

Workshop: Canva 201
2026-01-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Registration for this event is full & has been closed.
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Ready to take your Canva skills to the next level? In this intermediate session, we’ll explore more advanced design tools, smart layout strategies, and tips for creating polished, on-brand content with ease. We’ll also highlight new features, Canva’s AI tools, and how to collaborate more effectively. Whether you’re designing social media content, flyers, or presentations, Canva 201 will help you work smarter and elevate your visuals. Prior experience is helpful but not required!
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 10 – 11 AM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.com
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: Start Now in Government Contracting Series Part 3 – Capability Statements
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
This session is part 3 of a 3-part series.
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
In this session, we will uncover the five essential sections that every powerful Capabilities Statement needs to include:

Core Competencies
Differentiators
Past Performance
Company Data
Contact Information

You’ll understand how to highlight your successes, showcase your strengths, and set your business apart from your competitors. We’ll also discuss design dos and don’ts to ensure your Capabilities Statements stand out in decision-makers’ eyes. This is also an opportunity to ask questions about your existing Capabilities Statement and how to perfect it.
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 2-3 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VOEDuCteTR2ErtkypwuqHA
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.

Webinar: Interview & Hire "Like a Boss"
2026-01-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Kelly Gust – President, HR Full Circle
If only we had a crystal ball to help determine whether a job applicant would be a great new addition to your business, or a terrible choice. In this workshop, HR Full Circle will share insights for assessing the knowledge, skills and abilities that will predict success when interviewing job applicants. We’ll help you ask better questions to assess critical job competencies, as well as provide a few best practices for conducting interviews; don’t forget – the candidate is interviewing your organization, and a bad experience will scare them away. We’ll also share questions that you should avoid when interviewing and share insights for how to present and negotiate a job offer.
Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
Time: 1-2 PM

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EOhLElnKQh6KSgPkC2hMzQ
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.
Kelly Gust’s HR career began behind a bar in Wisconsin, where she learned two universal truths: people love cocktails, and they really love talking about their jobs. With a liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a fear she might actually end up bartending forever, she pursued a master’s degree at California State University — a step that launched her into roles with companies like Starwood Hotels and Hot Topic.
For the past 20 years, Kelly has focused on making work better: better hiring, better onboarding, better leaders, better engagement, and better teams. Today she owns HR Full Circle, where she helps organizations hire, inspire, and engage their people to perform at their best.
Kelly serves as the HR Expert-in-Residence for the University of Illinois Research Park / EnterpriseWorks, on the board at Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, and the Central Illinois Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, and is a monthly columnist for the Springfield Business Journal.

Workshop: Advertising with Google Ads
2026-02-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Google Ads is the leading online marketing service that allows companies to promote ads at the top of Google search results and throughout websites across the world. Through this workshop, you will be trained by a Google Certified Professional who will cover all the necessary steps to create, manage, and measure successful campaigns on the Google Search and Google Display networks.
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 1 – 2 PM
Location: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion A/B) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.com
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce, and University of Illinois Research Park.

Illinois APEX Accelerator Webinar: State of Illinois Business Enterprise Program and Veteran Business Program Application Preparation
2026-02-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Webinar
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
The BEP/VBP program promotes the economic development of businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, and service-disabled veterans and supports their participation in the State’s overall procurement process as both prime and subcontractors. This program serves as one of the state government’s primary gateways into contracting for small businesses. State agencies and universities have a goal to buy at least 30% of goods and services from BEP-certified businesses and at least 3% of their procurement budgets with certified veteran-owned (VBP) businesses. Please join us as we discuss the requirements and the process for obtaining this certification.
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 10:30-11:30 AM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CE1aMXFeSp2WVSRrCnRgIw
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and made available in the public domain.

