EVENTS
Ottawa Small Business Summit 2025
SOLD OUT. Please add your name to the waitlist.
The Ottawa Small Business Summit 2025 is your chance to connect, learn, and celebrate with local entrepreneurs, experts, and business advocates as Small Business Week kicks off in Ottawa. Whether you're a startup founder, a seasoned business owner, or a future business owner, this full-day event at Bayview Yards features networking, expert panels, and actionable workshops designed to empower small businesses.
Why Attend?
- Get inspired by stories of longevity and resilience from Ottawa’s longest-standing small business legends.
- Engage with workshops on pressing topics like AI for business, new HR and employment law changes, accessing funding, digital presence, and ecommerce.
- Discover fresh perspectives on mental health and wellness for small business owners, hear from keynote speakers, and connect over breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks with local catering.
- Network and celebrate Ottawa’s vibrant entrepreneurial community with prizes, sponsor sessions, and a variety of breakout sessions focused on real solutions and growth.
Program Highlights
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
Delicious eats provided by a local Ottawa business.
8:55 AM | Welcome by our MC Michelle Groulx, Chief Advocate, OCOBIA
Greeting by Invest Ottawa President & CEO, Sonya Shorey
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Small Business Week Proclamation by His Worship Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
9:15 – 10:00 AM | Panel 1: Ottawa’s Small Businesses – Stamina & Sustainability
- Moderated by Sam Laprade
- Lindsay Appotive (Howard Fine Jewellers and True Bijoux)
- Taylor White (Ken White Construction)
- Natalie Evans (GGFL)
- Anish Mehra, (East India Company)
10:15 – 11:15 AM | Breakout Sessions – Round 1
- Accessing Funding for Small Business – Presented by Ontario Centre of Innovation - Richard Waterhouse and Muskan Kaur
- AI for Small Business – Moderated by Ottawa Board of Trade President & CEO
- Chris Dore (AI Collective and ScarlettNova)
- Sarah Gencarelli (Wild Idea Co.)
- Mark Jamieson (WSI Strategies)
- HR & Employment Law 2026 – Presented by Mann Lawyers (Lori Philpott) and iHR Advisory Services (Karen Brownrigg)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & Presentation
Remarks by Ottawa Board of Trade President & CEO, Sueling Ching
Special presentation by Rogers Sports & Media during lunch.
12:30 – 12:45 PM | Remarks by TD, sponsor of Invest Ottawa Small Business Week
12:45 – 1:30 PM | Panel 2: Mental Health & Wellness for Small Business Owners
Moderator: Nathalie Carrier, Executive Director at ZAC Vanier BIA
- Tanya Farlinger (Exhalo Spa)
- Sarah Chown (Metropolitain Brasserie)
- Peter Georgariou (KharmaDharma)
- Google Reviews & Digital Presence – Presented by SEOplus+ (Austin Perron and Noah Desmarais)
- Getting Started with Ecommerce - Moderated by Sam Turgeon-Brabazon of STB Consulting Services
- Michele Marchand (Better Scalp Company)
- Edmond Georges (Hobbiesville)
- Gavin Maludzinski (ReCast Fishing)
- Networking 101 – Moderated by Ottawa Board of Trade President & CEO, Sueling Ching
- Ashley Lawrie (Free Form Fitness)
- Jen Alvarenga (Goodstory)
- Marc Plante (Stray Dog Brewing)
Join Ottawa’s business community at Bayview Yards on Monday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and be part of a summit dedicated to empowering and celebrating small businesses in the National Capital Region.
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Date and Time
Monday Oct 20, 2025
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM EDT
Location
Bayview Yards
7 Bayview Station Rd, Ottawa
Fees/Admission
Single Ticket: $25
Contact Information
Sharon Diamond, Manager Membership and Events
Send Email
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