As a small and midsize business (SMB) owner, you’re always looking for ways to get ahead and grow your business. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the must-attend events for small business owners. Attending these SMB networking events isn’t just an option — it’s an investment in the success of your business. These events are designed to help you learn, connect, and get inspired.
We’ve put together an updated list of must-attend small-business events happening in the back end of 2025, including Salesforce’s flagship event, Dreamforce. And, you’ll find practical tips and expert strategies to make the most of these experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, these events can fuel your journey.
What we’ll cover:
- Why invest in attending a conference?
- Dreamforce
- Connections
- Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala
- Main Street Summit
- MozCon
- Small Business Expo
- What you need to know before you go
- Tips for connecting like a pro at small business events
Why invest in attending a conference?
Attending events is a valuable investment for startups and SMBs because it provides opportunities to connect with potential customers, partners, and industry peers. Events offer a platform for SMBs to increase their brand visibility, stay updated on industry trends, and generate leads (yes leads!). By networking with other professionals and sharing products or services, businesses can build meaningful relationships that can lead to big opportunities.
Community and events also allow SMBs to demonstrate their expertise, establish thought leadership, and differentiate themselves from competitors. Hundreds have learned and grown right there at the event, so attending these can be a strategic move to expand and stay competitive in their respective markets.
Here’s your updated lineup of essential events for SMBs. Mark your calendar and get ready to gain insights, make meaningful connections, and explore innovative tools to grow your business.
Start with SMB Basics
Dreamforce
Dates: October 14–16, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA & Salesforce+
Dreamforce is a must-attend event for SMBs looking to embrace cutting-edge technology, build connections, and gain inspiration for growth. In 2025, the event promises even deeper dives into AI, automation, and customer experience solutions tailored for small businesses.
Startups and small businesses can choose from multiple experiences designed just for scaling. Here are a few highlights from Dreamforce events:
- Hear from leading experts on productivity tools, CRM features and workflows built for small teams
- Explore Agentforce with Trailhead: build and deploy AI agents tailored to your startup’s specific needs
- Learn how Salesforce AI helps small businesses sell faster, serve better, market smarter, and simplify work
- Interact with real-world demos showing how data and AI power sales, services, marketing, and commerce
Connections
Dates: Multiple
Location: Multiple & Salesforce+
Focused on marketing, commerce, and customer experience, Connections offers SMB owners tailored sessions, actionable strategies, and exclusive networking opportunities. Be the first to know when registration goes live.
Salesforce Connections events are where the magic happens for customer success and digital transformation. These conferences are all about bringing together folks from different industries, our awesome customers, and our partners to swap stories, share what’s working, and celebrate wins. You can expect inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on breakout sessions, and tons of chances to meet new people. It’s a fantastic way to dive into the latest Salesforce tech, pick up smart strategies for growing your business, and stay ahead of the curve.
Catch the latest events on Salesforce+
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Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala
Dates: October 22-24, 2025
Location: Phoenix, AZ
The Inc. 5000 Conference recognizes America’s most rapidly growing companies and provides extensive networking opportunities with fellow small business professionals. Along with mainstage sessions, you can also attend workshops and break-out groups to discuss important topics. The conference closes with a black-tie gala recognizing the Inc. 5000 honorees.
Main Street Summit
Dates: November 4- 6, 2025
Location: Columbia, MO
The Main Street Summit is a yearly conference that aims to bring together the entire small business ecosystem into one place. Business owners, operators, and investors from a variety of industries present onstage, lead breakout sessions, and connect with other business owners. You can also apply to speak if you have useful knowledge to share, or just connect with other business owners in The Atrium, an all-day networking space. There are seven conference tracks to choose from, including Venture and Startup, Franchise, and Non-Profit.
MozCon
Dates: November 6, 2025
Location: New York City, NY
MozCon is a conference focused on digital marketing, specifically SEO and search marketing. If you’re looking for an event with a strong digital marketing focus, this is the one for you: you’ll get all the tips and tactics you need to succeed in digital marketing for your small business, and connect with attendees who are looking to do the same. Your ticket also includes a recording of the speaker presentations to share with your team.
Small Business Expo
Dates: December 10, 2025
Location: Austin, TX
The Small Business Expo is a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, offering workshops, networking opportunities, and exhibitor showcases. Connect with experts, discover tools for your business, and engage in discussions that address your most pressing challenges. The SMB Expo also offers multiple locations and multiple dates if you can’t catch the next one on the calendar.
National Small Business Conference
Dates: January 26-29, 2026
Location: Nashville, TN
The National 8(a) Association’s National Small Business Conference is a premier event for small businesses looking to grow in the government contracting space. The conference provides a comprehensive platform with educational sessions, matchmaking opportunities, and networking resources tailored for various small business categories, including teaming partnerships.
