Long Beach is celebrating National Small Business Week and Economic Development Week this month.

As part of the celebration, the Department of Economic Development and Opportunity has partnered with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council and Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce to host the “Biggest Small Business Expo” next week.

Local entrepreneurs, small business owners and startups are invited to participate in the expo from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Sports Basement, 2100 N. Bellflower Blvd.

“Small businesses are the foundation of our city, and we are proud to celebrate the entrepreneurs who take risks, create jobs and invest in our community every day,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “This event offers a valuable opportunity for the business community to connect with the city team and participating organizations, gain meaningful insights, and access resources designed to help businesses grow and succeed.”

The small business expo will feature several information and resource booths hosted by participating organizations, according to a press release. The event will also offer opportunities for attendees to learn about programs and services for small businesses, network with other entrepreneurs and meet one-on-one with business professionals throughout Long Beach.

Attendees must register online at lbchamber.chambermaster.com. Registration for the event is free through Friday, May 8, using the promo code SUPPORTSB26. After Friday, a $30 fee will apply for participants.

“What I love about the Biggest Small Business Expo is that it’s three hours of exactly what small business owners need most: face time with potential clients, partners and peers who get it,”  Kris Gragson, president of the Long Beach Chamber’s Small Business Council, said in a statement. “This is my favorite event of the year because the value is so concrete. People leave with leads, referrals and momentum they didn’t have walking in.”

The Biggest Small Business Expo is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office, the Port of Long Beach, and Kiiwi – a Long Beach technology company designed to help local businesses attract customers through artificial intelligence-powered, instantaneous and hyper-local deals.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy – creating jobs, strengthening neighborhoods and bringing vitality to our communities,” Hahn said in a statement. “Supporting entrepreneurs means investing in the people and ideas that help Los Angeles County thrive and events like the Small Business Expo provide meaningful opportunities for business owners to connect with valuable resources, build partnerships and continue growing their impact.”

For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has celebrated National Small Business Week to acknowledge the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Since 2016, the International Economic Development Council has recognized Economic Development Week to honor the impact that economic development organizations and professionals have in their communities, according to a press release.

This year, in celebration of National Small Business Week, which began on Sunday, May 3, and runs until Saturday, May 9, and Economic Development Week — which began on Monday and ends on Friday — EDO recognized 22 newly certified Long Beach Legacy Businesses and 17 Green Businesses during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“Long Beach is proud to champion a business community built on resilience, collaboration and opportunity,” EDO Director Bo Martinez said in a statement. “Alongside the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and our many dedicated partners, we remain focused on uplifting small businesses and fueling the economic momentum that drives our city forward.”