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BBA Small Business Week 2025

Each year, Birmingham celebrates the national celebration of small businesses, Small Business Week, with a full schedule of events to honor small businesses and their contribution to our business community. In the Greater Birmingham Region, small businesses account for 47 to 50% of private-sector employment, touching a wide range of industries from professional services to construction, food, retail and more. So what does this mean? Jobs. Contribution to innovation and economic vibrancy. Creation of resilient and connected communities. 

This year, the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) has developed Small Business Week networking events, workshop, luncheon and more from Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8. These events are designed to provide invaluable information to small businesses on how they can continue to grow, evolve and be successful from expert panels, discussions and networking. 

The BBA’s schedule of events is as follows: 

Day 1 | Grounds for Conversation:  

  • Monday, May 5 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.  
  • House Eleven (5229 1st Ave. N.; Birmingham, AL 35212) 
  • Enjoy complimentary coffee, connect with fellow professionals, and meet the BBA’s Small Business team, your advocates for growth and success in Birmingham.
  • Free to attendees   

Day 2 | Small Business Intensive:  

  • Tuesday, May 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.  
  • BBA Auditorium (505 20th Street North, Suite 200, Birmingham, Alabama 35203)
  • Attendees can get a sneak peek into our exclusive Small Business Week event, our Small Business Intensive (SBI). Typically a private class with the group’s selected participants and weekly instructor, the session taking place during Small Business Week will be open for anyone to participate and get a hint of invaluable business growth information. Attendees will learn how you can apply for our next Small Business Intensive happening Aug. 5 through Oct. 21.  
  • Free to attendees 

Day 3 | Optimize to Thrive Workshop: 

  • Wednesday, May 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • BBA Auditorium (505 20th Street North, Suite 200, Birmingham, Alabama 35203)
  • This workshop will be an engaging session focused on practical strategies to streamline operations, boost efficiency and drive sustainable growth as attendees hear from Howell Consulting Services CEO and From Scratch Business Advisory Services Managing Partner Carnelle Howell. Whether you're a business owner or operations leader, this discussion will offer valuable insights on optimizing workflows, leveraging tools and technology and building systems that scale. 
  • Free to attendees 

First Round:

  • Wednesday, May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. 
  • The Six Sixteen Restaurant and Bar (2021 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL 35203). at The Tutwiler Hotel 
  • This bi-monthly networking event is designed to help attendees become better connected with professionals throughout the Birmingham Region, where the first round is on us at the BBA. 
  • Free for BBA investors; $10 for non-investors 

Day 4 | BBA Luncheon: 

  • Thursday, May 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • The Club (1 Robert Smith Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209)  
  • The Q2 BBA Luncheon will feature a dynamic panel of local leaders discussing small business innovation, growth and success on the topic of “Building Birmingham: Journeys in Small Business Development.” This event offers valuable networking opportunities and meaningful conversations that help shape Birmingham’s business landscape and drive our region forward. Moderated by BBA’s Small Business Director Victor Brown, the panel includes Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance CEO Jeremy Duckworth, City of Birmingham’s IEO Small Business Relationship Coordinator Dorothy “Dot” George and IEO Director Cornell Wesley, Birmingham Business Resource Center Executive Director Bob Dickerson and Alabama Small Business Development Center Network Finance Specialist & Business Advisor Suzanne Darden. 
  • $35 for BBA investors; $55 for non-investors 

To learn more about the BBA’s Small Business Week events and to secure tickets, please click here. For more Small Business Week events and programming, please visit the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity’s 2025 BHM Small Business Week website here. 

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