Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada

Thriving as a Disabled Entrepreneur: Zoom Workshop
2025-12-03 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual
Are you a disabled entrepreneur or have you been dreaming of starting your own business?
Offered for the first time on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this workshop celebrates the strengths and insights you bring to the table. Join Community Futures BC on Zoom for an empowering session on building a business that works with—not against—your body, brain, and life. We’ll explore why self-employment can offer unique access and agency, how to harness your lived experience as a professional asset, and practical ways to design for sustainability and prevent burnout. You’ll leave with real-life examples, actionable tools, and the encouragement to define success on your own terms.
Cost to Attend
This event is free to attend for BC residents. For attendees outside of BC there is a $30 ticket fee. For more information, or for questions about ticketing please visit the official page.
This is an IWSCC Community Partner Event, hosted by Community Futures BC.
To learn more about this event, including registration, accessibility, and contact information, please visit the host’s official page with the link below.
Learn more about the event and register here.
Learn more about IWSCC Community Partners here.

Evolve: The National Forum for Veteran Entrepreneurship
2025-11-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Evolve is a celebration of Veteran entrepreneurship in Canada. Rather than a sidestep, a change, or a transformation, retirement from the military is an evolution, as Veterans channel their hard-earned skills, experience, and work ethic into the next stage of their careers.
Featuring speakers from across Canada, Evolve is a space for Veteran business owners and their supporters to share experience and resources.
Visit the Official Evolve Forum Page for Registration and More!

BGIS Supplier Diversity Engagement Event
2025-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
With the goal of increasing Indigenous and diverse supplier engagement, BGIS is hosting a “Doing Business with BGIS” event and invite you to attend and learn about our company.
BGIS is a global leader in integrated facility management services including Facility Management, Project Delivery Services, Critical Environments, Energy and Sustainability, Strategic Asset Management, Technical and Real Estate Services, Workplace Solutions and Sustainable Cleaning Solutions.
Indigenous Engagement and Supplier Diversity & Inclusion are important BGIS strategic initiatives that ensure we are inclusive in our strategic procurement practices. We recognize and value the innovations and importance that a diverse supplier group contributes to our business and are committed to providing opportunities to historically underutilized groups.
We will hear from some of our BGIS Procurement Professionals from the Government Sector as Project Delivery Services.
We will focus on the following topics:

BGIS company information and brief background
BGIS procurement processes and what type of opportunities we have
Where to find opportunities and how to register to become a BGIS supplier

This is an IWSCC Corporate Member Event, hosted by BGIS.
To learn more about this event, including registration, accessibility, and contact information, please visit the host’s official page with the link below.
Learn more about the event and register here.
Learn more about IWSCC Corporate Members here.

Bring Your Creations to Life: Learn why intellectual property matters
2025-10-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Are you ready to grow your business, launch your product, or bring your brand to market?
If so, then you need to know about intellectual property (IP). This presentation will introduce you to trademarks, patents, trade secrets, industrial designs and copyright, and explain how protecting your creations through IP rights can give you an advantage over your competition. We will also be covering an example of an IP strategy.
A special note: if you attend this presentation and wish to discuss particulars of an invention or other IP related creation you are working on, do NOT disclose any specifics during the open session. You have the option of booking a one-on-one free consultation with the speaker after the session. For those in person, you will get to meet with the speaker after the session, for those online, we will provide a link to book.
This is an IWSCC Community Partner Event, hosted by Boundless Accelerator.
To learn more about this event, including registration, accessibility, and contact information, please visit the host’s official page with the link below.
Learn more about the event and register here.
Learn more about IWSCC Community Partners here.

Unlock Growth Through Omnichannel Selling
2025-10-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Ready to take your business to the next level?
Join Boundless Accelerator for an engaging session on how to harness the power of online marketplaces and digital channels to scale smarter. We’ll explore how omnichannel strategies can expand your reach, the best ways to boost brand exposure online, and why building a strong digital presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. Plus, discover practical tools you can start using today to manage, grow, and optimize your online business.
This is an IWSCC Community Partner Event, hosted by Boundless Accelerator.
To learn more about this event, including registration, accessibility, and contact information, please visit the host’s official page with the link below.
Learn more about the event and register here.
Learn more about IWSCC Community Partners here.

