PEORIA, Ill. - People, Profit, and Performance is a class on how small business owners can begin succession planning for their business. Thanks to a local partnership, the class is being offered to local business owners for free on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The class is 90 minutes of high-impact topics for small business owners who may be considering changes to their business structure. Attendees will learn about financial transparency, employees involvement in the business, employee ownership options and ways to retain key employees. It is based on the principles of The Great Game of Business, Inc., which is a proven framework that help employees think like business owners.
Haydee Caldero, vice president of Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO), says, “The class is not just another presentation. It’s a launchpad for succession planning, financial literacy, and creating long-term business health.”
The class will be held at the Peoria Next Innovation Center located at 801 West Main, Peoria. It will start at 9 am, and registration is required but free. To register, go to go.illinois.edu/PPPbusiness.
In addition to ILCEO, this event is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension community and economic development program, which is dedicated to bringing practical research-based solutions to Illinois communities; Peoria Next Innovation Center, which works to fulfill the need of area start-ups; and Bradley University, Illinois Small Business Development Center, Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, which helps start-ups and current small businesses make the right decisions for the business.
Business owners should attend this event, which is aimed at businesses that have five or more employees. It is not intended for solo entrepreneurs.
For questions, contact Richard Proffer, Illinois Extension community and economic development educator, at 417.300.3185 or email him at rproffer@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.