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03/27/2026 12:18 pm

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Small Business Event Calendar

Events held by local small business partners

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

The City of Raleigh enjoys an ecosystem of support organizations that focus on the success of small business owners. This calendar highlights small business-related events offered by these partners in the City of Raleigh. Event types include:

  • Training & resources
  • Public affairs, annual meetings & expos
  • Grant & funding application dates
  • Vendor or foot traffic opportunities
  • Networking events

  • May
    4

    Partner Event: Government Contracting 101 #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-04 09:00:00 2026-05-04 11:00:00 Partner Event: Government Contracting 101 #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This comprehensive training will guide participants through the essential steps of doing business with government agencies. We will cover the basic requirements for both state and federal contracting, including how to register your business, obtain relevant certifications, and identify opportunities that align with your capabilities. Building on these fundamentals, the session will also focus on the critical skill of preparing written proposal responses—a key factor in successfully securing government contracts. Participants will learn strategies to navigate the proposal process and increase their chances of winning contracts, addressing one of the most common challenges business owners face in government contracting. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    4

    Partner Event: Practical Operations for Small Businesses #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-04 18:00:00 2026-05-04 20:00:00 Partner Event: Practical Operations for Small Businesses #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! Running a small business can feel like juggling a dozen tasks at once, orders, inventory, staff, and customer demands, all while trying to grow. This workshop is designed to help small business owners take charge of their operations. Learn practical strategies for workflow management, inventory tracking, team coordination, and operational planning, leaving with actionable steps to move from reactive chaos to structured control. Whether you’re looking to optimize daily operations or scale your business effectively, this session equips you with the operational know-how to succeed. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: Turn Networking Connections into Action #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 08:30:00 2026-05-05 11:00:00 Partner Event: Turn Networking Connections into Action #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University Celebrate National Small Business Week by turning your ideas into action. This interactive networking experience is designed to help you build meaningful connections, share experiences, and gain real solutions to the challenges you’re facing in your business. During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs who are navigating similar business challenges, whether it’s hiring, marketing, managing finances, or operations. You’ll also have the chance to share your own expertise, offering guidance to others who could benefit from your experience The event will be structured to maximize engagement: Opening Networking: Start by meeting fellow business owners and building new connections in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Breakout Discussions (Optional): Join focused groups to discuss specific business challenges with peers who are facing similar issues or who have experience solving them. These sessions provide an opportunity for deeper conversation, idea-sharing, and practical problem-solving. Continued Networking & Wrap-Up: Return to open networking to follow up on conversations, exchange contact information, and leave with actionable connections and insights. Whether you’re looking to solve a challenge, share your expertise, or simply expand your professional network, this event is designed to help you connect, collaborate, and leave with strategies and relationships that can help your business thrive. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: 7-Week nector Brand Innovation Masterclass (***Application Process***)

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 09:00:00 2026-05-05 11:00:00 Partner Event: 7-Week nector Brand Innovation Masterclass (***Application Process***) Hosted by Women's Business Center of NC  Level up your business in this marketing & branding cohort focused on strategy, storytelling, and sustainable growth. This is the application phase only**** The NECTAR Brand Innovation Masterclass is a 7-week marketing and branding cohort designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners build stronger, more impactful brands. This program is offered in collaboration with Hummingbird Creative Group, a leading agency in brand strategy and innovation, who celebrated their 30 year anniversary in 2025. Throughout the cohort, participants will gain hands-on experience in key areas such as brand strategy, defining mission and values, understanding target audiences, developing messaging, strengthening brand identity, and creating marketing plans that drive real results. Sessions will also explore topics like SEO, customer experience, brand awareness, and using AI to support marketing efforts. This is the application phase only. We are currently accepting applications and will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by the 13th of April. Requirements: 2-years plus as a registered business & active Min. $25,000 annual revenue in 2025 If selected, agree to pay the cost of $75 for the 6-week cohort ***If selected, participants will be invited to join the cohort at a cost of $75 for the 7-week cohort (that's $10.71 per session). Don't let this small fee stop you from applying and joining if selected. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 10:00:00 2026-05-05 12:00:00 Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! Navigating the requirements for starting a business in North Carolina can be confusing and sometimes the information friends and websites offer isn’t completely accurate. We’ll discuss the state, local, and federal requirements for doing business in our state and where to find resources our state offers to help you succeed. I have an EIN, what now? What’s the difference between a DBA, Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation, and an S-Corp? How much will this cost? How long does it take? Where do I go to register? How do I get a license? Can I do this from home? Do I need a State Tax Number? Speaker: Sharon Walker is a Sr. Small Business Advisor with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. She is a business consultant with experience in customer service, technical support, and project management. Prior to coming to EDPNC, she has worked with government agencies, NC Department of Health & Human Services and NC Department of Revenue, and with large corporations, Kodak and WorldCom. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: Navigating Your Food Business: A Success Series (in-person)

