Events and Webinars
-
Upcoming Events, Training, Webinars, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Unless otherwise marked, the following are free of charge.
Business Basics
Have a great idea and want to start your own business? Do you understand what it takes to be successful?
If you’re unsure of what it takes to start and run a business, you are in the right place! This series of 10 free online learning sessions will help you decide if starting your own business is the right path for you, then guide you through the steps involved in getting started.
Sessions include:
- Are You Ready to Be in Business?
- Researching Your Idea
- Business Structure
- What Are Government Regulations?
- What Is a Business Plan?
- How Do You Finance a Small Business?
- Why Do Market Research?
- Sales and Marketing
- Do You Need Insurance?
- How To Register Your Business
- Non-Profits 101
Start-Up Sessions
Are you ready to launch? Do you know how to build a solid foundation for your start-up?
You’ve done the research, tested your idea, and are ready to launch! This is an exciting time, but there are things you need to ensure your business's success. This series of 10 free online learning sessions will set you up with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully launch your new business.
Sessions include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Model Canvas
- Market Research
- Marketing
- Branding
- Pricing
- Sales
- Record Keeping
- Social Media
- Intellectual Property
Growth Sessions
Is your small business ready for growth? Are you prepared for the challenges of growing a business and how to meet them?
Are you an entrepreneur ready to take your small business to the next level? These 10 free online learning sessions will equip you with skills and knowledge to successfully position your business for growth.
Sessions include:
- Key Business Practices
- Time Management
- Building Teams and Organizational Culture
- Sustainable Operations
- Content Management
- Contracts and Leases
- Hiring Employees vs Self Employed Contractors
- Building an Investor Pitch Deck
- Understanding Financial Statements
- Expanding Markets
Steps to Starting a Small Business
In Person Session
Wondering where to start with your small business? Join the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre for an introduction to the rules and regulations surrounding your small business start-up. Topics include forms of business, licensing, business name registration, and more!
Tuesday January 14, 2025: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Exploring Entrepreneurship
In Person Session: St. Catharines Public Library - Merritt Branch
Do you have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Join us as we host the City of St Catharines Small Business Enterprise Centre for an informative session all about what it takes to successfully start a business. In this session you will learn about developing your idea, business supports and tools, and the keys to success.
Monday January 20, 2025: 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Introduction to Market Research
In Person Session
Set the direction of your business and get all of your ideas on paper. Join the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre for look at understanding who is your best customer and how to reach them. Topics include what is market research, the elements of market research, and market research tools.
Tuesday January 21, 2025: 9:30 - 10:30 am
Marketing 101
In Person Session
Started your small business but need to get the word out? Join the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre for a review of basic marketing principles to help you find your ideal customer and build your communication strategy. Topics include value proposition, marketing strategy, sales, and more!
Tuesday January 21, 2025: 11:00 am - Noon
Exploring Entrepreneurship
In Person Session: Dr. Huq Family Library Branch
Do you have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur? Join us as we host the City of St Catharines Small Business Enterprise Centre for an informative session all about what it takes to successfully start a business. In this session you will learn about developing your idea, business supports and tools, and the keys to success.
Thursday January 23, 2025: 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Marketing Channels
Virtual Session
What marketing channels are right for your business? Understanding how different channels reach different customers helps you build an effective marketing plan. This session will cover a variety of different marketing channels and how each can be used most effectively. Presented by Sara Norton of REPLY-ALL.
Monday January 27, 2025: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Business Planning Pt. 1: The Business Plan
In Person Session
What is a business plan and why do you need one? Join the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre for an in depth look at the basics of developing your business plan. Topics include why write a business plan, sections of a business plan, and how to build out each section.
Tuesday January 28, 2025: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Business Planning Pt. 2: The Cash Flow
In Person Session
What is a cash flow, why do you need it, and how do you create one? Join the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre for an in depth look at the basics of developing your financial forecast. Topics include financial terminology, best practices, and a live demonstration.
Thursday January 30, 2025: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Insurance for Small Business
Learn about insurance and how to ensure you have the right coverage for your small business needs. This informative webinar will provide you with working knowledge of small business insurance, demystifying all the jargon. It will also enable you to ask the right kinds of questions from insurance professionals.
Hosted by Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre
Wednesday January 15, 2025: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Create your Google Business Profile
In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish. Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use.
Hosted by Business Advisory Centre Durham
Thursday January 23, 2025: 9:30 - 10:30 am
Crime Prevention Strategies for Retail Environments - Lunch & Learn
Is retail theft impacting your business? Ensure the safety of your employees and customers by joining WSPS's insightful webinar on effective crime prevention strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your retail environment's safety and security. Equip your team with the knowledge and tools to prevent crime effectively.
Hosted by Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
Wednesday January 29, 2025: Noon - 1:00 pm
Safety Connection: Managing Safety without a Safety Department
Finding the time and resources for safety can be challenging. Not all workplaces have a team or department of safety professionals at the ready to create and implement safety programs. Join Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) as we tackle how to approach workplace safety without a safety department. We will explore how to accomplish legislated safety tasks and best practices to create a safer workplace, and provide simple tools you can add to your workplace safety program.
Hosted by WSPS
Wednesday January 29. 2025: 10:30 am - Noon
The Food and Beverage manufacturing sector of Ontario is the 3rd largest in North America and is vitally important to our local and regional economy. For over 30 years, Ontario Small Business Enterprise Centres have been committed to guiding people through the start-up and early growth stages of small business.
Foodpreneur Advantage is a regional collaboration of Small Business Enterprise Centres.
Whether you are starting your food venture, or ready to expand and scale your operation, this is the place to start. This webinar series is designed to guide you through the different areas of starting your food or food manufacturing business.
The series is offered on a few times per year on an ongoing basis. You can register for any or all of the sessions individually.
Foodpreneur start-up webinar series includes the following sessions:
- Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance
- How to Sell Your Food Product
- Costing & Pricing to Make Profits
- Marketing & Branding your Food Product
- Labelling & Packaging your Food Product
- Selling to Food Retailers
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Presents Business After 5
Join the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) for an evening of food, fun, networking, and prizes! Business After 5 is a monthly networking event hosted at local businesses or community spaces throughout Niagara.
Tickets are complimentary for GNCC members. Non-members are welcome to attend two Business After 5 events complimentary before coming on board as a GNCC member.
While admission is free, registration is required!
Register HereUpcoming Dates:
Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Host: Holiday Inn & Suites, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines
Tuesday, February 4, 2025: Host: Brock LINC, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines
Discover Why St. Catharines Is Your Business Advantage
Contact our team of experts for a consultation today.