As part of its Small Business Week celebration, the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) will be hosting a Local Business Expo.
The Expo will showcase a variety of local businesses, along with some not-for-profit organizations. It is open to the public and free to attend, giving residents a chance to learn about the wide range of products and services available in Orillia and Lake Country. Attendees will enjoy swag giveaways, door prizes, and interesting demonstrations and talks throughout the two days.
Businesses that operate in Orillia and surrounding area (including Severn, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation) are invited to register as exhibitors and can do so through the ODCC’s website, orillia.com, or by contacting the ODCC office. Exhibitor spaces are limited, so businesses are encouraged to sign up early to avoid disappointment.
In addition to being a customer-facing exhibition, the Local Business Expo will function much like a tradeshow to offer local entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, make connections, and explore possibilities for collaborations and synergies. There will be several information sessions geared to business, providing an educational component to the event.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and business students are highly encouraged to attend the Expo. The Orillia Area Community Development Corporation will be attending as an exhibitor, showcasing the services they offer to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. The event also offers plenty of opportunities to learn about the local marketplace and chat with seasoned local business operators.
The Local Business Expo takes place at the Best Western PLUS Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre located on Memorial Avenue in Orillia. The event takes place over two days and details regarding times are available at https://www.orillia.com/events/details/odcc-business-expo-2024- showcasing-small-business-in-orillia-lake-country-1342?calendarMonth=2024-10-01.
Small Business Week is a national celebration of entrepreneurship, running from October 20- 26, 2024. Organizations across the country will be holding events and campaigns to celebrate Canadian entrepreneurship and expand awareness of the importance of small and medium-sized businesses to the economy. More information about Small Business Week is available at https://www.bdc.ca/en/small-business-week/about.
In addition to the Local Business Expo, the ODCC is organizing a Small Business Week kickoff event at the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH). This evening reception will feature refreshments and a special pop-up mini-exhibit showcasing the history of business in Orillia and area, and attendees will receive full access to OMAH’s Orillia: Then and Now exhibit. Tickets for the Opening Gala are available now, and can be purchased at https://www.orillia.com/events/details/small business-week-opening-gala-celebrating-innovation-in-orillia-lake-country 1363?calendarMonth=2024-10-01.
