10 of the BEST Event Ideas for Small Businesses
Looking for a creative way to grow your small business? Hosting events that offer engaging activities can help build community support while attracting new customers.
Whether you're aiming to drive sales, launch a new product, or boost brand awareness, in person and online events are powerful growth tools. They can range from something simple, like an advertised discount day, to a giant holiday celebration that invites the entire community to join in the fun. Maximize impact by marketing your event clearly so that people know when, where, and why it’s happening. Get ready to generate buzz with our top event ideas for small businesses!
1) Customer Workshop
Whether you own a wood shop and want to show how your designs are made or run a gardening store and wish to teach customers the best tips for a bountiful harvest, a customer workshop can build stronger relationships and showcase your expertise, whatever your small business may be.
Choose a topic that aligns with your business and provides value to your customers, such as a "how-to" session that showcases your products or highlights the expertise behind your services. To reach an even larger audience, consider livestreaming the event and recording it for later use. Posting clips on social media or incorporating the content into other online marketing campaigns can extend its impact and keep your brand top of mind.
A workshop offers customers a unique look behind-the-scenes, making it one of the most effective event marketing ideas for small businesses.
2) Black Friday Discount Day
A Black Friday discount event can significantly boost sales for a small business, offering a unique opportunity to drive traffic and increase revenue like no other day of the year.
Start by planning early, deciding which products to discount or bundle in deals like "buy one, get one free." Consider offering larger discounts on items that have been sitting on the shelf for a while or products that are popular. Next, market your event well in advance through newsletters, targeted ads, social media posts, and signage. Your promotional materials should clearly highlight the discounts in an eye-catching way that piques interest. Finally, ensure you can handle the crowds instore or on your website to deliver a seamless shopping experience.
Limited-time discounts create a sense of urgency, making them an effective way to clear out inventory while attracting both in-store and online shoppers during events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
3) Pop-up Shop
Setting up a pop-up shop allows a small business to test new markets and expand its brand beyond a storefront or online presence.
Start by choosing the right location, one that’s easy to find and where your target audience naturally gathers, such as a busy street corner, a local event, or a partnered business with a similar customer base.
Your pop-up tent should clearly reflect your brand and create an inviting space for shoppers to explore. Make it visually appealing with music, vibrant signage, and products displayed front and center.
It’s a cost-effective, low-effort small business marketing strategy that can deliver big returns by helping you build your customer base in ways that online or traditional advertising simply can’t match.
4) Product Launch Party
Build anticipation, create buzz, and get customers excited for the introduction of a new product or service with a launch party.
Plan the event well in advance, ideally on a weekend or at a time when your customer base is most active, and promote it through social media, advertisements, and other channels. Generate excitement with teaser videos and posts that highlight the location, date, and time. The event can also serve as an interactive space where customers can ask questions, learn the story behind your product, and engage with your brand. If an in-person event isn’t feasible or if you want to reach a wider audience, consider livestreaming the launch to maximize attendance and engagement.
Hosting such an event can drive initial sales like no other promotion and provides valuable content for online marketing.
5) Drive-In Movie Night
Organizing a classic drive-in movie night is a creative way to bring a larger crowd together for an evening of entertainment and shared memories. They have the potential to offer lucrative fundraising opportunities through sponsorships, admission fees, concessions, or donations that go back into the community.
To get started, find a spacious area, like a parking lot or open field, that can accommodate vehicles and the necessary outdoor movie equipment. Choose a movie that resonates with your customer base but also appeals to a broader audience. With FunFlicks, we make organizing a drive-in event easier than ever. Local FunFlicks technicians will set up all the equipment, including a giant screen, high-resolution projection system, booming sound, and an FM transmitter, so guests can enjoy the film from the comfort of their cars.
6) Live Sports Watch Party
Bring people to your business and elevate the game-watching experience with a live sports watch party. It’s one of the best event ideas for small businesses, including restaurants, bars, or breweries.
Start by selecting the right game, whether it's a match featuring a local team that a majority of your customers root for or a major national championship that everyone wants to watch. Then, find a space that can accommodate the estimated crowd size and ensure there’s a large enough viewing area.
With FunFlicks, hosting a large-scale sports watch party is a breeze. Our mobile LED Trailers and professional LED Walls offer high-resolution displays that bring all the action to life, no matter where or when you need them.
