If you've ever felt like you're figuring out the buy-and-run journey alone, SMBash is the opposite of that. SMBash 2026 put buyers, operators, sellers, brokers, lenders, and the people who serve them all in the same room. Here's a look. 👇

Thursday was full from start to finish. Our speakers addressed deal sourcing, people management, debt strategies, KPIs, Holding companies, Artificial Intelligence, and more! Our goal every year is to give searchers, owners, operators, investors, and service providers a place to come to learn, to meet serious ETA folks, and to leave feeling empowered and inspired! In the photos: @pinpulleddrmf , @MatznerJon , Michael @girdley , @_athenasimpson , @petelehrman, and @guessworkinvest

Wednesday kick off went great! If you see yourself or a friend in a photo, please tag yourself! Yesterday we broke the ice with a pre-event mixer thanks to Amplēo. Appletree Business Services sponsored happy hour. And @girdley took the main stage to set the tone! Our hosts @KHendersonCo and @TwoTeesSMB are around to answer any of your questions!

Before we start posting live updates (starting Wednesday), here is the rest of our lineup! Quite a few will be on the SMBash stage for the first time. As the word gets out about ETA and SMB ownership, folks that have been in this space for years step up to share their industry knowledge. So, who haven't we mentioned yet? Let's get to it! Jacob Hall will be our keynote speaker Friday morning! Don't sleep in! Following that we have a packed schedule, ending at 2:30 so attendees can make their way home for a restful weekend. Don't forget to look over your notes and reflect on everything you learned! Thanks to all of our amazing panelists, we can't wait to learn from you! @justinroffmarsh , Joseph Cabrera, @SuccessWithJake , @JermanMichael , Danny Payne, @chasemurdock , @SMB_Attorney , and @AdamMarkleySMB . More generous sponsors to mention too - more companies that believe in the power of sharing knowledge freely, @Hollywellteam , @smblawgroup , and Elite Video!

Day 2 (next Thursday!!!) is jam-packed with content, networking, relaxing, and more! When you enter The Rayleigh Underground check out the merch corner, hosted by @NewCoRisk , @MrJoshFro and @andyharbut . Start your day with a delicious latte or tea, courtesy of PPS Solutions, John Hannum, CPA (Don't forget to catch his session Thursday afternoon). Bask in the glow of free wifi, thanks to @PreferredData ! Then sit back and get ready for hours of ETA and SMB content. No matter the stage of searching, owning, or operating you're in, every session will teach you something new! Speakers on Thursday include @CTW_SMB , @_athenasimpson , @pinpulleddrmf , @MatznerJon , @petelehrman , @guessworkinvest , @JaredJohnsonSBA with @firstib, @SBA_Matthias with Pioneer Capital Advisory LLC, Matt Dolsky with @bylinebank , @laxman2221 , @KHendersonCo , @JackieHirsch_ , @Sam_Rosati , @drew_eckman, and @StrongpointRich Happy Hour is sponsored by @systemsixbooks . During that time you can also get your complimentary headshots done by @justrunyon and a chair massage! Because all entrepreneurs know you need to make time for some rest too! Questions? Ask our hosts @TwoTeesSMB and @KHendersonCo

Day 1 of SMBash 2026 is just around the corner - Wednesday April 22 to be exact! Yes, you can still get tickets on our website. Luckily Dallas is one of the easiest cities to fly to from anywhere in the USA, so hurry and get yours! Things kick off at 3pm with a laid-back outdoor event at the @TexicanCourt with lawn games, light snacks, and beverages. Thank you @ampleo_ and their team, Cassidy Bunker, Patrick McMillan, and Ryan Hutchins. You can register and start introducing yourself to the other ETA enthusiasts. Thanks to Axial, there will be a few scholarship recipients! What a gift - to share the life-changing pursuit that is ETA! Thanks again @petelehrman . A short walk away from the pre-event is where the rest of the conference will take place. The doors to The Rayleigh Underground open at 4:30pm if you want to head straight there. @honestlytara84 will be there to continue registration and answer any questions you might have about the itinerary. Appletree Business Services is hosting our Wednesday evening happy hour starting at 5pm with appetizers and cocktails. Make sure to say thank you to @patrickdichter and the rest of his team. A delicious BBQ dinner will be served at 7pm, complete with keynote speaker @girdley And that is just day one! We can't wait to see you there.

