Small Business Expo returns to Pasadena with AI sessions and Shark Tank founders

Los Angeles Small Business Expo comes back to the Pasadena Convention Center on Sept. 30 with more than 100 exhibitors, free admission and sessions on AI, marketing and small-business operations. The one-day event is aimed at helping Southern California owners find vendors, learn practical tactics and make new business contacts.

Why it matters: - The expo gives Southern California small-business owners a free way to compare vendors, learn practical skills and make in-person connections in one day. - The event puts AI, marketing, financing, insurance, payroll and tax questions in the same room as service providers and educators. - The mix matters for owners trying to save time, win customers and make faster operating decisions.

What happened: - Los Angeles Small Business Expo returns Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at the Pasadena Convention Center. - The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. - General admission is free, with paid badge upgrades available. - Verizon Business presents the event. - More than 100 exhibitors are slated to participate. - Featured exhibitors include Adobe, Amazon Business, American Express, GEICO, Costco Business Center, BMO, Brex, Gusto, T-Mobile, TD SYNNEX, Textellent and Zoho.

The details: - Attendees can meet providers across technology, marketing, financing, insurance, payroll and other business services. - Zachary Lezberg, founder and CEO of Small Business Expo, said the goal is to help owners walk in with a problem and leave with a plan. - At 1 p.m., BenjiLock Founder and CEO Robbie Cabral and LUNA MAGIC Co-Founder and CEO Mabel Frías, both featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, will discuss their entrepreneurial journeys. - Nicole Denise, brand intelligence strategist and CEO of CoAgency, will moderate the conversation. - At 11:15 a.m., Jourdan Guyton, founder and CEO of Vera Jean Media and a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready instructor, will present a keynote on turning attention into customers. - The keynote is titled “Your Content Should Be Making Sales: How to Turn Attention Into Customers.” - The workshop lineup includes AI in daily operations, marketing strategy, tax questions and workforce issues. - Ramon Lopez of Amazon Web Services will discuss automating time-consuming work and using business data. - Iddo Gino of Gamut will cover AI agents for tasks such as customer follow-ups and invoices. - Crystal Houston of Llab Marketing will lead a session on building a 90-day marketing strategy. - Melissa Leal of Textellent will cover business texting and customer follow-up. - Sessions from the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board will address tax topics. - Other workshops will cover S-corporation elections, hiring and employee retention. - Attendees can also use the Business Card Exchange and the Get Dotted® industry identification system. - Speed networking and industry meet-ups are available to Silver, Gold, Platinum and VIP badge holders. - Platinum sponsors are American Express and GEICO Business Insurance. - Gold sponsors include Adobe, Amazon, GotPrint.com, PressRelease.com and SmartMode AI. - The event takes place at 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. - Registration and the full agenda are available at the complete agenda.

Between the lines: - The event is built around practical, immediate needs rather than broad inspiration. - The heavy emphasis on AI suggests many owners are still looking for concrete use cases, not just trend talk. - The Shark Tank panel adds a recognizable draw, but the programming is centered on applied business education. - The event is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shark Tank, Sony Pictures or ABC.

What's next: - Organizers are expecting owners, entrepreneurs and startups to use the expo for vendor comparisons, networking and education on Sept. 30. - Small Business Expo says it continues to produce business-to-business trade shows, conferences and networking events in major U.S. cities.