One of the many highlights of this year's Small Business Week is the Insider Tour series. Taking you inside four of our city’s most vibrant small businesses, Insider Tours offers a behind the scenes look as well as the stories that have led to their success.

Village Brewery October 25th, 2:00 pm

See the transformation of barley, hops, yeast and water into a delicious craft beer as well hear how a community based brewery was started.

CBC Studios October 23rd, 9:00 am

Witness the exciting hustle and bustle behind how newscasts and radio programs are created and brought to air. Learn the part the national broadcaster plays and get a deeper understanding of quality journalism.

Rouge Restaurant October 23rd, 2:00 pm

Take a look at the unique way Rouge partners with local growers and sources food from their own greenhouse to bring their cuisine a special, local, flavor.

DIRTT Environmental Solutions October 23rd, 5:30 pm

Learn about a new way to build your workspace that is faster, adaptable and more environmentally sustainable while costing the same as conventional construction.

Time is running out on your ability to recognize small business excellence in Calgary.  

Have your say in selecting the best across five categories that look to recognize excellence in customer service, community involvement, environmental stewardship, innovation and those poised for incredible growth.

Vote today at SmallBusinessWeekCalgary.com/Vote

Friday October 25, 2013
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fairmont Palliser
133 9th Ave SW

The Calgary Chamber is pleased to host the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne as she discusses her role as this year’s Chair of the Council of Federation and her belief that provincial leaders can work together to set the agenda for a national energy strategy and create the conditions for economic growth and job creation across the country.

Join us for Premier Kathleen Wynne’s first official visit to Alberta.

Thursday October 17, 2013
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
BMO Centre
20 Roundup Way

Since the invention of the wheel—or the better mousetrap—we’ve been coming up with more effective products, processes, services, technologies and ideas. This panel of Fast-Growth Champions will help you learn how to innovate to create or reinvigorate your business:

• Boaz Shilmover, CEO, ARTE Group
• Derek Doke, founder & CEO, Franworks Group of Companies
• Dan Eisner, CEO, True North Mortgage Inc.

Join us to hear details about how innovation added value to their business (and how it can help you too).

Thursday November 7, 2013
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
BMO Centre
20 Roundup Way

Our Fast-Growth Champions will share their knowledge about how human capital strengthens and grows a business. From social and personal attributes, performance and creating the right corporate culture, your people are your power—and the right people will ensure growth and success.

Panelists for this event will be:

• Shannon Bowen-Smed, president & CEO, Bowen Workforce Solutions Inc.
• Jory Lamb, president & CEO, VistaVu Solutions
• John Mackay, executive chairman and CEO, Mosaic Capital Corporation
• Matthew Heffernan, president & CEO, Zedi Inc.

Join our event and learn how to attract, cultivate and retain the right people to see your business thrive.

Thursday November 21, 2013
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
BMO Centre
20 Roundup Way

Our Fast-Growth Champions will talk about how to create a brand promise you can deliver, rather than just talk about. By actually being ‘trustworthy’, ‘superior in quality’ and ‘innovative’, these businesses were able to differentiate their brands and experience unprecedented growth.

Panelists for this event will be:

• Justin Bobier, owner/president, Crystal Creek Homes
• Matthew Horne, founder/captain orange, Deco Windshields
• Robert Horricks, president & CEO, Blush Lane Organics

Join our event and learn more about making your brand stand apart.

Wednesday October 23, 2013
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
RGO Office Supplies
100, 229 33 Street NE

Business After Hours is one of the best networking opportunities in the city and we are taking it to a new level during Small Business Week with a special announcement on small business strategy with Thomas Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier of Alberta.

Business After Hours is fun and lively, the perfect opportunity for you to discover new businesses and potential clients while networking with other people in Calgary’s business community. The Calgary Chamber is delighted that the next Business After Hours will be taking place at RGO Office Products, which has been a member of the Chamber for 45 years.

Get your tickets today.

Tuesday October 22, 2013
7:15 am - 9:00 am
Calgary Chamber
600, 237 8th Avenue SE

The Calgary Chamber is excited to invite its members to a special Small Business Week 7:15 Networking event. In addition to the fantastic networking and business growth opportunities, we are proud to be joined by:

• Todd Hirsh, economist, author and speaker with ATB Business
• Dan Allen, VP of Sales, ATB Business
• Adam Legge, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber

The three will be discussing the topics that matter most to small business in Calgary, including Small Business Week, flood recovery and the 2013 municipal election results.

Become part of the discussion today.

Tuesday October 15, 2013
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Deerfoot Inn
1000, 11500 35th Street SE

Hosted by the Calgary Chamber, the Urban Development Institute – Calgary, and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Calgary Region, this event will be the single most comprehensive forum of this municipal election and a great opportunity for Calgary businesses to engage with municipal candidates.

Join us as council candidates from every city ward comment on key election issues around Calgary’s economic prosperity and growth management initiatives.

Get your ticket today to hear what the candidates for council have to say.

Through our partnership with The Business Link, Calgary Chamber members save on dozens of learning workshops that can be used to grow and build their business.

These sessions are ideal for start-ups and small businesses looking for insights on every stage of developing a business.

Learning sessions schedule – October

• Promotions: Creating Buzz for Your Biz on a Shoestring – October 17
• Business Dating? Networking in the Age of Social Media – October 23
• Build Your Business on Customer Referrals – October 24
• Accounting and Tax for Small Business – October 30

Contact us at membership@calgarychamber.com to start saving on these great workshops and more.