Sandwell businesses are being encouraged to take part in the West Midlands Business Festival 2026, as the Mayor of the West Midlands unveils a packed programme of more than 100 free events designed to support growth, innovation and investment across the region.
Taking place from Monday 2 to Friday 13 February 2026, the West Midlands Business Festival will bring together thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore the Mayor’s Growth Plan and the opportunities it presents for local businesses.
The festival will cover a wide range of topics relevant to Sandwell businesses, including support for exporters, practical sessions on using artificial intelligence to boost productivity, improve digital content and strengthen cyber security, as well as new events focused on workplace mental health, retail and the night-time economy.
Support for businesses at every stage
Alongside practical workshops, the programme includes leadership and entrepreneurship masterclasses, sessions exploring funding and investment opportunities, and a variety of networking events. These are aimed at early-career talent, ambitious start-ups, growing SMEs, executives and established entrepreneurs.
The theme for 2026 is Growth Without Limits, championing inclusive growth by unlocking opportunity and supporting businesses to start, scale and succeed across the West Midlands.
Building on a successful first year
The festival follows a strong first year, with more than 1,500 businesses taking part and over 4,000 tickets booked in 2025. Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of the networking opportunities, with two thirds reporting they planned to make changes to their businesses as a result of the knowledge gained.
Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker said the festival is about giving businesses the tools they need to thrive, including access to funding, new growth opportunities and support to harness emerging technologies such as AI.
How to get involved
The West Midlands Business Festival is organised by Business Growth West Midlands on behalf of the Mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority, with backing from the region’s Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, universities and other business organisations.
All events are free to attend, helping remove barriers for businesses and individuals at all stages of their careers. Sandwell businesses can now view the full programme and book their place online.
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