Markham Small Business Forum 2015

Hosted by: Markham Small Business Centre and Markham Board of Trade

• A free professional headshot photo is included with registration - update your LinkedIn profile! Photos will be taken right at the event and emailed to you afterwards.
• Learn and Grow! Get practical, hands-on, use-it-today information.
• Includes breakfast and lunch
• Pre-registration required 48 hours in advance
  

Agenda

8:00am to 8:30am - Registration, Networking & Breakfast

8:30am to 8:45am - Welcoming Remarks

• Representatives: City of Markham; Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure | Ministry of Research and Innovation; and, Canada Business Ontario

9:00am to 9:45am - Finding the Right Marketing Mix

• A panel of successful experts share their know-how and tips on developing a successful plan for business growth.
• Featuring experts in Retail, PR, and Food businesses.

Breakout Session - Round 1

Option 1 - For Start-Ups and Micro Businesses

10:00am to 10:45am - Core Strategies to Launch a Successful Business

• Take the first steps to launching your business by listening to very successful entrepreneurs describe the challenges of bringing their ideas to life.

Option 2 - For Businesses in Growth Mode

10:00am to 10:45am - Business Model Canvas as a Tool for Growth

• Today's fast changing marketplace is driving a need for companies to quickly develop and evolve their business plans. The Business Model Canvas is an innovative, easy-to-use and practical tool for creating a flexible/adaptable business plan - an ideal support for the growth of your company
• Paul Rivett, P.Eng, Director of Client Services, ventureLAB

10:45am to 11:15am - Networking Break

Breakout Session - Round 2

Option 1 - For Start-Ups and Micro Businesses

11:15am to 12:00pm - It's All About the Numbers: Tax Tips and Essential Record keeping Skills

• Learn the tax and bookkeeping principles, eligible business expenses and cash flow management that every small business needs to survive.
• Jonathan Greenbaum, CA, BDO Canada LLP

Option 2 - For Businesses in Growth Mode

11:15am to 12:00pm - Funding the Growth

• Where to look for financing. What do banks expect to see? Learn how to best position your business for financing.
• Featuring experts in bank and loan financing and crowdfunding.

Lunch Talk

12:15pm to 1:30pm

• Your Brand - Your Story: What Makes Your Message Viral

Sponsors

• Business Development Bank of Canada
• BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Accountants and Advisors
• Markham Executive Offices

Partners

• City of Markham
• Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure | Ministry of Research and Innovation
• Canada Business Ontario
• ventureLAB
• Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs
• Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association
• Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE)

Organized by: Markham Small Business Centre and Markham Board of Trade