7) Live Concert Event
Hosting a live concert is a clever way to attract both regular and new customers to your business, showcasing your brand in a unqiue way. It can also be a lucrative venture, through ticket sales, merchandising, and sponsorships.
It’s important to understand your audience and select music that aligns with their preferences. Partner with local artists who fit your vibe and allow them to show their talents. To promote the event, use a mix of online and in-person marketing strategies. Leverage social media to create engaging posts and encourage cross-promotion with performers and partners to expand your reach. On event day, make sure you have enough staff, including security, stage technicians, and crowd control personnel, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
A concert not only draws attention but also helps build stronger community connections and boosts your business’s visibility.
8) Christmas Charity Drive
If you're looking for event ideas that allow your small business to give back to the community, consider hosting a Christmas charity drive. Not only does it promote a positive image for your business, but it also helps build customer loyalty.
Start by selecting a cause that aligns with your brand. For example, if you’re in the culinary industry, a food drive to support the homeless in your area could be a perfect fit. If you own a gym, supporting health-related causes or those affected by disease might resonate with your customers. Depending on your cause, donations can include both financial contributions and physical goods. Set up an in-store donation box or offer customers the option to donate when making a purchase. It’s also a great opportunity to expand your reach by partnering with local nonprofits and influencers to raise awareness.
9) Video Game Tournament
Hosting a video game tournament is a unique way to attract customers both in person and online. Not only does it help build your brand presence, but it also creates multiple monetization opportunities—through increased foot traffic, admission fees, online viewers, and chat room donations.
To get started, choose a game that resonates with your target audience. For example, if you own a music store, Guitar Hero could be a perfect choice. If you run a fitness center, a game like Just Dance, which appeals to a broader audience and encourages movement, would be ideal. Next, promote the event both online and in-store, encouraging participants to enter. Make sure the venue has enough space to accommodate players, spectators, and any audiovisual equipment. With FunFlicks, local technicians arrive with the complete professional setup, ensuring your tournament is played on the big screen for an unforgettable experience.
10) Summer BBQ Cookout
After a long, cold winter, celebrate the arrival of summer by inviting your customers and the wider community to a BBQ cookout. Whether you're offering food, beverages, or products related to outdoor living, a barbecue is one of the best event ideas for small businesses. It allows you to showcase your products in a laid-back setting while also generating interest and bringing people through the door.
Start planning by choosing the right date for your event; weekends are ideal, as people are more likely to be in town and have free time. Next, think about the food you want to offer and the logistics of preparation. Who will handle the cooking, and what equipment will be needed?
If you're in the culinary industry, a BBQ is a great choice, especially if you have experienced cooks on staff and the space—like a parking lot—outside your business to host the event.
FunFlicks® Inflatable Movie Screen Rentals
FunFlicks® inflatable movie screens are professional quality at an affordable price. There's a size for everyone, whether you're throwing a massive film festival with thousands in attendance or a small birthday with family at your house. To make sure everything runs smoothly, a local FunFlicks® event technician will arrive at your location on time, set up the screen, oversee the technology, and pack it all away at the end of the screening. Booming high-definition sound, crystal-clear laser projection, and a larger-than-life display are all included when you book an event with us.
Backyard 16'
12'x7' Display
100 Guests
20 Cars
Premiere 21'
16'x9' Display
250 Guests
50 Cars
Blockbuster 26'
20'x12' Display
500 Guests
75 Cars
Elite 32'
26'x15' Display
750 Guests
100 Cars
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30'x17' Display
1500 Guests
150 Cars
Xtreme 50'
40'x22' Display
3000 Guests
250 Cars
FunFlicks® LED Screen Rentals
FunFlicks LED screens are perfect for day or night display in almost any environment. Utilizing electroluminescent technology, our LED screens generate light effectively at any time of day. Each panel is rated IP65, meaning they are both rain and dustproof. Day or night, rain or shine, you get to decide when the magic happens. All of our mobile LED trailers have onboard generators for portable power. Therefore, no power supply is needed. Similar to our inflatable screens, our fleet of LED screens comes in a variety of dimensions for a variety of crowd sizes. Local event technicians across the country are available to bring our LED trailers anywhere for you to enjoy video games, live sports, movies, advertisements, or almost everything else!
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75 Guests
15 Cars
12'x7' LED Trailer
100 Guests
20 Cars
15'x8' LED Trailer
250 Guests
50 Cars
17'x10' LED Trailer
500 Guests
75 Cars
23'x13' LED Trailer
750 Guests
100 Cars
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