Updated Aug. 28, 2026.
The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit will bring business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and community partners to Rock Island on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a day of workshops, networking and keynote presentations focused on building and sustaining small businesses.
The 2026 Quad Cities Regional Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Rock Island, 226 17th St. #100. Registration costs $50.
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026
- Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Holiday Inn Rock Island
- Address: 226 17th St. #100, Rock Island, IL 61201
- Registration: $50
In addition, organizers expect the summit to bring together immigrant entrepreneurs, small-business owners, exhibitors and supporters from across the Quad Cities. Registration and the full agenda are available through the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit event page.
Ying Sa, Nana Ouro-Agoro and Alvaro Macias will lead featured sessions
The opening program will include a keynote from Ying Sa, CEO and managing partner of Community CPA. Later, Alvaro Macias, vice president of community development at Ascentra Credit Union, will deliver the luncheon keynote. Nana Ouro-Agoro, president and CEO of Akwaaba QC, will close the event with another keynote presentation.
Meanwhile, the luncheon will include a panel titled From Layoff to Entrepreneurship — We Answer Tough Questions! with Benoit Houessou of Akwaaba QC, Jesse Noriega of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Sa.
Business owners can choose workshops on finance, branding and growth
Throughout the day, attendees can choose among concurrent workshops. Topics include protecting business assets, building a stronger brand, using business relationships to understand customers, managing cash flow, forming an organization and estate planning.
In the afternoon, additional sessions will address access to capital through community development financial institutions, retirement options for small businesses and strategies for local business leaders seeking to expand their reach.
Additionally, the program includes breakfast, exhibitor visits, networking periods and door prizes before the closing ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
The summit will connect entrepreneurs with local resources
The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit operates regional and statewide programs designed to connect entrepreneurs with education, business resources and professional networks. As a result, the Quad Cities event will bring together participants from both Iowa and Illinois, with exhibitors and community organizations available throughout the day.
Related: Illinois Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit to Be Hosted on Aug. 30 at the TaxSlayer Center
Finally, check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Rock Island. Registration remains available through the event’s official website.
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