A free one-day conference designed to empower Miami-Dade’s small business community with tools, training, and connections
Miami-Dade is a county built by entrepreneurs. From the bodegas and ventanitas that bring neighborhoods together to the bold tech startups reshaping the downtown skyline, small businesses don’t just make up part of our local economy—they are our local economy. They’re the places where families build legacies, where newcomers plant roots, and where neighbors gather to celebrate life in one of the most vibrant, diverse cities in the world.
On Friday, October 24, 2025, hundreds of small business owners, community leaders, and industry experts will gather at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus in Downtown Miami for the Elevate Small Business Conference. This free, one-day event—hosted by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins—is designed to give local entrepreneurs the tools, training, and connections they need to take their businesses to the next level.
Building on Elevate District 5’s proven success
The Elevate Small Business Conference isn’t starting from scratch—it’s standing on the strong foundation built by Elevate District 5, a program created by Commissioner Higgins in 2022. In just three years, Elevate District 5 has supported over 1,000 local businesses, offered more than 50 training sessions, and awarded nearly 750 grants to entrepreneurs who needed that extra push to survive and thrive.
The program’s impact has been felt across communities, particularly among women-owned and minority-owned businesses, which make up such a vital part of Miami-Dade’s identity. Whether it was helping a food truck owner secure the proper permits, guiding a startup through marketing basics, or supporting a mom-and-pop shop with technology upgrades, Elevate District 5 has been about one thing: giving small businesses the resources they deserve.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods,” Commissioner Higgins often says. “When they succeed, our community succeeds.”
The 2025 Elevate Small Business Conference expands that vision countywide, bringing the same resources and opportunities to a larger audience in a single, high-impact day.
What attendees can expect at the conference
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Practical workshops on marketing, AI, financial planning, and more.
- Networking opportunities with experts, partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.
- Hands-on resources to help you take your business to the next level.
- A vibrant vendor marketplace featuring local businesses.
- Professional headshots offered on-site to elevate your brand.
The conference has been carefully designed with Miami-Dade’s small business owners in mind. It’s not about theory or lofty ideas—it’s about practical strategies and real connections that can make a difference right away. Translation in Spanish and Haitian Creole is available on a first-come, first-served basis—an essential reflection of Miami-Dade’s rich, multilingual community. The Elevate Small Business Conference will also feature The Market—a vibrant local vendor marketplace where attendees can shop and support our community’s own entrepreneurs. For more information on speakers, sponsors, and session details, visit elevatesmall.biz.
Why it matters for Miami’s future
Miami-Dade’s economy thrives on innovation, but it also depends on the resilience of its small businesses. From Little Havana to Liberty City, from Wynwood to Westchester, small businesses are often family-run, immigrant-owned, and deeply tied to their neighborhoods.
Events like the Elevate Small Business Conference show that Commissioner Eileen Higgins is serious about supporting those who keep our culture and economy alive. By offering free resources, training, and expert guidance, the conference ensures that opportunities are accessible—not just to big corporations but to the entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into their work.
It’s also about the future. With workshops on AI, digital marketing, and recruitment, the conference makes sure that Miami-Dade’s entrepreneurs are ready for the challenges—and opportunities—of a rapidly changing world. It’s not just about keeping up, it’s about leading.
And with Commissioner Higgins at the helm, there’s a clear commitment to equity and accessibility. By making translation services available and offering everything at no cost, the conference is a model of how government and community can work together to uplift everyone.
Event details at a glance
- Location: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, Chapman Conference Center, 300 NE 2nd Ave, Building 3, 2nd Floor, Room 3210, Miami, FL 33132
- Date & Time: Friday, October 24, 2025 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Cost: Free with registration at Elevatesmall.biz
- Dress Code: Business casual (bring a sweater—rooms can be cool!)
- Meals & Wi-Fi: Light breakfast, boxed lunch, refreshments, and free Wi-Fi provided
The Elevate Small Business Conference is more than an event—it’s a movement to make sure Miami-Dade’s entrepreneurs have the tools they need to succeed. Whether you’re running a corner bakery, launching a tech startup, or building a family legacy, this is your chance to connect with resources that can transform your business.
Registration is free, but space is limited, secure your spot today at ElevateSmall.biz
Stay connected to the stories and opportunities that shape our city. Subscribe to the Calle Ocho News newsletter for ongoing coverage of Miami’s vibrant small business community.
And for local businesses and agencies: Contact Pressnet Corp. to learn about advertising opportunities with Calle Ocho News, and join us in uplifting the voices and stories that keep Miami thriving.
Add Comment