Policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business advocates will gather for a series of discussions on accelerating growth and scaling operations on the occasion of U.S. Small Business Day 2024. This annual observance recognizes the invaluable contributions of small businesses to the economy, job creation, and local communities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has made it public on its official website that “… this year’s celebration includes a free, two-day virtual summit on April 30 and May 1, 2024. The SBA and SCORE will co-host online sessions featuring educational workshops, networking opportunities, and access to federal resources.”
It has further revealed that it will be a hybrid event this year. There will be in-person programming at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Headquarters in Washington, D.C., along with virtual sessions.
From mom-and-pop shops to tech startups, small businesses are the backbone of communities across America. They account for 99.9% of all businesses in the United States and employ nearly half of the private workforce. While the pandemic years were brutal for many small businesses, the sector has shown remarkable resilience and is seeing a resurgence in 2024. The SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) has been celebrating National Small Business Week for the past 60 years almost; they highlight the vital contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Han Nguyen, Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications and Public Liaison commented, “SBA’s National Small Business Week recognizes entrepreneurs and small businesses who are leading the way in building our economy from the bottom up and middle out.”
As confirmed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, this year, topics, such as cost reduction with AI, tried-and-true growth strategies, policy initiatives, and big-brand marketing trends that small businesses can leverage will take center stage. Wednesday, May 1, will be the day of deep learning and in-person networking. In-person guests will get a chance to participate in one-on-one mentoring sessions with seasoned business owners who will share practical tips and advice on essential small business know-how, including fine-tuning business ideas, finding customers, hiring and managing teams, etc.
“National Small Business Week is a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to hear from industry experts, connect with other small business owners, and tap into expert advice from SCORE mentors,” said SCORE CEO Bridget Weston. SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors will be co-hosting this event.
Indeed, small businesses employ nearly half of all U.S. employees and have historically generated around two-thirds of net new jobs. Their importance in fostering local economic growth, innovation, and vibrant communities cannot be overstated.
