Dig Deep: A Conversation with the 2025 Cornerstone Award Winners

Dig Deep: Downers Grove’s Year in Growth

In this special episode of the Dig Deep Podcast, President and CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, Brian Gay, shares highlights from his annual luncheon presentation – a celebration of growth, partnerships, and community progress in Downers Grove. Whether you’re a business leader, resident, or community partner, this episode offers a dynamic look at the projects and people shaping Downers Grove’s future. Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-deep/id1726468044], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3pSbuIrukPNOL90fZwUIR3?si=c2cfa1c5dd1a4c9d], or at dgedc.com [https://www.dgedc.com/spark/podcasts/].

Dig Deep: A Conversation with the 2025 Cornerstone Award Winners

In this special episode of Dig Deep, Bryan Gay, President & CEO of the DGEDC [https://www.dgedc.com/2024-cornerstone-awards/], is joined by the 2025 DGEDC Cornerstone Award winners for a conversation recorded live at the 2025 DGEDC Annual Luncheon event on September 24, 2025. Tune in as Chemring Energetic Devices, The Fresh Factory, The Lytle Auditorium and the Village of Downers Grove discuss their award-winning projects, answer questions and more. Congratulations to all of the 2025 DGEDC Cornerstone Award Winners!

Dig Deep: What Will AI Mean to Local Business?

For expert insight on the state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how small businesses can benefit from its power, President & CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation [https://www.dgedc.com/] Bryan Gay sits down with Gavin Lew, Managing Partner of Downers Grove-based Bold Insight [https://boldinsight.com/] and co-author of “AI and UX: Why Artificial Intelligence Needs User Experience.” In this podcast, Gavin Lew begins by emphasizing the importance of UX, an acronym for User Experience. As a global researcher and consultant, Gavin reminds us that AI has already been replicating and refining business processes for decades. When asked if small business owners and employees should fear AI, Gavin pivots to a newer application described as Generative AI, saying that if built to capitalize on available data, “Gen AI” can enable restaurants, retailers and other service providers to enhance their customer experience and personalize every customer interaction. He emphatically adds that if designed around the customer, Gen AI will give small businesses the power to inspire a level of customer loyalty previously achievable only through personal contact. Dig Deep [https://www.dgedc.com/spark/podcasts/] is a podcast brought to you by The Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (DGEDC) [https://www.dgedc.com/].

Dig Deep: Manufacturers Make the World Go Round

To salute Manufacturing Month in Illinois and throughout our nation, President & CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation Bryan Gay is joined by Stacey Bales, President of Downers Grove-based Bales Metal Surface Solutions and Kathy Gilmore, President of the Valley Industrial Association, which has served the needs of industrial companies throughout DuPage, Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties since 1902. While many may think manufacturers have fled the State of Illinois, Stacey and Kathy shine a bright light not only on the many varied products being made locally but also on the many workforce development resources available to employers throughout our region. Listeners will also learn about the outstanding opportunities that exist for young people looking to secure educational assistance and job training leading to extremely rewarding careers in manufacturing. It's all good and it's happening right here in Downers Grove and dozens of neighboring communities throughout our region. Dig Deep is a podcast brought to you by the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (DGEDC).

Downers Grove: A Dining Destination!

In this episode of the Dig Deep podcast, Bryan Gay, President & CEO of the Downers Grove EDC and Visitors Bureau [https://dgedc.com] shines a light on how much dining and hospitality mean to economic development and the quality of life in Downers Grove. Lessons learned during the pandemic, increasing demand for outdoor dining and the importance of location are just a few of the topics Bryan explores with the help and expertise of Todd Davies of Cadence Kitchen & Company [https://cadencekitchen.co/], Anthony Vai of the new Entourage Downers Grove [https://entouragerestaurant.com/downers-grove/] and Sam Vlahos of Pierce Tavern [https://www.piercetavern.com/], just three of the many dining establishments currently making Downers Grove a dining destination for the residents of the Western suburbs and beyond. Dig Deep is a podcast brought to you by The Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (DGEDC) [https://dgedc.com/].