2025 SBAN Conference

SBAN’s in-person conference is back! Join us November 12-14, 2025, to strategize about how to foster resilient small businesses and remain resilient in our anti-displacement work. The conference will be held at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, minutes from Washington, D.C.

Come hear how organizations and cities are supporting communities and small businesses in this new economic and political landscape. We’ll discuss sources of funding in the wake of federal cuts, how to work with policymakers and other partners to get things done at the state and local level, and how to talk about small business anti-displacement work in communications and grants.

Conference sessions and new SBAN research will explore how strategies such as commercial tenant protections and community ownership help keep BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses in place. Our mobile workshops—in collaboration with community-based organizations in the D.C. metro area—will give you the opportunity to visit neighborhoods where small business anti-displacement strategies are being employed.

Early-bird rates end on October 15, 2025.

Registration closes on November 3, 2025.

We know these are challenging times for many organizations, so we’re fundraising to help those who may not be able to attend the conference without financial support. If you would like to apply for assistance, please do so by Monday, September 22. We cannot guarantee support to all applicants but will notify you about the status of your application before the early-bird registration deadline.

If you would like to contribute to this fund, we need sponsors! Help small business advocates come together to chart a path forward for BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurs and communities in this new economic and political landscape.

The conference will be held at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, minutes from Washington, D.C. SBAN has arranged a room block for stays beginning Tuesday, November 11, through Friday, November 14, at a negotiated rate of $189 per night, plus applicable taxes. Reserve your room by Wednesday, October 15 to secure this rate!