There are a number of events throughout the year that support local business owners. These events are great opportunities to meet other business leaders and learn best practices. Be sure to also check out our News page.

DATE TIME PLACE EVENT INFO
Starter Company PLUS Fall 2025 – Applications Open

While applications are not open, please click here to register for our waitlist.

Online Webinar

Social Enterprise 101: The Intersection of Profit and Purpose

Are you curious about how business can be used as a force for good? Join us for an in-depth webinar that explores the world of social enterprise – a unique and growing business model that blends entrepreneurial strategies with a mission to create meaningful social, environmental, or cultural impact.

In this session, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of what defines a social enterprise and how it differs from traditional for-profit businesses and non-profits. We’ll explore the key characteristics and models of social enterprises, and learn about important legal and operational considerations, such as choosing the right structure, balancing profit and purpose, and measuring social impact.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Introduction to Bookkeeping: Logan Katz Learning Series (Virtual)

Proper record keeping and effective financial organization are critical pillars of business success—no matter the size or stage of your enterprise. As part of the Logan Katz Learning Series, this interactive and practical workshop is designed to equip business owners, entrepreneurs, and aspiring bookkeepers with the foundational skills needed to manage financial information with confidence.

In this engaging session, participants will learn:

  • The key principles and terminology of bookkeeping
  • How to set up and maintain a simple, efficient record-keeping system
  • Best practices for organizing receipts, invoices, and financial documents
  • Techniques for tracking income and expenses accurately
  • How to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to errors or missed opportunities
  • When and how to delegate bookkeeping tasks effectively

Whether you’re managing the books yourself or supervising someone who does, this workshop will provide you with the tools and clarity to stay on top of your financials and make informed decisions for your business. Designed to be accessible and actionable, the content is suitable for beginners and those looking to refresh their knowledge.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Bar Codes and Beyond – What you need to be Market Ready

Learn how barcodes can get you market-ready for retail, online sales, and supply chain success.

In this free 60-minute online seminar, learn about:

  • GS1 Canada services
  • The roles played by GS1 Canada across the supply chain
  • Tools and resources on how to get started the right way.

This webinar will demystify barcodes by explaining why unique product identification is key when selling your product on a website, through a retailer or an online marketplace. Having an authentic, licensed barcode, coupled with proper support systems, will help you navigate regulatory and trading requirements while ensuring you are in conformity with your trading partners.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Google Advertising: The Business Owner’s Starter Guide

You’ve probably heard of Google Advertising and may have even received various feedback from other business owners. The fact is, Google Advertising can be very powerful when done properly.

So now is the time to stop listening to others and to forge your own opinion by participating in our upcoming workshop!

In this free seminar designed specifically for business owners, we will unveil the facts about this often-misunderstood online promotion tool and lay out a framework to help you decide if it’s right for your business and how it may benefit your marketing strategy.

By the end of the session, you will have a solid understanding of how Google Ads are priced, how to set a realistic budget, and how to identify your return on investment and analyze the data.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance

This session is for you if you are in the early stages of development and are looking to gain knowledge in the food and beverage industry.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • Creating a Business Model
  • Doing your Market Research
  • Analyzing the Competition
  • What is Your Value Proposition?

This webinar will assist you in navigating the permits and legislation requirements for a food and beverage business. You will leave with a better understanding of how to navigate the regulatory compliance in the food and beverage industry!

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Entrepreneur Essentials: Start-Up 101: Regulations, Registering & Licenses

Join the VBEC team for a group session on all you need to know about regulations, business licenses, and steps to registering your business.

Please click here to register.

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: How to Sell Your Food Product

This session is for you if you want to learn how to sell your food product at markets, online, or to retailers.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • How to set your pricing for success
  • Positioning your product on the market
  • Building an audience of raving fans
  • The key things you can do to secure the sale

In this session, we will joined by Nicole Haney, former Founder & CEO of Boho Bars, a national energy bar company. Nicole will guide us through the key factors to consider in successfully selling your product, whether you’re selling at markets, online, or to retailers.

Please click here to register

South Dundas Breakfast Connections

This is a tentative date. More information coming soon.

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Costing & Pricing to Make Profits

This session is for you if you want to know how to price your food or beverage product appropriately.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • Understanding your COGS
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Planning for Profits

If you want to run a successful business it’s important for you to know the ‘numbers’. Learn how to cost and price your products and services for profitability and how the decisions you make about your operations and production processes affect your bottom line. Understand how to budget and spend money so you can pay all your bills and still have money left in your pocket at the end of the year.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Marketing & Branding your Food Product

This session is for you if you have a food or beverage product that needs the perfect brand to suit the right market.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • Why YOU are your brand as a new food or beverage business
  • What to consider when creating a visual identity for your company
  • What does marketing in 2025 look like?

Amanda DeVries of Eye Candy Design specializes in branding food and beverage companies. In this webinar, Amanda will share her expert insight, from how to create your brand, how to retain and grow your brand to what sort of colours and typography styles are right for your product. You will learn the difference between designing for store shelves vs. food markets vs. digital spaces. She will also cover tips for working with a graphic designer and determining exactly who your product is for. As Amanda advises, “if your product is for everyone, then you are selling to no one”. Know your target market.

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Food Safety Fundamentals for Startups

This session is for you if you are starting a food business and want to make sure you are producing safe products right from the start.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • Basic Food Safety Principles Every Business Must Know
  • Practical Food Safety Practices for Production
  • Common mistakes to avoid when starting your food business

When you’re launching a food product, understanding food safety is essential not only for protecting your customers, but also for meeting regulatory expectations and building retailer trust. In this session, Lisa Cove, Food Safety Consultant and Founder of Shelf Ready Inc., will walk you through simple, actionable steps you can take to build food safety into your business from the very beginning—without getting overwhelmed by regulations. 

Please click here to register

Online Webinar

Foodpreneur Advantage program: Labelling & Packaging your Food Product

This session is for you if you have a food or beverage product that needs an accurate and compliant label.

In this free 60-minute online seminar learn about:

  • Packaging Considerations
  • Labelling Requirements
  • Mistakes to Avoid

Packaging and labelling your food product is where marketing meets regulatory compliance and food safety. You know you want your product to look great on a store shelf, but what are you required to put on the label? How do you choose the right package for your product? For this session, we will be joined by Nicole Haney, former Founder & CEO of Boho Bars. Nicole will guide us through what to consider when choosing a package for your food product, what to include on your label, and what mistakes to avoid when packaging your food product.

Please click here to register

Ramada by Wyndham – 805 Brookdale Ave, Cornwall ON K6J 4P3

Business Excellence Award

The 37th Annual Business Excellence Awards and 53rd Citizen of the Year Award will celebrate the outstanding contributions of local businesses and individuals to the community. Ticket information will be released soon. Organized by the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, click here.

Canadian Women Immigrant Entrepreneur Event

This is a tentative date. More information coming soon.

ACC Catalyst Symposium

This is a tentative date. More information coming soon.