Register to attend the Small Business Forum to learn, network and find support for your small business.
Experience the City of Toronto’s free signature in-person event at Meridian Hall to support small businesses in Toronto.
This year focuses on helping small businesses navigate and find opportunities in a rapidly changing globalized economy and international business landscape thourgh:
Main Level
9:30 a.m.
Join the City of Toronto in opening the Small Business Forum with welcoming remarks and announcements in support of Toronto’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.
9:45 a.m.
Enjoy a fireside chat on how a globalized outlook can strengthen Toronto’s small businesses with one of Canada’s leading experts in the international economy, Sara Wilshaw, Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada, Government of Canada and Clare Barnett, Director, Business Growth Services, City of Toronto.
10:20 a.m.
Join dignitaries and special guests to get the latest updates and announcements about Toronto and Ontario economic initiatives.
11:05 a.m.
Join Selina Young, Co-Champion of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program and Director of the City’s Indigenous Affairs Office, as she shares how women entrepreneurs can accelerate their climate and sustainability ventures. Through the Women4ClimateTO Program, discover how mentorship, networking, collaborative learning and financial support can empower entrepreneurs to grow their initiatives and drive impactful solutions. Visit the Live Green Toronto booth in the Main lobby to learn more. Applications open October 29.
11:10 a.m.
From logistics to free trade agreements, explore the strategies, challenges and considerations involved in scaling your small business to trade internationally at this panel discussion.
Moderator: Mike Leon, Founder, Brand Heroes Inc.
Panelists:
11:40 a.m.
Learn how Maayan Ziv, CEO of AccessNow and one of Toronto’s leading small business founders, took her business from the streets of Toronto to more than 10 thousand locations worldwide and her advice on how you can do it too.
1:40 p.m.
Join Nick Grosskleg, Director of SMB Sales at Rogers Business, for an insightful session on building high-performing sales teams. Learn how Rogers Business helps small business clients drive clarity, accountability and momentum by empowering frontline teams and aligning sales behaviors with customer outcomes.
1:50 p.m.
Explore best practices in building and diversifying both domestic and international supply chain partnerships at this panel discussion to make your Toronto-based small business stronger in a global economy.
Moderator: Raymond Luk, Serial Entrepreneur and Conference Chair, Source Canada
Panellists:
2:45 p.m.
Learn from two globalized entrepreneurs, Mana Korjei and Hannane Soleymani, Co-Founders of Habitomic, on how they travelled through international markets before settling in Toronto as the right fit for their business, and how you too can translate your global business idea here in Canada’s largest city.
3:05 p.m.
The stage program concludes with thanks to Toronto’s small business community and acknowledgements to this event’s important contributors.
Lower Level
Engage with leading experts and entrepreneurs to explore strategies for global expansion, digital innovation, market resilience and financial planning. Gain valuable insights and get your pressing questions answered across a broad spectrum of topics critical to international and cross-border business success.
Browse the mentors by topic below or plan your mentoring sessions using the schedule.
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Alain Picard, Business Advisor, Community Engagement, GS1 Canada
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Emiliano Introcaso, Advisory & Senior Product Operations Manager, Export Development Canada
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Emiliano Introcaso, Advisory & Senior Product Operations Manager, Export Development Canada
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Perry Lo, Managing Director, Canaan Transport Group Inc.
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Andrea Robinson, President & CEO, Robinson Global Management
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Nicole Troster, Founder & CEO, Coeurage Labs
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Rafael Vargas, Senior Export Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Anita Agrawal, CEO & Designer, Jewels 4 Ever; Professor, School of Business, Centennial College
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Anita Agrawal, CEO & Designer, Jewels 4 Ever; Professor, School of Business, Centennial College
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Rafael Vargas, Senior Export Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Eugene Jakubov, Legal Counsel & Managing Director, Canadian Business & Enterprise Services (CBES)
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Rachel Gam and Cheska Catilo, Trade Commissioners, Regional Office of Trade Commissioner Service, Ontario Region
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Nick Grosskleg, Director, SMB Sales, Rogers Business
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Brian Devine, CPA
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Jean-Marie Chan Kin, CPA & CEO, Money Coach JM
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Tiffany Stull, Account Manager, Small Business, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Joseph Turcotte, PhD, Associate Director, IP Innovation Clinic, York University
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Dumitru Olariu, Acting Intellectual Property Advisor, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Government of Canada
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Kabir Chaudhry, Owner, CEO, Growth Master Inc.
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Aaron Dsouza and Jasleen Kaur, Digital Service Squad, Digital Main Street
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Eric Karkut-Webb and Sukhvir Shergill, Digital Service Squad, Digital Main Street
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Radhika Kapoor, Creative Director and Brand Strategist, Moonrabbit Strategy
11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Dave Archer, Founder, The Export Coach
1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Jonathan Povoa, Digital Service Squad, Digital Main Street
Main & Mezzanine Levels
Throughout the day, visit the dynamic trade show floor for a diverse showcase of small business service providers and product vendors that support your Toronto small business in expanding its reach through trade and export. Gain valuable insights from a wide range of business-to-business (B2B) companies and organizations that specialize in helping local enterprises access international markets.
Exhibitors include:
Learn more about the wide variety of business support programs and services available to small businesses.
Interested in having your company sponsor or be associated with Small Business Forum? Email sponsorship@toronto.ca to learn more.