The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is pleased to announce the call for presentations for the 2026 Small Business Success Summit, as well as the network's internal Annual Professional Development Conference. Both events will be held at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor. Details about each event are below:
Featured Program Tracks & Themes
Summit Event Theme: The Power of Small Business: Driving Change, Creating Opportunity
The Success Summit theme highlights the vital role small businesses play in transforming communities, fostering innovation, and driving economic progress. Small business owners are changemakers in our communities!
Breakout session proposals should align with this theme all while showcasing your knowledge and expertise. Whether you’re sharing actionable advice, cutting-edge insights, or tools to drive success, your session will help empower small businesses to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create meaningful change.
Breakout Session Tracks for BOTH Events:
We are looking for breakout session speakers to share their expertise and align with our tracks for each event. Breakout session tracks include:
- Access to Capital
- Business Operations
- Business Growth
- Government Contracting
- Technology
- and Marketing
Proposal Requirements:
- Brief speaker biography
- Three to five learning objectives
- Presentation summary/workshop description
- Presentations must provide attendees specific, actionable steps that they can take when they leave
- Presenters should include links to relevant presentations conducted and/or materials and publications produced
Presenter Participation Requirements and Criteria:
- Presenters should be prepared to discuss how their topic applies to their target audience.
- Any handouts are the responsibility of the presenter. Handouts can be made available electronically for participants.
- Each session can have a maximum of four speakers at a time. If a panel, our preferred format is one moderator and three panelists.
- Presentations will be chosen based on the proposed idea and speakers suggested. Changes in subject, speakers, and presentation title must be approved in writing by the Florida SBDC Network and may lead to the cancellation of the session.
- If selected, speakers will be required to arrive on site no later than 30 minutes before their scheduled time slot.
- Presenters are responsible for bringing their presentation(s) on their own laptop.
- Using presentation time to sell or market products or services is strictly prohibited.
- If selected, the conference registration fee will be waived; however, lodging, transportation, and other costs will be the responsibility of the presenter.
- Speakers fees are not provided.
Applicants can expect to hear whether they have been selected as a speaker by May 18, 2026.
