You can make the most of sooo many small business events in the Bristol and Bath areas, as a small business owner, solopreneur, company-of-one, sole trader or freelancer! There are skill-building classes and courses, expos, networking and co-working events galore… I've hand-picked these to highlight their potential for you. Sorting through the wheat from the chaff for peeps across the South-West 🙂
And with more events online, it's definitely worth seeing what's out there for YOU to boost your experience, practical knowhow and a support network of partners and referrers.
Many of these are free to attend.
I myself have found – and continue to find! – fantastic opportunities and connections through business events of all kinds… I'll be attending several of these in this month's listing, in fact, so why not let me know if you intend to be there? Perhaps we'll get chance to meet.
The following information is correct at time of posting, however it is recommended that you visit the website in each case to check the details before making plans, particularly as many events (including free-to-attend ones) may have requirements for attendance or require advance booking.
CatalystHER networking meeting: It Takes A Village
When is it? 3 March 2026, 7 - 9pm
Organiser: Business & Intellectual Property Centre
Location: Junction 3 Library, Baptist Mills Court, Bristol BS5 0FJ
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/business-ip-centre-bristol-36461696673
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the BIPCentre network, this 'edition' of the monthly evening sessions focuses on the essential mentorship and communities that sustain female entrepreneurs. Featuring an inspiring panel, including the founders of Bristol Girls Club and Ashwell & Co, the event offers honest conversation and no-pressure networking for women at any stage of their business journey. All for free. See you there?
At4 networking meeting
When is it? 4 March 2026, 4 - 7pm
Organiser: At4 Networking
Location: City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/at4-networking-113705851101
A networking event that's more like drinks with friends! I definitely enjoy this group for the easy-going vibe and great people who are all looking to support each other, no matter what the business background. We meet monthly at 4pm, usually a Wednesday, and at varied locations across Bristol. A signature of the group is to support local charities too, raising awareness of fantastic work being done in the city. Do come along – if you're new to the business networking scene and would prefer a buddy, I'd love to meet you beforehand, if you'd like!
Studio Cotton - website clinic
When is it? 6 March 2026, 10am - 12.30pm
Organiser: Studio Cotton
Location: Studio Cotton, 63 Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2EJ
Price: £15 + booking fee
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/studio-cotton-17898308237
Led by Aime, the websites expert behind Studio Cotton, this monthly practical clinic is a must for small businesses looking to refine their digital presence. Attendees can troubleshoot specific site issues, improve overall usability, and walk away with actionable ideas to boost performance, all while enjoying provided refreshments in a supportive environment.
International Women's Day 2026
When is it? 7 March 2026, 10am - 5pm
Organiser: Bristol Women's Voice
Location: City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk/international-womens-day-bristol/international-womens-day-2026/
While this vibrant City Hall celebration is open to all women, it offers significant value for business owners and professionals through panel discussions on workplace inclusion and economic growth. It’s a fantastic opportunity to find common ground with local leaders, build community connections, and gain fresh perspectives on female-driven success in Bristol. Exhibitors, speakers, workshops, and food stalls will all be there.
LinkedIn for Business: How to Connect, Engage and Grow
When is it? 11 March 2026, 10am - 1pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: Newark Works, 2 Foundry Lane, Bath BA2 3DZ
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
This interactive, hands-on workshop is a power-packed, three-hour session designed to transform your LinkedIn profile into a tool for finding clients/ customers and for professional growth. Specifically for small businesses and organisations in B&NES and South Gloucestershire, the fully funded masterclass covers everything from profile optimisation and strategic networking to becoming a thought leader in your industry. (Check your eligibility for the session when registering!)
Don't be the next breach: Cyber security and data protection
When is it? 12 March 2026, 11 - 11.45am
Organiser: Enterprise Nation
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.enterprisenation.com/find-something/dont-be-next-breach-cyber-security-data-protection
In an era where a single security lapse can compromise a small business' reputation and legal standing, this essential webinar clarifies the do's and don'ts around handling sensitive data. Led by LegalVision’s Kristine Biason, the free session provides a practical roadmap for UK GDPR compliance, managing data processors, and –most importantly – what to do if a breach occurs to minimise risks.
