Fueling Business Growth Locally: Penn Local Business Exchange
Purchasing
Registration is now open for the Penn Local Business Exchange!
The event on Wednesday, November 11, will be held on Penn’s campus at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m. for coffee and networking with other attendees and leaders of several chambers of commerce and other area organizations supporting local businesses.
Registration is required for both the Forum and Expo, and we encourage attendees to arrive early to make the most of the day.
Networking & Coffee | 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Start your morning with coffee, refreshments, and conversation. This informal networking hour is an opportunity to connect with local business owners, Penn colleagues, community partners, and fellow attendees before the Forum begins. Arrive early, check in, make new connections, and find a seat in the theater.
The Forum | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The Forum brings together leaders and members of Philadelphia’s business community to share ideas, experiences, and unique perspectives on doing business in our region. The program will begin with opening remarks from Penn leadership, followed by an engaging conversation exploring the opportunities and challenges facing local and small businesses, strategies for building successful partnerships, and ways institutions and businesses can work together to strengthen Philadelphia’s local economy.
The Forum will also include the presentation of the 2026 Penn Local Economic Impact Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to advancing local economic opportunity and impact.
Seating for the Forum will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional overflow seating will be available in the lobby, where the Forum will be broadcast live on a large screen.
The Expo | Beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Following the Forum, the Expo brings together dozens of local businesses and organizations for an afternoon of connection and discovery. Meet suppliers offering a wide range of goods and services—including office supplies, furniture, technology, professional services, construction and the trades, and, of course, the always-popular catering and food services. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with participating partner organizations and learn more about resources available to support local business engagement.
Whether you are looking to discover new suppliers, build relationships, explore partnership opportunities, or strengthen connections within Philadelphia’s local business community, the Penn Local Business Exchange offers a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and engage.
The Penn Local Business Exchange is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania under the auspices of the Office of the Executive Vice President, the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Division of Finance, and Facilities & Real Estate Services..