Small Business Summit

Mastercard’s economist shares data-driven insights for local founders, covering retail traffic, service demand, neighborhood purchase trends and key spending patterns shaping today’s market.

This session will challenge what you think you know about payments, opening your eyes to new ways to manage, scale and succeed. Hear straight from an Elavon sales leader who’s walked the path as a small business owner. Discover how picking the right payments partner isn’t just about smoother checkouts — it’s about unleashing smart solutions that cut through the chaos, automate your operations and free up your time for what matters most. During this session, we will share actionable strategies, real success stories and insider secrets on how to make your payment program work for you.

This session explores how small businesses can use AI and digital marketing tools to streamline operations, enhance marketing efforts and drive growth. Entrepreneurs will learn practical use cases across content creation, social media, customer engagement and lead generation, along with ways to save time, increase efficiency and make smarter business decisions.

This session explores how financial security and owner wellness go hand in hand — and why both are critical to accessing capital. A financial institution will break down how lenders assess risk and readiness, including the importance of secure financial systems, clean data and real-time insights. A wellness professional will share strategies to manage financial stress, reduce burnout and build sustainable business habits. Together, the panel will show how protecting your finances and your well-being strengthens long-term resilience and positions your business for growth and funding.

As Atlanta prepares for increased visibility, tourism and business opportunities, small business owners have a powerful chance to grow not only their revenue but also their long-term wealth. In this 15-minute session, Ange Matthews will share how entrepreneurs can think beyond day-to-day cash flow and use moments of business growth to strengthen their financial foundation, invest intentionally and build assets beyond the business. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for turning increased income and opportunity into lasting financial security.

As Atlanta prepares to host major international events, this panel explores how small businesses can get ready to capture new customers, increased demand and vendor opportunities. Panelists will share guidance on where to connect, how to position for large-scale events and how SMBs can leverage the city’s momentum to grow and scale sustainably.