Where Small Business Becomes a Big Deal

One-day in-person conference located in midtown NYC

Big IDEAS. BIG MOVES.

Forget long-winded panels and recycled advice. Small Giants is designed for action-takers. On February 11, 2026, join over a hundred entrepreneurs, creators, and small business leaders in New York City for a one-day summit unlike any other.

Here’s the deal:

  • Over 15 speakers.
  • 25 minutes each.
  • One to two actionable goals you can put into practice immediately.

Every session is engineered to give you something you can implement in your business the very next day. Whether it’s a marketing tweak that boosts sales, a legal safeguard that protects your growth, or a new system that frees your time, our conference will help you achieve it all.

At Small Giants, there’s no fluff, no theory, no guru talk. Just proven strategies from people who have built real businesses, survived and thrived.

Sponsors

The No-BS Guide to growing Your Business

This isn’t a “feel-good” event. It’s a results event.
By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with:

  • A PR Playbook  – How to pitch yourself to reporters in a way that earns coverage without sounding desperate.
  • Marketing Strategies That Sell – Real-world tactics that move products and services, not just rack up likes.
  • Email Marketing Decoded – Step-by-step frameworks for writing emails your audience actually opens and acts on.
  • Smart, Sane AI Use – See how small businesses integrate AI tools without losing the human connection that makes them unique.
  • Legal Guidance You Can Use – Practical, plain-English advice to avoid costly mistakes as you grow.
  • Unfiltered Entrepreneur Stories – Hear from small business owners who’ve faced the same obstacles and built something sustainable.

This is clarity, direction, and confidence for 2026 and beyond.

This conference is for people who are serious about building businesses that last.

    • Small business owners ready to cut through the chaos and focus on what really works.
    • Consultants, service providers, and creators looking to scale smarter and more sustainably.
    • Founders tired of shallow networking events and craving genuine conversations with peers who understand their challenges.
    • Entrepreneurs who value action over theory and want tools they can put to work on Monday morning.
    • Anyone building a business with grit and integrity, not just chasing hype or trends.

Whether you’re running a team of five, ten, or flying solo, Small Giants is where you come to level up strategically, creatively, and unapologetically.

If you’re in the trenches of business and hungry for real strategies, this event was built for you.

Small Giants is a conference that respects the time and ambition of small business owners.


Too many business events focus on flashy names, vague inspiration, and surface-level networking. Small Giants is different.


Our philosophy:


  • Every speaker must deliver at least one clear, tactical takeaway.
  • The best teachers are those who were in your shoes, not on the sidelines.
  • The right room matters. Our size is intentionally small, so real connections happen.


Our speakers aren’t influencers. They’re people of influence. You’ll learn from entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts who have built real businesses and are ready to share the lessons that made them successful.

Conference Speakers

Peter Shankman
Peter Shankman
“Customer Experience That Actually Wows”
GabriellA  Ribeiro
GabriellA Ribeiro
“Just F’n Do It: The Entrepreneur’s Multi-Stream Hustle”
Oscar Garcia
Oscar Garcia
“Creating effective Facebook ads + integration of AI in Online Marketing”
Jeremiah Owyang
Jeremiah Owyang
“AI: What to Use, What to Ignore, What to Watch”
Scott Monty
Scott Monty
“Working Together: Building the ARC of Accountability, Culture and Resilience through honesty, data and trust”
Stirling Gardner
Stirling Gardner
“1-Slide Offer: Targeted Sales 
Framework”
Jesus Repetto
Jesus Repetto
“Reinvention, Pivoting + Launching Success In A New Industry”
Christopher douglas
Christopher douglas
“7 Marketing Questions Small Business Leaders Should Be Asking ”
Jose Aviles
Jose Aviles
“Efficient, Effective Email Marketing”
BROOKE EMERY
BROOKE EMERY
"Why trust them to help you -"
Josh Greene
Josh Greene
"Your digital brand is your online reputation"

Event Details

Location: New York City

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Time: 8:30am – 6:00pm (networking breaks and lunch included)

Attendance: Limited to 150 participants

This intimate size ensures you aren’t lost in a sea of thousands. You’ll have access to speakers, opportunities to ask real questions, and the chance to connect deeply with peers.

