The Small Business Expo, the largest business-to-business trade show, conference and networking event for small business owners in the U.S., released a report saying 82% of small businesses are confident about near-term growth.
The finding comes amid high inflation and economic uncertainty after two months of the Iran war, which has prompted a jump in oil and gasoline prices.
The 2026 report is based on survey responses collected from Small Business Expo attendees across multiple U.S. markets in April 2026.
However, the report also found only 10.8% of those surveyed felt supported by government policy.
“Small businesses are not pulling back — they’re adapting,” Zach Lezberg, CEO and founder of Small Business Expo, said in a statement. “What we’re seeing is a shift toward disciplined growth. Business owners remain confident, but they are navigating real constraints, especially around customer demand and broader economic conditions.”
