Take a day and invest in yourself or your team by attending the Southwest Business and Entrepreneurs Expo on Feb. 7. Come as a spectator or participate in the business pitch. The expo has been a source of encouragement for many local southwest Manitoba businesses who have gone on to become very successful in their field
If you are starting or expanding a business within the area, take the next step and apply to be part of the business pitch.
Entries must be in by January 16. You will have the opportunity to present your business idea to a panel of experts. And there are cash rewards available.
Things get started on Wednesday with opening remarks by Glenn Schellenberg, the Host Committee Chair at 9:30 a.m.
Glenn is the Economic Development Officer for Deloraine-Winchester municipality. He’s entrepreneurial to the core, bringing over 30 years of experience in the building Industry. True service is an important value to Glenn.
Walk-in registration is available to the public. Anyone looking for business inspiration and information will enjoy this expo. Come early to register, enjoy coffee, conversation and take in the trade show that will be set up in the venue, Deloraine-Winchester Community Complex Hall.
Speaker sessions include:
Uncovered - The Hidden Traps in your Business with Cathy Snelgrove. Snelgrove was a keynote speaker at one of the first business expos. She works in Brandon with Siere, a business advisory firm. Snelgrove is the president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, a board member with the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce and for some years she was a sessional instructor with Brandon University teaching courses in marketing, human resources and negotiations. She worked for 11 years with Boeing in Winnipeg and brings a rich background in civil engineering with a masters of business administration.
There will be a panel discussion on succession planning with Ketan Patel, Nicole Hooper (partner and business advisor with MNP); Doug Morningstar and Drew Wilkinson.
Lunch is provided for expo attendees by The Rendezvous Restaurant, a Deloraine business.
After lunch Lyndsay Gillon-Seafoot will bring the keynote address where she will discuss growing your team and understanding your business and some key advice on character and how to hire the right person.
Throughout the afternoon the speaker sessions include tax help for small businesses with a CRA liaison team; immigration solutions for small business by Westman Immigration Services; and what investors are looking for when they buy your business with Ketan Patel.
There’s a final session by Lyndsay Gillon-Seafoot titled Mastering Tough Conversations as a Leader.
By 3:45 the Pitch Competition results will be known and awards will be presented. The event is scheduled to conclude by 4 p.m.
To apply to the business pitch or learn more go to www.swbusinessexpo.com/pitchsessions
ABOUT:
The Southwest Business Expo committee is a regional effort to promote entrepreneurship and business development in the Westman Region. Communities including the Town of Melita, Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester, Municipality of Souris-Glenwood, Municipality of Pipestone, Town of Virden, Municipality of Grassland, Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth, Municipality of Brenda-Waskada and the Municipality of Two Borders work to create opportunity for growth in the region. The prizes available to be won each year have exceeded $10,000 that was available to be won. This well attended expo sees over 100 potential and growing entrepreneurs per year, providing ample opportunity for business development and growth.
