Canada’s Small Business Week is a truly golden opportunity for small business owners. There’s no other week of the year that’s so chockfull of chances to celebrate, discuss, network and learn from other business people as communities across Canada put on conferences, trade fairs, luncheons, seminars and dinners.
This year (2005) Canada’s Small Business Week is from October 16th through October 22nd. Organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and endorsed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the purpose of Small Business Week is to celebrate the contributions small businesses make to the Canadian economy – and, as the BDC describes it, to “provide established and prospective entrepreneurs with training and development opportunities, and create a forum for networking and sharing ideas”.
Each Canada Small Business Week has a theme. The theme of Small Business Week 2005 (developed by the BDC) is “YOU'RE THE POWER behind the Canadian economy, let's share the energy!", a theme that’s particularly apt when you remember that “small businesses generate nearly half of the country's GDP and are responsible for six million jobs” (Bill Downe, Deputy Chair, BMO Financial Group and CEO of BMO Nesbitt Burns).
And each year, during Small Business Week, the BDC presents the Young Entrepreneurs Awards, recognizing the success, innovation and community involvement of a young entrepreneur from each province and territory. The 2005 Young Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony will be held on October 18 in Calgary, Alberta.
Where to find what’s happening for Small Business Week Canada in your community
The national launch of Canada’s Small Business Week this year is in Calgary, Alberta, but since its first launch in 1979, Small Business Week has grown to be a truly national event and there are sure to be Small Business Week activities in your community that you can attend.
The first place to check for Small Business Week 2005 events is your local newspaper(s). You can also check with your local Chamber of Commerce.
On the Web, the BDC has a list of Small Business Week 2005 activities organized by province and territory.
In its Salute to Small Business page, the Province of Ontario provides links to Small Business Enterprise Centres throughout the province. One of the highlights of Small Business Week 2005 in Ontario is the Bridges to Better Business Entrepreneur’s Conference, hosted by the London, Ontario Small Business Centre.
You can use my list of Canada Small Business Service Centres to find out more about events in your province or territory.
For entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs of any age, Canada’s Small Business Week is an opportunity not to be missed.
