Chicago Bulls x BMO invest in the future of small businesses in Chicago

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

In 2020, the Chicago Bulls launched efforts alongside partner BMO to uplift small businesses in Chicago. The organizations looked to generate opportunities for business owners and strengthen the city.

By using the power of their platforms and providing access to business resources and networks, the Bulls and BMO are helping entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. Small businesses are the fabric of any healthy community, and the Bulls and BMO aim to solve some of the unique challenges they face.

This work has included:

• 6 years of the Business Spotlight Series
• 3 Bulls Business Summits
• Ongoing network development and support through vendor and banking relationships

Whether it’s well-timed advice, bringing people together, shining a light on the good work being done, or providing key financial resources, the Bulls and BMO help businesses take their operations to the next level and build a stronger Chicago, together.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

As partners since 2009, the Bulls and BMO’s support for small business represents Excellence in Engagement by creating a dynamic platform that generates awareness and builds collaborative networks. Together, we have established connective, year-round programming to champion locally owned organizations.

Overall, this program sets a benchmark in how companies and sports teams can work together to deeply and meaningfully engage fans while simultaneously making an impact in their local communities. The program goes beyond traditional experiences, offering hands-on, immersive events and direct engagement with everyone from Bulls players, fellow business owners, and industry executives and experts. 

Objective

This program was created to meaningfully invest and support small businesses in Chicago by:

Enhancing Business Exposure: The Bulls employ their digital and game-day platforms to amplify business messages through the Business Spotlight Program. The Bulls highlight businesses on Bulls Community social channels, through arena programming at games, and gameday broadcasts throughout the season, giving selected owners the chance to tell their stories in their own words. 

Providing Network and Skill Development: The program aims to build a collaborative network of small business owners in Chicago. Whether it’s through the Bulls Business Summit, which invites dozens of small businesses out for a day of personal and professional development, or providing educational and key business resources on an ongoing basis, the Bulls and BMO are bringing business owners together. With more than 80% of small businesses operating as solo ventures and 38% failing due to lack of capital (Forbes), the trends underscore the value of programs that organizations like the Chicago Bulls and BMO provide.

Strategy & Execution

The Bulls and BMO have stood up a variety of programming to accomplish these goals.

Business Spotlight Series

Over 6 seasons, the Business Spotlight Series has highlighted more than 30 local Chicago businesses on social channels, at games and gameday broadcasts, giving leaders a chance to tell their stories. 

BMO provided a grant to each business in this year’s cohort to support their continued development. Multiple businesses also attended and spoke on a panel at the 2026 Bulls Business Summit.

Bulls Business Summit

For three years, the Chicago Bulls and BMO have hosted a Bulls Business Summit to bring together small businesses and address the challenges they face. This past March, nearly 100 local Chicago businesses attended. Topics included how to master Microsoft CoPilot, working with digital content creators, lessons learned from running a small business, advice from BMO experts on fraud prevention and payment strategies and perspectives from Bulls alumni and entrepreneur Thaddeus Young. 

Broader Support

The relationship with these businesses goes beyond the campaign, as many have become preferred vendors for the Bulls and bank directly with BMO.  The Bulls support local businesses as a way to reflect the spirit of our fanbase and make our city better.

Organizations

• • Chicago Bulls
  • BMO

Links

•   Website

Credits

Adrienne Scherenzel
Vice President of Community Engagement
Chicago Bulls

Calvin Parson
Director of Community Engagement
Chicago Bulls

Myra Leon
Community Engagement Manager
Chicago Bulls

Brooke Fallis
Community Engagement Coordinator
Chicago Bulls

Laniesa Shafer
Senior Partnership Marketing Manager
Chicago Bulls

Monica Morrison
Senior Events Manager
Chicago Bulls

Lorena Soria
Events Manager
Chicago Bulls

Nikko Tan
Senior Manager of Digital Content
Chicago Bulls

Tucker Jacob
Producer/Manager of BullsTV
Chicago Bulls

Daniel Charous
Producer/Manager of BullsTV
Chicago Bulls

Anya Kalfus
Assistant Producer/Coordinator of BullsTV
Chicago Bulls

Matt Yob
Director of Alumni Relations
Chicago Bulls

Ethan Wilen
Manager of Alumni Relations
Chicago Bulls

Justin Greenlee
Coordinator of Alumni Relations
Chicago Bulls

Joshua Clark
Manager of Community Engagement & Player Programs
Chicago Bulls

Caroline Mattingly
Brand Communications Executive Director
Chicago Bulls

Aaron Carter
Brand Communications Manager
Chicago Bulls

Taylor Williams
Brand Communications Coordinator
Chicago Bulls

Zaida DeGuzman
Event Production & Activation Strategy Director
Chicago Bulls

Stanley Baptiste
Event Production Manager
Chicago Bulls

John Melachrinakis
Event Production Coordinator
Chicago Bulls

Kamil Strycharz
Senior Manager of Creators & Communities
Chicago Bulls

Sofia Musman
Senior Coordinator of Creators & Communities
Chicago Bulls

Mikayla Alsopp
Product Manager
Chicago Bulls

Furkan Guler
Software Engineer for Digital Product
Chicago Bulls