McHenry County (Illinois) EDC to hold manufacturing matchmaking event

McHenry County Economic Development Corp.'s (MCEDC) Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration (BAIC) is hosting its second annual McHenry County Manufacturing Matchmaking Event on October 27, 2009. This free event for manufacturers is being held at the Holiday Inn, Crystal Lake, Ill.

Think "speed dating" for manufacturers, the organizers said. Participating companies will have up to 11 face-to-face meetings with other companies and organizations. The focus is to promote and match companies from McHenry County's manufacturing base of more than 600 companies to buyers during 20-minute appointments. Prominent companies in the Chicago, Rockford, and Milwaukee metro areas are being actively recruited to participate as buyers.

The county's industry base is diverse and includes manufacturers in plastics, machining, metal fabrication, medical supplies, packaging, electrical and electronic assembly, among others, said the event organizers. Representatives from government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions also will be on hand. New to the matchmaking event this year will be the participation of foreign consulates and trade missions, which are interested in matching up companies from their countries with McHenry County manufacturers.

Invitations have been e-mailed to all McHenry County manufacturers. Online registration is available through the BAIC's Web site (www.illinoismanufacturing.net) "News and Events" section. A week prior to the event, a list and descriptions of all registered companies will be sent to all registrants. Companies can request up to 11 meetings, and a preliminary schedule will be sent just prior to the event. A final schedule for each company will be provided on the day of the event.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on October 27, 2009 with a continental breakfast served during registration and the first hour of appointments. Face-to-face meetings will run between 8: a.m. and 1 p.m., 20 minutes per meeting with 10 minutes in between. This will allow for further discussions between companies if there is a fit, a chance to check voice and e-mail, or an opportunity to grab a bite to eat. A buffet-style lunch also will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., concurrent with meetings. A short questionnaire will be filled out by each company after every meeting indicating whether there is a fit and what the next steps are between the companies. The meeting rooms will be available for another hour after the event for informal networking.

For more details about the event, contact Jim Allen, director of manufacturing at (815)-363-0444.