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 4-5 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
10:30AM - 11:00AM
TODAY’S AGENDA
W Taking Charge: Essential Tax Tips for Small Business Success
Natalia Thaniel, Internal Revenue Service
Are you ready to take charge of your small business’s taxes? Join us for a webinar designed to help small business owners better understand tax responsibilities and avoid common challenges.
Call to Action: Cybersecurity & Secure AI in a Digital
World
Ron Fulton, Cyber Guard Pro
Explore how CyberGuardPro™ leverages advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to help SMBs rapidly adopt essential cybersecurity systems and Secure AI. This session will dive into effective strategies for defending against modern cyber threats, ensuring businesses stay protected in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.
10:40AM - 11:00AM
11:00AM - 11:20AM
11:00AM - 11:45AM
Speed Networking Session
Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
11:15AM - 11:45AM
W Game-Changing AI Strategies for Your Business
Sharon Lee Thony, Verizon
Unlock the power of AI to level the playing field and compete with industry giants. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore game-changing AI strategies. Walk away with practical tools and actionable steps to integrate AI into your business.
W
Small Business, Big Explosions: Defusing Legal Landmines
Aisha Jorge Massengill, Sedgwick Andrews Legal & Consulting
In small business, one wrong step can trigger a cascade of legal catastrophes. Join the seasoned attorney Aisha Jorge Massengill as she reveals the invisible tripwires that have destroyed countless promising businesses and how to avoid them.
Room 2 (3rd Floor)
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
12:00PM - 12:45PM
S Speed Networking Session
Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
12:00PM - 12:45PM FEATURED KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
K
Unlock Success in Amazon’s Store: Insights From Local Entrepreneurs
Abby Malchow, Amazon
Kemi Tignor, Upbounders
Sarah Wells, Sarah Wells Bags
Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Abby Malchow, Manager of Small Business Partnerships & Education at Amazon. Hear firsthand from two locally based small business owners as they share how they found success selling in Amazon’s store.
1:00PM - 1:30PM
W How to Get the Media to Pay Attention to Your Business
Ashley Bernardi, Nardi Media
Unlock media success with Ashley’s Media Mastery Method! Learn to craft compelling pitches, position your story in the news, land dream media placements, and showcase clear ROI. Walk away with proven strategies to get the media’s attention—fast!
Employee
Benefits That Help You Hire and Retain the Best
David Reichtel, Optavise Nick Barattini, Optavise Rob Weeks, Optavise
W Benefits are an important part of attracting and retaining employees, but can be very expensive. In this workshop, learn about how to develop a Benefits Strategy that fits the needs of your business, while watching the bottom line.
(Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
2nd Floor)
Workshop Room 2 (3rd Floor)
Speed Networking
(Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
The Keynote Theatre
Keynote Theatre (3rd Floor)
1:00PM - 1:20PM
M eCommerce, Manufacturers, Retail, Distributors Industry Meet-Up
1:00PM - 1:45PM
Speed Networking Session
Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
Industry Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
S Speed Networking (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
1:20PM - 1:40PM
M
Professional Services Industry Meet-Up
Industry Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
1:40PM - 2:00PM Industry Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
Healthcare, HR, Employee Services Industry Meet-Up
3:30PM - 4:00PM
Unlock Powerful Funding Strategies For Real Estate Success
Yusef Muhammad, SCORE
This seminar is designed to help real estate investors navigate the diverse funding options available to finance their investment projects. From traditional loans to creative financing methods, learn keys to scaling a successful real estate portfolio
Strategic Growth: Six Strategies to Successfully Scale
VR Small, Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center
Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling a multi-million-dollar enterprise, sustained success in today’s fast-evolving market requires a strategic growth plan. Join us for Strategic Growth: Six Strategies to Successfully Scale, where you’ll discover proven methods to drive measurable value—not just to your bottom line, but to your customers, employees, and stakeholders. This is your opportunity to position yourself as an industry leader and achieve long-term, sustainable growth. Ready to scale smarter? Let’s make it happen!
1:45PM - 2:30PM FEATURED KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
AI and ChatGPT: How to Leverage this Technology to Boost
Your Business
Katheryne Womack, WSI Digital Marketing
Discover how AI can revolutionize your daily operations, from enhancing productivity to transforming customer service and brand messaging, with a special focus on the capabilities of ChatGPT. This presentation will dig into real-world use-cases, common concerns around the ethics of AI, strategic implementation steps, and effective solutions to common challenges. Join us to explore the potential of AI and ChatGPT, and learn how to harness these technologies to drive your business forward and boost ROI of time and money in today’s digital landscape.
2:00PM - 2:45PM
M 2:45PM - 3:15PM
Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
S Speed Networking (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor) Speed Networking Session
Hire Smart, Train Fast, and Grow Your Business with Funded Tech
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 programs make it easier than ever.
Workshop Room 1 (3rd Floor)
3:00PM - 3:20PM
Hospitality, Travel, Transportation, Recreation Industry Meet-Up
3:00PM - 3:45PM
S
Speed Networking Session
Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
3:20PM - 3:40PM
Government, Non-Profit, Associations, Education Industry Meet-Up
3:40PM - 4:00PM
Art, Entertainment, Creative, Designer Industry Meet-Up
4:00PM - 5:00PM
Networking Happy Hour
End your day in a more casual and fun networking
Gold, Platinum & VIP Badge Holders
K Keynote Theatre (3rd Floor)
MARCH 27, 2025 | 10AM-5PM