Mayor announces expanded line up for regional SMEs
The West Midlands Business Festival will return in February with a significantly expanded programme, as Mayor Richard Parker confirmed more than 100 events for the 2026 edition.
Running from February 2 to 13, the festival will bring together thousands of small and medium sized enterprises and the wider business community to explore the Mayor’s Growth Plan, aimed at creating jobs and securing new investment for the region.
Last year’s inaugural event drew 1,500 businesses and more than 4,000 ticket registrations.
Growth Without Limits
This year’s theme, Growth Without Limits, places emphasis on unlocking opportunity and supporting ambitious firms to scale.
The programme includes support for exporters, sessions on AI to boost productivity, hands on workshops in digital content creation and cyber security, and new events focusing on workplace mental health, retail and the night time economy.
Leadership and entrepreneurship masterclasses will also feature, alongside opportunities to explore funding and investment.
Networking events will cater for early career talent, start ups, executives and entrepreneurs.
Free access for businesses
Organised by Business Growth West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and backed by the region’s Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and local universities, the festival aims to keep barriers low, with most events free to attend.
Richard Parker said the festival was becoming a major fixture in the regional calendar.
“In 2026 we are going even bigger,” he said, adding that SMEs were central to the region’s economic strength.
Bookings are now open at www.wmbf.org.uk, with the full programme available at www.wmbf.co.uk.
