13 Conferences That Small Business Owners Should Attend in 2026

Conferences are great places to network and meet other small business owners. They allow you to showcase different products and gather feedback from experts with relevant experience.

Small business conferences are great for beginners trying to figure out how to manage their businesses. They can also help experienced owners take the next step in growing their businesses.

If you don’t have any conferences on your schedule for 2026, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 13 events that you should consider this year. We’ve included their dates, prices, and the benefits of each one.

Here are 16 of the best conferences for small business owners. Note that some don’t have prices and dates listed yet, but you can bookmark these pages and subscribe to email updates from each event.

1. Thryv Product Showcase 

Date: April 22 

Location: Virtual event 

Price: Free 

AI-powered lead management that captures, prioritizes, and follows up with leads automatically so no opportunity slips through the cracks. 

What you’ll learn: 

How to respond to leads instantly without being glued to your phone 

Ways AI identifies high-intent prospects and triggers follow-up 

How automated responses increase conversion rates 

Most businesses lose leads due to slow response times. AI-driven follow-up ensures every inquiry gets timely, relevant engagement. 

Register now to save your spot! 

2. National Small Business Week Virtual Summit 

Date: May 5-6 

Location: Online 

Price: Free to Attend 

One of the best things about National Small Business Week is the events that celebrate it. 

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration holds a virtual summit for small business owners during National Small Business Week. Registration is free, and attendees can browse a catalog of presentations and exhibits. Some sessions are led by SCORE mentors who are experts trained to provide actionable insights to small business owners. This is an ideal event if you’re looking to brush up on business management skills and network with other leaders in your industry. 

3. Small Business Expo (NYC) 

Date: May 7 

Location: New York, New York 

Price: Free to Attend 

The Small Business Expo is a conference that tours around the U.S. It caters to B2B business owners who want to showcase products and learn about emerging marketing trends in their industries. 

The event is held in New York City and is one of the largest conferences on the tour. It’s a perfect opportunity for small business owners to meet, discover new technology, and adopt marketing strategies to manage their business’s growth in the coming year. 

In 2024, Thryv hosted a speed-networking event here, where business owners could meet, exchange information, and talk about the latest trends in their industries. 

4. CommBank SmallBiz Week 

Date: July 29-30 

Location: Melbourne, Australia 

Price: Free to Attend 

CommBank SmallBiz Week connects B2B suppliers with small business owners. There are over 120 speaking sessions and more than 150 speakers. It’s a great event if you’re looking to grow your professional network and meet new partners or customers. 

CommBank SmallBiz Week is expanding this year’s lineup with over 250 exhibits and speakers from businesses of all shapes and sizes. It’s even hosting a Sydney event in September as an additional event this year. This small business conference is an excellent opportunity to meet experienced business owners and learn about some of the latest technology that they’re using in 2026. 

5. Annual America’s SBDC Conference 

Date: Sept 9–Oct 1 

Location: Atlanta, Georgia 

Price: $1,275 

This conference is hosted by America’s SBDC or America’s Small Business Development Center. As you might have guessed, it focuses on business development, providing small business leaders with the information and skills needed to train new employees. You must be an SBDC member to join as an attendee, or you can sponsor the event and host your own exhibit. 

No speakers have been named for 2026 yet. But last year, there were 183+ workshops/session and there were 215 speakers including Vanessa Van Edwards, behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and founder of the Science of People. 

6. The Business Show 

Date: April 29-30 

Location: Miami, Florida 

Price: Free to Attend 

For over 20 years, The Business Show has helped entrepreneurs and small business owners build their dream businesses from the ground up. There are masterclasses hosted by industry experts, speed networking events, and speakers from companies like IBM, NASA, and Google.  

7. Brandweek 

Date: September 15-17 

Location: Atlanta, GA 

Price: $2,100 per person Brand + Agency, $4,750 per person Technology + Vendor Solutions 

Brandweek 2026 is hosted by Adweek, a leading publication covering marketing, media, and brand innovation. This flagship event brings together top marketers, brand leaders, and creative thinkers for a week of immersive experiences, thought leadership, and high-impact networking. 

Brandweek 2026 continues to focus on the intersection of culture, creativity, and business growth. Attendees can expect a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, collaborative workshops, and curated networking opportunities designed to spark new ideas and meaningful connections. The event is known for blending professional development with experiential moments, including exclusive activations, brand showcases, and social events. 

In past years, the event has featured speakers from major brands and organizations across industries, offering insights into evolving consumer behavior, brand storytelling, and innovative marketing strategies. Brandweek 2026 builds on that momentum with an even stronger emphasis on community, creativity, and real-world application. 

Adweek also hosts Social Media Week, typically held in the spring. This event is ideal for businesses looking to stay ahead of social media trends, explore platform strategies, and learn how to grow and engage their audiences more effectively through digital channels.

8. World Business Forum 

Date: Nov 4-5 

Location: New York City, New York 

Price: $2,990 for Membership Gold pass, $4,190 for Membership Platinum pass 

World Business Forum New York 2026 brings together some of the world’s most influential business leaders, thinkers, and innovators for two days of high-impact learning and inspiration. Hosted by WOBI, this event is designed to help leaders navigate change, drive growth, and elevate their organizations. 

The 2026 lineup features globally recognized speakers alongside other top voices in leadership, strategy, and innovation. Each session focuses on practical insights and forward-thinking ideas that businesses can apply in real-world scenarios. 

