Are you a small business owner in the tri-state area looking to meet other small business owners and executives? Is leveling up your business knowledge on your vision board for this year?
If so, you’re going to want to attend this week’s Business Class LIVE Conference by American Express.
Related: Keys To Helping Your Black Business Owner Friends Level Up, And Stay Up
What is the Business Class LIVE event series?
This free conference for small business owners is a full day of in-person panels, workshops, and networking. This is the tenth installation of the program at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Past speakers include Venus Williams, Aurora James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
What can you expect when attending Business Class LIVE?
“First-time attendees are in for a first-class experience. We make this free experience 100% what a top-tier paid business conference would be and more. Attendees can expect a day filled with entertaining and interactive panels, and workshops, and discuss important topics like cash flow management, marketing strategies, contracting opportunities, wellness in the workplace, and more. They’ll hear from incredible speakers like entrepreneur and small business advocate Issa Rae, best-selling author and Purpose Coach Jay Shetty, wellness CEO Lo Bosworth and so many more,” says Clayton Ruebensaal, Executive Vice President, Global B2B Marketing at American Express to Travel Noire.
5 Reasons You Should Attend Business Class Live:
You’ll get to hear from amazing speakers
This year’s keynote speaker is the iconic Issa Rae! Entrepreneur and DJ Hannah Bronfman will also be there, speaking about shaping your brand’s presence to meet the moment.
“I’ve always had an interest in building things from the ground up. With that, there are always new hurdles and obstacles that pop up along the way. I’m so appreciative that American Express hosts the Business Class LIVE conference to support small business owners by providing really valuable insights and the chance to build amazing connections- -all to help their businesses grow,” Bronfman tells Travel Noire.
You’ll meet other amazing Black small business owners
There will be no shortage of other Black small business owners at this year’s conference. You’ll join the likes of Christa Lynch of Brooklyn Braised, Samantha Sinclair of Pathways to Purpose, Mandi Masden of Apostrophe Puzzles, and more incredible entrepreneurs.
Brooklyn native Samantha Sinclair tells Travel Noire, “I am a huge, huge fan of American Express. They honestly have had my back since 2020 when I needed their support the most.”
“One of the pieces of advice I received early on is to surround yourself with other business owners. I’ve taken pride in going to conferences at least once a year, both locally and internationally. To be able to be in a hub of people who understand what you’re going through and people who can offer their advice is great. I could not be more thrilled to attend. This will be my first conference since Covid,” says Sinclair.
Christa Lynch of Brooklyn Braised tells Travel Noire, “I don’t get an opportunity to do a lot of networking. I am always working. I’m a full-time chef for a restaurant group in addition to owning my own business. This will be my first time networking since the pandemic. I’m looking forward to attending for that reason.”
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Did we mention the conference is free?
There is absolutely no cost to attend the Business Class LIVE conference. You will, however, leave the conference feeling equipped and recharged to take your business to the next level.
It’s in NYC, where you’ll find lots of inspiration
If you’re in the tri-state or surrounding areas, traveling to NYC to attend the Business Class LIVE conference is totally worth it.
Mandi Masden of Apostrophe Puzzles is constantly inspired by New York City. Her business focuses on art and contemporary artists of color as well as artist accessibility. She tells Travel Noire, “New York, in general, is an inspiring place to live. There’s so much art everywhere — from museums to galleries. It’s exciting to see how it pops up in our everyday lives.”
You can join virtually!
If you’re not able to attend the conference in person, there will be a virtual component. Virtual attendees will have access to the full-day programming, including Issa Rae’s keynote and Jay Shetty’s Thriving in the New Normal session.
“We wanted to make this event as accessible as possible to all small business owners, regardless of where they are located. Virtual attendees who are unable to tune in live also have the option to watch at their own leisure through recorded video of the sessions after the event,” Ruebensaal tells Travel Noire.
You can register for the free conference here.