Ottawa Small Business Summit 2026
No one builds alone.
Building a business takes vision, resilience and hard work, but it also takes the right people, ideas and connections. This interactive program, led by karmadharma, brings Ottawa’s small business community together around a simple idea: we are stronger when we learn from each other, share what we know, and help one another move forward.
Program Highlights
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
- Delicious eats provided by Costco Canada
8:55 AM | Welcome!
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Small Business Week Proclamation by His Worship Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
9:15 – 9:45 AM | Find Your Crew
Led by Peter Georgariou, KharmaDharma
- Setting the stage for the day - finding those in the room who you can lean on
- The Wall - explained
- Meeting new people - three 6-minute conversations with strangers: your business, your challenge, the help you need
9:45 – 10:35 AM | Small Business Soundbites
Real stories from Ottawa entrepreneurs
- Tracey Clark, serial entrepreneur
- Mark Saunders, Saunders Farm and Saunders Cider
- Moderator: Nathalie Carrier, ZAC Vanier BIA
10:35 – 10:45 AM | The Wall – common challenges, common support network
10:45 – 11:00 AM | Break
11:00 – 11:30 AM | How governments support SMEs (panel)
Funding, resources, and support services
- Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives, City of Ottawa
- Scott Phelan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier & Minister of Inter-Governmental Affairs, Government of Ontario
- Moderator: Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
11:30 – 11:40 AM | Transition
11:40 – 12:20 PM | Breakouts!
Choice A: Future-Proof Your Business: Succession, Transition & Growth (panel)
- IG Private Wealth Management
- Mann Lawyers
- Moderator: Michelle Groulx, Executive Director, Byward Market District Authority
Choice B: Grow Your Circle, Grow Your Business with Wild Idea Co. (workshop)
12:25 PM – 1:05 PM | Lunch provided by Costco Canada
1:05 – 1:10 PM | Remarks by TD, sponsor of Invest Ottawa Small Business Week
1:10 PM – 1:40 PM | AI Growth Lab – Learning, Doing, Understanding (workshop)
1:45 – 2:20 PM | Rewrite Your Story, led by KharmaDharma
What's really holding your business back? This interactive exercise challenges owners to identify the assumptions and beliefs shaping their decisions, then put them to the test.
Participants will tackle a real business challenge, question the story they've been telling themselves, and explore what could change if that barrier no long define what was possible.
2:20 –2:30 PM | Make Your Move
What’s your challenge, and who in the room can help you. Find them, connect, and plan your next steps.
2:30 – 3:00 PM | Closing & Networking
A partnership between Invest Ottawa, OCOBIA, and the Ottawa Board of Trade.
Event Sponsors
Program
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Hospitality
Date and Time
Monday Oct 19, 2026
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM EDT
Location
Bayview Yards
7 Bayview Station Rd, Ottawa
Fees/Admission
Single Ticket: $35
Cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to info@ottawabot.ca at least 3 business days prior to the event start time to guarantee a refund. Tickets may be transferred if you are unable to attend. Please provide us with a minimum 24 hours' notice to transfer your ticket. All tickets are purchased in advance online - we are unable to sell tickets at the door. Ottawa Board of Trade may close event registration prior to the event for any reason.
Contact Information
Sharon Diamond, Manager Membership and Events
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