FEATURED SHOW AREAS
Exhibitor Hall
Meet great vendors with unique services to help your business grow.
Workshops
30 minute sessions led by Industry Experts in various fields.
Keynote Theatre
Learn from iconic Business Leaders on The Main Stage.
Speed Networking
Meet 1-on-1 with other Businesses in these quick & efficient mini 2-minute networking sessions. (Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badges)
Industry Meet-Ups
Meet & Network with Business Professionals in your Industry or other Industries of interest.
Happy Hour
Join us from 4:30-5:30 PM to wind down the day in a relaxed, fun networking atmosphere. Perfect for fostering new connections made during SBE. (Gold, Platinum & VIP Badges)
Business Card Exchange
Market yourself & your business to other SBE attendees by displaying your business card.
Photo Opps
Capture memorable moments at our designated Photo Opp Backdrops and share them on social media tagging #smallbusinessexpo
TODAY’S AGENDA
10:30AM - 11:00AM Workshop Room 1
W How to Exit Competitively through Employee Ownership
Zoe Schlag, Common Trust
75% of business owners go on to regret their sale, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Join us for a conversational session to understand the landscape of sale options and why employee ownership is rising in popularity as an exit strategy.
Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs Starting and Operating a Business
Tatiana Williams, Internal Revenue Service
Take control of your small business taxes! Empower yourself with the knowledge to stay on track. Join us for this informative session and take the driver’s seat in managing your business taxes.
Know Your Risks: Unmasking Cyber Threats Before They Strike
As a small business leader, you wear many hats—but cybersecurity can’t be left to chance. This session will uncover the most common cyber threats targeting small businesses, explain how attackers think, and reveal where vulnerabilities often hide.
W How SBA Can Help Your Business: Capital, Counseling and Contracting
Man-Li Lin, Small Business Administration
In this workshop, we’ll review SBA Financing Programs: SBA’s Lender Match; Loans, Surety Bonds, Grants for R&D; Investment Capital, and Disaster Assistance; Business Education and Training and One-on-One Counseling; and Government Contracting Assistance.
Smarter Teams with AI: Retain, Engage, and Get More Done
Tushneem Dharmagadda, HubEngage
Learn how to work smarter, not harder. This session shows how AI helps small businesses keep employees engaged, connected, and on track—without hiring more help. Walk away with real tactics and tools to engage your team smarter.
The 5 Step Journey to Hypergrowth
Zeya Ottomone, Rimini Street
Workshop Room 2
11:15AM - 11:45AM
W Fix the People Problems Holding Back Your Growth
Lauren Kaplan, Growth Ops Advisory
If you’re frustrated with underperformance, this workshop will show you how small shifts in leadership systems and structure can unlock clarity, momentum, and results— without adding complexity.
W Slash Taxes, Boost Profits & Keep More Cash—In Just 30 Minutes!
Jeffrey Mohlman, Lifetime Navigators James Johnson, Lifetime Navigators
A simple approach to reducing your taxes immediately and in the long run, improving cash flow, employee retention, increasing profits and fostering sustainable growth. (What more could you want in 30 minutes?!)
Booked Solid: The Weekly Blueprint to $10K–$50K Contracts
Marie Incontrera, Incontrera Consulting
Learn the exact strategies I use to land $10–50K in new contracts every single week. In this live session, I’ll show you how to stay visible, book high-ticket clients, and grow your business—even in a volatile market.
Hire Smart, Train Up, and Grow Your Business with Funded Apprenticeships
Laura Anaya, OpenClassrooms
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5
W Workshop Room 6
Join Zeya Ottomone, a seasoned SaaS executive and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, as he shares strategies for enabling hypergrowth through operational excellence, innovation, and digital transformation.
7-Figure Future: Success Strategies for Entrepreneurs
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Diane Palmer, B3 Elevation
Discover how community, coaching, connections, and communication—along with capital, certifications, and smart strategies—can help you grow, scale, and secure the funding you need to fuel your business.
10:40AM - 11:00AM Franchises Industry Meet-Up
11:00AM - 11:20AM Banking, Insurance, Real Estate, Finance, Investors Industry Meet-Up M
- 11:45AM S Speed Networking Session
11:15AM - 11:45AM
Workshop Room 3
Workshop Room 7
Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
W Effective SEO Strategies for Stronger Online Visibility
Nicole McCullum, Verizon
In this powerful SEO training, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to improve your search rankings, increase organic traffic, and get in front of your ideal audience. This session will break down SEO in simple steps through strategies that work.
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The True Cost of Payment Processing: What Every Business Owner Should Know
Deidre Hudson, YELL Payment
Many businesses overlook the impact of payment processing fees on their bottom line. This workshop demystifies transaction fees, explains how to assess your payment provider, and shares actionable steps to minimize costs and stay competitive.
Boost your business with cost-free apprenticeships in tech and marketing. Get and retain top talent-nationwide. Mentors, wage support, and no-cost training programs make it easier than ever to hire and train staff. Join today!
