Registration open for virtual Bridges to Better Business forum

NEWS RELEASE
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE
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Calling all entrepreneurs! Registration is now open for Bridges to Better Business 2020. This year’s event is taking place virtually on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
 
Bridges to Better Business, hosted by the Millworks - Centre for Entrepreneurship, is an annual forum that unites local professionals for a session of learning and networking. This year’s forum will feature a keynote presentation from Barb Stegemann, who was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN; won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the emerging Entrepreneur category for Atlantic Canada; was ranked as one of Profit Guide magazine’s Top 30 Cool and Fabulous Canadian Entrepreneurs; and was also made the first female Honorary Colonel in the history of 14 Wing Greenwood base, Royal Canadian Air Force, completing her term in 2015.
 
Another highlight of this year’s event will be the pitch-off finale between entrepreneurs from two local companies. After a competitive process involving a number of business submissions, BookBuds and Kapptive Studios made it to the final round. The owners will present their ideas to the audience and a judge’s panel live at the forum. The audience will then have an opportunity to vote for their favourite pitch. The winner will receive a grand prize valued at $15,000, and the runner up will go home with a $5,000-valued prize package.
 
“Bridges to Better Business is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect with professionals while gaining first-hand knowledge from renowned experts,” said Harleen Puaar Shukla, Manager of Enterprise Services/ Millworks - Centre for Entrepreneurship. “The event brings together entrepreneurs and business leaders for an open exchange of ideas, advice and feedback.”
 
The forum is taking place during Small Business Week, an annual campaign facilitated by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Registration for this year’s event is free but limited spots are available. To register, visit here.
 
The organizing partners for Bridges to Better Business 2020 are BDC, Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, and Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce. This event is powered by TD Bank Group and the support of sponsors KPMG, Laidlaw Paciocco Dumanski Spadafora & Johnson LLP, BDO Canada, FedDev Ontario, and Wishart Law Firm.

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