Small Business Week, which runs from October 15 to 19, is quickly approaching and the go-to website for all relating activities is SmallBusinessWeekCalgary.com. This website will highlight all of the small business events, presentations and learning workshops that will be happening throughout the city.

If you or your organization is putting on an event during Small Business Week it’s time get the word out on what you are doing.

Post your event today to make sure it’s well attended.

Tuesday October 9, 2012
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Hyatt Regency Calgary
700 Centre Street SE

Any economic or political development in the U.S. has the opportunity to greatly impact Alberta’s business community. 

Join us as Danielle Smith, leader of the Wildrose party, recaps her 21-day participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program hosted by the United States Embassy. This exchange program builds awareness on foreign policy perspectives between the U.S. and other nations through short-term visits to the U.S. with emerging foreign leaders.

Learn more about Smith’s observations on the U.S. economy and political climate and how it relates to two pillars of Alberta’s economy: energy and agriculture.

Thursday, October 4, 2012
7:30 am – 9:00 am
The Ranchmen’s Club
710 13th Avenue SW

Depression costs Canadian businesses an estimated $7.9 billion a year through diminished productivity brought on by a loss of an employee’s creativity, motivation and problem solving capabilities.

To help address this problem, the Calgary Chamber and the Calgary Counselling Centre are joining forces for the second year on National Depression Screening Day to create awareness and dispel the myths and stigmas associated with mental health issues. A keynote address by Mayor Naheed Nenshi will be accompanied by a panel discussion with leading experts who will share their own experiences and offer insights on how to effectively deal with depression – both in and outside of the workplace.

Find out what you can do to combat depression.

Every week the Calgary Chamber’s chief economist Ben Brunnen examines a recent development in the economy in his Breaking it Down for Business video series, and explains what it means for business in our city.

This week Brunnen looks the U.S. election – examining what each of candidate’s stance on U.S. energy imports and Canadian oil could mean for Alberta’s oil patch.

Find out what a Mitt Romney or Barack Obama election win would mean for Alberta.

Thursday November 1, 2012
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
TransAlta
110 12th Avenue SW

Understanding the Aboriginal community is critical to your organization’s success. It can help you avoid project delays by learning how to consult and accommodate Aboriginal communities, as well as develop a reputation for corporate social responsibility, foster workplace diversity and tap into new economic opportunities.

To provide businesses with this knowledge the Calgary Chamber and Cross Cultural Consulting are joining forces to present a one-day Aboriginal cultural sensitivity course with Neil McDonald, Canada’s most experienced diversity trainer. During this 30-year career, McDonald has trained tens of thousands public, private and volunteer sector personnel on cultural awareness.

Only 25 spots are available. Hurry up and get your ticket today.

Thursday October 11, 2012
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Marriott Hotel
110 9th Avenue SE

The provincial government is turning its attention to reining in spending to combat the budget shortfall, as well as saving for the future and building inroads to new markets. These issues will be front and centre when the provincial legislature begins its fall sitting on October 23, 2012.

Join us as Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk outlines his thoughts on the upcoming session and the priorities the government will be presenting to the legislature.

Learn more about the government’s spending priorities and plan to access new markets.

Friday September 28, 2012
7:30 am – 9:00 am
Room 205, Calgary Chamber
100 6th Avenue SW

Three years ago, the Government of Alberta implemented a new lobbyist registry to oversee the activities of consultants and other organizational lobbyists in the province seeking to influence government decision makers.

What common problems have users of the registry encountered since its implementation? What can be done to avoid these pitfalls? What developments in other jurisdictions should lobbyist in Alberta be aware of? Get answers to all your questions from Brad Odsen, registrar for Alberta’s new Lobbyists Act and general counsel for the Office of the Ethics Commissioner.

Learn how to properly advance your message to government decision makers.

Most people think if you work harder, you’ll get more done at work and be more successful at your job. That, in turn, will lead to a better paying job and a happier life. But that train of thought is not only wrong – it prevents people from achieving their full potential. 

Speaking at the Chamber Gala on September 14, former Harvard lecturer Shawn Achor dispelled some of the myths associate with achieving career success and happiness.

Learn more about Achor’s talk and his insights.

Friday September 28, 2012
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Crystal Ballroom
133 9th Avenue SW

Improvements to Alberta’s transportation system can help to boost business productivity and wealth generation through increased personal mobility and quality of life.

