Bay of Quinte, ON: Small Business Week across Canada is celebrated the third week of October and this year Quinte Business Week will run from October 15 to October 19. Small and medium sized businesses make up 99.7% of the companies in Canada and employ close to 90% of all private sector workers. Every year the Business Development Bank of Canada takes a lead role in promoting this event and this year they are advising small and medium sized businesses (SME’s) to “Digitize Now: Transform Your Business.”
The purpose of the week is to highlight the importance of Small and Medium sized companies to the Canadian and local economies. This year in the Quinte Region the three local Chambers of Commerce from Belleville, Prince Edward County and Quinte West have joined forces to bring a weeks’ worth of events to our local businesses.
There are events going on every day starting on Monday Oct 15 at 10 am with the big Kick Off for the week at the Quinte Business Centre. Everyone is invited to attend the kick off which is sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and will feature messages about business week from local Mayors and Chamber Presidents and a short presentation from BDC.
There are three days of workshops being offered to the local business community on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, all designed to help businesses access the information they need to maximize their efforts to grow and develop. The seminars on Tuesday are at the Trent Port Marina in Quinte West, the ones on Wednesday are at the Avaya Building on Sidney St., Belleville and the ones on Thursday are at The Grange Winery in Prince Edward County. Check out your local chambers website for full details and locations. There is no cost to attend these seminars.
Tuesday, October 16 is the Mega Mingle sponsored by The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. This is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening out at the Belleville Senators Fan Zone in the newly named CAA Arena while mingling with business people from Quinte West, Belleville and Prince Edward County. Enjoy light refreshments, local beer & wine, live entertainment and door prizes.
Friday October 19 is the Quinte Business Achievement Awards Gala at the National Air Force Museum in Quinte West. Representatives from the local Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, BDC, Trenval, QEDC and RBC Royal Bank form the organizing committee to ensure the success of this program. This year there were 111 businesses from throughout the region that completed the nomination process and everyone is invited to join in as we celebrate business excellence in the Quinte Region. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased through the website at www.qbaa.ca/tickets or by calling your local Chamber of Commerce.
All Small Business Week events need to be reserved in advance through your local Chamber of Commerce or by calling 1-800-930-3255.
Many local companies and organizations have come together with the local Chambers to make Small Business Week Quinte a success. Special thanks to our sponsors: Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan; BDC; Trenval CFDC, PELA CFDC, the Small Business Centre, Trenton & District Business and Professional Women’s Club, Centre for Workforce Development, Integrity Corporate Solutions, MacIntyre Financial and the Cities of Belleville and Quinte West.
