Upcoming Events
Village Networking Lunch Connect
A midday lunch where you can connect and get to know other business folks in a family room atmosphere. Lunch will be provided.
Date and time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: Swing Loose Indoor Golf
2000 Center Drive #Suite A206 Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
AI Strategies & Business Networking Event
Connect & Grow: Business Networking + AI Strategies
with Patrick Panayotov, Proceed Innovative
Join the Bulgarian Midwest Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) and Raghu Sundara of Always Be Connecting for an evening of networking, business connections, and valuable insights featuring special guest speaker Patrick Panayotov, President & CEO of Proceed Innovative.
Patrick will share insights into how businesses can leverage AI and modern digital marketing strategies to increase visibility, engage potential customers, generate qualified leads, and drive measurable growth. Proceed Innovative specializes in GEO, SEO, PPC, web design, and AI-driven digital strategies designed to help businesses compete and succeed in an evolving digital marketplace.
This event is also about making connections. Meet fellow business owners and professionals, introduce your business, exchange ideas, and discover new opportunities for collaboration.
Light refreshments will be served! Ticket price includes a drink and a bottle of water.
Come ready to connect, learn, introduce your business, and grow your network!
Date and time: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Balkanika Restaurant
1414 East Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Switching Gears:
The Pivot Between Networking and Selling
A candid fireside chat on the pivot between networking and selling. Know when to network and when to sell to grow your business.
Most professionals attend networking events hoping to generate business, but very few know how to convert relationships into revenue without coming across as pushy or transactional.
The truth is, networking and selling are two completely different skill sets. This workshop is powered by the collaboration between Always Be Connecting and Pipeline Collective to help you master the transition between the two.
Blues, Bourbon & BBQ Fundraiser by the Schaumburg A.M. Rotary Club Foundation
Join us for a soul-filled evening of smoky BBQ, smooth bourbon, and sizzling blues!
It’s a night to savor the best of the South while supporting a great cause.
Step inside the Folsom Prison gates for an immersive tribute drama that brings to life the music, mayhem, and story behind one of America’s greatest live albums - and the moment that changed Johnny Cash's life forever.
Proceeds support the Schaumburg A.M. Rotary Club Foundation’s “Project Toolkit” Scholarship Program and our “Community Outreach Initiatives”.
BBQ & LIMITED OPEN BAR 5:30pm: Bourbon Tasting Experience
(optional & additional charge)
MUSIC BEGINS at 7:30pm
Ticket Price: $100
Ticket Price includes:
- BBQ Dinner catered by the Chicago Culinary Kitchen from 5:30pm-7:15pm
- Limited open bar. Bourbon Tasting (optional & additional charge)
- Ticket to the Folsom Prison Experience concert
Date and time: Saturday, October 10, 2026 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Al Larson Cultural Center
201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Bear Bash: Bears vs. Packers
Watch Party Fundraiser
The Ultimate Bears vs. Packers Game-Day
Experience Is Here!
Join over 200 Bears and Packers fans on Sunday, October 11, at Dave & Buster’s Schaumburg for an unforgettable afternoon of football, food, games, prizes, and giving back—all benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois.
Kick off game day with a special pre-game appearance by former Bears Pro Bowler Jerry Azumah. Hear stories from a Bears legend, capture a memorable photo, and join in on one of the greatest rivalries in sports—all while helping local kids build brighter futures.
Your Bear Bash Experience Includes:
🏈 Pre-game Q&A and group photo opportunity with Jerry Azumah
🏈 Bears vs. Packers viewing on multiple large screens
🏈 All-you-can-eat tailgate buffet
🏈 Unlimited Dave & Buster’s game play
🏈 Game-day contests, giveaways, and prizes
🏈 Opportunity to bid on premium auction packages
🏈 Opportunities to make an even greater impact for local kids
Want More Time with Jerry? Go VIP!
Select ticket packages include an exclusive VIP meet & greet reception with Jerry Azumah, including autograph session and individual photo opportunity, and an exclusive chance to win a signed Jerry Azumah jersey!
VIP availability is limited and expected to sell quickly.
Date and time: Sunday, October 11, 2026 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Dave & Buster's
601 North Martingale Road Schaumburg, IL 60173
Trades Connect - Networking Event
Join us for Trades Connect, a dynamic networking event designed specifically for contractors! This event powered by Always Be Connecting, offers a unique opportunity to build valuable relationships within the industry. Connect with fellow contractors and explore the possibilities for collaboration that can arise from every interaction. Don’t miss the chance to expand your network and unlock new opportunities—every attendee represents a potential gateway to success. Come ready to network and grow!
THIS EVENT IS FOR TRADES PROFESSIONALS AND CONTRACTORS ONLY.
Date and time: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Buddyz Pizzeria
1138 North Green Street, McHenry, IL 60050
The Networking Supercharger:
From Transactional Networking to Power Partnerships
Stop collecting contacts. Start building high-value partnerships.
Are you tired of the cold, transactional nature of traditional networking? Are you ready to move beyond the inefficiency of basic small talk and build relationships that actually grow your business?
Join Raghu Sundara, Founder of Always Be Connecting, for The Networking Supercharger—a group coaching workshop designed to transform how you connect.
Date and time: Friday, October 16, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: HuddleUp powered by 25N Coworking
1600 West McConnor Parkway, Suite 300, Schaumburg, IL 60173
The Human Edge
HR Summit
This dynamic event is presented by Katie Davis with Questco and Aaron Bondi with Edward Jones while being powered by Always Be Connecting.
HR is changing quickly, but the future of HR isn’t just about new technology, new regulations, or new vendors. It’s about how all of those pieces work together.
The Human Edge (HR Summit) brings HR leaders, business owners, and industry professionals together for a morning of meaningful conversation around the challenges HR teams are facing today and where the industry is heading next.
We’ll explore the intersection of people, compliance, administration, technology, vendor relationships, and the evolving workplace, with a focus on breaking down the silos that too often exist between the different areas of HR.
Rather than looking at payroll, benefits, workers’ compensation, retirement, compliance, technology, and employee experience as separate conversations, we’ll discuss how organizations can create stronger partnerships and a more connected HR strategy.
This isn’t about sitting through hours of presentations or vendor pitches. It’s about bringing the right people into the room to have a real conversation about what’s changing, what’s creating challenges, and what HR leaders can do about it.
Date and time: Thursday, October 22, 2026 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: BEAR Construction Company
1501 Rohlwing Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Connection Catalyst: Networking Event
Join us for Connection Catalyst!
Powered by Always Be Connecting, this dynamic networking event is designed to ignite meaningful relationships and spark transformative opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Connection Catalyst offers a space to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and expand your network.
Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired. Together, we’ll fuel the sparks that drive success!
Lunch and Connections included.
Date and time: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: IKEA
1800 West McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173