Premier Event · State of Local
Join us for State of Local.
Each year, we bring local business owners, regional leaders, and economic experts together to explore the latest State of Local research and what it means for the year ahead.
Open to everyone – InUnison members save at every tier.
What the research is
An annual look at what local businesses are actually experiencing.
Each year, local business owners and leaders share what they’re seeing across revenue, hiring, costs, confidence, consumer behavior, and other business conditions. Their responses give us a clearer picture of what’s happening across the region’s independent business community.
The findings help inform InUnison’s programming, resources, and advocacy throughout the year.
Why it matters
What you get from the research.
Understand what local businesses are experiencing
See the trends, pressures, and priorities shaping businesses across the region.
Put your own business in context
Compare what you’re seeing with the experiences of other local businesses.
Make better-informed decisions
Use the research to support planning, strategy, and decisions throughout the year.
Key findings
A snapshot from State of Local 2026.
84%
operated at a profit or break-even in 2025 – a four-year high.
71%
introduced a meaningful innovation in the past year.
36%
are now using AI in day-to-day operations.
The annual event
One gathering, built around the findings.
Once a year, InUnison brings the newest State of Local research to the local business community in person – the findings presented, regional perspective, and conversation with other business leaders. It’s a Premier Event: open to the public, with discounted pricing for InUnison members at every tier, and it doesn’t count against your included Standard Events. The research itself keeps working all year – the event is just where the community gathers around it.
Explore the research
You don’t have to wait for the event.
Read the report
The full State of Local report and past event recaps – the complete picture behind the headline numbers.
Go to Research & Insights →Use the benchmarking tool
Powered by State of Local research – compare your own business against aggregated regional data, confidentially.
Compare your business →Join the research panel
Add your voice to State of Local and future research. Your input helps shape the findings and InUnison’s advocacy.
Sign up to participate →Common questions
No. State of Local is a Premier Event, open to the public. Anyone can register at the standard rate. InUnison members – Core, Individual, and Team – get discounted member pricing.
No. Premier Events are ticketed separately and don’t draw down Standard Event allowances.
The report is the research – available any time. The event is the once-a-year gathering built around the newest findings, with regional perspective and conversation with other business leaders.
Yes. The report and past event recaps are available anytime through Research & Insights.
The next State of Local is planned for April 22, 2027, in Richmond. Exact time and venue are announced closer to the date – watch the Events calendar.