NW Philly Small Business Summit

The Northwest Philly Small Business Summit, hosted by Mt. Airy CDC, is coming Tuesday November 12, to NewCourtland’s conference facilities at 6950 Germantown Ave.

This event (formerly known as the Go Mt. Airy Business Expo) is a one-day event designed to empower local Northwest Philly businesses by offering practical workshops, expert panels, and ample networking opportunities.

This year, we’ve expanded our workshops to include new topics based on community feedback. With a range of offerings like Grant Writing for Small Businesses, Google Advertising Strategy, Scaling Your Online Business, and more, we’re certain that businesses of all types, stages, and sizes will find value throughout the day.

We are also proud to present the second annual Black Women Entrepreneurs Panel during lunchtime. Breakfast (included with admission) will be provided by Mt. Airy Coffee Company and lunch (pre-purchase optional) will come from Malelani Cafe. End the day with a networking happy hour from Party on the Go and Toska Restaurant & Brewery that is included in the price of admission.

General attendance is $30 and includes a continental breakfast and happy hour refreshments.

Discounts: 50% admission discount available to members of the Go Mt. Airy Business Association. 30% admission discount available to business members of Germantown United CDC, Manayunk Development Corporation, Roxborough CDC, Chestnut Hill Business District, and East Falls Development Corporation. For the appropriate discount code, please email Sydney Camisa Deas, Development & Events Manager, at scamisadeas@mtairycdc.org.

Lunch: $18 (pre-purchase required by November 5). You are welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase something from one of our local food establishments. If you choose to leave the premises during lunch please be prepared to miss a portion of our lunchtime programming.

Headshots: You may also elect to add on a professional headshot with our photographer Kira Luxon for an additional $30.

Enterprise Center Van (Biz on Wheels): The Enterprise Center Van will be available outside the conference center between 10am and 1pm for on-the-spot technical assistance with accessing services for small businesses, applying for loans, scanning documents, and other business support.

NW PHILLY SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT AGENDA

*Order of events is subject to change.

8:30–9am: REGISTRATION, NETWORKING, & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 

  • Enjoy coffee, tea, yogurt parfaits, and pastries provided by Mt. Airy Coffee Company as you check in and network with fellow business owners.

9am–12pm: WORKSHOPS 

  • 9am: Grant Writing for Small Businesses (With Philip Dawson of Mt. Airy CDC)

Learn the ins and outs of grant writing, including how to craft a successful application and where to find opportunities.

  • 10am: Google Advertising Strategy (With Janine Monico of Monico Media)

Discover how to leverage Google Ads to drive traffic to your business, optimize your advertising spend, and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.

  • 11am: Investing for Small Businesses

Learn strategies for small business investing, including managing risks and understanding investment options that can help grow your business.

12–1:30pm: LUNCH / PANEL / PRESENTATIONS

  • Boxed lunch options from Malelani Cafe (Please purchase by Nov. 5)
  • Panel Discussion: BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ROUNDTABLE featuring Jonene Lee of No Name Gallery, Breana and Diana Baye of Vault + Vine, Shaw Lewis of Expect Lace, Stephanie Cole of Young American Hard Cider and more to be announced soon.
  • Brief lunch presentations from the leaders of our Northwest Philly community development corporations and business associations.

1:30–4:15pm: WORKSHOPS

  • 1:30pm: Safety & Security for Your Small Business (With Reagan Chatman and Rojer Kern, Department of Commerce)

Discuss practical measures to enhance the safety and security of your business, including handling uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

2:15-2:30pm: POPSICLE BREAK sponsored by Frios Gourmet Pops

  • 2:30pm: Recruiting & Hiring (With Erika Tapp Duran, Temple Small Business Development Center)

Learn best practices for recruiting and hiring the right talent for your small business, including tips on interviewing, onboarding, and retaining employees.

  • 3:30pm: Scaling Your Online Business (With Erika Tapp Duran, Temple Small Business Development Center)

Explore strategies to grow your online business, including expanding your product range, improving your digital marketing, and enhancing customer experience.

  • 4:15–5:30pm: HAPPY HOUR NETWORKING

Relax and unwind with happy hour refreshments. Network with fellow business owners and reflect on the day’s learnings. Happy hour is sponsored by local businesses Party on the Go and Toska Restaurant & Brewery, along with Stateside Vodka and Philadelphia Distilling.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!