TEDCO Books SBA's Tami Howie for 2026 Entrepreneur Expo Keynote

TEDCO has named Tami Howie of the U.S. Small Business Administration as its lunch keynote speaker for the 2026 Entrepreneur Expo, the Maryland state-backed investment authority announced.

Howie will appear in a keynote conversation format rather than a solo address, according to the announcement. That structure matters for attendees: it typically means an interviewer-led exchange with room for questions on policy, capital access and small business operations — the issues an SBA official fields daily.

The Entrepreneur Expo is TEDCO's flagship annual event for founders, investors and innovation-economy players. TEDCO, formally the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, runs early-stage funding programs backed by the state.

What does this change for attendees?

For Maryland founders and small-business operators, an SBA voice at the lunch keynote puts federal small-business policy directly in front of the regional startup crowd. Expect the conversation to touch on SBA lending, federal contracting and support programs — the practical levers practitioners actually use.

It also signals TEDCO is bridging its state-level funding mission with federal agency leadership, a useful channel for companies navigating both.

Why the format matters

A keynote conversation, versus a speech, usually runs tighter on substance and lighter on prepared remarks. Practitioners get candid answers and follow-ups rather than talking points. Howie's SBA perch means questions about capital access and agency programs will land with someone who works inside the system.

The 2026 Expo date and venue details accompany the full program as TEDCO releases them. Founders planning to attend should watch for registration windows, which historically close early for the lunch session.