Aligning public, private & philanthropic capital to unlock Chicago's $2B+ opportunity.

Day One of the Urgency of Now Tour is an on-site intensive listening session and fireside chat where public, private, and philanthropic partners move from conversation to action — building stronger, more accessible pathways to funding, investment, and long-term regional growth.

Chicago is leaving billions in competitive grants and federal contracts on the table. This session puts the people who control that capital and the people building the city's future in the same room, with real data on the barriers to funding and workforce needs that city leadership can act on.

Who should attend: City leaders, elected officials & agency heads, and corporate, private & philanthropic funding partners.

At registration, choose your ticket: Free general admission, or the VIP Luncheon — a seated working lunch with a City of Chicago elected official and federal contracting expert Beverly Kuykendall. Limited seats.