La Cité EcoResponsible Certification Program IN PERSON Information & Networking Session
2025-10-01 17:30 - 19:00 | Boundless Accelerator, 400 Southgate Dr (Upstairs), Guelph, ON, N1G 4P5, Canada
Boundless Accelerator is excited to be partnering with La Cité des Affaires to bring an eco-certification program to Guelph area SME’s starting this fall. La Cité des Affaires, through funding from FedDev Ontario, is continuing to offer its EcoResponsible Certification Program to help SMEs across Southern Ontario formalize their sustainability practices and enhance their competitiveness. For the Fall 2025 cohort, five fully funded spots are reserved exclusively for businesses in the Guelph–Kitchener–Waterloo–Cambridge region.
This is an IWSCC Community Partner Event, hosted by Boundless Accelerator.
To learn more about this event, including registration, accessibility, and contact information, please visit the host’s official page with the link below.
Learn more about the event and register here.
Learn more about IWSCC Community Partners here.

SDAC: Connect. Collaborate. Succeed.
2025-09-26 08:00 - 12:00 | TD Conference Centre, Toronto, Concourse Level, 66 Wellington Street, Toronto, ON, M5K 1E6, Canada
Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada (SDAC),in collaboration with WEConnect International, are pleased to present the 9th annual Connect. Collaborate. Succeed. supplier diversity networking event. With a focus on cultivating, building and growing relationships and business opportunities between diverse suppliers, corporations, and public organizations, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
A key component of the event will be the roundtable sessions between corporate partners and diverse suppliers. This is an opportunity for businesses to present themselves directly to leading North American companies, and learn more about their purchasing needs.
Agenda:
8:00 am: Registration Opens
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast & Networking
9:00 – 9:15 am: Opening Remarks
9:15-10:15 am: Panel (More information to come)
10:15 – 10:30 am: Break
10:30– 11:35 am: Corporate-supplier Sourcing Roundtables(More information to come)
11:35 – 12:00 pm: Wrap-Up
Learn More and Register for this Event Here
Find more information about this event and its hosts Here.
For any inquiries, please reach out to events@supplierdiversityalliance.ca

BCPF & SALN Present: A Marketing & Promotion Workshop for Self-Advocacy Leaders in BC
2025-09-24 21:30 - 23:30 | Virtual
Join us for a presentation by Margaux Wosk – BCPF President, local business owner, event planner, and content creator.
You’ll learn about:

General tips for promotion and marketing – getting the word out for events, advocacy information, newsletters, invitations
Social media – what to post and share, how to boost traffic, how to engage people.
Other marketing and promotion strategies: website, email, mail, newspapers
Marketing strategies to reach out to people who do not have technology and live in isolated communities.
Online safety tips.

We hope you can make it!
This presentation is for:

BCPF Members
BCSALN Members
Other self-advocacy group members
Self-Advocates in BC
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to learn about self-advocacy in BC, or ways to get involved in the self-advocacy movement

Hosted by BC People First Society and the BC Self-Advocate Leadership Network — Self-Advocates supporting Self-Advocates!
Accessibility At This Event:
Let us know if you have an accommodation request or if there is something that could help you participate or better enjoy this presentation style workshop event. Email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com.
RSVP Here.
This event is hosted by an organization other than the IWSCC. For questions about this event, IWSCC recommends visiting the host’s website or registration page for more information.

Meet the Buyers: All Members Welcome
2025-09-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
*The original date for this event has been adjusted!*
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next networking opportunity, open to all IWSCC Members.
What to Expect:
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members! As we welcome the fall networking season, we invite all Corporate Members and Certified Suppliers to attend this virtual event and connect over a range of opportunities. Community Members who haven’t been able to attend an event, or haven’t seen an even that sounded right for them this year are encouraged to come out and say hello!
Take an express-pass to getting to know IWSCC Corporate Members when you register for our 30-minute introductions, or stay for more detailed discussions with optional extended networking time. All attendees receive contact information either way, so don’t let a busy schedule keep you from meeting your next business opportunity!
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:05: Announcements & Housekeeping by IWSCC
2:05 – 2:30: IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
2:30 – 3:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event:
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
This IWSCC Networking Event is invite-only for IWSCC Community Members. Invitations to this event will be sent out closer to the event date. For questions about this event, please contact Alex Duerksen at AlexD@iwscc.ca