Join us as Ric McIver, Alberta’s transportation minister, outlines the government’s overall transportation strategy for the next four years, including such initiatives as the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan, the distracted driver law and the recently introduced stiffer penalties for impaired drivers.

Learn what the government has planned for Alberta’s transportation system.

Monday, October 22, 2012
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Self Connection Books
125, 4611 Bowness Road NW

Creating the conditions your business needs to grow in a quick and yet sustainable way is a delicate balance of product development, proper positioning in the marketplace and getting the word out to your target market.

Clifford L. Spyker knows this process all too well. For nearly 25 years, Spyker, an associate professor in accounting and entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University, has assisted more than over 2,500 men and women throughout Alberta start and grow their business ventures.

Learn how you can double your business in one year by identifying your unique expertise and positioning it properly in the market.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012
7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Marriott Calgary Hotel
110 9th Avenue SE

Canada’s economic success is tied to the ability of its cities to properly manage the challenges that comes with rapid growth. To pave the way for a brighter future, the Calgary Chamber and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are joining forces to present Smart Cities of the Future, a one-day conference that will examine how Canada’s competitiveness can be improved by addressing the challenges facing its urban centres,  such as transportation, infrastructure, urban planning, governance, sustainability and energy.

A keynote address by Premier Alison Redford will accompany a number of leading experts who will be participating in panel discussions throughout the day.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover how cities can become prosperous centres that fuel sustainable economic development.

October 29, 2012
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Where else can you find…

• The maker of Spy vs. Spy, one of the bestselling mobile games of all time and a man that CNN Money has labelled a “CEO to watch?”
• The man that Alberta Venture magazine has called “one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs of the Century?”
• The female head of a Calgary tech start-up which earlier this year won the title “the most innovative start-up on the planet” at the renowned Global Technology Symposium in Silicon Valley?

The answer to these questions is the iF series. This ground breaking speaker series brings together business savvy Calgarians whose own career success began by wondering “what if….” What if the old way of doing things isn’t the best way? What if there is a better way? And with that simple what if… question they went on to pursue an unconventional idea that lead to incredible things.

Hear their stories, learn their secrets and be inspired to pursue your own “what if…” idea.

Wednesday October 10, 2012
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Simmons Building
618 Confluence Way SE

Earlier this year, Calgary lured renowned urbanist Rollin Stanley from the United States to lead the city’s planning department and put our city on a path towards smarter growth and development.

Stanley worked as a planner for 21 years in Toronto before rocketing to smart-growth notoriety as planning director in St. Louis and other U.S. cities. He is a staunch advocate of needing to build up and just not out, as well as clustering housing, jobs and stores around transit to cut down on the need to drive.

Join us as new city planner, Rollin Stanley gives a snapshot of his vision for city planning, and learn how these changes will affect both Calgary and the business community.

Wednesday October 10, 2012 
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Devry Institue of Technology – Room 201
2700 3rd Avenue SE

For networking to be effective, you need to meet the right type of people who will grow and connect your business.

That’s where Connect for Lunch comes in. The format for this event differs dramatically from other networking events. Before each event, attendees are encouraged to contact us to tell us about their business, their challenges, and the type of people they’d like to connect with to overcome these problems and grow their business. With this information, we get to work placing people at each attendees table who will meet their networking needs. This – quite simply – is focused business networking at its best! 

As an added bonus, event attendees will be treated to a talk from community engagement strategist Anila Lee Yuen on how to use Facebook to build their business network to find new clients and customers.

Only 36 spots are available. Hurry and book today.

Thursday October 18, 2012
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
The Metropolitan Conference Centre
333 4 Avenue SW

Small Business Week, which runs from October 15 – 19, is dedicated to celebrating the contributions that small to mid-sized companies make to the economy. The two biggest events of this week are the Tradeshow Expo and the Small Business Week Awards presentation.

Tradeshow Expo
Presented by First Calgary Financial

This event gives businesses the opportunity to display their products or services, discover new businesses and network with other people in Calgary’s business community. The event typically attracts upwards of 300 attendees.

Booths sell out quickly for this event. Book yours today. 

Small Business Awards presentation
The pinnacle of Small Business Week is an awards presentation that reveals the emerging stars of the city’s small business scene. This year, awards will be given out to a number of high achievers in the business world.

A special keynote address will also be given by Zahra Al-Harazi; founder of Foundry Communications and one of Chatelaine Magazine's "Women of the Year."

Meet and learn from some small companies who are doing big things in the local economy.