By Vicky Sidler | Published 7 May 2025 at 12:00 GMT

Once a year, the U.S. Small Business Administration fires a metaphorical confetti cannon in honor of entrepreneurs everywhere. National Small Business Week 2025 (4–10 May) is that week—packed with award ceremonies, free masterclasses, and a virtual summit designed to help owners swap tips, snag tools, and maybe even meet the lender of their dreams.

For anyone who has ever Googled “what is an EIN” at 1 a.m., this summit is basically an all‑you‑can‑eat buffet of know‑how—minus the plate‑balancing anxiety.

What’s on the schedule—and why it matters:

National Small Business Week isn’t just a ribbon‑cutting photo op. This year’s program includes:

• National Small Business Awards: livestreamed sessions honoring America’s top small firms, exporters, and resource partners.

• Virtual Summit: free online event packed with expert panels on marketing, funding, and tech adoption. Registrants gain on‑demand replay access for 30 days.

• Resource Expo: digital booths from federal agencies and lenders, plus live chat with SBA district staff.

• Mentor Match sessions: speed‑networking that pairs new founders with seasoned owners for quick, laser‑focused advice.

Every session is free; registration just requires an email address and a pulse.

Why international entrepreneurs should still tune in:

Even if you’re running a bakery in Bristol or a SaaS startup in Sydney, the SBA’s content translates:

• Universal principles: cash‑flow management, digital marketing, hiring tactics.

• U.S. market insights: handy if you plan to export to (or advertise in) the States.

• Networking: chat features and Slack channels open during the summit let you swap contacts with peers worldwide.

For global entrepreneurs watching from afar, the summit’s digital format means no flights, no hotel bill—just log in, learn, and screenshot the slides.

Three‑step plan to squeeze the week dry:

As a StoryBrand Guide and Duct Tape Marketing Consultant, I believe conferences are like gym memberships: value shows only if you actually use them.

1. Pick two sessions, max: Scan the agenda and lock in the topics that fix your biggest headache (funding? email marketing?). Depth beats breadth.

2. Prep one smart question: Write a 20‑word question you can drop in the Q&A. Visibility + expert answer = instant takeaway.

3. Set a post‑week action deadline: Block 30 minutes on 13 May to review notes and choose one tactic to implement. Without a date, ideas fade faster than Webinar Energy™.

Potential wins for small teams:

Think of the summit as a grab‑bag—you attend the sessions, and these are the goodies you can slip into your pocket on the way out.

• Funding leads: SBA Lender Match tool demoed live.

• Marketing templates: downloadable email and social‑media guides from Google and Constant Contact.

• Peer stories: award‑winner case studies show real workflows, not just theory.

For global owners, these examples can be adapted—swap the U.S. forms for your local paperwork, keep the strategy intact.

Follow the confetti:

Yes, there will be inspirational quotes and maybe a feel‑good montage. But beneath the glitter, National Small Business Week offers concrete blueprints. Catch the sessions, copy the tactics, and you’ll still be finding confetti in your hair—only this time it looks a lot like revenue growth.