This roundup brings together a great mix of marketing, social media, and small business skills events, alongside networking and co-working opportunities happening locally… with a couple of online extras thrown in too. If you’re based in or around Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Yate, Keynsham, Bath, Clevedon, or North Somerset and want to build your network or sharpen your business know-how, you’ll find plenty here to explore.
All details are correct at the time of publishing, but it’s always a good idea to double-check each event’s website before booking or making plans. Some sessions, including free ones, may have specific attendance criteria or require advance registration.
Get in touch if you plan to take part in or attend any of the events I've featured - if it's one I'm going to or hosting myself, it'd be great to see you there!
And of course, if you are hosting a small business skills workshop, event or if you'll be exhibiting at one, then email me the details. If it fulfils the selection criteria before that month's listing is published, I'll try to include it. Ruth 🙂
Business IP: Patents, Trademarks & Design Rights - skills webinar
When is it? 7 January 2026, various timeslots available
Organiser: Business Intellectual Property Centre (Bristol)
Location: Central Library, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL
Price: FREE for qualifying attendees
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/business-ip-centre-bristol-36461696673
This free IP Attorney Clinic offers Bristol-based businesses and startups the chance to get personalised, 1-to-1 guidance from a UK-registered patent and trademark attorney from Handsome IP. These highly accessible sessions are funded for local businesses and startups, thanks to the West of England Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Across a focused 30-minute session, you can explore questions around patents, designs, and trademark protection, with additional support available for creative enterprises needing copyright or wider IP advice. It’s a great opportunity to get expert insight and strengthen your business’ intellectual property foundations.
Interactive Business Club - networking meeting
When is it? 8 January 2026, 12 - 2pm
Organiser: IBC Network
Location: Future Inn Bristol, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3EN
Price: FREE guest ticket + £20 to cover the meal (annual membership £60)
More info: https://www.ibc-bristol.co.uk/
I really enjoy being a member of this networking group… The Interactive Business Club (IBC) is a friendly, relationship-focused networking group created for people who want something more relaxed and genuinely useful than traditional, formal networking. Meeting fortnightly at a central Bristol hotel restaurant (the two-course lunches are lovely!), IBC gives members the space to properly explain what they do, build meaningful connections, and support each other in ways that actually lead to business – without the pressure of weekly commitments or rigid formats. I think it's especially welcoming for anyone who’s never quite felt at home in conventional networking but still wants the benefits of a supportive business community. To come along as a guest and see if it's right for you, just email me and I'll send you visitor details: email me now.
How to Grow Your Small Business on LinkedIn
When is it? 11 January 2026, 11am - 12pm
Organiser: BrisBES
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE for qualifying attendees
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/better-bristol-showcasing-business-opportunities-celebrating-success-tickets-1818790063039
This practical workshop, led by Anne Suddick from YTKO, is designed for Bristol-based small business owners who want to grow their presence on LinkedIn in 2026. You’ll learn how the platform and its algorithm work, explore how to be strategic in your marketing approach, and pick up top tactics for reaching your audience, building relationships, and driving results. Attendees leave with simple, actionable tips and a clear plan to make LinkedIn a key tool for B2B growth.
How to get ready for MTD if you are a business: Sole Traders + Landlords
When is it? 12 January 2026, 9.45 - 10.45am (repeated 27 January, 9.45 - 10.45am)
Organiser: HM Revenue & Customs
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE
More info: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/2952541011876113496?source=Gov
This live webinar is designed for sole traders and landlords who will be affected by the upcoming Making Tax Digital changes for Income Tax. Is this you? Do you even know if it applies to you, or not?!
It'll explain who needs to comply and when, alongside the practical steps to plan, prepare, and sign up – covering everything from choosing the right software to understanding how to use MTD day-to-day. Promises to be a helpful session for anyone wanting to feel informed, organised, and ready ahead of the rollout.
YaaMas Networking
When is it? 16 January 2026, 10.30 - 11.30am
Organiser: Maria Newman aka Mummy on a Break
Location: Online
Price: £5/ annual pass for £67.50
More info: https://mummyonabreak.co.uk/product-category/networking/
This is a fortnightly online networking meeting, with lots of local Bristol/ Bath-based businesses in the Zoom room; I’ve met many of them in-person, too. YaaMas is a friendly, community-focused meet-up run by Maria Newman, bringing together like-minded business owners who value real connection and mutual support. Meeting on alternate Friday mornings, the session mixes quick introductions, guided 1:1 chats, and a bite-sized “Take 5 Insight” from a fellow member. So the whole thing is an uplifting space to build meaningful relationships and help each other’s businesses grow.
Sustainable email marketing: How to be green AND grow - skills webinar
When is it? 21 January 2026, 2 - 3pm
Organiser: The Digital Culture Network, Arts Council England
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-digital-culture-network-arts-council-england-21617492554?
This free 60-minute webinar, led by Email Marketing Tech Champion Jacqueline Ewers, explores how to boost your email results while making your campaigns more sustainable. You’ll learn practical tips on list hygiene, segmentation, and lighter design – helping you increase relevance, reduce waste, lower costs, and shrink your carbon footprint. A great fit for beginner to intermediate users already sending email campaigns through an ESP (Email Service Provider), with additional Digital Culture Network support available for those eligible for Arts Council England funding.
AI Essentials for Small Business: Practical Tools & Safe Practice - skills webinar
When is it? 23 January 2026, 10am - 1pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE for qualifying attendees
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
This free, hands-on webinar is designed to help small businesses, organisations and charities based in B&NES and S.Glos Council areas to cut through the AI hype and use AI tools safely, confidently, and effectively. Led by Simon Allen of Level AI, the session explores six practical ways AI can save time – from creating content and undertaking research to automation processes – while also covering data security and GDPR essentials. Ideal for beginners and curious early adopters, it’s a supportive introduction to making AI work smarter in day-to-day business. Check you qualify when booking via the link.
BANES WLN Annual Summit: We Rise Together
When is it? 30 January 2026, 9am - 3.30pm
Organiser: BANES Women’s Leadership Network
Location: UWE Business School, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY
Price: from £150 (plus booking fee)
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/banes-wln-annual-summit-we-rise-together-tickets-1704899804209
The 2026 BANES WLN Summit brings together women leaders from across the region for a powerful day of connection, learning, and inspiration. Exploring the theme We Rise Together – Being, Becoming and Belonging, the summit will feature keynote speakers, panels, workshops, and a vibrant marketplace, creating a supportive space for existing and aspiring leaders – and their allies – to collaborate, grow, and build meaningful in-person connections. Now in its second year, it's great to see this event going from strength to strength.
For transparency… this post was created by my human hands with quite a lot of help from my brain. Not a LLM.
The image used to accompany this listings post was created by AI, still with plenty of help from my brain.
The full AI policy for Swallowtail Social can be found here.
