The Small Business Event

Signature Event · Late Summer 2027

The Small Business Event

A celebration of the small businesses that keep the Outer Banks running, and the people behind them.

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Date and venue announced soon1 Presenting Sponsor spot

Photo: honorees at the Chamber's 2025 small business awards

When

Late summer 2027

Exact date coming soon

Where

Venue TBD

2026 was at Sea Ranch Resort

In the room

45+

Small business owners and supporters

Format

Breakfast program

2026 ran 8:00 to 10:00 AM

The morning

Small business, front and center

Small businesses open early, stay late, sponsor community events and keep showing up season after season. This is the Chamber's morning to say thank you and bring in a voice from outside the region. The 2027 program is in the works; here is what to expect.

Check in and networking  Coffee and conversation before the program

Breakfast  A full breakfast buffet

Keynote  A statewide view of what's ahead for North Carolina business

Last year

2026 Business Excellence Awards · Sea Ranch Resort

Business of the YearAccess Design & Print

Community Impact AwardKellogg Supply Company

Emerging Business of the YearHigh Seas Pools & Spas

Keynote: Gary Salamido, President and CEO, North Carolina Chamber

Guests at a breakfast table at the Chamber's 2025 small business awards Small business owners talking over breakfast in 2025

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors: North Carolina Marine Industrial Park Authority (Presenting), TowneBank (Gold), and Centurion Security Services, Peak Resources, Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates and the College of The Albemarle Small Business Center (Silver).

Sponsorships

Stand with the businesses that keep the Outer Banks running

Right for payroll, accounting, insurance, suppliers, and any business that serves other small businesses. Every sponsor is included in the Chamber's emails, website and social posts for the event.

Premium

$2,500
Reserve →

Presenting sponsor: top billing on every promotion and welcome remarks from the stage. Admission for 16. Recognized from the stage and on signage. Logo on invitations, emails, social, website and printed pieces; named in press releases. Only 1 available.

Advocate

$1,000
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Admission for 8. Introduce the speakers. Recognized from the stage and on signage. Logo on invitations, emails, social, website and printed pieces; named in press releases. Only 2 available.

Support

$500
Reserve →

Admission for 4. Recognized from the stage and on signage. Name on invitations, emails, social, website and printed pieces; mentioned in press releases. 6 available.

Prices are member rates. Not a member? You can still sponsor. Call Kelly for non-member rates.

To reserve, contact Kelly Allman at 252.441.8144 or [email protected].

Good to know

Quick answers

Who is it for?

Small business owners and their teams, and everyone who supports them: customers, lenders, partners and community leaders.

When does registration open?

Summer 2027, once the date and venue are set. Get on the update list and you'll hear first.

Do I need to be a member?

No. Everyone is welcome to attend, and non-members can sponsor too.

What happened to the business awards?

The Business Excellence Awards are moving to the Chamber's Annual Meeting, starting in January 2028. We'll share how to nominate a business when nominations open.

Can I bring my team?

Yes. Sponsor levels include admission for 4, 8 or 16 people.

Want to help plan it?

Join a Chamber planning team on our Get Involved page.

Celebrate the businesses that make this place work

Questions? Contact James Kahle at [email protected] or call the Chamber at 252.441.8144.

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