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 18:00:00 2026-05-05 20:30:00 Partner Event: Navigating Your Food Business: A Success Series (in-person) Hosted by Wake TechJoin the Wake Tech Small Business Center and NC State Extension for an evening of food safety and food regulation insights for your food operation. Get our new food safety implementation guide and network with food professionals in your area. Walk away with insight, tools, templates and logs to implement optimized food safety systems. Extension partners specializing in assisting companies with needs in value-added foods, restaurants, and food safety education will join us to help assess and answer questions. Core focus areas that our implementation guide covers: Personnel and Hygiene: What does a written policy look like? Supplier Programs: Verifying where your ingredients come from Process Controls: Managing critical steps, e.g., temperature and pH Sanitation: Procedures: Where sanitation matters most in an operation Allergen Programs: Essentials of allergen labeling and preventing cross-contact Labeling Essentials: Outline the mandatory elements of a food label Recall plans: Tracking your product if something goes wrong City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: SBA Programs and Resources Webinar #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 18:00:00 2026-05-05 19:15:00 Partner Event: SBA Programs and Resources Webinar #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! Join us for a presentation on how the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can support current and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, funding opportunities, and guidance. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs at any stage of their small business progression to learn how SBA programs can help you plan, start, manage, and grow your business. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    5

    Partner Event: SBA Lending Programs Webinar #NSBW

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 19:15:00 2026-05-05 20:30:00 Partner Event: SBA Lending Programs Webinar #NSBW Hosted by Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University This event is taking place during the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week! This presentation will provide a general overview of the Small Business Administration’s programs that assist small businesses in obtaining access to capital on terms that may not otherwise be considered reasonable. Whether you're a new or existing business owner, this webinar provides valuable insights and resources to help you navigate the SBA lending landscape successfully. Join us to determine whether or not SBA lending is a good fit for your business! City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    6

    Partner Event: 1st Wednesday Coffee Meetup

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-06 08:30:00 2026-05-06 09:30:00 Partner Event: 1st Wednesday Coffee Meetup Hosted by North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Join us for coffee and camaraderie with North Raleigh Chamber members. This monthly event is a great way to engage with other chamber members and learn more about how to get involved in the Chamber while getting to know fellow chamber members and how to partner together to create more business. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • May
    6

    Partner Event: Small Business Day

    Add to Calendar 2026-05-06 10:00:00 2026-05-06 14:00:00 Partner Event: Small Business Day Hosted by SBTDC We are excited to invite small business owners, partners, and entrepreneurs to Small Business Day 2026, hosted by the SBTDC. This year’s focus is on the health of Small Business; a priority increasingly shaped by the ever-changing economic landscape. North Carolina’s entrepreneurs represent a diverse range of business types and sizes, supported by a strong network of resources that help make our state one of the best in the nation for business. This support system plays a critical role in keeping small businesses healthy and growing. The health of small business isn’t just about wellness, it’s about exploring the key elements that help a business build a sustainable future. City of Raleigh America/New_York public

Contact

 

Jocelyn Sanchez
Small Business and Workforce Development Analyst
jocelyn.sanchez@raleighnc.gov
984-220-2958

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Lead Department:
Economic and Social Advancement
Service Categories:
Small Business Development