As a small and midsize enterprise (SMB) proprietor, you’re at all times in search of methods to get forward and develop what you are promoting. That’s why we’ve put collectively a complete information to the must-attend occasions for small enterprise homeowners. Attending these SMB networking occasions isn’t simply an possibility — it’s an funding within the success of what you are promoting. These occasions are designed that will help you study, join, and get impressed.
We’ve put collectively an up to date checklist of must-attend small-business occasions occurring in 2025, that includes upcoming alternatives reminiscent of Salesforce’s Dreamforce and Connections. And, you’ll discover sensible suggestions and knowledgeable methods to benefit from these experiences. Whether or not you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or simply beginning out, these occasions can gasoline your journey.
Lineup of small enterprise occasions for 2025
Right here’s your up to date 2025 lineup of important occasions for SMBs. Mark your calendar and prepare to achieve insights, make significant connections, and discover modern instruments to develop what you are promoting.
TrailblazerDX 2025
Dates: March 5–6, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA & Salesforce+
TrailblazerDX is the go-to occasion for tech-savvy SMBs seeking to discover the most recent in Salesforce options and improvements. Join right now to achieve entry to unique reductions and updates on registration, speaker bulletins, and session particulars.
Tableau Convention #Data25
Dates: April 15–17, 2025
Location: San Diego, CA & Salesforce+
The Tableau Convention is a should for SMBs specializing in data-driven progress. Join right now to remain forward of updates on this occasion, which showcases the most recent in knowledge visualization, analytics, and AI-powered decision-making.
Small Enterprise Expo
Dates: Could 7–8, 2025
Location: Miami, FL
The Small Enterprise Expo is a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, providing workshops, networking alternatives, and exhibitor showcases. Join with consultants, uncover instruments for what you are promoting, and interact in discussions that deal with your most urgent challenges. The SMB Expo additionally gives a number of areas and a number of dates.
Connections 2025
Dates: June 11–12, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL & Salesforce+
Centered on advertising and marketing, commerce, and buyer expertise, Connections gives SMB homeowners tailor-made periods, actionable methods, and unique networking alternatives. The 2025 occasion will characteristic new breakout periods on utilizing AI to personalize buyer journeys and enhance retention charges.
America’s SBDC Convention
Dates: September 2–5, 2025
Location: Orlando, FL
America’s SBDC (Small Enterprise Improvement Heart’s) Convention gathers business consultants and small-business advisors from throughout the nation yearly. Classes in 2025 will deal with AI adoption, securing funding, and scaling SMB operations in aggressive markets.
Dreamforce 2025
Dates: October 14–16, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA & Salesforce+
Dreamforce is a must-attend occasion for SMBs seeking to embrace cutting-edge expertise, construct connections, and acquire inspiration for progress. In 2025, the occasion guarantees even deeper dives into AI, automation, and buyer expertise options tailor-made for small companies.
What you must know earlier than you go
Earlier than you head out to any occasion, it’s necessary to be ready to get essentially the most out of your time. By planning forward, you may take full benefit of the alternatives occasions provide and are available again to what you are promoting with useful connections and insights.
1. Set clear targets
Earlier than entering into any occasion, get clear in your targets for the 12 months forward. Are you exploring methods to enhance your SMB’s buyer expertise, in search of to implement instruments like Starter Suite, or just in search of recent inspiration? Setting particular targets, reminiscent of discovering new partnerships or gaining perception into options like Small Enterprise Commerce, will information your focus and make sure you prioritize what issues most.
2. Prioritize periods
Get to know the occasion’s agenda, audio system, and exhibitors. Prioritize the periods and workshops that resonate most with what you are promoting wants. Create a customized schedule that optimizes your time and opens up areas for brand spanking new insights and alternatives. Line up the day with what’s finest for what you are promoting.
3. Put together your pitch
Create a brief, compelling pitch that conveys what you are promoting, its distinctive profit, and what you hope to achieve from the occasion. Learn it out loud and see the way it feels, and the way it sounds. Follow your pitch with confidence, since you’ll be saying it loads. Individuals will bear in mind you and what you are promoting higher if it’s quick and candy — who you’re and what you do.
4. Be your self (and what you are promoting will profit)
Networking is the lifeblood of those occasions. No stress, proper? Being your self is essential as you open your self as much as new connections. Have an open thoughts, and comply with your pursuits and passions for the success of what you are promoting, it will assist you to discover the best individuals. Have interaction in significant conversations, change info, and most significantly, be your self.
