03/01/2025
Reflecting on an Incredible 3 Days at the TCTR Annual Event:
Spending 3 days in Springfield with 500+ attendees to the TCTR (Today's Challenge Tomorrow's Reward) annual event hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation, has left my heart, soul, and mind full.
I am grateful that my sister Lien Dastgir made me go to this event with her 3 years ago, and this event has become a must-go event for us. Each year has held deep significance for me:
- 1st year: I was there to support my sister as she launched her company. We hustled to make connections, build relationships, and put her business on the map.
- 2nd year, I was there to celebrate her success! Her company was recognized as Engineering Firm of the Year 2023 by IDOT—a huge achievement and a testament to her hard work.
- Now the 3rd year, We BOTH took the stage as speakers, sharing our passion and expertise! My sister spoke on her unique approach to bridging employment gaps in construction, while I led two sessions:
✨ AI for Marketing and Business – This workshop was the talk of the conference! Attendees were wowed by my live demo showcasing AI tools in action.
✨ Storytelling for Business – A new perspective on how businesses can market themselves authentically and effectively.
It was both humbling and exciting to hear from attendees that my workshop was so impactful that other speakers referenced it in their own sessions! One attendee even shared:
💬 "The presenter for my workshop started by telling us what he learned from your session, and soon, the whole room was discussing it!"
I’m beyond grateful for the recognition, the connections, and the opportunity to share knowledge. And the journey continues! I’ve been invited to speak at another IDOT virtual workshop on March 11, 2025, where even more professionals will learn how to integrate AI into their business strategies.
When you speak about what you’re truly passionate about, people notice.
To those who attended my session—what was your biggest takeaway? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 👇
I was invited to speak again on 3/11/2025 dur