Every year chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Ontario celebrate Small Business Week (October 19-25) by organizing top-notch events for their members and communities.
Check out our Small Business Week 2014 Event Listings below to find out what events are being organized to celebrate Ontario business in your community.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
Event: Business Breakfast Before Nine! Where the speaker is YOU!
Organizer: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Description: Where the speaker is YOU! First, network with other chamber members in a casual setting while enjoying a fabulous breakfast. Then, take two minutes to tell us about yourself, promote your business and your products. Beat the snooze button and the competition!
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Location: Crowne Plaza
Website: greaterniagarachamber.com
Contact: Corrina Massicotte | events.admin@gncc.ca
Event: Workplace Safety Group Seminar: Health and Safety 101
Organizer: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Description: Health and Safety 101 for ALL industries. A primer for organizations of any size that have given thought to a health and safety program but just don’t know where to begin. Whether retail, health care, manufacturing or industrial, everyone has responsibilities under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA)! This session provides an overview of employer, supervisor and worker responsibilities under the OHSA, the role of the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Location: Chamber Education Centre
Website: greaterniagarachamber.com
Contact: Corrina Massicotte | events.admin@gncc.ca
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2014
Event: Small Business Week Kick Off
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Join local dignitaries and the Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce for the official kick off for business week.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014
Location: National Air Force Museum
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Mayor’s State of the City Address
Organizer: Timmins Chamber of Commerce
Description: Mayor Tom Laughren will deliver his last address as Mayor of Timmins. The presentation will outline developments in Timmins for 2014-15 and his hopes for Timmins’ future before stepping down after serving two terms as mayor.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014
Location: Porcupine Dante Club
Website: timminschamber.on.ca
Contact: Carmen Swartz | info@timminschamber.on.ca
Event: Kick-Off Breakfast with Jim Treliving
Organizer: Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Description: Celebrate the launch of Small Business Week at our Kick-Off Breakfast with Boston Pizza Owner, Jim Treliving. Hear the Boston Pizza owner and celebrity judge from CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den, speak at the Oakville Chamber’s Small Business Week Kick-Off Breakfast. Entrepreneurs and business professionals are sure to find inspiration as Jim Treliving shares experiences that led to his highly successful business.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014
Location: Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre
Website: oakvillechamber.com
Contact: Danielle Leonard | danielle@oakvillechamber.com
Event: Business After Hours
Organizer: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Description: The Business After Hours networking events was developed to create an atmosphere where business relationships can bring success to your company. Business to business networking is essential for the growth and development of your business, and should be part of your business plan.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014
Location: 1000 Bishop St North, Cambridge
Website: cambridgechamber.com
Contact: Lauren Oliva | lauren@cambridgechamber.com
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
Event: E-Commerce
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Learn what e-commerce is, how to build an e-commerce website and best practices.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Bay of Quinte Golf Course
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Celebrating Our Secrets to Success
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Celebrating Quinte business women. The afternoon includes a table top discussion from women’s groups across the Quinte Region.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Bay of Quinte Golf Course
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Mega Mixer
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Network with business people from the Quinte Region. Enjoy light refreshments and live entertainment.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Casa-Dea Estates Winery
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Small Business Week Breakfast
Organizer: Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Description: The Burlington Chamber is proud to announce this year’s Small Business Week Breakfast guest speaker, lifetime resident and successful business owner, Don Smith. Don is the Owner & President of Smith’s Funeral Homes, a family owned and operated funeral home. Don profoundly believes in giving back to his community. Don has received many awards for his philanthropic endeavours including the Mayor’s Community Service Award and the Burlington Chamber’s Company of the Year Award. Under Don’s leadership, Smith’s Funeral Homes has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for its excellence and its environmentally sustainable business practices.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Burlington Convention Centre
Website: burlingtonchamber.com
Contact: Jackie Penner | jackie@burlingtonchamber.com
Event: President’s Series Luncheon: An update on Glencore’s operations
Organizer: Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce as it welcomes Marc Boissonneault, Glencore’s Vice President of its Integrated Nickel Operations based in Sudbury, for an overview of the Glencore Nickel business and in particular an update on its exploration, underground mines, and milling operations in the Sudbury basin.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Ristorante Verdicchio – Enoteca Natura
Website: sudburychamber.ca
Contact: Melanie Cacciotti | melanie@sudburychamber.ca
Event: Small Business Week After Business Event
Organizer: Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join us and the Regional Business Centre for an evening of networking, great food and refreshments, and the chance to make new business leads. Entry to this event is FREE for chamber members.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Days Inn, Worthington Room
Website: sudburychamber.ca
Contact: Melanie Cacciotti | melanie@sudburychamber.ca