IWSCC Webinars: Unlocking Opportunities: A Practical Guide to SAP Ariba
2025-09-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Procurement is complex! Learn to navigate SAP Ariba, and more in the latest IWSCC Webinar featuring special guest educator: Stone Procurement.
What To Expect:
Stone Procurement Inc.’s Igli Xhango joins IWSCC to share their experience with one of Canada’s most popular e-procurement tools: SAP Ariba. Learn to navigate the tool, set up a profile as a supplier, and maximize buyer interest by completing that profile the right way.
PLUS get quick tips for other common Canadian e-procurement platforms, with time for Q&A. Expose your business to new opportunities, reduce mis-match and notification spam, and set yourself up for success in the wide world of Canadian e-procurement!
Questions about this webinar? Having trouble registering? Contact Alex Duerksen at AlexD@iwscc.ca.
Agenda (ET):

(3:00 – 3:05) Introduction & Welcome
(3:05 – 3:15) Module 1: Building a Winning Profile
(3:15 – 3:40) Module 2: Live Platform Demo – Finding & Analyzing Bids
(3:40 – 3:45) Module 3: Best Practices & Intro to AI
(3:45 – 3:55) Open Q&A
(3:55 – 4:00) Closing & Resources

About Igli Xhango:
Igli Xhango is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and the founder of Stone Procurement Inc., a Veteran- and Disability-Owned business certified by the IWSCC. He brings over 10 years of experience in the military and 6 years as an entrepreneur and procurement specialist. Igli applies his expertise in logistics, supplier management, and government contracting to Stone Procurement and uses this experience to help demystify the often-complex world of public sector procurement. His work spans key platforms such as SAP Ariba, Bids & Tenders, CanadaBuys, and Ontario’s Jaegger portal.
Accessibility Features sponsored by RBC:

Closed Captions (auto-generated)
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English

Register:
This webinar requires registration to attend. Click here to access the registration page.

Meet the Buyers: Retail, Storefronts, and Customer Service Branches
2025-08-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next IWSCC Corporate Member networking opportunity featuring Corporate Members who connect with their customers on the front line in retail, storefront, branch, and other customer service locations!
What to Expect:
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members operating brick-and-mortar or virtual customer service locations. Build new relationships, reinvigorate past connections, and connect with Members eager to work with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses who go where the people are!
Take an express-pass to connecting when you register for our 30-minute introductions, or stay for more detailed discussions with optional extended networking time. All attendees receive contact information either way, so don’t let a busy schedule keep you from meeting your next business opportunity!
Agenda:
1:00 – 1:05: Announcements & Housekeeping by IWSCC
1:05 – 1:30: IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
1:30 – 2:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event:
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
This IWSCC Networking Event is invite-only for IWSCC Community Members. Invitations to this event will be sent out closer to the event date. For questions about this event, please contact Alex Duerksen at AlexD@iwscc.ca

Meet the Buyers: Construction & Infrastructure
2025-07-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next IWSCC Corporate Member networking opportunity featuring Corporate Members who frequently engage in, and purchase, Construction & Infrastructure projects.
What to Expect:
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members constructing our communities from top to bottom. Build new relationships, reinvigorate past connections, and connect with Members eager to work with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses.
Take an express-pass to connecting when you register for our 30-minute introductions, or stay for more detailed discussions with optional extended networking time. All attendees receive contact information either way, so don’t let a busy schedule keep you from meeting your next business opportunity!
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:05: Announcements & Housekeeping by IWSCC
2:05 – 2:30: IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
2:30 – 3:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event:
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
This IWSCC Networking Event is invite-only for IWSCC Community Members. Invitations to this event have been sent! If you’re an IWSCC Community Member and havent received an invite, please contact Alex Duerksen at AlexD@iwscc.ca

Meet the Buyers: Telecom & IT
2025-06-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next IWSCC Corporate Member networking opportunity featuring our Telecom and IT Corporate Members.
What to Expect:
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members providing Canadians with Telephone, Wireless, Internet, and Information Technology. Build new relationships, reinvigorate past connections, and connect with Members eager to work with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses.
Take an express-pass to connecting when you register for our 30-minute introductions, or stay for more detailed discussions with optional extended networking time. Attendees receive each other’s contact information either way, so don’t let a busy schedule keep you from meeting your next business opportunity!
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:05: Announcements & Housekeeping by IWSCC
2:05 – 2:30: Meet & Greet – IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
2:30 – 3:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event:
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
This IWSCC Networking Event is invite-only for IWSCC Community Members. Invitations to this event will be sent out closer to the event date. For questions about this event, please contact Alex Duerksen at AlexD@iwscc.ca