Protect Your Brand: Trademark 101
Ariana C. Smith, The A.C. Smith Law Firm
Is your business brand protected or is your business vulnerable to copycats? Registering your trademark is an important step to protecting your brand identity. Learn the ins and outs of the trademark process and why it is necessary for your business!
11:20AM - 11:40AM Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, PR Industry Meet-Up
11:40AM - 12:00PM Web Services, Apps, IT, Software, Technology Industry Meet-Up
- 12:45PM
- 12:45PM
1:00PM - 1:30PM
Setting the Stage for a Smooth and Profitable Business Sale
Workshop Room 1
Workshop Room 2
Ted Kantor, A Neumann & Associates Achim Neumann, A Neumann & Associates Workshop Room 4
Gary Herviou, A Neumann & Associates
Learn how to value and prepare a business for sale. Gain insight into a seller’s “Must Do’s” to create a valuation that stands up to negotiation, that attracts & properly qualifies buyers, and what steps will yield the maximum success for the Sale.
Workshop Room 5
Industry Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Industry Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Room 1
W Avoid the Audit: Sales Tax Essentials for E-Commerce
Mark Stone, Sales Tax Defense
Selling online can be exciting—but it also opens the door to complex sales tax rules that business owners overlook. We will guide e-commerce sellers through critical sales tax issues they must understand to stay compliant and avoid costly audits.
Workshop Room 2
David Sachakov, BH Cyber
The Keynote Theatre
TODAY’S AGENDA
1:00PM - 1:30PM
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Find Your Franchise Fit: Aligning Skills, Goals & Opportunities
Tamika Franklyn, Precision Franchise
Ready to start your next business? In this interactive workshop, you’ll evaluate franchise opportunities within the context of your own abilities and goals. Come find your bespoke path to long-term business success.
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Workshop Room 3
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18 Essential Things to Consider Before Investing in New Business Software
Yatheesh Raj, Zoho
Yes, AI is cool. But let’s keep it aside for a moment and get down to the basics of business software. Hear from Yatheesh, Zoho’s Product Marketing Manager, on why small businesses need to invest in a unified tech stack for accelerated growth.
Secure, Save, Succeed: Expert Legal and Financial Strategies for Your Business
CJ Whisnant, FYSI
Room 5 Gavin George, FYSi
Empowering your financial future—FYSI blends expert strategy, AI-driven insights, and real-world results to help individuals and businesses thrive, save on taxes, and grow with confidence.
Designing Work That Works: Where Your Workflow Breaks — and How to Fix It
What’s really slowing you down? This workshop reveals why your workflow isn’t flowing. Leaders and operators will uncover hidden friction—and learn smarter ways to design how work gets done, without adding more complexity.
Network Like a Badass: How to Build Relationships That Matter
Diana Zelvin, Thrive Now Business Coaching
Tired of networking that doesn’t move the dial? Unlock the power of real connections! Learn how to network effectively and authentically. Grow your business, spark game-changing opportunities, and turn relationships into your ultimate superpower!
1:00PM - 1:20PM M eCommerce, Manufacturers, Retail, Distributors Industry Meet-Up
1:00PM - 1:45PM S
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2:45PM - 3:15PM
Hire Smart, Train Up, and Grow Your Business with Funded Apprenticeships
Laura Anaya, OpenClassrooms
Boost your business with cost-free apprenticeships in tech and marketing. Get and retain top talent-nationwide. Mentors, wage support, and no-cost training programs make it easier than ever to hire and train staff. Join today!
From Credit Scores to SBA Loans: Building Your Lendability
Danny Williams, Growegy
Explore your options to obtain business financing. This workshop will cover the various business credit scores, how to build business credit, requirements for SBA 7a loans, and how to grow your business revenue.
D.A.N.C.I.N.G. – The Rhythm of Success
Carol Fraser, C4 Talent
Join Carol Fraser for a high-energy, movement-inspired workshop for small business owners who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and connection. Carol offers practical tools to align people, priorities, and purpose.
The Pay You Deserve: How to Negotiate Like a Pro
Bhuva Shakti, Bhuva’s Impact Global
Learn how to navigate high-stakes negotiations without losing your value. In this talk, Bhuva Shakti shares real-world strategies for asking with confidence, setting boundaries, and building long-term deals that balance credibility, clarity, and worth.
Protecting Your Business From The People You Elected
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Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Networking (Across from Exhibitor Hall) Speed Networking Session Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
1:20PM - 1:40PM
1:40PM - 2:00PM
Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Meet-Ups (Front Left of Exhibitor Hall)
Every year, a litany of new laws and regulations severely impact your business. This workshop will show you how to leverage your Business Association/Chambers of Commerce membership to navigate this ever-changing landscape. Howard
3:00PM - 3:45PM
2:00PM - 2:45PM S
2:45PM - 3:15PM
from Exhibitor
Jackson Elliott, Duffy + Boyd
