Toronto – The City of Toronto is hosting a Small Business Forum at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to support entrepreneurs and professionals in building and growing local small businesses. The theme of this year’s Small Business Forum is: “Future-Proofing Businesses through Innovation & Sustainability.”
Mayor Olivia Chow kicked off the Forum this morning with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North) and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto Danforth). They were joined by Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business for Canada and Nina Tangri, Member of Provincial Parliament and Associate Minister of Small Business for Ontario.
During this free, full-day, in-person event, participants will learn about government resources and small business supports while networking with experts and product providers. Participants will leave with connections, inspiration and practical tools to help plan, start and grow a small business in Canada’s largest and most diverse city.
The Forum will feature:
- Leading entrepreneurial keynote speakers
- Panel discussions on trends effecting small businesses including sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), succession planning and digital transformation
- A trade show area with more than 80 exhibitors that support small businesses and start-ups
- Speed mentoring sessions with industry experts in strategy, marketing, energy, finance, insurance, diversity and inclusion and entrepreneur mental health
- The Nobellum Innovathon Pitch, a competition whereby Toronto’s Black-led start-ups compete to win $10,000 in total prize funding
- An Indigenous Market supported by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
The Small Business Forum is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is sponsored by Desjardins, and hosted by the Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre. More information about the Small Business Forum is available on the City’s website. The City and its partners offer free, year-round learning opportunities for entrepreneurs, small business operators and staff. The City’s business webinars are designed to improve participants’ business knowledge and skills. More information is available on the City’s Business Webinar webpage. More information about the City’s wider small business supports is available on the City’s Business Support webpage.
“Small retail businesses are essential to the vitality and success of Toronto’s main streets and neighbourhoods and are key drivers of economic prosperity for residents, families, communities and the city. I encourage small business owners to take advantage of all these opportunities that the day offers, to learn and network and encourage Toronto residents to continue supporting local businesses.” – Mayor Olivia Chow