What you need to know before you go
Before you head out to any event, it’s important to be prepared to get the most out of your time. By planning ahead, you can take full advantage of the opportunities events offer and come back to your business with valuable connections and insights.
1. Set clear goals
Identify your reasons why you want to attend an event. Are you exploring ways to improve your SMB’s customer experience, seeking to implement tools like Starter Suite, or simply looking for fresh inspiration? Setting specific goals, such as finding new partnerships or gaining insight into solutions like Small Business Commerce, will guide your focus and ensure you prioritize what matters most.
2. Prioritize sessions
Get to know the event’s agenda, speakers, and exhibitors and prioritize the sessions and workshops that resonate most with your business needs. Create a personalized schedule that optimizes your time and opens up areas for new insights and opportunities. Line up the day with what’s best for your business.
3. Prepare your pitch
Create a short, compelling pitch that conveys your business, its unique benefit, and what you hope to gain from the event. Read it out loud and see how it feels, and how it sounds. Practice your pitch with confidence, because you’ll be saying it a lot. People will remember you and your business better if it’s short and sweet — who you are and what you do.
4. Be yourself (and your business will benefit)
Networking is the lifeblood of these events. No pressure, right? Being yourself is key as you open yourself up to new connections. Have an open mind, and follow your interests and passions for the success of your business: this will help you find the right people. Engage in meaningful conversations, exchange information, and most importantly, be yourself.
5. Share your story
People love an origin story. So give it to them! Share the reason why you started your SMB in the first place. What’s your passion? And, what drove you to come to this event in the first place? Some people may not remember your name, but they will remember your authentic passion for your business.
6. Personalize the follow-up
After the event, follow up with the connections you made. Don’t wait too long: statistics say you should follow up within 1-3 business days, so the connection is still strong. Send personalized emails, connect on social media, and schedule follow-up calls to continue building these relationships and exploring potential opportunities. Anything can happen from these events, and all you have to do is ask.
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Tips for connecting like a pro at small-business events
Don’t get the networking jitters. Everyone is in the same boat. Networking is a big part of attending small-business event — it’s the reason why you go, to connect. It’s a chance to make important connections, learn from others in your industry, and get some new clients. To make the most of these events, here are some networking tips.
Dress the part: First impressions count, so make sure you’re dressed appropriately (and comfortably!) for the event. Your outfit should reflect your professionalism, but more importantly, it should reflect you as a business owner. Whether it’s a formal conference or a casual mixer, dress in a way that makes you feel confident and credible.
Network like a pro: Networking isn’t just about talking, it’s about building relationships. Listen attentively to what others have to say, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine interest in their experiences. People are more likely to remember and connect with you when they feel heard and valued.
Take your cards: Always have your business cards at the ready, or a digital version easily accessible — but get theirs first. Take initiative: when you meet someone you want to stay in touch with, exchange contact information, and follow up promptly after the event. This shows your interest in continuing the conversation and building a new relationship. Be bold, your business will thank you later.
Maximize the post-event follow-up: Take a deep breath: you did it. Now, it’s time to make it count. Prioritize following up with those you’ve made a genuine connection with and could see potential for collaboration. This is the fun part.
Post-event tips for small business growth
Following up after attending any type of event is big for nurturing the connections you’ve made. Here are some key steps to make the most out of these connections.
Send personalized thank-you notes or emails: It’s a small gesture that goes a long way. Thank everyone you meet, be it a potential client, a fellow entrepreneur, or an industry expert. Personalize each email with a reference to something specific you discussed or learned during your connection. This simple act of courtesy shows your appreciation and bridges that gap between event and business.
Stay connected: Strengthen your professional network by connecting with those you met at the event. Personalize your invitation by referencing the event or why you want to stay in touch. LinkedIn is a fantastic tool for maintaining connections, exchanging industry knowledge, and creating lasting professional relationships.
Be sure to support other small businesses too: If you’ve gotten a ton of business cards or contact details from these SMB events, seize the moment. Connect with these prospects in a support-only way to explore opportunities and partnerships, giving is a great way to begin a partnership.
Dedicate a moment to reflect on the event’s overall vibe and success: Consider the quality of the content, the networking opportunities, and the value of the information you’ve gained. This reflection will help you to make well-informed choices about future events and guarantee that you’re getting the maximum benefits from your investment.
Just get started.
No matter where you are on your journey as a small business, you can get started with Starter Suite — the all-in-one CRM for SMBs.
Events for your small business can help you grow
Events like these are more than networking opportunities — they’re platforms for transformation. By immersing yourself in these types of events, you can find new ways to grow, build lasting connections, and gain a fresh perspective on what’s possible for your business.
Start your automation journey with a free trial of Starter Suite today. Looking for more customization? Explore Pro Suite. Already a Salesforce customer? Activate Foundations today to try Agentforce.
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