AccessFest
2025-05-31 | David Pecaut Square, 215 King St West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
AccessFest is a first-of-its-kind, open-to-all celebration of inclusion. Set in the heart of downtown Toronto, this one-day festival is where accessibility meets culture—with a lineup that’s fresh, empowering, and undeniably fun.
AccessNow is transforming David Pecaut Square into a buzzing, barrier-free hub of activity. Think big stage energy, real conversations, immersive installations, and a community that knows how to show up.
Visit the Official AccessFest Page for More Information

Niagara 2025 Ontario Parasport Games
2025-05-30 - 2025-06-01
Presented by Sport Niagara, in May 2025 Niagara will welcome athletes, managers, coaches, officials, and volunteers from across Ontario for the 44th Ontario Parasport Games. Between May 30 to June 1, events will be held at sporting facilities across the Niagara region including Canada Games Park and Brock University in Thorold and the Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne.
Visit the Official Event Page for More Information

Reach: The National Forum for Disabled Entrepreneurship
2025-05-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Each year Canada celebrates National AccessAbility Week beginning from the last Sunday in May. During this time our country highlights the unique qualities of persons with disabilities and the nationwide efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion for all Canadians. In our mission to celebrate entrepreneurs and business owners with disabilities IWSCC invites business owners, entrepreneurs, corporate supporters, members of government, advocates and allies to celebrate Disabled-Owned businesses and the entrepreneurs that succeed not in spite of, but because of their lived experiences.
Join IWSCC at our third annual Forum where Canadian entrepreneurs with disabilities and their supporters gather to share experience and resources. Visit the official Reach Forum Page for more information.

4th Annual City of Brampton Reverse Vendor Tradeshow
2025-05-27 09:00 - 13:00 | The Rose Brampton, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton, ON, L6V 0A3, Canada
IWSCC is attending Brampton’s 4th Annual Reverse Vendor Tradeshow on May 27th. Connect with city buyers and discover procurement opportunities in Brampton.
The City of Brampton is excited to announce their 4th Annual Reverse Vendor Tradeshow is happening on May 27th at The Rose Brampton! Join us as we connect vendors with the people, tools, and processes for doing business with us.
If you’re a vendor with goods or services but unsure how to navigate the process, this event is for you.
Registration
This event is hosted by an IWSCC Corporate Member. To learn more about this event, or to register, please visit their official event page here.

VBNI: Veteran Pitchfest
2025-05-24 09:00 - 14:00 | University of Ottawa Campus, Desmarais 12110, 55 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
Join the Veteran Business Network Institute (VBNI) for our first veteran focused pitchfest with up to $25k in prize money. One day of training and lessons on how to prepare the perfect pitch followed by your chance to present in front of 3 judges.
Visit the Official Event Page for More Information

Meet the Buyers: Governments and Crown Corporations
2025-04-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next IWSCC Corporate Member networking opportunity featuring our Government and Crown Corporation Members.
What to Expect:
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members representing different levels of Government and Canada’s Crown Corporations. Build new relationships, reinvigorate past connections, and connect with Members eager to work with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses.
Take an express-pass to connecting when you register for our 30-minute introductions, or stay for more detailed discussions with optional extended networking time. You’ll receive a list of our attendee’s contact information either way, so don’t let a busy schedule keep you from meeting your next business opportunity!
Who is Attending?
This event’s guest list is still being finalized! Check back soon for updates on who you can expect to meet.
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:05: Words of Welcome from IWSCC
2:05 – 2:30: IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
2:30 – 3:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event:
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
You can use this link to register.

IWSCC Webinars: How Inclusive Entrepreneurship Drives Innovation
2025-04-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Inclusive Entrepreneurship is more than just a social endeavor, it’s good business sense! Don’t take it from us though. Our guest educator, accessibility advocate, and IWSCC Certified Business Owner Jolene MacDonald is here to share experience, expertise, and advice in the latest IWSCC Webinar.
What You’ll Learn:

What makes diverse entrepreneurs uniquely gifted to create great businesses
How inclusive and accessible design creates products and services that benefit all Canadians
How diverse-owned businesses leverage their experience to elevate their success
Resources for Disabled-Owned, diverse-led, and accessibility-minded businesses
Why investing in diverse-owned Canadian businesses is more than social good, it’s good business