There are only so many ways to say it: you’ll regret sitting on the sidelines. To quote one of our hosts, @KHendersonCo: “Buying and operating a small business is the single best wealth building tool for the American middle class.” But SMBash isn’t about convincing you. It’s about teaching you. Our speakers, sponsors, and attendees aren’t guessing. They’ve done the work. They know what matters. And they’re here to share real, practical ways to approach both the search and the operation. Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the American economy. If you want to be part of that world—really part of it—you need more than interest. You need a plan. Come learn how to navigate Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition and small business ownership. Thanks to this years sponsors! @AxialCo @SBA_Matthias @bylinebank @firstib @smblawgroup @ampleo_ @systemsixbooks @patrickdichter @Hollywellteam PPS Solutions @NewCoRisk @PreferredData and Elite Video

SBA debt is one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) tools in ETA. So we brought in the people who actually structure these deals every day. SMBash 2026: SBA Debt Panel. Presented by @firstib , Pioneer Capital Advisory LLC, & @bylinebank Featuring: @JaredJohnsonSBA @SBA_Matthias Matt Dolsky Expect real conversations around: • What lenders are actually looking for right now • How deals are getting structured in today’s market • Where searchers get stuck (and how to avoid it) No fluff. No generic advice. Just how it actually works. If you’re serious about buying a business, you need this room.

With our event less than one month away, I sure hope you have your tickets! It's time to book your flights and hotel! The fun begins Wednesday, April 22 at 3pm. Pre-conference corn hole, yard games, networking, etc. @ The Texican Court Hotel (presented by Ampleo) SMBash content continues through Friday, April 24 at 2:30pm. We can't wait to see you in Dallas, TX at The Rayleigh Underground. Our founder @Sam_Rosati will be there with his buddy @SMB_Attorney and of course our hosts @TwoTeesSMB and @KHendersonCo . Don't miss out on learning from the best!

Not sure if you're ready to buy a ticket yet? Check out our speakers - no really, do it! Go find their LinkedIn page and their websites. Go see the businesses they own, the groups they lead, the investments they're part of, and the life education they've all had. You do not want to miss learning from these folks! Take notes and your ETA journey will be all the better for it. Can't wait to see you there!

Thanks to our generous sponsors SMBash is ready to roll. Speakers ✅ Activities ✅ Food & Drinks ✅ Don't wait until the last minute. Just over a month until the stage gets lit. See you there! @firstib @Hollywellteam @SBA_Matthias @PreferredData @smblawgroup @systemsixbooks @patrick @NewCoRisk PPS Solutions @bylinebank @AxialCo @ampleo_ and Elite Video

It's not a business conference until the happy hour is in full swing! Come join us on Wednesday, 5pm at The Rayleigh Underground for appetizers and drinks. Introduce yourself to the hosts @KHendersonCo and @TwoTeesSMB Say hello to our Opening Bash sponsors Appletree Business Services (@patrickdichter ) Get ready for a jam-packed SMBash - we can't wait to see you there!

Every year we say it—and here we are saying it again: this event would not exist without our sponsors. The companies supporting SMBash understand that the strength of the ETA and SMB communities comes from the support and education we offer searchers and operators. And it’s through all of our collective effort that our economy stays strong, our neighbors have jobs, and businesses continue to meet the needs of our cities and states. So a huge shoutout to Axial, @smblawgroup, @firstib, Amplēo, @Hollywellteam , @PIONEERCAPADV, Byline Bank, Appletree Business Services @patrickdichter , @systemsixbooks, NewCo Risk @MrJoshFro @andyharbut , PPS Solutions, @PreferredData , and Elite Video @SuccessWithJake Thank you so much!

Thanks to Amplēo's sponsorship, SMBash is hosting a pre-event this year! When we tell you that the networking is top-notch, we're not kidding. The sponsors, service providers, owners, operators, and searchers that attend SMBash are in the thick of the ETA and SMB worlds. The connections made have the potential to save you money, steer your journey, or maybe even right your ship. The collective knowledge and experience can't be found anywhere else. So, before buying that plane ticket, know that the pre-event starts Wednesday, April 22nd at 3pm. We hope to see you there! Light snacks and chill drinks will be served. You won't want to miss @KHendersonCo and @TwoTeesSMB vying for 1st place of giant Connect 4!

Every panel and speaker is carefully chosen before stepping onto the SMBash stage. We want to give our attendees the best and most up-to-date information when it comes to the ins and outs of entrepreneurship through acquisition and small business ownership. The speakers at SMBash are honest about the ETA deals they've been on or seen. They come to help your journey be as successful as possible. Here's a clip from last year with Heather Endresen and @JaredJohnsonSBA , two incredibly experienced business folks from the lending side of the deal. Get your tickets on our website today!