Small Business Week, Oct. 15-19

Aim High! Invest in Your Future

Entrepreneurs across Canada and in the Tri-Cities are aiming high—investing to build better, more competitive businesses.
To grow, they need the right people, technology and business skills to beat the competition both here and abroad. Small Business Week^TM 2012 is about sharing stories of success and helpful, practical advice on how to succeed with those who are ambitious for their companies.
The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and our partners The City of Coquitlam, TD Canada Trust, The Now and the Business Development Bank of Canada will be hosting a program of events during Small Business Week. Our goal is to provide advice to business owners, employees and individuals that will give them an edge in a competive marketplace.

Economic Forecast

Oct. 15, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
TD Bank Group Chief Economist Craig Alexander
Best Western Coquitlam Inn and Convention Centre

Please join us for an informative and lively presentation from leading economist Craig Alexander, who will share insights on the BC, Canadian and Global economies at this power-packed luncheon session. His presentation includes forecasts for interest rates, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and real estate markets.

REGISTER HERE

Rewards Program

Oct. 17, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Brad Pollock, Overwaitea Food Group
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar

Brad Pollock, director of Overwaitea's More Rewards Loyalty Program, will explore the ins and outs of a successful rewards program. He'll also explain why Overwaitea has one of the most successful rewards programs in the market today, with more than three million active members in Western Canada. There will also be plenty of time for a Q & A session with one of the industry's leaders in consumer marketing and customer loyalty.

REGISTER HERE

Difficult Conversations

Oct. 19, noon to 2 p.m.
Michael Walsh, Founder Kaizen Consulting
Eaglequest Coquitlam

Learn how to tackle difficult conversations with employees, employers and anyone you may come into contact with in your day-to-day business. Michael Walsh, founder of Kaizen Consulting will take you through the tools needed to approach difficult conversations with confidence and produce positive results.

REGISTER HERE

Sponsors for Small Business Week

Referral Relationships

Oct. 16, 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Susan Clement, Success Coaching
Joey Coquitlam

Don't spend all of your time marketing your company. Instead, develop referral relationships. International speaker, author and business coach Sue Clement will share her personal story and some key tactics on how to optimize your marketing efforts to increase your sales by developing referral relationships.

REGISTER HERE

Engagement Marketing

Oct. 18, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Ted Lau, Ballistic Arts Media Studio
PoCo Inn & Suites Hotel

Ted Lau will share his online marketing insights and discuss what marketing traps to avoid. He'll also talk about how you can leverage a limited budget and use some of the latest marketing trends.
The talk will be followed by the PoCo Inn and Suite's open house, featuring live entertainment, appetizers, wine tasting and door prizes.

REGISTER HERE

Small Business Week Event Pass

Oct. 16-19
Member price: $55, Non-members price: $100

This special Small Business Week Pass will grant you entry to the following four events:

Tuesday Oct. 16 - The Secret to Getting More Referrals
Presented by: Sue Clement of Success Coaching
Location: Joey Coquitlam
Time: 7:45-9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Oct. 17 - Keys for Developing a Successful Rewards Program
Presented by: Brad Pollock, Director of the More Rewards Loyalty Porgram for the Overwaitea Food Group
Location: The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Coquitlam
Time: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday Oct. 18 - Online Marketing; Impacting your Bottom Line followed by PoCo Inn & Suites Open House
Presented by: Ted Lau, CEO of Ballistic Arts Media Studios Inc.
Location: The PoCo Inn & Suites Hotel
Time: Presentation at 4 p.m., Open House at 6 p.m.

Friday Oct. 19, 2012 - The Anatomy of Difficult Conversations
Presented by: Michael Walsh, Founder of Kaizen Consulting, Author, Speaker
Location: Eaglequest Coquitlam
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
REGISTER HERE

Promote Yourself During Small Business Week

As part of BDC Small Business Week™ 2012, The NOW and The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce have partnered together and will be publishing a high-profile wrap on October 10 highlighting the events of the week.

Do you want your business to be noticed? Put your advertising message front and centre and read by 90,000 people in the Tri-Cities with this limited and exclusive advertising opportunity. Interested? Contact The Now at 604.444.3451.