2024 USASBE National Conference

The 2024 USASBE National Conference (USASBE 2024) was the 68th annual conference of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). It was held from January 10 to January 14, 2024 at the Sheraton Birmingham and BJCC Forum Building with UAB's J. Frank Barefield Jr Entrepreneurship Program as academic sponsor.

The USASBE is an affiliate of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), which grew from the National Council for Small Business Management Development (NCSBMD). That organization began holding annual meetings in 1957. Since 1982 those have typically been large convention-style events.

The theme of the 2024 conference was "Forging the Future Together." In addition to national business leaders, featured local speakers included Rubin Pillay, Patrick Murphy, Paul Drnevich, Craig Armstrong, Je'gil Dugger, and Jennifer Carlson.

"Learning Journeys" outside the conference site included visits to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, SocialVenture, the University of Alabama for a workshop on NIL entrepreneurship, the University of Alabama at Huntsville's Invention to Innovation Center, the Barber Motorsports Museum and Porsche Driving Experience.

The schedule included numerous plenary talks, panels, academic presentation and workshops, along with an exhibition hall and social gatherings. The week's schedule included a networking event at Innovation Depot, an "Entrepreneurship Hackathon" sponsored by Innovate Alabama, an awards presentation, and a Saturday evening ball.

References

• Swain, Sharron (January 10, 2024) "Huge entrepreneurship gathering happening in The Magic City right now." Bham Now