In most states and many cities and towns, local small business organizations and agencies have events planned during Small Business Week. Check in with your nearby Chambers of Commerce, SCORE Chapters, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Outreach Centers and other local groups to see if they have an event planned.
The following events planned for the week by the Small Business Administration will be streamed live at www.sba.gov/nsbw and will use the Twitter hashtag #DreamSmallBiz for conversation and questions.
Sunday | May 1
Small Business Week Opening & Awards Ceremony
Time | 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm ET
Location | Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington DC
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | Opening of National Small Business Week 2016 and presentation of awards to outstanding local chapters, offices and organizations that SBA-supported programs serving small businesses. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet will deliver the keynote address and the following awards will be presented:Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award
• Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
• Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year
• SCORE Chapter of the Year
• Jody C. Raskind Lender of the Year
• Small Business Investment Company of the Year
• Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official
• Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer
• Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery
Monday | May 2
Small Business Person of the Year Awards Ceremony
Time | 8:30 am – 10:30 am ET
Location | United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | National Small Business Person of the year nominees from each state and territory will be present. Awards that will be presented include:
Small Business Person of the Year
Exporter of the Year
Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
8(a) Graduate of the Year
Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence
• Services winner
• Manufacturing winner
• Research and Development winner
Cybersecurity Panel Discussion
Time | 11:00 am – Noon ET
Location | United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | SBA Deputy Administrator Doug Kramer along with experts from Microsoft, ADP, and ESET discuss cyber security tips and trends.
Tuesday | May 3
Start or Grow Your Business | Live from Atlanta
Time | 10:00 am- 2:00 pm ET
Location | Georgia Tech’s Research Institute Conference Center
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | SBA Deputy Administrator Doug Kramer and small business experts share what small firms can anticipate in the future, what small business sectors will be the best performers and other business trends. Following the general session, there will be workshops in various fields
My Brother’s Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurs Initiative | Live from New York
Time | 6:00-8:30 pm ET
Location | The Apollo Theater, New York, NY
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Mike Muse will bring together millennials for the finale of the My Brother’s Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurs Video Series at the historic Apollo Theater in New York. This event will be the culmination of the six-video series and incorporate video clips, as well as Q&A segments with the video interviewees. Additionally, the interactive session will provide an opportunity for attendees to network with other Millennials interested in entrepreneurship.
Wednesday | May 4
Colorado Small Business Week Awards Ceremony
Time | 11:30 am-2:00 pm MT
Location | History of Colorado Center
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper honor Colorado area small business owners.
Thursday, May 5
Armchair Discussion with Veteran Entrepreneurs
Location | Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Time | 10:30-11:30 am PT
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | Join SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet with Eli Crane of Bottle Breacher, former Shark Tank participant and Navy Seal; Angela Cody-Rouget of Major Mom, professional organizer, and former Shark Tank participant discuss key business topics ranging including access to capital, effective marketing, business growth and more.
Friday, May 6
National Small Business Week | Live from San Jose
Location | San Jose City Hall
Time | 8:30am – 1:00pm PT
Streaming | Live stream at www.sba.gov/nsbw
Twitter conversation | #DreamSmallBiz
Description | SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo discuss business trends and resources to help start and grow a business.
See also on SmallBusiness.com | Guide to Small Business Week | 2016
Photo: SmallBusiness.com