It might surprise you to learn that, as of January 2024, there were approximately 1.3 million small businesses in Canada which, together, employs over 11 million people. The stats, obtained from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website, also indicate that small businesses represent 98% of all businesses in Canada.
Small businesses are clearly crucial to our economy, and our national workforce, but although they are small, they can face big, and sometimes complex, challenges.
Financial challenges like cash flow and economic uncertainty. Insufficient, or inefficient, use of technology, AI, online presence, social media, marketing, and building brand awareness. Competition for new customers. Understanding and complying with regulations.
For a small business it can be overwhelming, but one tool in the toolbox you should not overlook is your local Chamber of Commerce.
In Caledon, the Chamber of Commerce has recently announced its Fall Business Summit. Titled ‘Thrive 2025: Growth, Economy, and AI’ it offers a solid list of inspirational business professionals to listen to and learn from.
Keynote speaker, Daniel Tisch Echevarria, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, was born in Spain to a Latin American family and raised in Toronto. He speaks English, French and Spanish and holds two degrees from Queen’s University – a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Master of Business Administration.
Daniel was the driving force from 2003 to 2023, in building Argyle Communications (now Changemakers) into Canada’s largest management-owned engagement, communication and reputation advisory firm growing to $40M in revenue, 175 employees and ten North American offices by 2023. Earlier in his career, he held senior communications roles in the Canadian government, including serving as Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the latter role, he was a member of the Canadian delegation to the G7 Economic Summit. He appears regularly in print and broadcast media, including weekly commentary on CBC Radio and Global News during the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. In 2021, Daniel was named one of the world’s “top 100” social media influencers on public relations.
Proofworks AI managing partner and co-founder Dr. Kelly O’Neill, and chief technology officer Ken Morris, offered an impressive combined 50 years of leadership experience.
Kelly excels at translating complex concepts into strategic organizational outcomes, driving innovation and excellence, and collaborating with clients to design truly impactful initiatives. With her experience in higher education and workforce development, she advises organizations that include the Urban Robotics Foundation and a made-in-Canada femtech startup.
Ken has consistently delivered market-shifting technologies across Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, embedded systems, and enterprise platforms. As Director of Digital Development at Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, he led the rapid development of an AI-driven workforce readiness platform, launching an MVP in just two and one-half months and later integrating AI agents that aligned employee skills with future manufacturing demands.
Also in attendance is Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca. There will be welcoming remarks from Caledon Mayor Annette Groves and in the afternoon the Caledon Chamber of Commerce is excited to be distributing the Business Excellence Awards.
There will be time for networking, and the Summit includes both breakfast and lunch. Total cost is a modest $75 for members and $100 for non-members, HST extra.
It takes place on October 29th from 9:00am until 4:00pm at the Mount Alverno Luxury Resort, 20706 Heart Lake Road in Caledon.
You can purchase your ticket here.
