More than an expo: what's new at Showcase this year

March 17, 2023

Celebrate local business during Small Business Week at Showcase Sonoma County!

Showcase Sonoma County, the Chamber’s largest and most interactive networking event and business expo, is a powerful branding tool, giving you the opportunity to place your products, services, and staff in front of nearly 1,000 business and community leaders.

This year, we’re not only returning to a springtime date--May 3rd, smack in the middle of Small Business Week--but we’ll have fresh new features!

More than an expo

As host of the Sonoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we’re incorporating elements of two of their major business incubators into Showcase as well as other new features including:

  • Keynote kick-off
  • PitchFest live pitch finals (a Sonoma SBDC business accelerator program)
  • Food INC “Hatching New Business” launch party (a Sonoma SBDC business incubator program)
  • and more!
Sonoma PitchFest

Sonoma SBDC’s PitchFest is a unique and exciting event for entrepreneurs and local business supporters alike. Similar to the popular show “Shark Tank”, this event provides a platform for local startups and entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas and businesses live to a panel of judges and an audience of potential investors, customers and supporters.

Witness live pitches from the latest and most innovative businesses in our community—from tech startups to consumer products—as well as gaining insight into the entrepreneurial process. Get to know the newest businesses in Sonoma County and make new connections with the entrepreneurs, judges, and other business professionals in attendance.

Sonoma Food INC

Sonoma SBDC’s Food INC is a six-week food incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs in Sonoma County. A partnership between Sonoma SBDC and the City of Santa Rosa, the program is designed for those new to the food industry or serious about starting a cottage, artisan food, pop-up, or catering business.

The culmination of these entrepreneurs’ incubator experience will be “hatching” Sonoma County’s newest businesses at the Food INC graduation and launch party where the public will be able to taste their offerings for the first time.
Get involved

You’re invited to network with hundreds of local business and community leaders from tech, finance and manufacturing to restaurants, wineries and breweries — from world-renowned brands to local businesses you know and love.

For more info on exhibiting or sponsoring--or for a calendar reminder to save the date and attend--visit SantaRosaMetroChamber.com/Showcase.