SBC - Small Business Centre - London Ontario Canada
  • Bridges to Better Business
Bridges to Better Business - Entrepreneurs Conference

Bridges to Better Business is an interactive approach to addressing the various business issues and/or challenges that you, as a business owner, experience on a daily basis. This unique forum brings together businesses in various stages of development with experienced business owners for an open exchange of ideas, advice and feedback.

This annual event is held in twenty-eight cities across the province. For the past thirteen years, the London Small Business Centre has hosted one of the largest and most successful events with 250-300 business owners and professionals attending each year.

The event kicks off with an inspiring keynote who will have everyone networking and connecting throughout the day. Breakout sessions feature a choice of discussion groups and seminars. To ensure in-depth, quality discussions the groups are limited to 10 people with successful business owners recruited to act as mentors, sharing their knowledge and experience. Seminar are presented by local experts on topics that have been chosen based current trends and survey feedback prior to the conference. Lunch features a keynote by a successful local entrepreneur who shares their story of growth and tips for success. A tradeshow and open networking complete the day.

See what past participants had to say about the conference...

Bridges to Better Business 2012 will take place on October 17, 2012.
Below are highlights from Bridges to Better Business 2011
Networking Kickoff: Allison GrahamDavid ciccarelli
Elevate Training Seminars + Strategic Development

We kicked off the day with Allison Graham, networking expert and author of the book Business Cards to Business Relationships: How to Build the Ultimate Network and the Getting Connected column for Sun Media and the London Free Press. Having worked with some of Canada’s most prominent companies and financial institutions, Allison shared applicable skills, motivational stories, and strategies for executing her four pillars of profitable networking to grow bigger books of business.

View Allison's Complete Bio...






Lunch Speaker: David CiccarelliDavid ciccarelli
Co-founder and CEO, Voices.com

David Ciccarelli delivered an inspirational keynote speech where he provided some of his “ancient wisdom for the modern day entrepreneur”.  One of Canada’s fastest growing digital media companies, Voices.com has ranked twice on Profit Magazines Profit Hot 50 list and is attracting clients such as NBC, ESPN, PBS, The History Channel, Reader's Digest, Comcast, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, ING, Western Union, Nortel, Ford, and GM.  David shared his story of building a humble 2 person operation into a multi-million dollar organization employing a team of twenty, and his insight and strategies for future growth.

View David's Complete Bio...




Discussion Groups and Seminar Sessions

Choose to participate in a round table discussion with peers and mentors or attend a seminar of your choice. Each discussion group is limited to approximately 10 people, allowing for in-depth and quality discussions. To ensure that it is a worthwhile and productive discussion group, we recruit successful business owners to share with you their knowledge and experience.

Roundtable Discussion Session Topics 2011

» Marketing Strategies
» Using Google Small Business Tools
» Public Relations - Effective & Affordable
» Networking - Sharing Best Practices
» Growth Financing - Where Is It and How to Get It
» Maximizing Your Online Presence

Seminar Session Topics 2011:

» Your Customers are Online But Can They Find You?
- Presented by Liz Gray, Instructor, Fanshawe College

» The New Sales Paradigm: Helping Customers Buy
- Presented by Laurie Hawkins, Focal Point Coaching

» Making Plans for Brand Success
- Presented by Bark Communications.

Provincial Sponsors

Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre

2011 Local Sponsors
BDC - Business Development Bank of Canada Collins Barrow - Chartered Accountants RBC - Royal Bank of Canada
2011 Local Supporters
TD Canada TrustThe Elgin Middlesex Oxford Local Training BoardLibro Financial GroupScotiabank
PostnetFanshawe CollegeTechAllianceBusiness Help CentreBMO Financial Group
Bridges to Better Business

More Testimonials

       This year’s Bridges to Better Business did not disappoint. The interesting keynote speakers, informative seminars and the all-important networking provided us with a host of inspiration, knowledge and mutual satisfaction. - Phil PentecostPresident, Arioso Consulting Services Inc.
      This is an event that I look forward to every year. The guest speakers are very informative and they have provided valuable insights into growing my business. I enjoy the mingling and the sharing of ideas with other business owners and entrepreneurs. I also found it to be a very uplifting day, plus the food is excellent. If you are thinking of attending, you will not regret it. - Larry HackmanBios Life Franchise
      Attending the annual Entrepreneurs Conferences has been one of the best investments in personal education for my business. Not only did I learn from the speakers and the topical seminars, but the networking opportunity is of great value as well. By making a commitment to several goals set during that day, my business has had success this year. Many thanks for a day of excellence. - Carol TrickettTrickett Glass
      I attend the Bridges to Better Business Conference for several reasons: to network and meet new prospects, to learn and increase my knowledge of running a business from strategically targeted seminars, to brainstorm with like minds going through the same challenges I am, and to experience the many exhibitors’ booths. As a Business Connector this conference is a must in helping me grow my business.. - Karen AndersonAnderson & Associates
      Bridges to Better Business provided my company with a tremendous opportunity to interact with a large network of entrepreneurs and to attend educational seminars on focused topics all in one day - at one place - with all my professional needs attended to. A wealth of information was exchanged - interaction with similar passionate entrepreneurs - great food and a bit of fun too! A day's investment with a high return! - Don McLeodHAPAV et filme inc.
      I think the SBC does an incredible job of bringing in keynote speakers, mentors and seminar leaders that make the day a "DO NOT MISS" for small business owners. - Margarita Ibbottdownshifting.ca
      I really enjoyed Bridges to Better Business last year and I am looking forward to attending this year. It is very informative and a great way to meet other business owners and government agencies. Thank you for putting it on. - Fran JonesFJ Bookkeeping & More
      Bridges to Better Business is one of the best conferences I have ever been to for small businesses. There is a wealth of resources available and the opportunity to meet other small business owners in unparalleled. I tell all of my friends and small business colleagues about the conference and encourage them to attend. - Yvonne HillChartered Accountant
  • Bridges to Better Business
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