FEATURED SHOW AREAS
Exhibitor Hall
Meet great vendors with unique services to help your business grow.
Workshops
30 minute sessions led by Industry Experts in various fields.
Keynote Theatre
Learn from iconic Business Leaders on The Main Stage.
Speed Networking
Meet 1-on-1 with other Businesses in these quick & efficient mini 2-minute networking sessions. (Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Badges)
Get Dotted®
Each colored dot represents a different group of industries. When you arrive, we encourage you to “GET DOTTED®.” We’ve created this fun and easy color-coded system to help you network.
Industry Meet-Ups
Meet & Network with Business Professionals in your Industry or other Industries of interest.
Business Card Exchange
Market yourself & your business to other SBE attendees by displaying your business card.
Photo Opps
Capture memorable moments at our designated Photo Opp Backdrops and share them on social media tagging #smallbusinessexpo
EXHIBIT AT SMALL BUSINESS
TODAY’S AGENDA
10:30AM - 11:00AM
W Tax Tips for Entrepreneurs Starting and Operating a Business
Natalia Thaniel, Internal Revenue Service
Take control of your small business taxes. Whether you are just starting out or looking to improve your tax strategy, the webinar will provide essential tax tips. Join us and learn how to navigate your business taxes with confidence.
W Win Clients & Grow Your Business With a Bestselling Book in 90 Days
Steve Gordon, Million Dollar Author
Learn how business owners and consultants turn expertise into a business book that drives leads, builds authority, and opens doors to clients, stages, and media— so your knowledge becomes IP you own and you stop competing to become the obvious choice.
10:40AM - 11:00AM Franchises Industry Meet-Up M
11:00AM - 11:20AM Banking, Insurance, Real Estate, Finance, Investors Industry Meet-Up
M
11:00AM - 11:45AM
S Speed Networking Session Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Only
11:15AM - 12:00PM
FEATURED
Shark Tank Success Stories: Behind the Pitch — A Candid Conversation With Successful Founders
Nicole Denise, CEO of CoAgency
Room 1 (3rd Floor)
(Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
11:40AM - 12:00PM Web Services, Apps, IT, Software, Technology Industry Meet-Up
12:00PM - 12:45PM
S Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Only Speed Networking Session
12:15PM - 12:45PM
W $100k Mistakes, Zero Warning Signs: The Legal Risks Flying Under Your Radar
Aisha Jorge Massengill, Sedgwick Andrews Legal & Consulting
You clicked “I Agree.” You paid the 1099s. You signed the contracts w/out reading them. The IRS doesn’t care. All are $100K mistakes waiting to happen. Aisha Jorge Massengill gives you 30 minutes to fix what the IRS won’t forgive.
W Networking and Marketing Your Business
Christina Spaulding, Verizon
Elevate your networking skills and grow your business. Discover how to connect authentically, maximize events, leverage social media, and build lasting partnerships with expert insights from Jessica Spaulding.
Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
Networking (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
1:00PM - 1:20PM
M eCommerce, Manufacturers, Retail, Distributors Industry Meet-Up
Jamie Ratner, CEO of Certifikid & Shark Tank Success Story
AI isn’t coming — it’s already here. In this high-impact keynote, Darren Kimura shows how small businesses are using AI to work smarter, move faster, and outpace larger competitors. From operational efficiency to game-changing growth strategies, you’ll learn how to thrive in the new AI-powered
Dive “behind the tank” with entrepreneurs who landed deals on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank as they share how they turned bold ideas into booming businesses. Discover their inspiring journeys, key lessons, and powerful strategies for overcoming challenges and scaling success. Moderated by Nicole Denise, an Entrepreneurial Powerhouse and Brand Strategist.
Shark Tank is a registered trademark of Sony Pictures Television Inc. and ABC. This event is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shark Tank, Sony Pictures, or ABC.
11:20AM - 11:40AM Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, PR Industry Meet-Up M
1:00PM - 1:45PM
FEATURED KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
The Hidden Key to Get Free Media Coverage & Visibility Without a PR Firm
Mark Albert, Emmy-Award Winner & Former CBS News Correspondent
John Bates, Leadership Communication Expert & TED
Ever wonder why some business owners are always featured in the media–BUT NOT YOU? Always giving keynotes at industry conferences–BUT NOT YOU? Skip a pricey PR firm and learn how to finally get the coverage & visibility you and your business deserve!
