Bridges to Better Business is an annual event that targets the small business community in Sault Ste. Marie and is hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation through the Millworks - Centre for Entrepreneurship.

The Bridges to Better Business event is a spectacular opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect with business leaders and gain first-hand knowledge from renowned experts. Each year during BDC's Small Business Week, this event brings together hundreds of businesses in various stages of development for an open exchange of ideas, advice and feedback lead by dynamic speakers and mentors. There are many learning and networking opportunities for participants.

Two local businesses made it to the Top 2 for this year’s Pitch Competition, Hogan's homestead and IPI Creations. They will have the opportunity to share their business idea with the audience and the judging panel. The audience will then get to vote for their favourite business idea and the winner will receive a Grand Prize valued at $10,000!

We're proud to introduce Mandy Gilbert as our Keynote Speaker this year!

Having successfully built two international businesses from the ground up, Mandy Gilbert has been recognized as a United Nations Global Accelerator and ranked as one of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs on Canadian Business’ Profit 500 list and Chatelaine’s W100 list. With a straightforward and no-nonsense approach, Mandy speaks on entrepreneurship, leadership, culture, talent, and building a professional brand, all grounded by her own journey from a “one woman show” to founder of multi-million-dollar enterprises.

In 2002, Mandy started Creative Niche, a specialized recruitment firm, with just $8,000. Today, it brings in more than $10 million in sales and has successfully placed thousands of creative, digital, marketing, and advertising talent across North America. In 2015, Mandy co-founded RED Academy, a technology and design school set in an agency-style environment that focuses on real client projects in UX/UI design, web development, and digital marketing. RED has now graduated more than 1,500 students and employs 50 full-time staff across its three campuses in Vancouver, Toronto and London, UK.

A graduate of the EO/MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program and the world-renowned Bell Leadership program, Mandy writes weekly columns for Inc. Magazine and a monthly feature for the Financial Post. She is also a Director for The Remix Project, an organization that works on leveling the playing field for young people from disadvantaged communities.

5:00 - 6:00p.m. - Networking & Tradeshow of local entrepreneurs

6:00 - 9:00p.m. - Dinner (Keynote Speaker and Pitch-Off)

Tickets are $35

To book a table or if you have any questions or dietary restrictions, please contact: Harleen Puaar at h.puaar@ssmedc.ca OR Jessica Maione at j.maione@ssmedc.ca