For 45 years, America’s SBDC has hosted its annual professional development conference for its business advisors and SBDC network professionals. This national event brings together over a thousand SBDC professionals and around fifty sponsors and exhibitors for learning, networking, and engagement.
Check out what our attendees had to say about last year's event in Nashville, TN.
Categories for submissions include many different areas to help advisers enhance their abilities to help small business owners with their businesses. In addition, there are categories to assist SBDCs with ideas on how to grow and operate their program.
We invite you to submit to this year’s conference. With the varied skill levels of our attendees, we invite you to consider submitting different presentations at multiple skill levels. During the submission process, you will be asked if the presentation is at a beginner’s or advanced level. We hope to create a well-rounded professional development experience for America’s SBDC Annual Conference attendees.
We want our workshop presenters to consider how their products, resources, methodologies, strategies, or tactics can empower our SBDC network. We also ask that you consider the conference theme as you review your content and consider how the theme could later be incorporated into your presentation.
Notifications begin around April 15th
If you have any questions, contact Brett Thibodeau.
Board of Directors Breakfast (Board Only)
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
America’s SBDC Board Dinner (Board Only)
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tradeshow Build-out by Decorator
7:30 am – 3:00 pm
General Session Build-out by Decorator
7:30 am – 8:30 am
America’s SBDC State Director’s Breakfast
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Info Desk Open
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pre-Conference Workshops (19)
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
America’s SBDC State Directors Meeting
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
State Director Lunch
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
America’s SBDC State Directors Meeting
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Attendee Registration
3:00 pm
General Session Rehearsal
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
National Advisory Board Meeting
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
VIP SBDC Leadership & Sponsor/Exhibitor Reception
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Attendee Registration
7:00 am – 11:00 am
Exhibit Hall set-up by Exhibitors
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Info Desk Open
8:15 am – 9:45 am
Workshops (19)
10:00 am -12:00 pm
General Session, James Rhee, SBA/Congress
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Lunch in Exhibit Hall
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Workshops & Exhibit Hall Open and coffee served
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Happy Hour in Atrium Lobby
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
STAR Reception, Georgia Aquarium (By Invitation Only)
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Attendee Registration
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Coffee & Breakfast Bites in Exhibit Hall, Sponsored
7:00 am – 9:30 am
Exhibit Hall Open
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Info Desk Open
8:30 am – 9:45 am
Workshops
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
General Session, Elf on the Shelf, State Star Recognition
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open & Lunch on Tradeshow Floor
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Workshops
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Happy Hour in Exhibit Hall
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
40 Under 40 Award Event
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Exhibit Hall Open
7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Information Desk
7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Attendee Registration
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Coffee & Breakfast Bites in Foyer
8:15 am – 9:30 am
Associate State Director Meeting
8:15 am – 11:15 am
Workshops
11:15 am – 1:15 pm
Lunch on Your Own
1:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Workshops
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Closing Happy Hour
We’d love to have your company join us in Atlanta, GA. America’s SBDC can customize your conference experience, or you can select one of the opportunities in our Conference Prospectus.
Marriott Marquis: 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Room Rate $218++
The room block link will be provided via email after you register.
Room Block Closes August 7th
Plan your Atlanta itinerary with a multitude of attractions and activities that can soothe the soul or push the envelope on adventure — it’s all yours for the taking.
America’s SBDC honors its national State Star winners from every SBDC state and regional network at its annual conference every year. Submissions are open now through July 5th.
Check out last year's event.
Attendees have the option of leveraging Mobile Key to decrease physical touch. If you provided your Marriott Bonvoy number during the registration process, you will be able to use the app’s mobile key feature to access your room with your mobile phone.
Stay tuned for updates on the next edition of the conference.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest news and announcements.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!