Your ticket purchase includes access to the broader WOBI membership experience, which features hundreds of hours of curated business content and the ability to stream select events on demand from around the world. This extends the value of the event well beyond the in-person experience. 

This is an excellent event if your goal is to gain inspiration and learn directly from world-class speakers. However, because the experience is heavily focused on keynote sessions, it may offer fewer organic networking opportunities compared to more interactive or expo-style events. 

9. Global Entrepreneurship Week 

Date: Nov 16-22 

Location: Multiple Cities 

Price: Varies by Event 

Global Entrepreneurship Week, or GEW, is celebrated in over 180 countries. It’s not a singular event, but rather a series of activities that small business owners can participate in to network and grow their businesses. 

Any person or business can participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week. We recommend checking out the website for new updates and bookmarking events. 

10. Startup Grind Tech Summit 

Date: April 28-29 

Location: Silicon Valley, San Francisco 

Price: $399 for Startup Ticket, $499 for Early Bird pass, $1,099 for Team Bundle (x3) 

Startup Grind 2026 continues to bring together founders, investors, and innovators from around the world for a high-energy, community-driven experience. Hosted by Startup Grind, the event is designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of growth through connection, education, and opportunity. 

The 2026 event builds on its global momentum with a strong focus on innovation, emerging technology, and the future of startups. Attendees can expect a packed agenda of keynote sessions, interactive workshops, startup showcases, and networking experiences that connect early-stage founders with seasoned investors and industry leaders. 

A key highlight of Startup Grind is its emphasis on collaboration and real-world learning. The event typically features fireside chats, founder-led discussions, and opportunities for startups to pitch ideas and gain visibility. These hands-on experiences make it especially valuable for entrepreneurs looking to refine their strategy, gain funding insights, and build meaningful relationships. 

This is a strong choice for business owners who are launching or scaling a startup and want both inspiration and practical guidance. With a balanced mix of content and connection, it offers more opportunities to engage directly with peers and potential partners compared to more lecture-focused conferences.

If you’re an entrepreneur or independent retailer, you may be looking for networking events to help you grow your business. Here are two of the best entrepreneur conferences for 2025.

11. SXSW

Date: March 2027  

Location: Austin, Texas 

Price: $475 for Music Badge, $700 for Film & TV Badge, $750 for Innovation Badge, $495 for SXSW EDU Badge, $1,285 for  Platinum Badge (presale rates by March 31, 2026) 

SXSW 2027 is one of the most influential global events spanning technology, film, music, and business innovation. Held annually in Austin, Texas, SXSW goes far beyond a traditional conference, bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders for an immersive experience built around discovery and collaboration. 

SXSW 2027 continues its legacy of showcasing forward-thinking ideas through a wide range of keynote sessions, panels, workshops, and networking events. The conference is known for spotlighting emerging trends in AI, media, culture, and entrepreneurship, while also creating space for meaningful connections across industries. 

A standout feature of SXSW is its focus on innovation and early-stage ideas. Attendees can explore startup pitch competitions, industry-specific tracks, and prestigious awards programs that recognize groundbreaking work across tech and creative fields. The event also includes hands-on activations, brand experiences, and countless opportunities to connect both formally and informally. 

12. Main Street Now Conference

Date: April 13-15 

Location: Tulsa, OK 

Price: $599 for members, $830 for non-members, $425 for one day 

The Main Street Now Conference is a networking and educational event for small business owners. It features speaking sessions, mobile workshops, and peer-to-peer learning that covers topics like work-life balance and sustainability. It’s a noteworthy conference for busy entrepreneurs who suffer from hustle culture and could benefit from learning about healthy working habits. 

13. Forbes Under 30 Summit

Date: April 19-22 

Location: Phoenix, AZ + Virtual 

Price: $374 for general attendee, $1,500 for general attendee PLUS, $50 for virtual only 

The Forbes Under 30 Summit is a four-day conference featuring the world’s top young business leaders, founders, and creators. It includes a private concert, exclusive networking events, and “industry-focused excursions.” Past speakers from previous years include Tori Dunlap, founder and CEO of Her First $100K, and singer-songwriter, Shaboozey. This is a great event if you’re a young business owner looking to connect with other leaders and mentors in your industry.

What are business conferences?

A business conference is an event where business owners can connect with other entrepreneurs and learn how to improve their businesses. They typically include speaking sessions, educational workshops, and networking events like meals, meet-and-greets, mentorships, and more.

If you’ve never attended a small business conference, we highly recommend you give one of these events a chance. You’ll learn valuable skills and connect with other people who are experiencing the same obstacles that you are. Even if you don’t make a sale or close a deal, you’ll gain valuable insight to help you manage your business.

Still unsure which conference to pick? Here’s a quick breakdown of the best conferences for small business owners based on different categories:

• Best Conferences for Entrepreneurs: SXSW 2027, Main Street Now Conference
• Best Conferences for Networking: 2026 National Small Business Conference, CommBank SmallBiz Week
• Best Small Business Expos and Conventions: Small Business Expo, Brandweek

There are three reasons to attend a business conference: to learn, to network, and to grow. You’ll gain valuable insights from business leaders, network with other small business owners, and obtain the tools and knowledge needed to take your company to the next level.

Bookmark this list so you know when each event is this year and use the information above to choose the right conferences for your business.