B.C. Events During Small Business Week

Celebrate 2013’s Small Business Week (Oct. 21-25) with one of the many events happening throughout the province

As part of October’s Small Business Month, BDC Small Business Week is an annual celebration of entrepreneurship that the Business Development Bank of Canada has been organizing for 34 years. Small Business Week celebrates entrepreneurs with networking and educational seminars, and along with the BDC’s events is a bounty of small-business seminars taking place throughout B.C.

Small Business Events Around B.C.

View B.C. Events During Small Business Week 2013 in a larger map

October 21, 2013

Economics, Equity Investments & Private Wealth Management
Best Western Plus Coquitlam Inn & Suites, 319 North Rd., Coquitlam, B.C.

Enjoy lunch while Robert Gorman, CFA and chief portfolio strategist at TD Wealth on economics, equity investments and private wealth management, shares expert insight on investment trends that directly affect your business including the outlook for energy costs, Canadian dollar outlook and whether or not we’ll see a U.S.-like housing crash.
Contact: Jordan Moe, jordan@tricitieschamber.com, website

Doing Business with the Government of Canada
Prince George Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 890 Vancouver St., Prince George, B.C.

This informational seminar will be facilitated by Tess Menges, supply officer, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). PWGSC has awarded over $20 million in contracts to small and medium businesses in Prince George. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) seminars are targeted for small and medium companies that want to learn the process around selling to the government of Canada.
Contact: Tina.Dalman@pgchamber.bc.ca, website

October 22, 2013

How to Buy a Business
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Ave., Burnaby, B.C.

Buyers looking to acquire private B.C.-based businesses with revenues in the $2M-$50M range will gain the knowledge and confidence to transition from employee to owner or from organic growth to accelerated acquisition-driven growth.
Contact: Levi Graham, levi.graham@bdc.ca, 604-666-5696

The Chief Executive on the Bill Good Show
Beedie School of Business, 500 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C.

This series features the lives and lessons of high profile CEOs. Over the course of 6 weeks, the series brings top executives from B.C. and across Canada to CKNW and engages them in an intimate one-hour interview with Bill Good. On October 22, Bill Good interviews Ashley Cooper, CEO of Paladin Security.
Contact: website, Joanne Da Silva, jdasilva@canadawide.com

Negotiation Skills: The Art of the Deal
Joey Coquitlam, 550 Lougheed Hwy Coquitlam, B.C.

Enjoy breakfast and a talk from Michael Walsh, founder and president of Kaizen Consulting, on negotiation skills to help small business owners achieve profit growth and excellence in their fields.
Contact: 604-464-2716, info@tricitieschamber.com, website

Business Meets Blog: Develop Your Business Blog & Boost Your SEO
Waves Coffee House, 900 Howe St., Vancouver, B.C.

Learn to create a compelling blog that speaks to your target audience; learn how to develop a creative, eye-catching blog with little to no technical skills; and learn how to enhance your search engine optimization (SEO) performance so that potential customers can find you in the search engines.
Contact: Sara McKenna, 778-389-9318, sara@socialcitynetworking.com, website

Get Down to Business: Grow Your Business with Email and Social Media
Ambrosia Event Centre, 638 Fisgard St., Victoria, B.C.

In this seminar you’ll discover how to make the most of combining e-mail and social media, learn how to get your messages open and read, learn how to use simple tools to engage with your customers and build your marketing savvy.
Contact: 250-383-7191, website

Make the Most of Your Money
Small Business BC, 82—601 W. Cordova St., Vancouver, B.C.

Learn from a Vancity small-business specialist how you can better manage your money and evaluate which business banking solutions are right for you during this one-hour seminar. The event will include a 30-minute Q&A.
Contact: website

October 23, 2013

The Changing Consumer
Poco Inn & Suites Hotel, 1545 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Shelly Wilson, vice-president of digital sales at Glacier Media Group, will be sharing her knowledge on online and mobile business marketing. Learn about media trends and how to position your business to capitalize on the media consumption of your customer.
Contact: 604-464-2716, info@tricitieschamber.com, website

26th Annual Business Excellence Awards
Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre, Kelowna, B.C.

For the past 25 years, The Business Excellence Awards have been celebrating outstanding success in Kelowna. A group of finalists is selected after a panel of judges carefully reviews nomination packages, and then visits the finalists in person. Each finalist will be profiled at the ceremony.
Contact: 250-861-3627, website

BDC Coffee Break
BDC Prince George Business Centre, Suite 150—177 Victoria St., Prince George, B.C.

Meet the Business Development Bank of Canada team and network with local entrepreneurs to celebrate BDC Small Business Week 2013.
Contact: 250-561-5348, shereen.roberts@bdc.ca

October 24, 2013

Business Law for Entrepreneurs and Small Business
Big River Restaurant, Fraser Mills Conference Room. 15—228 Schoolhouse St., Coquitlam, B.C.

Michael Poznanski, a solicitor with BTM Lawyers LLP, will discuss different business structures and agreements between business owners that may help you avoid issues in what you do. The session will be followed by a Q&A and free bowling.
Contact: 604-464-2716, info@tricitieschamber.com | Jordan Moe, jordan@tricitieschamber.com, website

6th Annual Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon St., Nanaimo, B.C.

Join your fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners at one of the largest business networking opportunities of the year. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Contact: Donna Mercier/Renee Bohum, 250-756-1191, donna@nanaimochamber.bc.ca, renee@nanaimochamber.bc.ca, website

16th Annual SOHO|SME Business Expo
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, B.C.

This business expo is designed to inspire, motivate and drive your business to the next level of success. The day includes learning opportunities from successful entrepreneurs, presentations and panel discussions, networking and an exhibit floor featuring products to help your business grow and thrive.
Contact: questions@soho.ca, website

Westside Business Awards of Distinction
University Golf Club, 5185 University Blvd., Vancouver, B.C.

Network, meet successful small-business owners and promote your own company at the 9th Annual Business Awards of Distinction Gala. The event features live jazz, fine wines, gourmet appetizers, a silent auction, plus a celebrity MC.
Contact: website

October 25, 2013

Helping You Reach Your Next Great Customer with Email and Social Media
Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna, B.C.

Frithjof Petscheleit gives a hands-on presentation for marketing your small business. Learn how to woo customers, how to win them and how to bring them back.
Contact: 250-861-3627, website

How to Save Money with Energy Efficiency
The Keg, 130—2991 Lougheed Hwy Coquitlam, B.C.

Enjoy lunch and a talk from Della Bond and Adrian Pettyfer from FortisBC on how you can save your business money with energy efficiency.
Contact: 604-464-2716, info@tricitieschamber.com, website

BBOT Business Over Breakfast Networking Event Best Western Plus Coquitlam, 319 North Rd., Coquitlam, B.C.

Join the Burnaby Board of Trade for its premier networking event. Meet dozens of business people, find partners and cultivate lasting relationships. Facilitated activities will be run by Sue Clement of Success Coaching.
Contact: 604-412-0100, ricky@bbot.ca, website