Small Business – Big Opportunity®: Small Business Advocacy
Given the importance of small businesses to the national economy, especially as a driver for creating and sustaining jobs, the Travelers Institute believes public policies should encourage entrepreneurship. The Travelers Institute’s Small Business – Big Opportunity initiative helps promote small business success by convening business owners across the country with industry experts to explore solutions to everyday business challenges, such as business continuity planning, access to capital and cybersecurity. The Travelers Institute has collaborated with recognized small business advocates such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, regional Federal Reserve Banks, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and the National Association of Women Business Owners, as well as community banks and angel investors.
In 2023, the Travelers Institute was joined by representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency at 10 in-person cybersecurity symposiums around the country to educate small business owners and those who advise them about evolving cybersecurity risks. The Institute also held two webinars focused on cybersecurity, including one detailing the five critical cybersecurity steps for organizations.
Through its Wednesdays with Woodward® webinar series, the Institute also addressed important workplace-related issues relevant to small businesses, among others. Topics covered included economic forecasts from renowned U.S. government and industry economists; discussions of mental well-being at work; the business imperative of diversity and inclusion; and how to connect to Gen Z customers. In 2023, the webinar series also featured a special session marking National Small Business Week with an expert panel, which included a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the head of Travelers’ small commercial underwriting team. The webinar shared practical advice for managing business risk through economic uncertainty.
Related resources
- Travelers Institute® Webinar: Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
- Travelers Institute® Webinar: An Insurance Agent’s Field Guide to Gen Z
- Travelers Institute® Webinar: A Small Business Playbook for Leading Through Uncertainty
- Travelers Institute® Webinar: Cyber Readiness: 5 Critical Steps for Your Organization
Illustrative initiatives
Travelers Institute®
Thought Leadership on Disaster Preparedness
The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers, has an extensive history of advancing education and dialogue around disaster preparedness.
Making Mental Health a Priority
Shattering the Stigma
Throughout the year, Travelers features speakers and offers activities and resources that can support our employees and their loved ones, with a special focus on shattering the stigma associated with mental illness.
Wednesdays with Woodward® Webinar Series
Thought Leadership Programming
At the start of the pandemic, the Travelers Institute launched Wednesdays with Woodward®, a webinar series exploring pressing issues at the intersection of public policy, insurance, business and leadership.
