Small Business. BIG DAY. | Presented by Scotiabank

Scotiabank, in partnership with the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to present Small Business. BIG DAY.  This one-day symposium, in honour of Small Business Month, will be held at the newly renovated Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn.  There will be a stellar line-up of speakers, professional development sessions and networking events on offer; you can register for select sessions or purchase a Full Day Pass.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
SMALL BUSINESS BC POP-UP ADVISORY
Meet with a Small Business BC Advisor for a free, 15 minute, private consultation.  Learn the key steps of a business startup and growth process and find out about the support services available through Small Business BC.  These sessions support an open flow of questions and a safe environment to learn the foundations of starting a business.  Advisory session will be running concurrently with the symposium and are best suited for businesses and entrepreneurs in the early stages of business start-up.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
GEORGE HANSON, VIEA | SPEAKER SERIES LUNCHEON
Right on the heels of the 12th Annual 'State of the Island' Economic Summit, George Hanson, President of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, will present key insights from some of the Summit sessions and the 4th Annual 'State of the Island' Economic Report. He will also speak to the initial success and next steps of VIEA's "Island Good" campaign. This session includes a hot buffet lunch catered by the CVI Restaurant & Lounge.

Prior to the Luncheon, there will be a Symposium Welcome beginning at 11:30 am.  Special invitations will be sent to the newly elected officials from the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan to join us in welcoming symposium attendees and presenters.  Coffee and tea will be provided.

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
PEOPLE POWER: EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION | MNP HOSTED PRESENTATION & PANEL
In our competitive employment market, many small and mid-sized businesses struggle with HR as their number one challenge.  Led by Daniel Kasun, Senior Consultant with MNP's Human Resources Consulting Team, this session will help you identify practical ways to improve your HR management practices an make your business more attractive to existing and potential employees.  This session will include a presentation, followed by a discussion panel featuring four local employers from a cross-section of industries. 

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT & NETWORKING
Symposium attendees and presenters will have an opportunity to network between the afternoon sessions.  Refreshments and a selection of desserts will be provided.

3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
BRAND FROM THE INSIDE OUT | LEAPZONE STRATEGIES
TEDx Talk sensation and no-nonsense business catalyst and branding specialist, Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte, will lead a workshop on translating your "living" brand into a winning culture that will foster success with clients, prospects and your team.  All registrants of the LeapZone Strategies Workshop will be entered to win Isabelle's Build to Rock online coaching and branding program valued at $2,497!

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
SMALL BUSINESS. BIG MIXER. | HOSTED BY THE DDBIA
The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area hosts the end-of-day networking social at the CVI Restaurant & Lounge.  They'll be formally introducing their new Executive Director, Ian Locke, and chatting briefly about their focus for the upcoming year.  There will be draw prizes and a selection of appetizers will be provided.  Guests are responsible for their own beverage orders.