West Midlands Business Festival 2026 line up revealed
Mayor Richard Parker has announced a packed programme of more than 100 events for his second West Midlands Business Festival.
Thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the wider business community will come together between February 2 and 13 to support and find out more about the mayor’s Growth Plan to create more jobs and secure new investment into the region.
Events will include support for exporters, practical sessions on how to use AI to boost productivity, create standout digital content and strengthen cyber security, and new events for this year focussing on workplace mental health, the retail sector and the night-time economy.
There will also be leadership and entrepreneurship masterclasses, chances to explore funding and investment opportunities, and opportunities to connect at networking events designed for early-career talent, ambitious start-ups, executives and entrepreneurs.
All events are free and places can now be booked online at www.wmbf.org.uk.
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We smashed all expectations in our first year with 1,500 businesses taking part and more than 4,000 tickets snapped up. It was one of the region’s most influential business events in 2025, and in 2026 we’re going even bigger.
“Our economy is powered by small and medium businesses, from Black Country manufacturers to Solihull property firms. I’m determined to unleash their potential with £15m in grants and support, new growth opportunities at our Investment Zone sites, championing young talent, and providing the tools people and businesses need to harness game-changing tech like AI.
“February can’t come soon enough. Once again we will come together to share ideas, insights and expertise to make our region the best place to start and scale up a business.”
The West Midlands Business Festival is organised for the mayor by Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
It is backed by all three of the region’s Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), universities, and many other business organisations.
The theme for 2026 is “Growth Without Limits” – championing growth for all by unlocking opportunity and supporting ambitious businesses to succeed and scale, ensuring fairness and sustained progress across the region.
Those attending this year’s inaugural event highlighted the value of the networking opportunities, while two thirds said they would make changes in their businesses thanks to the knowledge they picked up.
Most events are free to attend in order to remove barriers for participants, including those early in their careers or in education.
The full programme is now online at www.wmbf.co.uk.