5. Share your story
Don’t simply sit within the again quietly, actively have interaction in periods and workshops. Take notes, ask questions, and take part in discussions. This helps you study as a enterprise proprietor, and exhibits your curiosity for companions — you by no means know what can occur. Get your self on the market and present them what you’re price.
Individuals love an origin story. So give it to them! Share the explanation why you began your SMB within the first place. What’s your ardour? And, what drove you to return to this occasion within the first place? Some individuals could not bear in mind your identify, however they’ll bear in mind your genuine ardour for what you are promoting.
6. Personalize the follow-up
After the occasion, comply with up with the connections you made. Don’t wait too lengthy, statistics say you need to comply with up inside 1-3 enterprise days, so the connection remains to be robust. Ship customized emails, join on social media, and schedule follow-up calls to proceed constructing these relationships and exploring potential alternatives. Something can occur from these occasions, all it’s important to do is ask.
By following these pointers and suggestions, you can also make useful connections, get business insights, and develop what you are promoting appropriately — homegrown.
Suggestions for connecting like a professional at small-business occasions
Don’t get the networking jitters. Everyone seems to be in the identical boat. Networking is an enormous a part of attending small-business occasions, everyone knows — it’s the guts of why you go, to attach. It’s an opportunity to make necessary connections, study from others in your business, and get some new purchasers. To benefit from these occasions, listed here are some networking suggestions.
- Gown for the half: First impressions depend, so be sure you’re dressed appropriately (and comfortably!) for the occasion. Your outfit ought to mirror your professionalism, however extra importantly, it ought to mirror you as a enterprise proprietor. Whether or not it’s a proper convention or an off-the-cuff mixer, costume in a means that makes you are feeling assured and credible.
- Community like a professional: Networking isn’t nearly speaking, it’s about constructing relationships. Hear attentively to what others need to say, ask considerate questions, and present real curiosity of their experiences. Persons are extra more likely to bear in mind and join with you after they really feel heard and valued.
- Take your playing cards: All the time have what you are promoting playing cards on the prepared, or a digital model simply accessible — however get theirs first. Take initiative, once you meet somebody you wish to keep in contact with, change contact info, and comply with up promptly after the occasion. This exhibits your curiosity in persevering with the dialog and constructing a brand new relationship. Be daring, what you are promoting will thanks later.
- Maximize the post-even followup: After the occasion, take a second to contemplate the connections you’ve made and the conversations you’ve had. Take a deep breath, you probably did it. Now, it’s time to make it depend. Prioritize following up with these you’ve made a real reference to and will see potential for collaboration. That is the enjoyable half.
Put up-event suggestions for small enterprise progress
Following up after attending any kind of occasion is huge for nurturing the connections you’ve made. Listed here are some key steps to take advantage of out of those connections.
Ship customized thank-you notes or emails. It’s a small gesture that goes a good distance. Thank everybody you meet, be it a possible shopper, a fellow entrepreneur, or an business knowledgeable. Personalize every e mail with a reference to one thing particular you mentioned or realized throughout your connection. This straightforward act of courtesy exhibits your appreciation and bridges that hole between occasion and enterprise.
Keep linked. Strengthen your skilled community by connecting with these you met on the occasion. Personalize your invitation by referencing the occasion or why you wish to keep in contact. LinkedIn is a improbable software for sustaining connections, exchanging business data, and creating lasting skilled relationships.
Be sure you assist different small companies too. When you’ve gotten a ton of enterprise playing cards or contact particulars from these SMB occasions, seize the second. Join with these prospects in a support-only method to discover alternatives and partnerships, giving is a good way to start a partnership.
Dedicate a second to mirror on the occasion’s total vibe and success. Think about the standard of the content material, the networking alternatives, and the worth of the data you’ve gained. This reflection will assist you to to make well-informed selections about future occasions and assure that you just’re getting the utmost advantages out of your funding.
Catch the most recent occasions on Salesforce+
Be a part of us for the most important small enterprise occasions on this planet, wherever you’re. Watch all of your favourite periods on Salesforce+.
Occasions to your small enterprise may also help you develop
Occasions like these are greater than networking alternatives — they’re platforms for transformation. By immersing your self in a lot of these occasions, you may unlock new methods to develop, construct lasting connections, and acquire a recent perspective on what’s potential for what you are promoting.
Take the leap. Your SMB journey deserves each likelihood to thrive. Whether or not you’re redefining your buyer expertise with SMB Commerce or exploring instruments to drive progress, Salesforce is right here for you each step of the best way, empowering your subsequent chapter.