This Week! Small Business Week 2017 in Calgary! See Events HERE

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CALGARY – This week marks 35 years of BDC Small Business Week™ festivities in Calgary. As a city fueled by entrepreneurial spirit, these five days provide a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the small but mighty businesses that make Calgary great.

“When people think of business they think of global companies and tall office towers. Yet the vast majority of businesses in Calgary are small businesses – the ones that are in our neighbourhoods,” says Adam Legge, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber. “Your local coffee shop. Plumber. Your favourite restaurant. Web designer. And who cuts your hair. Most of these are small businesses. It is incredible how vibrant our communities are because of small business. These companies and business owners are working hard every day to do things better, give back to their community, and to be a successful company.

“This week is all about celebrating entrepreneurship in Calgary and the Small Business Week awards event allows us to honour the innovative, courageous spirit of businesses,” says Teresa Clouston, Executive Vice President of ATB Business & Agriculture. “Small Business Week also provides Calgarians an opportunity to recognize these phenomenal entrepreneurs and small businesses, and provides the opportunity to learn more about the entrepreneurial experience and the spirit that drives their hustle.”

Calgary remains the small business capital of Canada with more than 95% of all businesses in the city being small businesses. Small Business Week™ in Calgary is all about recognizing the many contributions each makes to our local economy. Even though it’s already the largest celebration of small business in Canada, the Calgary Chamber and its partners have made it bigger than ever before, and are gearing up for the most impactful week yet.

“BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to Canadian entrepreneurs, accompanying them at every step of their business journey. Part of that journey includes looking to the future to ensure business owners are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead,” says Michael Denham, BDC’s President and CEO.

A variety of events will be held across the city focused on connecting small business owners with the tools, resources, and people to help their business grow and succeed.

The highlight every year is the Small Business Calgary Conference. This year, 44 finalists representing a wide cross-section of Calgary’s brightest businesses will compete in nine diverse award categories. Past winners of these awards have gone on to become pillars in our community. Some past winners include Calgary Elite Roofing, Vets to Go, Fiasco Gelato, Village Brewery, Spolumbo’s Fine Foods and Deli, Alberta Boot Company and many more.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK CALGARY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

October 17: Millennials: Taking charge and changing business

CRAFT Beer Market, 345 10^th Avenue SW, 7:30 am – 9:30 am

Corporate charity is passé. Company purpose is king. Millennials want their companies to be not just among the best in the world, but the best for the world. They’re using profitable business models that create social and environmental benefits. Hosted by BDC, come hear the stories of two inspiring next-gen entrepreneurs: Fiasco Gelato’s James Boettcher and Kelly Mandeville from Beau’s Brewery. Craig Ryan, Director of Social Entrepreneurship at BDC, will kick off the discussion with a overview of the B Corp movement.

October 18: Celebrating Small Business Week: An evening with the entrepreneurs

Studio Bell – National Music Centre, 850 4th Street SE, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Calgary is rapidly gaining notoriety for its outstanding breweries and distilleries. Join MacLeod Law for an evening of up-close and personal interviews moderated by Partner Robert Fooks with two dynamic local entrepreneurs who are leading the charge in redefining their industries from right here in Calgary: Graham Sherman from Tool Shed Brewing and David Farran from Eau Claire Distillery.

October 19: Small Business Calgary Conference

BMO Centre – Hall C, 20 Roundup Way SW, 8:30 am – 9:30 pm

8:30 am: Doors open
9:00 am – 4:45 pm: Academy sessions
11:00 am – 6:00 pm: Expo floor open
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Matthew Corrin keynote
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Small Business Calgary Awards

Hosted by the Calgary Chamber, this full day of business acceleration will be attended by over 1600 Calgary business leaders from companies of all sizes. The Conference includes an interactive Expo, an inspiring keynote from Freshii’s Founder and CEO Matthew Corrin, an immersive Academy filled with learning sessions, and an awards show highlighting our city’s most interesting and innovative up and coming small businesses.

For a full listing of this week’s events, please visit: SmallBusinessWeekCalgary.com/events

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For more information on the week or profiles on the Award finalists, contact Kaitlyn Mason at 403-815-2750 or media@calgarychamber.com.

About BDC

BDC is the only bank dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. With its 118 business centres from coast to coast and over 49,000 clients across Canada, BDC provides businesses in all industries with financing and advisory services. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions. BDC is also the first financial institution in Canada to receive B Corp certification. To find out more, visit bdc.ca.

This year, BDC Small Business Week™ 2017 is looking toward the future to uncover emerging trends that will shape and grow Canadian businesses in the years to come. From emerging digital technologies that are redefining ways of doing business, to shifting demographic trends marked by an aging population, and an increasingly diversified and skilled labour force, Canada’s business landscape is changing in profound and unprecedented ways across all industries.

About ATB Business

With assets of $48.6 billion, ATB Financial is Alberta’s largest home-grown financial institution. Established in 1938, ATB is a network of 173 branches, 143 agencies, a Customer Care Centre, two Entrepreneur Centres, along with mobile and online banking. ATB’s 5,021 team members help more than 725,000 customers in 247 Alberta communities.

About the Calgary Chamber

The Calgary Chamber is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. For 126 years the Chamber has worked to connect Calgary’s businesses, help them grow and expand their influence in an effort to make the city an even better place to live and work for all.