DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair 2019

Plan, launch and grow your business

Held annually in Surrey, BC, during Small Business Month since 2016, the DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair, presented by TD Bank, is back for 2019! The free fair is open to all budding entrepreneurs with a special focus on helping diverse communities such as immigrants get the knowledge and tools they need to plan, launch and grow their own business in Canada.

Date: October 23, 2019
Time: 5 – 8 pm
Where: Surrey City Hall (13450 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC)
FREE ADMISSION (Registration available at the door)

What you’ll find at the fair

• Inspiring speakers, practical workshops and success stories
• Exhibitor booths of organizations who offer self-employment and small business information and resources
• Business showcase of local immigrant entrepreneurs
• One-on-one advice to help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey
• Presentation of Immigrant Entrepreneur Grant Awards
• Networking and refreshments

How will the fair help me?

• Explore business ideas
• Learn from other entrepreneurs
• Get information on the basics of starting a business
• Learn about financing options for your business
• Get help on writing a business plan
• Get tips on marketing your business
• And much more …

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker: Harry Narang
The Future of Entrepreneurship
7 pm

Build an ultra-profitable business in Canada in 2020 and beyond! Are you an immigrant entrepreneur? Want to start a small business or become self-employed? In this engaging, interactive and inspirational presentation, keynote speaker Harry Narang will reveal tangible strategies and perspectives on key elements critical to success in being an entrepreneur and small business today and in the future.

Biography: Harry Narang is an accomplished author, multiple award-winning keynote speaker and business consultant. In 2016, he was judged as one of the top 9 speakers in Canada by Toastmasters International. Recognized as one of the most sought-after thought leaders in North America, Harry has not only trained more than 25,000 entrepreneurs and executives on business excellence and leadership, but also consulted for 100+ enterprise clients.  Watch this video of Harry!

3 Mini Workshops

From 5:45 – 6:45 pm, check out these quick and informative workshops on diverse small business and self-employment topics.

Workshop #1:  10 Tips to Keep You on Time, on Task and on the Path to Success
Want to learn about staying organized and on task as you launch or grow your business? It’s not easy to multitask and handle all the competing demands on your time as an entrepreneur. Karen Southall Watts can help you get organized with her 10 secret tips for success!

Speaker: Karen Southall Watts has been working with entrepreneurs, managers and leaders for over a decade. She became a Canadian citizen in October 2018 and lives to encourage others. She can be reached at www.karensouthallwatts.com.

Workshop #2: How to Run a Collective Business
In this presentation, Michael will discuss how a group of immigrant women turned their similar interests into a business opportunity, as a collective business. As individuals, the women have different skillsets, resources and limitations, and they worked together as a team to pursue their entrepreneurial goals together. Their experience sheds new lights on what it means to be an entrepreneur, and how one can become successful by collaborating with others with complementary skills and resources.

Speaker: Michael Yue is manager, Partnership Development Office, at Vancouver Community College (VCC).

Workshop #3: A Nation of Entrepreneurs: The Changing Face of Canadian Entrepreneurship
Recognizing that newcomers to Canada face unique challenges in starting or growing their businesses, BDC’s Newcomer Entrepreneur Success Team (NEST) is dedicated to supporting newcomers, helping them to overcome barriers they may face in building or buying a business in Canada.  Tricia will share industry trends, surprising insights and a new BDC study covering issues such as the challenges facing entrepreneurs, key factors that drive their growth and how to develop the right skillset to grow.  Discover what it takes to succeed in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Speaker: Tricia Chio is senior advisor, Newcomer Entrepreneur Success Team with BDC. As a development banker, Tricia takes the time to understand each entrepreneur’s unique challenges and opportunities, providing customized practical business solutions combined with tailored financing to meet their growth objectives, whether to purchase equipment or realty, working capital for growth, technology improvement, franchising, transition and succession planning.

Master of Ceremonies

Catherine Steele will guide our evening as our emcee.  Known internationally as the Clear Communicator, Catherine is a speaker, coach and consultant who trains corporate teams and individuals on the clear speaking skills necessary to be competitive in today’s global marketplace. Her experience coaching over 7,000 clients on pronunciation for personal and professional success have made her one of the most sought-after speakers on pronunciation in Canada.

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

DIAMOND SPONSOR

GRANT SPONSORS

EXHIBITORS

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Be a sponsor or exhibitor

Want to participate in the 2019 DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur and Small Business Fair as a diamond sponsor, grant sponsor or exhibitor? Contact selfemployment@dcrs.ca.

Download Sponsorship and Exhibition Package