Event: Traditional vs Digital: A look at the changing media landscape
Organizer: Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
Description: Over the past few years, media has been transformed by new technologies, new methods of distribution, and new ways to consume information. These changes in the media landscape mean that the ways your customers, clients, members, and supporters consume and share information has changed. That is why it is more important than ever to take an integrated approach to marketing. Traditional vs Digital: A look at the changing media landscape will highlight the importance of the changing media landscape and what it means for small businesses. Panelists will discuss integration as well as the various pros and cons of using traditional and digital marketing.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Website: tbchamber.ca
Contact: Josh Tinkler-Josephi | josh@tbchamber.ca
Event: Small Business Week – Lunch & Learn
Organizer: Bradford Board of Trade, The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Nottawasaga Futures and BNI Business Elite
Description: Get more productivity and balance in your business so it can transpire into all aspects of your life.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Lusitano Restaurant
Website: bradfordboardoftrade.com
Contact: Tricia Barrett-Butler | administration@bradfordboardoftrade.com
Event: Small Business Week Breakfast
Organizer: West Ottawa Board of Trade
Description: Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. Learn, network and socialize with your fellow business owners and celebrate your success! Network with fellow members and enjoy a hot breakfast buffet at The Marshes. The discussions will be focused around marketing & sales, human resources and operational efficiency.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: The Marshes Golf Club
Website: westottawabot.com
Contact: Rosemary Leu | rosemary@westottawabot.com
Event: Small Business Week Breakfast
Organizer: Milton Chamber of Commerce
Description: Featuring speakers from CN, Halton Health Care and Menkes Group. The Small Business Week panel will speak about their company’s upcoming projects that will affect how you do business in Milton. Small Business Week panel speakers include: Denise Hardeene, President & CEO, Halton Health Care and Jason Menkes, Portfolio Manager, Menkes Development.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Granite Ridge Golf Club
Website: miltonchamber.ca
Contact: Krista Lenardon-Trull | krista@miltonchamber.ca
Event: Small Business Forum 2014
Organizer: Markham Board of Trade
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Markham Convergence Centre
Website: markhamboard.com
Contact: 905-474-0730 x30 | info@markhamboard.com
Event: Lunch & Learn
Organizer: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join us for another Lunch & Learn opportunity.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Location: Chamber Education Centre
Website: greaterniagarachamber.com
Contact: Corrina Massicotte | events.admin@gncc.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2014
Event: Market Trends that Matter for Small Businesses
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: This seminar will introduce key marketing themes for 2014, decode the buzz words and discuss the context of small business marketing.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Quinte Business Development Centre
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: An Emerging Business Opportunity
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Learn about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and how it can help grow your business.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Quinte Business Development Centre
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Business Before 9
Organizer: Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Description: The Business Before 9 event gives business people who like to rise early an opportunity to network and make business contacts at an event that is a better fit with their early schedule. Come celebrate Small Business Week in the beautiful surroundings of the Crosswinds facility. Network with chamber members and guests during this special time of the fall. This BB9 is co-hosted by Crosswinds and Business Development Bank of Canada.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Crosswinds Golf & Country Club
Website: burlingtonchamber.com
Contact: Jackie Penner | jackie@burlingtonchamber.com
Event: After Business
Organizer: Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
Description: These mini-trade show events are exclusive to chamber member hosts and exhibitors. With an average attendance of 150+ people, each month will have its own theme. The Small Business Week After Business is dedicated to recognizing new chamber members. After Business provides the perfect opportunity to make new business contacts and renew old acquaintances.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: TBayTel Workplace Centre
Website: tbchamber.ca
Contact: Josh Tinkler-Josephi | josh@tbchamber.ca
Event: Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
Organizer: Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
Description: Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards were established to publicly recognize the outstanding achievements made by businesses and their employees in Halton Hills.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Glencairn Golf Club
Website: haltonhillschamber.on.ca
Contact: Kathleen Dills | info@haltonhillschamber.on.ca
Event: Business After Hours and Tradeshow
Organizer: Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Description: Network with business professionals and entrepreneurs over complimentary drinks and appetizers. Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and business professionals over complimentary appetizers and wine or beer at this Business After Hours event that combines networking with a tradeshow showcasing local businesses. Register to showcase your business at this popular annual event! Space for trade show tables is limited.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre
Website: oakvillechamber.com
Contact: Danielle Leonard | danielle@oakvillechamber.com
Event: 2014 Business Excellence Awards
Organizer: Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join us in celebrating our local businesses and business people for this year’s Excellence Awards across 18 categories, plus the Business Citizen of the Year. We have added a new category for 2014. The ’4 Under 40′ Profile is designed to recognize individuals in our community who are under the age of 40 and who are making their mark in the Peterborough area.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Trentwinds International Centre
Website: peterboroughchamber.ca