Invest in all Canadians when you invest in Inclusive Entrepreneurship thanks to expert guidance from Jolene and Accessibrand!
Questions about this webinar? Having trouble registering? Contact events@iwscc.ca
Agenda (ET):

1:00 – 1:10: Welcome and Housekeeping (Alex Duerksen)
1:10 – 1:45: Main Presentation (Jolene MacDonald)
1:45 – 2:00: Interactive Q&A

About Jolene MacDonald:
Jolene is the Founder and Lead Advocate of Accessibrand™, Canada’s first full-service agency focused on digital accessibility. Accessibrand offers accessible graphic design, marketing, communications, user testing, and training, all delivered by a team with lived disability experience, including Jolene herself.
With 25+ years in the industry and 21 years as an award-winning entrepreneur and creative director, Jolene helps organizations make inclusion central to their digital strategy, ensuring their branding and communications are accessible to all.
Accessibility Features sponsored by RBC:

Closed Captions (auto-generated)
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English

Register:
This webinar requires registration to attend. Use this link to access the registration page, or use the button below to save the date on your Outlook, Google, or iCalendar.

Meet the Buyers: Financial Members
2025-03-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next IWSCC Corporate Member networking opportunity featuring some of Canada’s largest and leading-est providers of Financial Services.
What to Expect
Connect with some of Canada’s largest purchasers, IWSCC Corporate Members providing financial services and products from coast to coast and internationally. Build new relationships, reinvigorate past connections, and connect with Members eager to work with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses.
Agenda
2:00 – 2:05: Words of Welcome from IWSCC
2:05 – 2:30: IWSCC Corporate Member Introductions
Optional:
2:30 – 3:30: Virtual Roundtable Networking
Accessibility at this Event
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
You can use this link to register.

Meet the Suppliers: Training, Assessment, and Certification
2025-02-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Let’s get connected! IWSCC presents your next Diverse Supplier networking opportunity featuring business that help your organization be at its best through expert guidance and measured assessment.
What to Expect
Connect with Certified Veteran-Owned and Disabled-Owned businesses specialized in innovative training, expert assessment, and official certification in a range of fields and sectors. Reach your goals, empower your teams, and exceed expectations with IWSCC Certified Suppliers.
Agenda:
2:00 – 2:10: Words of Welcome from IWSCC
2:10 – 2:40: IWSCC Certified Supplier Introductions
2:40 – 3:50: Virtual Roundtable Networking
3:50 – 4:00: IWSCC Thanks and Announcements
Accessibility at this Event
This event will feature American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for Spoken English provided by Maple Communications Canada and sponsored by RBC. Live Closed Captions are also available via Zoom.
Registration
You can use This Link to Register.

IWSCC Webinars - Navigating Neurodiversity: Personal Insights & Professional Perspectives
2025-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Transform your understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace through the unique lens of someone who’s lived it. Join neurodivergent consultant and educator Jenine Lillian (they/them) for an engaging session that combines personal experience as a late-diagnosed autistic professional with over 30 years of expertise in education and professional development.
What You’ll Explore:

Understanding neurodiversity through both personal and professional perspectives
How to recognize and amplify the unique strengths of neurodiverse professionals
Authentic ways to connect with neurodiverse colleagues, staff, and clients
Practical strategies for creating truly inclusive environments

This isn’t just another workplace training—it’s an opportunity to learn from someone who understands neurodiversity from the inside out.
Click Here to Register for this Webinar.
Questions about this webinar? Contact Jenine at info@jeninelillian.com or visit www.jeninelillian.com
Having trouble registering? Contact events@iwscc.ca
Agenda (PT):

11:00-11:05: Welcome and Housekeeping (Alex Duerksen)
11:05-11:45: Main Presentation (Jenine Lillian)
11:45-12:00: Interactive Q&A

About Jenine:
Based in the West Kootenays, BC, Jenine is a neurodivergent consultant, educator, artist, and librarian whose late-in-life autism diagnosis became a catalyst for change. They combine decades of teaching experience with personal authenticity to break down barriers and build understanding in workplaces across North America.
Accessibility Features (sponsored by RBC):

Closed Captions (auto-generated)
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation

Annual IWSCC Holiday Social
2024-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
IWSCC Community Members are invited to join us this holiday for our annual Holiday Social! This light-hearted meeting is a time to celebrate our accomplishments, share details for next year, and connect with each other before retiring to ring in the new year.
This meeting will also include a brief presentation by IWSCC as we look back at 2024 and plan for 2025, including special community announcements, upcoming initiatives, and new event styles to maximize your connections with IWSCC Corporate Members.
Put on your ugly sweaters, warm up your beverages, and bring your holiday spirit along with your fellow community members and the IWSCC team!
Click here to access this event’s registration page.