Webinar: Legal Business Entity Formation 101 – Choosing the Right Structure for Your Business
2026-02-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Alan Singleton, President – Singleton Law Firm
Thinking about starting a business or re-evaluating your current structure? Join us and local attorney, Alan Singleton, for a webinar to learn the fundamentals of legal business entity selection and formation. This session will explore the pros and cons of various structures, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, S corporations and C corporations. Social purpose organizations and not for profits will also receive mention. Discover how the right entity can impact your taxes, liability, and growth potential, and gain the knowledge you need to make informed decisions for your business’s success. This session is for entrepreneurs and small business owners at any stage.
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 1-2 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nMryLPnDTq-FkjOZT2wr9g
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and shared in a public domain.
Alan is the President of Singleton Law Firm. He has more than 25 years of experience working with entrepreneurs to develop legal solutions for companies at all stages of development and build their international intellectual property portfolios. Clients appreciate Alan’s ability to see the big picture and give comprehensive advice with both legal and business considerations in mind.
Alan’s practice is focused on corporate formation and transactions (including angel / venture capital investment rounds and mergers and acquisitions), intellectual property (technology licensing, trademark, and patent matters), and real estate

Workshop: Mastering Instagram Reels
2026-03-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
This workshop qualifies for reimbursement as part of the City of Champaign New Business Grant Program. If you are an awardee of the program and attend this session, you will receive a certificate to include in your reimbursement forms to the City.
Presented by Scott Clanin – Director, Clanin Creative
Lights, camera, action! Join us for a hands-on experience where you’ll master the art of creating stunning Instagram Reels. This real-time demonstration covers everything from shooting techniques to seamless editing, adding music that resonates, reviewing the latest new tools released in the past 6-months, and deploying creative effects. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the skills to make your content stand out in the ever-evolving world of short-form video.
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 1 – 2 PM
Location: Champaign Public Library (The Studio — Lower Level) – 200 W. Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Register below to secure a seat (no cost to attend). All materials will be provided.
Scott Clanin is the owner and director of Clanin Creative, an independent design agency based in Champaign, Illinois. With a deep passion for marketing and a sharp creative eye, Scott leads projects that help businesses craft and communicate their unique stories. He is a strong advocate for the local community, having served on the boards of Promise Healthcare, 40 North, the Champaign Center Partnership, and more. As a certified Google professional, Scott combines his expertise in digital strategy with a commitment to innovative design, helping brands grow and thrive.
Clanin Creative is an independent design agency hailing from Champaign, Illinois, dedicated to transforming brands with standout design and compelling storytelling. Their unique approach blends strategic insight with creative skill, delivering tailored solutions that elevate brands and connect with audiences. Learn more by visiting www.clanincreative.com
This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC and presented in collaboration with Champaign County EDC, Champaign Center Partnership, Champaign Public Library, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, EDC of Decatur & Macon County, Experience Champaign-Urbana, Parkland College Community Education, Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce, and University of Illinois Research Park.

SBDC Day
2026-03-18 | IL
SBDC Day is a national, collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses.
SBDC Day unites the nearly 1,000 SBDC centers across the country and the hundreds of thousands of clients they serve by sharing, in real time, the success stories and notable impacts SBDCs collectively have on the small business community. This day will be celebrated with social media campaigns, public relations initiatives, and other online events.
For more information: https://americassbdc.org/sbdcday/

Webinar: How the SBDC Can Connect You to Other Resources
2026-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Celebrating SBDC Day: https://americassbdc.org/sbdcday/
Presented by Keli Krueger-Huhra, Director – Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC
Join us as a part of our SBDC Day Celebration to learn more about how the small business development center can connect your business to other available resources! Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC Director, Keli Krueger-Huhra will cover a wide variety of opportunities available: workshops & webinars, small business programs, APEX Accelerator services, the International Trade Center, and more. The best part — all services provided by the SBDC, APEX, and ITC are offered no-cost.
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 1-2 PM
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pHFFWOxZQ_Kl0Hh8eydYtQ
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar will be recorded and may be shared publicly. By registering for this webinar, you understand that your questions or comments shared during the webinar will be recorded and made available in the public domain.