Canva for Businesses - digital learning
When is it? 12 March 2026, 6 - 8pm
Organiser: the hive
Location: Online webinar
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thehiveweston
Back by popular demand, your very own Ruth from Swallowtail Social… it's me, I'm back, to host this practical, back-to-basics workshop for North Somerset’s small business community. This online class is designed to transform Canva from a confusing tool into your secret branding weapon, covering time-saving templates and essential design "do's and don’ts" to help you create professional marketing materials (and more) with total confidence.
The Marketing Meetup IRL: Bristol - Ethical Marketing Edition
When is it? 17 March 2026, 5.30 - 8pm
Organiser: The Marketing Meetup
Location: Temple Studios, Temple Gate, Bristol BS1 6QA
Price: Donation
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-marketing-meetup-18869026027
Ditch the sales pitch for a night of informal, high-value networking - this time at Temple Studios - where the focus is purely on building genuine community connections. Featuring local expert speakers and a theme of human-centered, ethical marketing, The Marketing Meet-up is a relaxed, "listen-mode" environment. Speakers: Lynne Elvins (Design Serving Life) & Sonja Nisson (Valuable Content Marketing). Look forward to a chilled, friendly atmosphere, focused on shared knowledge – not selling.
The Rules of Engagement
When is it? 18 March 2026, 6 - 7.30pm
Organiser: The Rules of Engagement
Location: Desklodge, 2 Redcliffe Way, Bristol BS1 6NL
Price: £10 + booking fee
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-rules-of-engagement-community-design-tickets-1981806273914
Hosted in Redcliffe, this relaxed bi-monthly meetup combines marketing insights with casual networking over pizza and drinks. This session features Gather Round’s Danie Stinchcombe on the vital importance of freelance communities, alongside an essential discussion on when to transition from DIY Canva projects to professional design expertise. Are you up for it?
Interactive Business Club - networking meeting
When is it? 19 March 2026, 12 - 2pm
Organiser: IBC
Location: Future Inn Bristol, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3EN
Price: FREE guest ticket/ £60 per year+lunches
More info: https://www.ibc-bristol.co.uk/
The Interactive Business Club (IBC) offers a refreshing, low-pressure alternative to traditional networking – we focus (yes, I'm a member!) on building genuine relationships rather than rigid structures. Meeting fortnightly in central Bristol, and with a seriously GREAT lunch provided, this welcoming group provides a supportive space for professionals and small businesses to connect naturally and make sales through authentic community.
Send Smarter: Bath Email Marketing Conference
When is it? 25 March 2026, 9am - 5pm
Organiser: Bath Comms in association with MailChimp
Location: Apex City of Bath Hotel, James Street West, Bath BA1 2DA
Price: £99
More info: https://www.bathcomms.com/send-smarter/
Send Smarter is billed as a premier conference for South West marketers and business owners, focusing on building high-performing email marketing channels and growth through automation. Hosted in partnership with email provider Mailchimp, the event offers a blend of expert-led keynotes, hands-on workshops, and networking – all to take your marketing strategy to the next level.
The Cowork Collective
When is it? 26 March 2026, 10am - 1pm
Organiser: Tamsin Broster
Location: Bristol & Bath Science Park, Dirac Crescent, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7FR
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/tamsin-broster-33724002025
Hosted by confidence coach and 'The Audacity Collective' founder Tamsin Broster, this free monthly session at Bristol Science Park is designed to combat the isolation of remote working. It’s a focused, three-hour "get-it-done" block where local small business owners can swap the distractions of the kitchen table for a collaborative environment and collective productivity.
For transparency… this post was created by my human hands with quite a lot of help from my brain. Not written by a LLM or bot.
The image used to accompany this listings post was created by AI. Still with plenty of help from my brain, though.
The full AI policy for Swallowtail Social can be found here.