Contact: Stuart Harrison | stuart@peterboroughchamber.ca
Event: Improving Your Search Engine Rankings in Google
Organizer: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join us as Rob Matlow from REM Web Solutions gives you a bunch of tips on how to improve your search engine rankings in Google.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Website: cambridgechamber.com
Contact: Lauren Oliva | lauren@cambridgechamber.com
Event: Business Growth, Expert Advice
Organizer: Flamborough, Grimsby, Hamilton and Stoney Creek Chambers of Commerce
Description: The Grimsby, Hamilton, Flamborough and Stoney Creek Chambers of Commerce invite you to an interactive panel discussion celebrating business success. Join us to hear inspirational stories of business peers, interactive discussions and countless business to business opportunities.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: Grand Olympia, Stoney Creek
Website: chamberstoneycreek.com
Contact: 905-664-4000 | admin@chamberstoneycreek.com
Event: 2014 Trade Show and Networking Event
Organizer: Markham Board of Trade
Description: 4th Annual Trade Show and Networking Event
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Location: York Downs Golf & Country Club
Website: markhamboard.com
Contact: 905-474-0730 x30 | info@markhamboard.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014
Event: Strategy & Tactics for Employee Retention
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: This interactive presentation will cover the importance of leadership, a strategic focus in employee retention and share concrete tactics that help retain employees.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Bay of Quinte Golf Course
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: Magnet
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: Connecting the right people to the right jobs and opportunities. Magnet helps connect jobs to people and get our communities working productively, while creating new opportunities for small and medium sized businesses.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Bay of Quinte Golf Course
Website: quintewestchamber.ca | bellevillechamber.ca | pecchamber.ca | brightonchamber.ca
Event: 2nd Annual Business Showcase
Organizer: Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Description: Business to business table top trade show 3-6 p.m. Open to the public. FREE admission, followed by a ticketed dinner and guest speaker. Jeremy Tracey will entertain and educate us on The ABCs of Speaking with Passion and Purpose.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Paddock Building at Grand River Raceway
Website: cwchamber.ca
Contact: Roberta Scarrow | rscarrow@cwchamber.ca
Event: Small Business Week Showcase/Business After 5
Organizer: Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Description: The Small Business Week Showcase is combined with the popular Business After 5. Exhibit space at this showcase is available to members and non-members, and the event is free for attendees. Showcase your products and services or drop in to see what other companies in Burlington have to offer. This popular event is the last showcase of 2014 and draws a crowd of roughly 200 Burlington business professionals.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Holiday Inn Burlington
Website: burlingtonchamber.com
Contact: Jackie Penner | jackie@burlingtonchamber.com
Event: Chamber U: Marketing the CASL Way: Understanding the Practical Side of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation
Organizer: Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
Description: As a business owner, do you understand the key elements of the legislation and how it impacts your digital marketing programs? This interactive session covers a summary of CASL and the permission guidelines it requires, best practices of permission-based marketing, practical tips on how to grow your contacts under CASL and what you need to do to comply with the new legislation.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: United Steelworkers Hall
Website: sudburychamber.ca
Contact: Melanie Cacciotti | melanie@sudburychamber.ca
Event: Business Excellence Awards 2014
Organizer: Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce
Description: For one night a year, remind yourself that you’re not in this alone! Help celebrate how vital business is to our community. The Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards 2014. Dinner. Entertainment. Awards. Prizes.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Harry Lumley Bayshore
Website: oschamber.com
Contact: Bert Loopstra | bert@oschamber.com
Event: 2014 Business Awards Gala
Organizer: Napanee & District Chamber of Commerce
Description: We look forward to seeing everyone at the newly expanded Lennox & Addington County Museum on October 23rd for a casual evening of networking, cultural displays, awards presentations, music, a slideshow featuring business and community highlights from 2014 and some wonderful food and wine.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Lennox & Addington County Museum
Website: napaneechamber.ca
Contact: Pam Oliver | 613-354-4554
Event: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs – From Start-Up to Exit
Organizer: Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce at the Newmarket Public Library to meet and interact with a panel of successful women entrepreneurs. Learn their secrets to success from taking that first brave leap, working through the obstacles, building their business and planning a successful exit. Come out for this great opportunity to learn, network and connect.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Newmarket Public Library
Website: newmarketchamber.ca
Contact: Debra Scott | debra@newmarketchamber.ca
Event: Search Engine Optimization 101 Workshop
Organizer: Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
Description: For many businesses, SEO is a mysterious black hole of wonder. Others think it is simply a game of numbers, and that you can simply pay to be on top. At this workshop hosted by Treefrog in assosciation with the YRBiz Series you will learn: What SEO is and explaining the mystery, how to be more comfortable with SEO principles and terminology, how to think beyond #1 on Google and how to use the SEO to effectively drive sales and success.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Treefrog Interactive
Website: newmarketchamber.ca
Contact: Debra Scott | debra@newmarketchamber.ca
Event: 125th Annual General Meeting & 2014 Business Awards Dinner
Organizer: Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Northern Grand Gardens
Website: ssmcoc.com
Contact: Shelley Barich | shelly@ssmcoc.com
Event: Business after Five
Organizer: Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Good Redden Klosler & Morgan Realty Inc.
