Small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the Garden State are invited to a full day of learning and growth at Montclair State University’s second annual New Jersey Small Business Summit. Hosted by the university’s Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation, the event will take place on Oct. 22, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the College of Communication and Media.
The expo-style event is designed to be a “summit to remember,” offering practical, hands-on advice for entrepreneurs looking to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. This year’s focus is on equipping business owners with the knowledge to future-proof their operations and leverage AI tools to increase efficiency and sales, regardless of their technical expertise.
Expert-led sessions and keynotes
The summit will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and panelists, including keynote speaker Lloyd Pearson, founder and creator of LWL. Pearson’s keynote, “Transform Your Business,” will highlight the importance of building powerful networks and strategic relationships for business growth. Attendees will learn how to identify advocates, cultivate a “hype squad” of supporters, and forge meaningful partnerships.
Throughout the day, participants can attend expert-led workshops on key business topics:
- AI Workshops: Two options will be offered: “Convert and Retain Customers with AI,” which focuses on using AI to understand and guide customers through the sales funnel, and “Build Your AI Toolkit for Content Creation,” which delves into using AI for streamlined content production, including image and video generation.
- Marketing Workshops: Attendees can choose between “Build Your Brand on a Budget,” a session on creating a professional brand identity without a large investment, and “Discover Why Your Content Isn’t Connecting,” which explores the psychological and emotional factors that make marketing content effective.
The event will also feature a panel discussion titled “Resilience Through Change,” which will provide entrepreneurs with a roadmap for the next five years. The panel will cover crucial topics such as funding strategies, supply chain management, team building, and diversifying to ensure long-term growth.
Networking and community engagement
Beyond the workshops, the summit is structured to facilitate meaningful connections. The day includes a light breakfast, lunch, and a coffee and dessert session, all designed for networking.
New to this year’s summit is the “Experts Corner,” offering attendees complimentary 1:1 mini-consultations. This unique feature will give entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive personalized advice from professionals in accounting, law, tax, and business strategy.
The event, which also includes exclusive giveaways and special activations, aims to foster a strong sense of community within New Jersey’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Early registration is highly encouraged as space is limited. Full event details and registration can be found on the Eventbrite page.
The Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation serves as a hub for entrepreneurial education and engagement, and the annual summit is a key part of its mission to support grassroots economic growth in the state.
For more information and to register for the event please click here.
