Get Canada’s Economic Outlook at Vaughan’s Small Business Week event!
Hear from BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux on Thursday, Oct. 22
Are you an entrepreneur wondering what’s ahead for the economy and what could it mean for your food and beverage business? As part of this year’s Small Business Week programming, the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) is inviting local businesses and entrepreneurs to attend an Economic Outlook Session on Thursday, Oct. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.).
Presented jointly with Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO), the session will feature Business Development Bank of Canada’s (BDC) Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux, who will share economic insights to help businesses better understand the landscape ahead.
The Economic Outlook Session is part of a full week of programming taking place from Monday, Oct. 19 to Friday, Oct. 23 in celebration of Small Business Week.
The week begins with a Kickoff Networking Event on Monday, Oct. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The HUB (290 Caldari Rd.). Hosted by VBEC in partnership with TechConnex, the event features networking, a keynote presentation by Monifa Brooks, co-founder of Garabyte, and a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs on leadership, resilience and growth.
Throughout the week, participants can also take part in in-person and virtual sessions exploring practical strategies to build resilience, improve productivity and drive growth, including:
- Create Inclusive Workplaces: Queer Inclusion and Allyship – Virtually via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Leveling the Playing Field with Tech – Virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Hustle, Hobby or Hard No? – Virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Financing for Black Entrepreneurs – In person at Bathurst Clark Resource Library (900 Clark Ave. W.) and virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Networking with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce – In person at Costco Wholesale (55 New Huntington Rd.) on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Small Business Week is a nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small businesses make to our economy. In Vaughan, small businesses account for more than 87 per cent of all local businesses. To celebrate their achievements, the City’s 2026 programming is being delivered in partnership with local business support organizations, including TechConnex, BDC, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, Futurpreneur, FBO, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and Vaughan Public Libraries.
For more information and to register for the Economic Outlook Session and other Small Business Week events, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/SBW.
VBEC
Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBAC) deliver provincially funded programs and services that help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and succeed. With more than 50 centres across Ontario, OSBACs foster local business growth and strengthen communities across the province.
OSBAC programs and services are delivered by the VBEC and are funded in partnership with the Government of Ontario.
VBEC provides information, referrals, advisory services, mentoring, workshops, networking opportunities and business resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages of development.
To learn more about starting or growing your business, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
Connect with Vaughan Economic Development
Connect with the team to discuss your business needs and explore available resources and opportunities at vaughanbusiness.ca/connect or ed@vaughan.ca.
Stay connected
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