RE: Quinte Business Week
Bay of Quinte, ON: Quinte Business Week this year is going to be recognized from October 21 to October 27 which is in conjunction with National Small Business week. Every year the Business Development Bank of Canada takes a lead role in promoting this event which is celebrated across the country by all levels of Government and Chambers of Commerce. 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 four local Chambers of Commerce from Belleville, Brighton, Prince Edward County and Quinte West have joined forces to bring a weeks’ worth of events to our local businesses.
“Quinte Business week celebrates the contribution of business to our local economy as well as the people whose work provides an amazing quality of life for us all,” says Mitch Panciuk, president of the Belleville Chamber. “We're proud to take some time to recognize and celebrate these community builders that help provide the Quinte Advantage for our region.”
There are events going on every day starting with the big Kick Off for the week at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at 11 am. 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.
Immediately following is a luncheon at the museum with the former Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier. TD Bank Group has sponsored this luncheon and are responsible for bringing Mr. Hillier in as our guest speaker. His remarks will focus on leadership from his perspective and how it can be applied in the professional business world. General Hillier is highly respected as a consummate leader and is the author of the #1 National Best Seller A Soldier First as well as Leadership, 50 Points of Wisdom for Today’s Leaders, an inspirational collection of leadership principles. “Having the opportunity to hear a speaker of this calibre right here in the Quinte Region is a great opportunity,” says Quinte West Chamber President Mike Cowan. “These types of events are just not possible without the sponsorship support business week receives.”
A 40 year veteran of the Canadian Forces, the highly decorated Hillier has had an illustrious and colourful career. General Rick Hillier was also selected as Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance force in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 2003, he was named Chief of the Land Staff, commanding the Canadian Army and in 2005, was named Chief of the Defence Staff, Canada’s most senior military officer. During his tenure in the Defence portfolio, he gained considerable notoriety for his straight talk and total commitment to the men and women under his command. Everyone is invited to attend and may be of special interest to active and retired military personnel. Tickets are $60 each and are available at your local chamber of commerce or directly online at www.quintewestchamber.ca/events
There are two workshops per day being offered to the local business community on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, all designed to help businesses access the information they need to maximize their efforts to grow and develop. All the seminars are at the Bay of Quinte Golf and Country club, check out the chamber website for full details. There is no cost to attend these seminars. “Businesses are encouraged to find at least one seminar during the week they can fit into their already busy schedules,” says Mike McLeod, Manager at the Prince Edward County Chamber. “These seminars are a great way to pick up new ideas and best practises to bring back to your own company.”
On Tuesday October 22 there is going to be a Mega Mixer for business people at Hillier Creek Estates that is also sponsored by TD Bank. There will be free buses leaving at 4:30pm from Belleville, Quinte West and Brighton so contact your local Chamber to reserve your seat. Buses will take attendees to the winery where they will be able to enjoy light refreshments, wine tasting, live music and door prizes. “This will be an excellent opportunity for business people across the Quinte Region to network and exchange ideas,” says Sherry Hamilton from the Brighton Chamber of Commerce.
Friday October 25 is the Quinte Business Achievement Awards Gala at the Quinte Sports Centre in Belleville. Representatives from the local Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, BDC, Trenval, Small Business Centre, QEDC, OMAFRA and RBC Royal Bank form the organizing committee to ensure the success of this program. This year there were over 100 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: BDC; TD Bank; City of Quinte West; City of Belleville; Trenval CFDC and the Small Business Centre.