PERU, ILLINOIS – JULY 12, 2025 — Business education is getting a notable upgrade this summer—and it’s coming with sparks, fog, music, and momentum.

The 1% Event, a dynamic business and personal development experience, is landing at 320 5th Street in Peru, Illinois, transforming the traditional conference format into something far more memorable. With booming music, red carpet interviews, and real entrepreneurs sharing the unfiltered truths behind their journeys, this isn’t a lecture—it’s an immersive production.

And it’s all happening on Saturday, July 12.

Hosted by the nonprofit Project Future First, co-founded by Kyle Gardner, Blake Shofner, and Dmytro Andryeyev, the 1% Event is designed to support underdogs—aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and mission-driven professionals—with practical tools, authentic insight, and a network of peers who can relate to their experiences.

A Business Event That Feels Like a Concert

Forget the typical ballrooms and monotone keynote speakers. The 1% Event swaps corporate stiffness for high-energy moments.

Picture this:

• Sparks flying as speakers take the stage

• Fog rolling through the venue mid-talk

• A live DJ keeping the tempo upbeat between speakers

• Flashing lights, hype moments, and Instagram-worthy media walls

This is business reimagined as an experience. But beneath all the spectacle lies a serious mission—to give people the roadmap that many may not have received otherwise.

“We wanted to create something where people could truly feel the shift happening in the room,” said Kyle Gardner. “This is the event we wish had existed when we were getting started.”

Photo Courtesy: Project Future First

What to Expect: Format + Schedule

The day is structured to maximize both learning and networking:

• Doors Open: 11:00 AM
• Red Carpet + Networking: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Main Event (Speakers + Panels): 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The first two hours are focused on conversation—think local founders, creators, and go-getters making moves, snapping photos, and sharing stories before the main show begins. Expect red carpet interviews, content creation, and opportunities to connect with mentors, influencers, and collaborators.

Then, from 1 to 6 PM, the main event begins with a mix of back-to-back speaker sets and live panels. These aren’t polished gurus. These are the builders, branders, and business owners who fought for their first dollar and continue pushing forward.

And no, there won’t be any sales pitches from the stage.

Every speaker is there to share genuine stories, hard-won lessons, and the mindset shifts that helped move the needle.

Dress How You Want. Talk How You Feel.

There’s no dress code. Come as you are—hoodie or button-up, sneakers or boots.

The vibe is intentionally relaxed. That means no forced professionalism and no “one-size-fits-all” success story. Every speaker is encouraged to speak candidly, as if having a real conversation—no buzzwords, no scripts, just raw truth.

The atmosphere is part nightclub, part community center, part media day—and the result is something attendees remember long after the lights go down.

More Than an Event: A Mission

The event is powered by Project Future First, a nonprofit dedicated to providing at-risk youth with access to entrepreneurship, mentorship, and real-world business exposure.

A portion of every ticket sold supports school programs, youth scholarships, and community initiatives that help bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.

Past events have contributed to in-school workshops, resource drops, and mentoring programs in underserved communities. The July 12 edition aims to expand that impact.

Why the 1% Event Matters

Not everyone grows up with access to opportunity. Not everyone receives guidance. The 1% Event exists for the other 99%—those who are figuring things out on their own.

Attendees often come from nontraditional backgrounds:

• First-gen entrepreneurs

• Blue-collar visionaries

• Self-taught marketers

• Creators who’ve built from the ground up

• Students tired of hearing “wait your turn”

The 1% Event has quickly become a hub for these rising voices, attracting guests from Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, New York, Iowa, and beyond.

Photo Courtesy: Project Future First

Tickets + Info

General admission is now open, with ticket options designed to remain accessible for students, early-stage entrepreneurs, and first-timers. Sponsorships, group rates, and vendor opportunities are also available.

More information at: www.projectfuturefirst.com/illinois

Final Word

The 1% Event isn’t about trying to impress you. It’s about sparking a shift in you.

Because the reality is—no one else may come to save you. But at this event, you might just meet someone who shows you how to save yourself.

And if there’s fog, music, and fire on stage while that happens? All the better.