Evolve: The National Forum for Veteran Entrepreneurship
2024-11-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Evolve is a celebration of Veteran entrepreneurship in Canada. Rather than a sidestep, a change, or a transformation, retirement from the military is an evolution, as Veterans channel their hard-earned skills, experience, and work ethic into the next stage of their careers.
Featuring speakers from across Canada, Evolve is a space for Veteran business owners and their supporters to share experience and resources.
Save the date below, or learn more on the official Evolve Forum page.

Webinar: Disability Literacy 101 - Inclusion Education for the Workplace
2024-11-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Understanding disability isn’t about training. It’s about familiarity. It’s about introductions and conversations. It’s about the comfort, confidence and competence that follows.
Mindset’s Disability Literacy 101 seminar challenges assumptions, stereotypes and biases with authentic lived-experiences shared by highly-regarded subject-matter experts representing various disabilities.
Wherever you may be in your diversity, equity and inclusion journey, mindset is fashioned to help you move the dial.
Presented by mindset’s Executive Producer Jeff Tiessen, PLY. Informed by 45+ years of lived-experience as a double-arm amputee, and 30+ in the media business, Tiessen is a 3x Paralympian and gold medalist, award-winning author, advocate, publisher, producer and educator. Learn more at https://disabilitytodaynetwork.com.
This event requires registration to attend. Click here to access the registration page.
Accessibility at this event:
This event will feature an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, Closed Captions (generated by the Zoom platform), and chat functionality for Q&A periods. Please include any requests for additional accommodation in your registration. A special thank you to our 2024 Accessibility sponsors RBC and Bell for supporting these features.
For questions about this event, please contact events@iwscc.ca

Webinar: Supporting your small business journey: Navigating Government Tools and Resources
2024-10-25 00:00 | Virtual
There are hundreds of federal, provincial and territorial government programs and services to help Canadian businesses start, grow and scale. Do you know where to find them? We can help with that.
Join Innovation Canada for a free online session on Friday, October 25, 2024. You’ll hear from Government of Canada representatives who will share details and insights about programs and services dedicated to supporting small and medium businesses in Canada – including where to find the support and how to make the most of it.

English session: Friday October 25th at 1:30 p.m. EDT
French session: Friday October 25th at 11:00 a.m. EDT

Curious to know more about what we’ll cover? Here’s what you’ll get:

Discover a free and powerful tool: Learn about an innovative web tool that will provide you, in just minutes, with a customized list of business support programs and services
Expert advice: Tips and tricks to help you find and leverage government support.
Compliance made easy: In seconds, search through all the licenses and permits you’ll need to be in compliance with federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal standards.
Entrepreneur Lived Experience: Get inspired by a small business owner sharing their entrepreneurial journey and how they’ve leveraged government resources and tools.

Please note: Space for these sessions is limited.

Webinaire gratuit : À l’appui de votre parcours entrepreneurial : Explorer l’espace
gouvernemental des outils et des ressources

Il existe des centaines de programmes et de services des gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et territoriaux qui favorisent la création des entreprises canadiennes, leur croissance et leur expansion. Savez-vous où les trouver ? Laissez-nous vous aider.
Soyez des nôtres pour une session en ligne gratuite vendredi, le 25 octobre 2024. Des représentants du gouvernement du Canada vous feront part de renseignements significatifs sur les programmes et services dédiés au soutien des petites et moyennes entreprises canadiennes et vous en donneront un bref aperçu. De plus, ils vous indiqueront où trouver le soutien dont vous avez besoin et comment en tirer le meilleur parti.
Vous vous demandez de quoi il s’agira? Voici ce que nous allons présenter :

Session en français : vendredi, le 25 octobre à 11 h HAE
Session en anglais : vendredi, le 25 octobre à 13 h 30 HAE

Vous vous demandez de quoi il s’agira? Voici ce que nous allons présenter :

un outil gratuit et puissant – Prenez connaissance d’un outil Web novateur qui vous fournira, en quelques minutes seulement, une liste de programmes et de services de soutien aux entreprises;
des conseils d’experts – Des conseils et des astuces pour vous aider à trouver
et à obtenir le soutien du gouvernement.;
la conformité simplifiée – En quelques secondes, faites une recherche parmi toutes les licences et tous les permis dont vous avez besoin pour être en conformité avec les normes fédérales, provinciales/territoriales et municipales;
le témoignage d’un entrepreneur – Inspirez-vous de l’expérience vécue par un propriétaire de petite entreprise qui vous fera part de son parcours entrepreneurial et de quelle façon il a tiré parti des ressources et des outils gouvernementaux.

