2026 Korea Small Business Convention opens in Busan

Busan city and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups are co-hosting the 2026 Korea Small Business Convention at Bexco on Friday and Saturday.

Held under the theme "A Greater Korea Built by Small Business Owners," the two-day event aims to raise the social and economic standing of small business owners and foster communication and solidarity among them. The Small Enterprise and Market Service and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business are jointly organizing the convention, which is expected to draw about 3,000 small business owners and members of the public from across the country.

The opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Friday on the main stage of Hall 4 in Bexco's Exhibition Hall 2, with about 1,000 attendees expected, including officials from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Busan city government as well as small business owners. The program includes a policy video screening, opening and welcoming remarks, a cheering performance, and commendations for individuals who have contributed to the development of small businesses.

This year's convention places particular emphasis on practical benefits for small business owners, strengthening product exhibitions and sales as well as hands-on programs by industry sector. A total of 153 companies from across the country will participate in the product sales fair, showcasing goods across a wide range of categories — century-old small businesses, local enterprises, regional specialty products, youth entrepreneurs, and research and development lifestyle innovation products.

Thirty-seven Busan-based small businesses are also taking part, with 15 of them exhibiting and selling food, crafts, coffee and beauty products at a dedicated Busan Pavilion. The pavilion aims to promote local products and brands to a national audience while opening new sales channels and boosting revenue for regional businesses.

Seven industry associations will run a variety of hands-on activities that let visitors experience the skills and expertise of small business owners firsthand — drone displays and flight experiences, personal color consultations, pet toy making, cake and Dubai Chewy Cookie workshops, demonstrations and tastings by master chefs, and flower arranging and terrarium sessions.

Forums, seminars and educational sessions — including a Busan small business livelihood and innovation forum, labor and legal education workshops, and a commemorative seminar for the national convention — will provide business management information to participants. On Saturday, the second day, a "Small Business Live Commerce Day" will support online sales expansion and product promotion.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo said he hopes the event will "spread the word about the outstanding products and technology of small business owners and lead to increased sales and new growth opportunities," adding that the city will continue to support small businesses so they can operate and grow on stable footing.