Judy Hoepker and daughter Morgan Stevenson, owners of Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch, speak to participants at last year’s SBDC Day seminar. Photo provided.
March 11, 2026
Sign up now for SIU’s SBDC Day seminar and celebration set for March 18
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is hosting an SBDC Day celebration and Business Growth Seminar on March 18 in recognition of National SBDC Day.
The no-cost workshop will provide local entrepreneurs and small business owners with valuable practical tools, expert guidance and opportunities to connect. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gower Translational Research Center, 1785 University Press Drive in Carbondale. The theme is “Stronger Together, Powered by Small Business.”
“I have the privilege of working with entrepreneurs every day who are pouring their energy, savings and heart into building something meaningful for their families and our region. SBDC Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate their courage and determination,” said Michael Jessup, director of the Illinois SBDC at SIU. “At the Illinois SBDC at SIU, we are committed to walking beside them with practical guidance and steady support as they grow.”
Comprehensive experience
This year’s event will showcase ways the Illinois SBDC at SIU and local professional partners collaborate to help businesses succeed. Workshops will focus on a wide variety of topics including:
- Business planning goals.
- Profitability.
- Hiring employees.
- Building the right network of professional advisers including bankers, lawyers, accountants, insurance specialists and human relations professionals.
Participants will also hear an inspirational success story from a local client, learn about research and growth resources the SBDC offers, and participate in an interactive panel discussion featuring experienced business professionals.
A networking luncheon with local experts is included.
Sign up now
The SBDC Business Growth Seminar is open to all current and aspiring business owners in the region. It is free, but advance registration is required. Sign up online.
Space is limited so organizers suggest registering early.
Helping businesses grow
The SIU and countrywide National SBDC celebrations recognize the vital role that America’s Small Business Development Centers play in helping entrepreneurs launch, grow and sustain successful businesses. According to America’s SBDC 2026 Annual Report, clients generated $5.1 billion in sales as new businesses delivered nearly ten times the return for every dollar invested by the centers across the country. U.S. entrepreneurs keep communities alive by producing goods, innovations and the equivalent of 68,033 new full-time jobs.
“What inspires me the most is watching a business owner move from uncertainty to confidence,” Jessup said. “Whether it involves refining a business plan, understanding their financials or preparing for expansion, we are here to help them take the next step. SBDC Day is a reminder that when we strengthen our small businesses, we strengthen Southern Illinois as a whole.”
The Illinois SBDC at SIU provides no-cost, confidential advisement, training and resources to help entrepreneurs across Southern Illinois as they launch, grow and sustain successful businesses. To learn more, visit the website or call 618-536-2424.