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Peter Shankman

“How to Win the Customer when Literally Everything is in Flux”

The New York Times has called Peter Shankman “a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some.” He is a 6x best selling author, entrepreneur and corporate keynote speaker, focusing on Neurodiversity in the workplace, customer experience, and the new and emerging customer and Neurodiverse economies. 

With four startup launches and three exits under his belt, (most notably Help a Reporter Out) Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, and Neurodiversity. Peter is the founder of Source of Sources. The co-founder of Mental Capital Consulting, and is also the Futurist in Residence at Price Benowitz and BluShark Digital.

GabriellA Ribeiro

“Just F’n Do It: The Entrepreneur’s Multi-Stream Hustle”

I’m a serial entrepreneur running a series of unique companies, a single mom, a fiancé, author of 3 books, a relentless traveler that’s explored over 120 countries, and when it comes to my life and my business, there is no NO.

There is always a way and I love spending time launching ideas into reality and testing the limits of what’s possible. I don’t know it all, I don’t even have a roadmap but I love sharing good ideas broken down into simple movements that make a difference towards success.

Oscar Garcia

“Creating effective Facebook ads + integration of AI in Online Marketing”

I’ve spent over a decade building businesses and running campaigns that hit conversion rates of 70%+ and ROI of 200%+.

I specialize in using AI to create high-performing ads faster than traditional methods, and I’ve guided hundreds of marketers as a coach, consultant, and host of The OMG! Show. I don’t just talk marketing. I test it, optimize it, and get results…sometimes with a mojito in hand.

Jeremiah Owyang

“Act Like a Giant: AI-First Playbooks for Small Businesses”

AI lets small businesses operate with giant-level leverage. I’ll show how an AI-First culture boosts revenue per employee using real data and case studies—deploying LLMs, agents, and automated workflows to win customers, speed service, and cut costs.

David Berkowitz

“How to Build Your Marketing Engine on a Bootstrap Budget Using AI”

David Berkowitz is the founder of High Caliber AI and AI Marketers Guild, and the author of The Non-Obvious Guide to Using AI for Marketing (Ideapress, 2025). A longtime marketing strategist, David has led marketing and innovation for companies including Mediaocean, Storyhunter, Sysomos, MRY (Publicis), and 360i (Dentsu).

David has contributed 600+ columns to outlets such as Advertising Age, MediaPost, and VentureBeat, and he has spoken at 400+ events worldwide. He helps marketers harness AI to work smarter, stay creative, and strengthen customer connections. David lives in New York City with his one daughter and two cats.

Scott Monty

Company name

“Working Together: Building the ARC of Accountability, Culture and Resilience through honesty, data and trust”

Everyone wants to know the secrets behind Ford Motor Company’s legendary turnaround from the late 2000s. Under Alan Mulally’s leadership, the company adopted the Working Together© Leadership & Management System to take the company from being on the verge of bankruptcy to a top contender in the industry.

Through a series of shared values, expected behaviors, and a commitment to excellence, the team changed the culture from one of mistrust and self-interest to one of trust and collaboration.

Your team will learn how Ford built its ARC of authenticity, resilience, and collaboration through things like authentic leadership, a culture of love, stakeholder-centered leadership, the Working Together operating system, and leadership-life integration, ultimately being able to apply them to your own business and your own team.

Transform how you think of leadership and team growth by using the time-tested theories of one of the most remarkable engineer-humanist CEOs the corporate world has ever known.

Stirling Gardner

“1-Slide Offer: Targeted Sales 
Framework”

Stirling Gardner is a former Hollywood writer and producer who pivoted to become a full-time digital marketer. He created the “One Slide Offer,” a method helping experts and business owners sell $3,000-$20,000 services in under 5 minutes using just one slide.

Stirling lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and their dog, Bear. With each passing day, he’s learning to put up with less and less bull shit.

Jesus Repetto

“Reinvention, Pivoting + Launching Success In A New Industry”

I have founded 3 companies: 1 in healthcare products’ international distribution, 1 luxury FIT tour operator, 1 technology company and I’m also CEO of a healthcare non-profit.   I have a broad range of experience after 15 years creating for-profit companies in different industries and managing non-profits. My greatest experience is in international business, brand building / branding, strategic planning, marketing and advertising, leading and inspiring.

