Lowcountry Local First is hosting the 13th annual Good Business Summit on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at the Charleston Music Hall and American Theater from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The one-day immersive experience will focus on sparking new ideas and workable solutions for building local businesses with profit and purpose. The organization will convene the best and brightest business and community leaders to give attendees the tools and inspiration to grow, prosper, and give back. Attendees can expect to leave with meaningful connections and a clearer sense of how local businesses can show up in the world and for our community.
Attendees will enjoy coffee, breakfast, lunch and happy hour networking events throughout the day. The Good Business Summit is open to the public and registration is currently open for full-day and half-day tickets.
2026 featured keynote speaker:
- Les Szabo, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, Dr. Bronner’s
“It’s hard to name a more purpose-forward brand than Dr. Bronner’s. From the very beginning, the company sought to be profitable in order to do good in the world, and under a microscope, every aspect of the company holds up under scrutiny. From sourcing and packaging, to employee policies, to public advocacy, Dr. Bronner’s sets a high bar and walks the talk. Les has been a force behind The Purpose Pledge, a groundbreaking initiative that redefines how business is conducted by fostering a community dedicated to sustainable progress.” - Jacquie Berger, Executive Director of Lowcountry Local First
Other session topics explored at the Summit include:
- Purpose Sells: How to Communicate What You Stand For
- Marketing Metrics that Move the Needle: Using Google Analytics to Drive Growth
- The Art of Expansion: Growing Your Brand Beyond the Lowcountry
- Ground Game: Building Powerful Neighborhood Advocacy
- Winning the Talent Game: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
Learn more about the Good Business Summit online or by emailing mara@lowcountrylocalfirst.org. Engage with Lowcountry Local First on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and join the conversation with #GoodBiz26.
The 2026 Good Business Summit's sponsors and event partners include Verde, Addlestone International Corp, Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, The Local Palate, Sharehouse, and more.