Many of the top entrepreneurs in the country will gather at The 2017 Globe and Mail Small Business Summit on May 9th in Toronto. The annual event brings together hundreds of entrepreneurs to talk about growing their businesses.
The keynote speakers are Michael Serbinis, founder of book technology company Kobo and benefits platform League, and Matthew Corrin, founder of the healthy restaurant chain Freshii.
Other high profile entrepreneurs featured include Allen Lau from story platform Wattpad, designer and TV star Sarah Richardson, Steve Beauschene of Beau's All Natural Brewing Company and Mohamad Fakih, founder of Paramount Fine Foods.
The event will also feature workshops on social media marketing, global expansion, raising money and creating a great workplace culture.
For full event details visit www.globesummits.ca.
2017 Globe and Mail Small Business Summit lineup
Opening keynote: Michael Serbinis, CEO of League
Creating innovative companies that will thrive in the new economy
Michael is a visionary entrepreneur who has built transformative technology platforms in several industries. He was the founder and CEO of Kobo, a digital reading company that burst onto the publishing scene in 2009, driving $110 million in sales in its first year. Today he leads League, a company transforming the workplace benefits sector with its mobile marketplace of health and wellness providers. League raised $33 million from OMERS Ventures, one of the largest Series A venture capital rounds in Canadian tech history.
Moderator: Sarah Efron, Globe and Mail Small Business Editor
Closing keynote: Matthew Corrin, founder of Freshii
A healthy, growing business
Matthew Corrin shares lessons from the rise of Freshii, which began as a single restaurant in Toronto in 2005 and now has more than 240 outlets. By tapping into a desire for healthy food options, Matthew has taken the chain to South America, Europe and the Middle East. Matthew raised $125 million in an IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange and plans for an aggressive expansion to 840 locations by the end of 2019.
Moderator: Derek DeCloet, Report on Business Editor
Panel discussion: Key lessons from leading entrepreneurs
Three of Canada's leading entrepreneurs share insights on things that went right – and wrong – while building their businesses. Their inspiring and surprising tips will give you ideas you can apply to your own company.
Sarah Richardson, founder of Sarah Richardson Design
Allen Lau, co-founder of Wattpad
Steve Beauchesne, co-founder of Beau's All Natural Brewing Company
Moderator: Susan Krashinsky Robertson, Report on Business Marketing Reporter
Panel discussion: Creating a great workplace culture
These small business owners get beyond clichés to offer actionable real world strategies to keep and attract the best employees without huge salaries.
Josie Rudderham, cofounder of Cake and Loaf bakery
Johnathan Nightingale, chief product officer at Hubba
Shastri Ramnath, founder of Orix Geoscience
Dave Jones, VP Business Development, Sun Life Financial.
Moderator: Roma Luciw, Globe and Mail personal finance editor
Panel discussion: How to build a global business
The key to success today is building a brand with appeal at home and abroad. This panel of global entrepreneurs will talk about how to expand your horizons and give insight into the logistics, marketing and financing for a cross border expansion.
Mohamad Fakih, founder of Paramount Fine Foods
Bruce Linton, CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation
David Hogan, partner and cross-border tax planning specialist at Richter
Shamira Jaffer, founder of Signifi
Moderator: Andrew Willis, Globe and Mail Business Columnist
Workshop: The blueprint of a successful sales pitch
B2B selling has become more difficult in recent years as access to potential clients has diminished and expectations for value have risen. In order to thrive in the current competitive environment, small business owners will learn to reframe their customers' thinking around purchasing decisions. Attendees will learn the mechanics of an ideal elevator pitch and essential techniques in prospect calling.
Ben Firman, founder & co-CEO of 80-20 Growth Corporation
Mark Zschocke, founder & co-CEO of 80-20 Growth Corporation
Panel discussion: Where the money is
Getting money can be a challenge for small businesses. Our panelists will let you in on the secrets of financing from fintech lenders, angel investors and venture capital firms.
Dan Kelly, president of Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Andrew Zakharia, founder of AZ Accounting Firm
Jonathon Dent, regional head and senior vice-president at CIBC
Sarah Prevette, founder of Future Design School
Moderator: Rita Trichur, Globe and Mail Financial Services Editor
Workshop: Creating buzz for your brand on a budget
This fast-paced workshop will show you how to cut through the clutter of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat by crafting messages that will actually reach your customers. By understanding algorithms and using innovative ideas, you'll be able to create content that will be widely shared. Your next paid social campaign will bring in new business and could cost as little as $30.
Dani Gagnon, CEO of Dani G Inc.
For full event information visit
www.globesummits.ca.