I run all of my companies simultaneously. I believe in training and empowering employees to do their best. The DNA across my companies is one of great pride, commitment, individual empowerment, and individual ideas. I keep a close eye on our strategy, execution and marketing at all times, but my focus is to lead a team of self-managed successful employees who take great pride on their job.

Christopher douglas

“7 Marketing Questions Small Business Leaders Should Be Asking ”

Christopher Douglas is a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience helping small and mid-sized businesses grow. As the founder of Big Red Dog Marketing, he has guided companies across industries like roofing, law, property management, med-spa, and nonprofits, serving as a “fractional CMO” to deliver both traditional and digital marketing strategies. His approach is grounded in real-world execution rather than theory, making his insights especially valuable for business owners who need practical solutions.

What sets Chris apart is his relentless focus on measurable results. He’s known for driving triple-digit increases in traffic, reducing cost-per-lead, and saving clients tens of thousands of dollars by avoiding poor technology investments. Every recommendation he makes ties back to ROI, ensuring that small business owners can maximize impact with limited resources. His ability to translate complex marketing strategies into actionable steps allows business owners to focus on growth rather than guesswork.

Beyond client work, Chris earned a MBA while working full time, a Pilot’s License, and a Black Belt in Aikido. He’s also an entrepreneur and community leader. He’s building a VR/AI-powered martial arts training app, which gives him firsthand experience with scaling, funding, and innovation. Locally, he leads the Triangle Marketing Club in Raleigh, fostering a network where business owners and marketers learn from one another. By combining hands-on business building with a strong commitment to community, Chris brings advice that is both practical and inspiring—making him a trusted voice for small business marketing.

Jose Aviles

“Efficient, Effective Email Marketing”

As a Marketing Strategist and Campaign Manager at 7 Mile Media, the premier agency for education marketers, I help clients achieve their business goals by implementing direct response strategies paired with proven digital marketing best practices.

With over 11 years of experience in the online marketing and media industry, I have developed a deep expertise in Facebook Ads, Project Management, Web Design, Copywriting, Social Media Management, Graphic Design, Content Generation, and more.

BROOKE EMERY

“Why trust them to help you – ”

As a Certified Strategic Attraction™ Coach with Perfect Customers® I bring together the energetics of synergy with the real-world expertise of creating partnerships that work. I believe aligned joint ventures are born when you are clear on what you want, take inspired action, and allow a little bit of magic to lead the way.

Over the years I have worked with some of the most recognized names in the personal development and health space, creating partnerships that have brought millions of people into inboxes through live launches, docuseries, and summits. Some highlights include co-hosting the Self Love Livestream with Women Rising and Unify, producing the Fantastic Fungi Summit in conjunction with the film’s launch on Netflix, supporting the Answer to Cancer docuseries, and celebrating Michael Beckwith’s birthday with a global community.

I have also had the joy of weaving in cause marketing synchronicities and other creative deal-making that expanded impact in unexpected ways. For me, partnerships are not just strategy, they are a blend of clarity, intuition, and flow that open the door to exponential impact.

Josh Greene

Josh Greene is the CEO for The Mather Group, a digital agency that solves marketing challenges for companies of all sizes. With over twenty years of experience creating and implementing digital strategies, Greene empowers top brands and individuals to shape their online presence to support their bottom line.

He has worked with some of the largest Fortune 1000 companies, five of the largest nonprofits in the U.S., popular media channels, the third largest network provider in the U.S., two of the largest manufacturing companies in the U.S., and many software companies. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and industry events, including the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the AAF,SES, and PR Summit.

Before The Mather Group, Greene managed online and DRTV programs for industry leaders such as Discovery Channel, Time Warner Cable, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and Zippy Shell.

Overview of 10 Things:

Your digital brand is your online reputation. It’s what people see when they search for you online, and it can have a big impact on your business. If your digital brand is outdated, wrong or unimpressive, it can send the wrong message to potential customers and clients. In this presentation, I will delve into how to fix, maintain and refresh your digital brand.