Looking to sharpen your skills, grow a dependable network, and invest in your business growth this July? You're in the right place. I’ve been digging through the calendar to bring you a handpicked selection of the very best workshops, networking meetings, and insightful sessions happening across Bristol, Bath, Keynsham, Portishead and the wider South West this month.
Whether you are a solopreneur, just starting out, a freelancer, or running an established business ready to scale, finding local support can completely change the game. This month's roundup includes a fantastic mix of relaxed in-person meetups and accessible online sessions – and because many of them are completely free, you can pick up useful, applicable know-how without stretching your budget.
Take a look through the list below and let me know which ones catch your eye! I’ll definitely be heading along to a few of these myself (and I'm even hosting a couple!), so we might just catch up there.
Hosting an event soon? If you’re running a workshop or networking group for small business owners in the coming months, drop me an email. I’d love to consider it for a future roundup!
Which of these events are you most excited to check out this month?
The following information is correct at time of posting, however it is recommended that you visit the website in each case to be sure of the details before making plans, particularly as many events (including free-to-attend ones) may have requirements for attendance or require advance booking.
Listed chronologically…
Introduction to Instagram Marketing - in-person workshop
When is it? 7 July 2026, 1.30 - 4.30pm
Organiser: Swallowtail Social
Location: WILDHeart Studio Bristol, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3RD
Price: £60 (or £25 for WildHeart members)
More info: https://swallowtailsocial.com/product/instagram-marketing-for-small-business-training-workshop/
Intimidated by Instagram? Baffled by all the features and wondering what to post for the best? This class - which I'm running! - is ideal if you're a beginner to marketing your brand on Instagram or simply if you've been doing it a while but still not seeing the results you're hoping for. Live, in-person, with full demos and practical takeaways, I'm teaching how to set up your Page for success, how Instagram works and the strategies and methods that will suit your business. There's Q&A time included of course, too, so you'll be sure to go away confident and ready to start upping your reach, growing your Page and getting the results you want.
The Audacity Collective: Turn Your Network into Clients
When is it? 8 July 2026, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Organiser: The Audacity Collective/ Tamsin Broster
Location: Future Inn Bristol, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3EN
Price: £45
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/tamsin-broster-33724002025
This monthly meeting of Tamsin Broster's Audacity Collective will feature a presentation from the fantastic sales specialist, Lisa Yelland. Tamsin's regular networking-with-a-difference workshop events are highly recommended, so combined with Lisa's expertise and engaging delivery, this session is sure to be a sell-out! Clarity, knowhow authority and belief shifts are a signature of these events; now add Lisa's action steps for a real business boost this month.
Interactive Business Club - Bristol networking
When is it? 9 July 2026, 12 - 2pm
Organiser: Interactive Business Club (IBC)
Location: Future Inn Bristol, Bond Street, Bristol BS1 3EN
Price: FREE guest ticket/ £60/y+lunches
More info: https://www.ibc-bristol.co.uk/
For a friendly introduction to the world of business networking, or if you're more seasoned, this meeting is a must-do – I can say that as I've been a member for some time! Genuinely fun and focused on relationship-building, this is a great network from which tangible benefits… sales, referrals, collaborations, support suggestions and ideas… all result. A relaxed structure includes round-the-room pitches, a 10-minute member showcase, oh and we get to enjoy a tasty two-course lunch too 🙂 Drop me an email if you'd like to come along on my free guest pass to see what the fuss is about.
Skills Connect Network: Digital skills & inclusion
When is it? 14 July 2026, 1.30 - 4.30pm
Organiser: West of England Growth Hub
Location: Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol BS1 5TX
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/86968506713
If you work in employment support, education, or community services, this upcoming Skills Connect Network event is a great opportunity to help shape a more inclusive digital future for the region. It's fully funded and badged as a collaborative session that brings together local partners and guest speakers to explore key findings from the latest WECA Digital Exclusion Report, sharing practical inclusion initiatives, and updates on local employment and skills programmes. A perfect space to gather insights, share best practices, and use dedicated networking time to build new partnerships.
L&D Co-working Day
When is it? 15 July 2026, 10am - 5pm
Organiser: The Reflective Collective
Location: BLOCK, The Fairfax, Pithay Court, Bristol BS1 3BN
Price: £12/ £18 + booking fee
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/120693293191?
If you're an L&D (learning & development) pro looking to shake up your routine, you'll want to head over to this co-work session. This day is custom-built for in-house teams, agency staff, and freelancers/ solo-workers alike to bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and get stuck into projects alongside peers. Maybe get some marketing posts done and scheduled? 😉 Whether you just want a change of scenery or prefer a structured peer-learning workshop – both options available, it sounds like a brilliant space to expand your local network and get things done together.
Practical AI for Your and Your Business
When is it? 15 July 2026, 8.30 - 11.30am
Organiser: Bristol AI Shed
Location: Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol BS1 5TX
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/86968506713
If you're eager to cut through the hype and discover how artificial intelligence can actually streamline your workflow, this morning discussion and workshop session by Bristol AI Shed is one to try, this July. Designed for professionals and business leaders of all skill levels, it'll feature real-world, local case studies followed by hands-on building stations where you can experiment at your own pace (whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced user). It sounds like a fantastic, collaborative community space to sharpen your digital skills and walk away with practical tools. Refreshments available while you network.
Gather & Grow networking coffee morning
When is it? 17 July 2026, 10am - 12pm
Organiser: Gather & Grow
Location: Roast + Toast, 3 Market Street, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 8EY
Price: £12.00
More info: https://www.vidabook.com/gatherandgrow
Specifically for business owners in the wellness industry, this chilled-out networking session is founded around a community coming together to build connections, exchange ideas and support each other. So if you're a therapist, coach, fitness instructor or kinesiology practitioner, this is a great place to connect over a coffee (or herbal tea!). It's organised by Daisy Joyce a local yoga teacher, so why not give it a try and meet up with some like-minded folks?
Instagram Reels for Beginners - webinar workshop
When is it? 28 July 2026, 6 - 9pm
Organiser: Cool Ventures
Location: online webinar
Price: FREE
More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cool-ventures-limited-2352051914
Instagram Reels for Small Business is a practical, beginner-friendly online workshop from the Cool Ventures team, ideal for small business owners who want to feel more confident using video in their marketing. Led by me, Ruth Southorn, the session covers how to film, edit, and publish simple Reels; we'll be blitzing any jargon! In addition, I'll be giving guidance on the types of content that work best for reach, engagement, and visibility. You’ll come away with clear, manageable steps to begin creating Reels without any headaches. This session is free and fully funded for eligible businesses in the B&NES and South Gloucestershire council areas (please check eligibility when booking).
For transparency… this post was created by my human hands with quite a lot of help from my brain. Not researched or 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.