Website: tillsonburgchamber.ca
Contact: Suzanne Renken | suzanne@tillsonburgchamber.ca
Event: Marketing Basics
Organizer: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Description: Does your organization need help with your marketing strategies? Are you finding that your marketing campaigns are falling short or not reaching your target audience? Looking for new ideas? Join Kim Denstedt, Conestoga College – Integrated Marketing and Communications Program, as she offers personalized marketing basics that will effectively streamline your organization’s next marketing project.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
Website: cambridgechamber.com
Contact: Lauren Oliva | lauren@cambridgechamber.com
Event: Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event
Organizer: Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
Description: Join the Chamber Young Professionals for a casual networking event at Borealis Grille & Bar!
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Borealis Grillhouse & Pub
Website: greaterkwchamber.com
Contact: Teri Hetherington | 519-749-6048
Event: NGen ‘Under 40′ Event – Effective Online Marketing Workshop
Organizer: Mississauga Board of Trade
Description: NGen (Next Generation) is MBOT’s brand of networking and education series for young professionals aged 40 and younger. This workshop is designed for the small to medium business owners or those who influence sales who already have an existing Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn accounts but aren’t seeing the results they’d hoped for.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: RBC Meadowvale Conference Centre
Website: mbot.com
Contact: Candice Ragoonanan | events@mbot.com
Event: 2014 NBAA Niagara Business Achievement Awards
Organizer: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Description: 2014 NBAA Niagara Business Achievement Awards. A gala evening celebrating business excellence.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Location: Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre
Website: greaterniagarachamber.com
Contact: Corrina Massicotte | events.admin@gncc.ca
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014
Event: The Quinte Business Achievement Awards
Organizer: Quinte Regional Chambers of Commerce
Description: The Quinte Business Achievement Awards continues to recognize outstanding businesses, organizations and leaders in the Quinte Region.
Date: Friday, October 24, 2014
Location: National Air Force Museum of Canada
Website: qbaa.ca
Contact: 613-392-7635 | awards@qbaa.ca
Event: Lunch & Learn: Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
Organizer: Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Description: Michele Bailey, CEO and founder of Blazing THE Agency, will share her entrepreneurial journey and offer three take-aways on how to become a successful entrepreneur before leading a panel of marketing experts: Ben Molfetta, co-founder of Core Online Marketing; David Wojcik, Executive Producer at Biz TV Canada; Grace Attard, Chair of TEC (The Executive Committee). Learn how to make the most of your marketing efforts with the least financial investment.
Date: Friday, October 24, 2014
Location: Glen Abbey Golf Club
Website: oakvillechamber.com
Contact: Danielle Leonard | danielle@oakvillechamber.com
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014
Event: Small Business Week Mini Trade Show
Organizer: Milton Chamber of Commerce
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Location: RattleSnake Point Golf Club
Website: miltonchamber.ca
Contact: Krista Lenardon-Trull | krista@miltonchamber.ca
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014
Event: Business Excellence Awards Gala
Organizer: North Perth Chamber of Commerce
Description: A spectacular celebration that attracts approximately 200 people from across the business and service community each year to celebrate business excellence in North Perth.
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Location: Elma Memorial Community Centre
Website: npchamber.com
Contact: Sharon D’Arcey | sdarcey@npchamber.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014
Event: Business Education Breakfast
Organizer: Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Description: Take advantage of digital marketing to reach more customers. Get the knowledge and expertise needed to transition your businesses into full multimedia digital marketing. Consumers are increasingly looking to digital tools to find the products and services they need in their neighbourhood. In this context, local merchants must make sure that they are visible enough in their customers’ digital world to maximize their chances of success.
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Location: Four Points by Sheraton
Website: greaterniagarachamber.com
Contact: Corrina Massicotte | events.admin@gncc.ca