ACHIEVE Summit draws 1,000-plus to Chicago Southland

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, developers and lenders gathered June 4-6 in Tinley Park for ACHIEVE Summit 2026, a Southland Development Authority event focused on capital access, business growth and real estate development. Organizers say the summit is becoming a regional platform for investment and long-term economic development in Chicago’s Southland. Why it matters: - ACHIEVE Summit 2026 is positioning Chicago’s Southland as a place where entrepreneurs, investors and developers can find capital, partnerships and growth opportunities. - The Southland Development Authority is using the event to turn networking into deals, business expansion and measurable economic impact. - The summit also highlights the region’s effort to build wealth and opportunity across business owners, municipal leaders and community stakeholders. What happened: - More than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, developers, lenders and economic development leaders met June 4-6 at Wind Creek Chicago Southland in Tinley Park, Illinois. - The three-day summit featured four keynote presentations, 11 workshops and three panel discussions. - Speakers included Marcus Lemonis, Egypt Sherrod and Brian Page. - Programming focused on business acquisition, wealth building, capital raising, real estate investment, public-private partnerships and community development. The details: - Marcus Lemonis said regions grow when entrepreneurs have access to capital, strong networks and tools to execute their visions. - Lemonis told attendees that long-term success depends on focusing on People, Process and Product every day. - The summit brought together entrepreneurs, investors, developers, lenders, municipal leaders and economic development professionals from across the region. - The Southland Development Authority hosted the event and said the summit builds on last year’s inaugural gathering. - The event connected attendees to explore partnerships, new ventures and strategies for business expansion. - The conference also included sessions for veterans, students, content creators and influencers, and women business owners. - Attendees heard practical strategies and industry insights on access to capital, creator-focused business models and community investment. - Since its founding, the Southland Development Authority says it has supported more than 3,600 businesses. - The agency says its work has generated $211 million in economic impact. - The Southland Development Authority says it has redeveloped 198 properties and helped businesses access nearly $9 million in relief and growth capital. - More than 82% of businesses served through Southland Development Authority programs are minority-owned, according to the organization. - The summit website directs visitors to register for ongoing forums and conversations . - The Southland Development Authority also directs visitors to its website for more information on its mission and next year’s ACHIEVE Summit. Between the lines: - The summit is evolving from a conference into a relationship-building platform designed to convert interest into investment. - The Southland Development Authority is tying the event to a broader economic development strategy that centers on equitable growth and business ownership. - The focus on multiple audience groups suggests the region is trying to widen its pipeline of entrepreneurs, capital sources and development partners. What’s next: - The Southland Development Authority plans to expand its network of partners, business leaders and stakeholders. - Organizers want to build on the momentum from 2025 and make more of the summit’s conversations lead to concrete outcomes. - The next phase centers on more partnerships, more investment and more measurable results across the Southland. The bottom line: - ACHIEVE Summit 2026 reinforced Chicago’s Southland as a growing hub for entrepreneurship, real estate and economic development, with the Southland Development Authority pushing to convert convening power into lasting regional growth.