National Small Business Week has taken off in the U.S., and the D.C. metro is getting in on the game with a mountain of events and showcases.
The events run May 5 to 11, ranging from mom-and-pop retail to cybersecurity to branding.
The week's festivities kicked off Sunday in the nation's capital with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Visa hosting a Small Business Week Hackathon, where developers competed to build apps for disaster relief efforts. Receiving first place and $25,000 was SnapShot, a platform using bookkeeping APIs to help small businesses catalog and track assets before and after a disaster.
Here's a list of upcoming Small Business Week events in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Note: Descriptions were submitted by event operators.
Tuesday, May 7
8 a.m. – PowerUp DC Small Business Week Forum PowerUp DC 2019 is a powerful business opportunity that provides invaluable information and resources to business owners and nonprofit professionals who have an interest in starting, growing and flourishing their business.
4 p.m. – Health and Wellness Expo As part of the third annual Market Week, Eastern Market Main Street is hosting Health and Wellness Expo to celebrate the businesses and offices that work to keep Capitol Hill engaged and educated.
Wednesday, May 8
10 a.m. – Small Business Advocacy Day We value our small businesses because they contribute to D.C.’s economy, commercial corridors, workforce, and culture of the District. It’s an opportunity for all of us to gather to discuss our small business budget priorities, then attend one-on-one meetings with D.C. council members and/or their staff.
11:30 a.m. – SBA Small Business Awards Luncheon The Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Washington, DC Women’s Business Center are celebrating the many successes and contributions of our local small business community. This event begins with an opportunity to network, followed by a lunch and special awards presentation to honor this year’s winners.
12 p.m. – Business Without Borders - Loudoun During Loudoun Small Business Week, hear from several international firms operating in Loudoun, as they discuss the unique advantages of operating there. Meet with the county's International Business Development Manager, Robert McCollar, to learn more about the opportunities.
5 p.m. – Evening Reception Series - Construction & RE Development All D.C. small businesses are invited, however the event targets construction businesses and real estate developers, procurement professionals and decisions makers with construction-related needs.
Thursday, May 9
8:30 a.m. – Boost with Facebook Brunch & Learn This course provides businesses with the most up-to-date tools, insights and best practices for achieving success on Facebook and Instagram.
10 a.m. – Small Business Expo 2019 Small Business Expo is a free one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, build new business relationships, participate in cutting-edge and business-building workshops/seminars, exchange ideas, shop for new vendors and learn from leading industry experts.
10 a.m. – Coffee and Coworking Eastern Market Main Street is hosting Coffee and Coworking Day to bring together the businesses and professionals on the EMMS corridor that keep Capitol Hill buzzing. Join for outdoor workspace under the Eastern Market Farmer’s Line with power and Wi-Fi, coffee demos and tastings with local roasters, desk reset yoga, a self-guided Corridor Cafe Crawl and more.
6:20 p.m. – Let’s Plan for Entrepreneurs A two- to three-hour workshop if you are starting a business or want to complete a roadmap for operating a business. Participants will learn how to brainstorm a feasible business concept and a working business plan.
Friday, May 10
10 a.m. – NSBW Twitter Chat Join SBA (@SBAgov) and industry experts for the National Small Business Week Twitter Chat on how to start and grow a small business. It will be sharing tips and tricks to help you along your business journey. Join/follow the conversation with #SmallBusinessWeek.
10 a.m. – DC Chamber of Commerce Small Business & Economic Development Summit The event connects and showcases organizations and companies in the Washington, D.C. business community. The program features a business engagement session including exhibitors, diversity suppliers and financial institutions, workshops and an award ceremony.
If you're looking for other interesting tech and startup events, check out our latest Inno Approved post.