Remarque : Les places sont limitées

Webinar: A.I. Literacy for Small Businesses
2024-10-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
A.I. is the modern technical revolution. In such a rapidly changing field, it can be difficult for a busy entrepreneur to wrap their head around the wealth of options, solutions, and tools hitting the marketplace. What can A.I. do for small businesses? Does it only exist to eliminate jobs? How can automation help my business grow sustainably.
It’s time for a modern learning opportunity. Don’t let this technological wave pass you by as we dig into what A.I. really is, demystify myths, and share how automation can elevate your business.
Participants will:

Learn to understand the key terms used by A.I. and automation experts.
Learn to understand just what modern A.I. is, how it works, and what it can and can’t do for you.
Hear how automation can elevate productivity and support small teams without eliminating jobs.
Understand how A.I. can be used responsibly to support your business without losing the human touch.

Tackle fears, demystify Artificial Intelligence, and arm yourself with knowledge on how you can use this rapidly changing new toolkit to grow your business with help from the award-winning, Certified Women-Owned, and sustainability champions at WACADs Group Inc.
This event requires registration to attend. Click here to access the registration page.
Accessibility at this event:
This event will feature an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, Closed Captions (generated by the Zoom platform), and chat functionality for Q&A periods. Please include any requests for additional accommodation in your registration. A special thank you to our 2024 Accessibility sponsors RBC and Bell for supporting these features.
For questions about this event, please contact events@iwscc.ca

Webinar: Unlock tomorrow's business trends to fast-track your growth
2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join BDC’s Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux and their experts for a free webinar to discover the four key business trends you can’t ignore and the concrete actions you can take to remain profitable and position your business for future growth.
This event is hosted by an organization outside of IWSCC. Click here to visit the event page.
This kick-off event is just one of many hosted by BDC and other organizations during Small Business Week, running from October 20 – 26. Click here to learn more about Small Business Week and the events hosted by BDC and their partners.

In-Person Event: Innovation Canada’s Business Support Expo
2024-10-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Commercial Space C1, CD Howe Building, 235 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Innovation Canada is pleased to present our first FREE in-person event where SMEs will get to learn – first hand – about Government of Canada support for business! Come for an hour or come for the day! Hear from panelists and representatives from programs and services across the government, as they talk – on stage and in info booths throughout our kiosk area – about tools and resources available for Canadian businesses to start, scale and grow.

Where: 235 Queen Street — Ottawa, Ontario (Commercial space C1, CD Howe
Building)
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024,
Time: 9 a.m. EDT to 4 p.m. EDT
Who: Entrepreneurs, business leaders, and support organizations in the Ottawa
and surrounding areas
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Getting there: Location is near many OC Transpo and STO bus routes.

Activité en personne : Exposition sur le soutien aux entreprises d’Innovation Canada
Nous sommes heureux de vous présenter notre toute première activité en personne GRATUITE qui permettra aux entrepreneurs de prendre connaissance à propos du soutien du gouvernement du Canada aux entreprises! Soyez des nôtres, soit pour une heure, soit pour la journée entière. Écoutez les panélistes et les représentants des programmes et services d’un bout à l’autre du gouvernement, qui discuteront — sur scène et dans des kiosques d’information — des outils et des ressources aptes à favoriser la création d’une entreprise canadienne, sa croissance et son expansion.

Lieu : 235, rue Queen — Ottawa (Ontario) – (Espace réservé aux locaux commerciaux C1 de l’édifice CD Howe)
Date : mardi, le 22 octobre 2024
Heure : de 9 h HAE à 16 h HAE
Participants ciblés : entrepreneurs, dirigeants d’entreprises et organisations de soutien dans la région d’Ottawa et dans les régions voisines
Coût : gratuit
Inscription : Eventbrite
Comment s’y rendre : L’emplacement se trouve à proximité de nombreuses lignes d’autobus d’OC Transpo et de la STO.
