Small Business Expo - Chicago 2027
About Small Business Expo - Chicago
Annual business expo connecting thousands of business owners with decision-makers for networking and critical business workshops, including franchising opportunities.
Small Business Expo Chicago 2027
Small Business Expo Chicago runs Thursday, June 10, 2027 at the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum on the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus in Chicago.
What it is
The Chicago show is one stop on Small Business Expo's national tour, a one-day business-to-business trade show, conference and networking event. The organizer's city page also calls it the Chicago Small Business Conference.
It is aimed at small business owners, entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers and B2B professionals in the Chicago market, whether they are launching a business or growing one. Small Business Expo says it has run events since 2008.
The organizer says exhibitors include marketing agencies, technology providers, financial services firms, SaaS platforms, business consultants and product-based companies. The show also draws regional and national brands as well as Chicago-area businesses.
Hours and admission
- The city page lists the show as 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- To register, you enter your name and email on the city page and click "Register (or upgrade)". When we checked, the page said registration for next year would open soon.
- The organizer's FAQ says the expo is free to attend, with VIP badge options also available. Check the city page for the badge types offered in Chicago.
On the floor
- Workshops and seminars cover marketing, sales, finance, operations, technology and scaling, plus leadership development and digital marketing. There are also keynotes and panel discussions on funding, hiring and operations.
- Networking includes structured sessions and speed networking, as well as conversations on the show floor.
- At check-in, attendees get a color-coded badge that shows their industry, which makes it easier to find peers and suppliers.
- Exhibitors can offer deals and discounts in the Exhibitor Hall that are only available to expo attendees.
Other stops on the tour
Other stops on the tour around the same time are Philadelphia (May 19, 2027), Boston (June 1, 2027), San Francisco (June 23, 2027) and Seattle (August 25, 2027).
Next up in Marketing Conferences & Events
- Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference (formerly Franchise Consumer Marketing Conference) 2027 Jun 15–17, 2027 · Atlanta
- Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2027 Jun 21–25, 2027 · Cannes
- Small Business Expo - San Francisco 2027 Jun 23, 2027 · South San Francisco
Key Topics
- Digital marketing
- Finance and funding
- Sales and operations
- Technology and AI tools
- Speed networking
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