Adams County CEO trade show to be held Thursday

QUINCY — The Adams County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Class of 2022 will hold its end-of-the-year trade show from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Oakley-Lindsay Center. The open house-style event is free and open to the public. CEO students will be showcasing their personal businesses each started during the year-long entrepreneurship program.

Adams County CEO is a year-long program developed by the Midland Institute for high school seniors. it is designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes. The local business community partners with Adams County high schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours and one-on-one mentoring.

Adams County CEO began because of the Quincy Next Strategic Plan and its initiative to expand
entrepreneurship and new economy skills training. An overarching goal of the strategic plan is to retain and attract residents to the Quincy region. The CEO program is an opportunity to help retain young people because, in addition to teaching entrepreneurship skills, the program opens their eyes to the opportunities in their own backyard by connecting them with local businesses and mentors.

This year’s class consists of:

• Alex Buss (Payson Seymour High School),
• Mackenzie Davis (Quincy High School),
• Morgan Holtman (Quincy High School),
• Shannon O’Neil (Quincy High School),
• Theodore Palmer (Quincy Notre Dame) and
• Annabelle Schaffnit (Unity High School).

Each CEO student will have a booth where they will showcase a product or service. Some students will have items available for purchase, and others will have interactive opportunities in their booths.
There is no cost to CEO students or schools.

Students participate in a class business and create and run individual businesses. Students receive two high school credits and can receive dual college credit through John Wood Community College. Students from all seven Adams County high schools can apply to be a part of the program. The application process for the Class of 2023 is closed. Sophomores interested in participating during the 2023-24 school year when they are seniors should contact their school counselor for more information.

For more information about Adams County CEO and this year’s tradeshow, contact Maggie Strong at 217-257-0721 or me@MaggieStrong.com.