Get signed in, network, and grab breakfast bites.

Welcoming Address from the City of Moline

Event Welcome: Catherine Tran, Executive Director

Sponsor Remarks: Ying Sa, Community CPA

These will be held in individual breakout rooms. There will be three workshop options, so select the room that fits your business life and needs.

• The Power of Capital – Johnny Cintron, Business Relationship Manager, Chase
  Fuel your business growth through smart funding! Learn how the right funding can help your business grow, manage cash flow, and stay strong during tough times. In this session, Johnny shares tips on building good relationships with banks, using financial tools wisely, and setting your business up for long-term success. Whether you’re just starting or ready to grow, you’ll leave with clear steps to use capital as a powerful tool for new opportunities.
• Asset Protection for Your Business — Ying Sa, CEO & Managing Partner, Community CPA
  In today’s rapidly changing business environment, protecting your business assets is not just smart – it’s essential. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of visa status or simply want to shield your enterprise from the ripple effects of inflation, interest rate hikes, or global instability, this workshop is your strategic advantage. Join in to learn how to protect your business with expert guidance to thrive no matter what the future holds.
• Turning Targeted Outreach into Business Momentum – Alvaro Macias, VP Community Development, Ascentra Credit Union
  

  Do you know how to make the most of your business relationships? This session explores “connection currency”—how to turn your network into real insight about your customers. Once you understand what your market needs, you can use that knowledge to grow your business. Alvaro shares lessons from his work with the Latino/a community to help you build stronger connections and use them to improve and expand your business.

Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.

Second Session in breakout rooms. There will be three workshops, and you will select the one that fits your business life and needs.

• Strategic Execution for Startups and Underperforming Companies – Todd Shores, Virtual CFO, Creative Planning
  Do you have big ideas that you’re struggling to turn into real results? Do you feel pulled into different directions? Even when things feel messy or resources are tight, you can still take meaningful steps towards your goals. This session covers how to move from vision to action in resource-constrained or chaotic environments. We will share strategies for aligning teams, sequencing priorities, and executing under pressure
• Work Visas and Green Cards for Entrepreneurs – Xavier Francis, Founder and Managing Attorney, Francis Law
  Join us for a practical session for entrepreneurs, business owners, and startup founders seeking long-term U.S. opportunities. We’ll cover key immigration pathways to permanent residency through business and employment-based options, including self-sponsorship routes (EB-2 NIW, EB-1A), employer-sponsored options (EB-2, EB-3), and nonimmigrant visa categories (L-1, O-1). The session will also discuss how current U.S. immigration policy trends affect business owners and skilled professionals. This session will help you understand your options for long-term immigration success.
• Building A Better Brand – Alfred Ramirez, President, Diverse Strategies Now
  Description: Want to present your brand in the best way, one that authentically demonstrates who you are and what your business is about? This session will help you clarify the foundations (anatomy) of Your BRAND – your distinct leader values, qualities, talents, products and services. Differentiate yourself with your authenticity and leverage that on all types of platforms and relationships. Join this engaging environment that offers lively idea exchanges and the sharing of diverse experiences.

Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.

Our luncheon is a time of inspiration where we celebrate the success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs, businesses, and those who champion them.

Luncheon Panel: Advice from Immigrant Entrepreneurs – We Answer Tough Questions!
– Ying Sa, CEO & Managing Partner, Community CPA
– Xavier Francis, Founder and Managing Attorney, Francis Law
– Fred Ebong, Lead Videographer and Creative Director, FE Studios

Participants are encouraged to visit exhibitors.

Final Session of our workshop — there will be three options. Select the session that fits your business life and needs.

• Six Steps to Building the Business of Your Dreams – Marcia Erickson, Business & Executive Coach, ActionCoach ExcelEdge East Division

  Are you working harder than ever but not seeing the profits or freedom you want? This hands-on workshop introduces the Six Steps to Building the Business of Your Dreams—a proven system used by thousands of successful companies. Based on the ActionCOACH framework, you’ll learn how to gain clarity, take control, and grow your business. Walk away with practical tools and a clear plan to build a profitable business that works for you—not because of you.

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax deductions for working Americans & businesses – Dan Arnell Belarmino, Sr. Stakeholder Liaison Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service
  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, bringing with it significant changes to tax provisions that will impact most Americans. This workshop breaks down key benefits like “No tax on tips,” “No tax on overtime,” and “No tax on car loan interest.” Learn how these changes can boost your take-home pay, support your business, and ease financial stress.

Closing Ceremony and Giveaways