1:00PM - 1:45PM S Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Only Speed Networking Session
1:20PM - 1:40PM
Talk Coach
Keynote Theatre (3rd Floor)
Braxton Fleming, CEO of Stealth Bros & Co. & Shark Tank Success Story
M
1:40PM - 2:00PM Industry Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
Healthcare, HR, Employee Services Industry Meet-Up
2:00PM - 2:30PM
The S.W.A.N. Strategy: How Entrepreneurs Design
Paavan
Lasting Wealth
Kotini, Kotini & Kotini
Most entrepreneurs leave wealth to chance. Join Paavan Kotini to learn the S.W.A.N.© framework. Integrate tax, legal, and risk strategies to design a legacy that lets you Sleep Well At Night. Don’t just build a business—engineer your wealth.
W Smarter Technology, Smarter Business: How to Optimize for the AI Age
Chet Thaker, TeleBright Software Corporation
AI is transforming how businesses operate, but most companies aren’t set up to fully take advantage of it. In this session, you’ll learn how to align your technology with today’s capabilities, streamline your systems, and build a more efficient, intelligent operation. Walk away with practical insights to modernize your tech stack, improve performance, and uncover opportunities for smarter growth.
2:00PM - 2:45PM
S Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Only
Speed Networking Session
2:45PM - 3:15PM
W Capital Readiness: What Lenders Want to See
Workshop Room 1 (3rd Floor)
3:20PM - 3:40PM
M Government, Non-Profit, Associations, Education Industry Meet-Up
3:30PM - 4:00PM
Small Budget, Big Growth: Digital Marketing Using AI, SEO & Ads
Sreekanth Saseendran, Verbsz Marketing
Charis Gullage, Verbsz Marketing
Turn a small budget into big growth with a smart, scalable digital marketing strategy that leverages AI, SEO, and paid ads to help small and medium businesses maximize their marketing spend across organic search, AI-powered search, and paid ads.
Workshop Room 2 (3rd Floor)
Speed Networking (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
Workshop Room 1 (3rd Floor)
Learn what lenders look for and how to build a strong, bank‑ready capital profile. City First Bank breaks down the lending process, the Five C’s of Credit, common pitfalls, and steps to boost your chances of securing funding. Vince Peyronel, City First Bank
W Protect Your Hustle: Why Your SMB is the Top Target for Hackers
Jeff Hunter, CyberSec And I Thin Green, CyberSec And I
Think you’re too small to be a target?
To a hacker, you’re the perfect payday. If you have a bank account, you’re at risk. Learn the hidden threats most SMBs ignore and how to shield your hard-earned hustle from costly financial ruin.
3:00PM - 3:20PM
M
Hospitality, Travel, Transportation, Recreation Industry Meet-Up
3:00PM - 3:45PM
S Silver, Gold, Platinum & VIP Only
Speed Networking Session
Meet-Ups (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
Speed Networking (Exhibitor Hall 2nd Floor)
The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Systems (And How Microsoft Solves It)
Michelle Serna, TruNorth Dynamics
Disconnected systems are costing you time, revenue, and growth. See how Microsoft tools like Dynamics, Power Platform, and Copilot turn the chaos into one seamless engine...and make your technology work as hard as you do.
3:40PM - 4:00PM Art, Entertainment, Creative, Designer Industry Meet-Up
4:15PM - 4:45PM
W
Do More with Less: AI for Small Business
Raja Marimuthu, OneData Software Solutions
Is your business leaving money on the table? AI is no longer a luxury reserved for enterprise. In this workshop,OneData will show you exactly how small businesses are using AI to cut costs, grow revenue, and compete with companies 10x their size.
Behind the Post: Content that Converts
Nicole Denise Phillip, CoAgency
Behind the Post is not about content. It’s about conversion. In this session, you’ll learn how to: Align your messaging, Turn visibility into qualified leads and install simple automation that follows up for you.
Floor)
(Back Left of Exhibitor Hall)
CHARLES E. SMITH CENTER
APRIL 8, 2026 | 9:30AM - 5PM
