Small businesses and startups are facing a challenging mix of economic uncertainty, rising costs and rapid technological change. Against this backdrop, The Business Show London will return to Excel London on 11–12 November 2026, bringing together thousands of founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore practical strategies for sustainable growth.
While Make a Difference Media & Events serves employers of all sizes and sectors, SMEs are an important part of our audience and often face particular challenges in prioritising employee health and wellbeing alongside competing business demands. That’s why we’re delighted to be an official partner of The Business Show London and look forward to meeting employers and business leaders over the two-day event.
The event is expected to attract around 25,000 SMEs and startups alongside hundreds of exhibitors and expert speakers.
Practical advice for growing a business in 2026
This year’s programme is designed to help business leaders tackle some of the most pressing issues facing SMEs, from scaling sustainably and securing growth to making effective use of AI and building resilient organisations.
Rather than focusing on theory, sessions will offer practical insights from business leaders and industry experts who have experience of growing organisations in today’s economic environment.
Speakers are expected to include representatives from organisations including Google, HelloFresh and HSBC, with sessions covering topics such as AI adoption, business strategy, innovation, leadership and organisational growth.
AI continues to reshape the SME landscape
With AI now becoming part of day-to-day operations for many smaller businesses, this year’s event will also explore how organisations can move beyond experimentation towards practical implementation.
Many SMEs are already using AI to automate administrative tasks, improve customer service and support better decision-making. The programme aims to help business owners understand how these technologies can improve efficiency while supporting long-term, sustainable growth.
Networking and business support under one roof
Alongside the conference programme, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with more than 500 exhibitors offering products and services across areas including AI, HR, recruitment, marketing, finance, coaching and business technology.
The event’s popular Speed Networking sessions will also return, giving delegates the opportunity to meet potential partners, suppliers, customers and collaborators through a series of structured networking conversations.
Supporting business growth at every stage
Whether launching a startup, scaling an established SME or looking for new ideas to improve business performance, the event aims to provide practical support for organisations at every stage of their growth journey.
With economic conditions continuing to evolve and technology reshaping the way organisations operate, events that combine expert insight with peer learning and networking are becoming increasingly valuable for business leaders looking to stay competitive.
Registration for The Business Show London 2026 is free, with the event taking place at Excel London on 11–12 November 2026. You can access your free tickets via the event website here.
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