When people think about Delaware, they usually picture its business-friendly laws, tax benefits, and its quiet charm as one of the smallest U.S. states.
But in the world of professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, Delaware holds something even more powerful: a well-connected, active, and surprisingly dynamic business networking scene. And in 2025, that scene is set to be better than ever.
Let’s take a closer look at the standout events and why they’re worth your time in 2025.
Business 2.0 by the Delaware Small Business Chamber
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If you’re running a business with fewer than 100 employees—or just getting one off the ground—Business 2.0 should absolutely be on your radar.
What It Is
Business 2.0 is a recurring monthly event series hosted by the Delaware Small Business Chamber (DSBC).
Held at the chamber’s Newark office, it offers a casual but purposeful setting where small business owners and professionals can connect, collaborate, and get direct access to people who can help – lawyers, HR consultants, insurance advisors, and financial experts, to name a few.
Where and When
- Location: DSBC Office, 700 Capital Trail, Newark, DE
- Time: 11:00 am–1:00 pm
- Upcoming 2025 Dates:
- March 20
- April 17
- May 15
- June 19
- July 17
- August 21
(More dates typically follow on a monthly cadence.)
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What to Expect
Picture a two-hour block where everyone in the room has something to offer and something they’re looking for. Tables are usually set up for professionals in various fields—legal, finance, HR—while attendees float from one conversation to the next.
You won’t find keynote speeches or stiff formalities. Instead, it’s all about practical guidance and real-time relationship-building.
Why It Matters
There’s a reason Business 2.0 keeps showing up on the must-attend lists in Delaware: it works.
- You get face time with experts who are actually helpful, not just handing you brochures.
- The event is intentionally small business-focused—no big corporate overshadowing.
- It’s free or low-cost, which makes it especially attractive to early-stage entrepreneurs.
If you’ve ever wished you had someone to ask about contractor insurance, employee onboarding, or setting up an LLC, this is the kind of event where those conversations happen naturally.
Delaware Business Expo
Some events are built for small-group networking. Others are made for scale. The Delaware Business Expo is the latter—and it’s a powerhouse.
The Big Picture
Organized by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Better Business Bureau of Delaware, this expo is the state’s largest B2B tabletop event. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and packed with professionals from all over the region.
Key Details
- Location: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE
- Date: September 2025 (exact date to be announced)
- Time: Starts at 4:00 pm
- Attendees: Around 500
- Exhibitors: Over 100
What It Offers
This event is built for visibility. If you’re ready to put your business in front of a wider audience, this is your moment. Think rows of tabletop displays, a constant buzz of conversations, and opportunities at every corner.
The event draws a mix of small businesses, mid-size firms, and larger corporate players. Some are exhibiting, others are just walking the floor—but nearly all of them are open to new ideas, partnerships, or client relationships.
Cost to Attend
It’s typically free to attend. If you want a booth, there’s a cost involved (contact Kerri Welcher via the DSCC site for pricing). Either way, it’s a worthwhile investment—especially if your goal is lead generation or building brand awareness.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking into business finance online, the current ADSS review offers a solid snapshot of brokerage services.
Why You Should Go
- Massive exposure in a single afternoon.
- Great for both networking and lead generation.
- A rare chance to connect with people you wouldn’t normally meet in day-to-day business life.
- The event is backed by organizations with a strong focus on ethics and community trust.
The Delaware Division of Small Business Events Calendar
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For anyone trying to keep a consistent pulse on the business scene in Delaware, the Delaware Division of Small Business maintains a helpful tool: a statewide calendar of events.
What You’ll Find
The calendar pulls together events hosted by various groups—from local chambers to state agencies.
- Workshops on business planning, marketing, and financing
- Meetups for entrepreneurs in tech, health, retail, and other industries
- Networking sessions tailored to niche sectors or demographics (e.g., women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses)
It’s not a singular event but a rolling resource that keeps you looped in without needing to check a dozen websites.
Where to Look
Visit the calendar at https://business.delaware.gov/events-calendar.
You can sort by region, date, and type of event. It’s especially useful for those who like to plan a month or two ahead or who prefer smaller, more intimate networking setups.
Eventbrite and Grassroots Meetups
While official chambers and state-backed events offer structure and credibility, Eventbrite is often where you’ll find newer, more specialized, or one-off meetups.
If you’re working in a niche sector or looking for something outside the typical chamber mold, it’s worth browsing through.
What’s Commonly Listed
- Tech meetups in Wilmington and Newark
- Healthcare innovation roundtables
- Freelancer or creative industry mixers
- Real estate networking events for agents and developers
- Professional development workshops with informal networking
How to Stay Updated
Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/d/united-states–delaware/networking and sort by date. More 2025 listings will pop up as we get deeper into the year.
Eventbrite tends to attract a younger, more startup-friendly crowd, though events vary widely in format and tone. Some might meet in a coworking space, others in a brewery. You never quite know—but that’s part of the charm.
Regional Chambers of Commerce
While the Delaware State and Small Business Chambers get most of the spotlight, there’s plenty happening at the county and city level too.
A Few Worth Noting
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
- Hosts over 100 events per year.
- Offers everything from business breakfasts to leadership summits.
- Often includes skill-based workshops alongside open networking.
Lewes Chamber of Commerce
- More community-centric.
- Great for Southern Delaware businesses or those in tourism, hospitality, and retail.
- Events may include networking as part of larger community festivals or business fairs.
Other Town Chambers (Milton, Selbyville, Rehoboth)
- May host quarterly mixers or themed business nights.
- Useful for local service providers and microbusinesses.
- Some events double as community showcases, especially in summer and early fall.
If you’re not sure which chamber covers your area, a quick visit to your city or county’s website usually points you in the right direction.
Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Not a traditional networking organization, but still a gem in the state’s small business ecosystem. The Delaware SBDC focuses on training, workshops, and one-on-one advising, and yes, you’ll meet peers there too.
Key Benefits
- Free consulting for small business owners
- Targeted training in areas like capital access, digital marketing, and growth strategy
- Occasional cohort programs or accelerators that naturally build networking
If you’re in early growth stages or still fine-tuning your business model, attending an SBDC workshop can help you meet others in the same boat—and build a long-term support network while you’re at it.
Tips to Make the Most of Any Delaware Networking Event
Networking doesn’t work on autopilot. It rewards a little prep and a little follow-through.
Bring the Essentials
- Business cards (or a digital QR code ready to scan)
- A short, clear introduction of what you do and who you’re looking to meet
- A curious mindset—ask others about their work too
Set Small Goals
- Meet three new people.
- Start one conversation that could lead to a partnership.
- Attend at least one breakout or mini-session if available.
Follow Up Within 48 Hours
- Add people on LinkedIn with a quick personal note.
- Send a thank-you email if someone helped or inspired you.
- Offer to meet for coffee or a virtual follow-up if a real connection was made.
Final Thoughts
Delaware may be small in size, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to building a connected, resource-rich business community. Whether you’re a solopreneur, startup founder, or part of a growing team, there’s an event in 2025 that can help you build real connections and push your business forward.
The Business 2.0 series offers consistency and direct access to helpful professionals. The Delaware Business Expo brings scale, energy, and visibility in one action-packed afternoon. And the rest, local chambers, Eventbrite, and the Division of Small Business, offer a year-round menu of opportunities to plug in and keep growing.
Keep your calendar flexible, your goals focused, and your hand ready for a handshake (or at least a QR scan). There’s a lot waiting for you out there in Delaware’s business community this year.