Registrations
- 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Event Host
- 9:15 AM - 9:20 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Digital transformation in logistics to facilitate growth and navigate evolving regulations
- 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Enterprise-Level Strategies for Everyday Entrepreneurs
- Digital transformation isn’t just for tech giants or big corporations—it’s for all of us. It’s about adopting the right strategies to remain competitive, enhance efficiency, and create more meaningful customer connections.
- Our world has changed dramatically. Customers now expect personalized, seamless, and instant interactions. Businesses that fail to adapt risk being left behind.
- The presentation will cover key areas where small businesses can leverage digital tools/capabilities to make the biggest impact.
- Strategies/tools that we leverage here (i.e.: SEO/Google, Social Media, Onsite experiences, Internal workflows – Agile/Kanban) to drive success and efficiencies and how these same methods can be leveraged for small businesses.
- Presentation will be fun, insightful for audience and show how Co-operators leverages digital to enhance our client experience.
- 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
The State of IT for SMB
- 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Maximizing your business in Canada
We know the top three challenges for a small business are recruiting and retaining qualified employees, maintaining profitability, and managing cash flow. Join this session to learn how to overcome these challenges and maximize your business potential.
- 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Mohamed Basma, General Manager, Small Business Services, ADP Canada
Mohamed Basma leads our Small Business Services division for ADP Canada and oversees the complete client journey from implementation to Service. Mohamed’s mission is to make sure our Canadian Small Business Clients are satisfied and successful with their HCM solution. Mohamed joined ADP in 2018 as Vice President of Service Strategy and Operations and held multiple roles including leading the Outsourcing Service Organization and then leading Service Delivery for our Small Business, mid-market, up-market and nationals segments. Prior to ADP Mohamed worked for 11 Years in Management Consulting at Accenture followed by leading the Global Procure to Pay Department at Restaurants Brands International across all three brands: Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes. Mohamed earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Toronto and his Masters of Business Administration at INSEAD in France and Singapore. Mohamed lives with his family in Toronto, ON. He is a passionate cyclist and participates in cycling events to create awareness such as the “Ride to Conquer Cancer” from Toronto to Niagara, and “Cycle for the Cause, the NorthEast AIDS Ride” from Boston to New York.
The AI-Powered CFO: Transforming Finance into the Growth Engine
Today’s SMB finance leaders face unprecedented demands—manage resources, provide strategic guidance, forecast accurately, and drive growth—all with limited teams and budgets.
This keynote explores how accessible AI solutions are transforming financial operations in growing businesses, elevating traditional finance roles into strategic assets. Through real-world examples and practical implementation strategies, discover how forward-thinking finance leaders use AI to automate routine tasks, uncover insights, enhance decision-making, and deliver exceptional value.
- 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Eric Sleeth, Sr Growth Manager at Sage Canada
Eric Sleeth leads Sage’s North American SaaS vertical strategy as the Sr Growth Manager. Having worked extensively with leaders across the SaaS landscape, Eric intimately understands the unique challenges they face when looking to drive operational efficiency, streamline financial processes, and create sustainable growth frameworks. With a passion for leveraging cutting-edge technologies and market trends, Eric’s expertise spans global product launches and new market development. He excels at uncovering actionable insights that challenge the status quo; combining strategic vision with hands-on execution to design innovative solutions that deliver exceptional customer value and business growth.
Air Canada - Supporting Canadian SME's
- 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
How to dominate Google Maps as a local business
In today’s digital landscape, if your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps—you’re invisible to your local customers. In this high-impact keynote, Kyle Sutton, VP of Sales at Page Pros, shares the proven strategies local businesses can use to dominate Google Maps and drive real, measurable growth through Local SEO.
Drawing from the success of Page Pros’ award-winning RankPRO™ service—which has helped thousands of businesses rank in the Top 3 on Google Maps—Kyle will break down the key tactics that separate average listings from local market leaders. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on optimizing their Google Business Profile, generating quality reviews, boosting visibility, and converting searches into customers.
Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency, this session will equip you with the tools and mindset to turn local search into your #1 growth engine.
- 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Kyle Sutton, VP of Sales at Page Pros
With nearly a decade of experience in digital advertising, Kyle Sutton has built a reputation as a performance-driven leader at the intersection of marketing, sales, and technology. He began his journey by scaling multiple eCommerce brands using high-converting online marketing strategies, mastering platforms like Facebook and Google to drive six-figure revenues and sustainable growth. Formerly a licensed REALTOR® and Global Team Leader, he later pivoted into leadership and built a powerhouse sales division at Page Pros, a leading local SEO agency in Toronto. As Vice President of Sales, he played a pivotal role in scaling the team from the ground up — growing from 0 to nearly 15 high-performing sales reps and closing over 300 sales per month in just two years. His team has helped thousands of companies rank in the top 3 on Google Maps, transforming their local visibility and driving massive ROI for small and medium-sized businesses across North America. Kyle brings a unique blend of hands-on tactical experience and high-level strategy, offering audiences real-world insights into scaling digital businesses, building elite sales teams, and dominating online visibility through search.
Agile Cash-Flow Management or How CFOs Stay in Control When Everything Changes
Cash in, cash out. Traditional cash-flow management works well—if you assume stability.
But when was the last time anything felt stable for you and your team? For your projects? For your company?
When your processes (Forecasting, billing, collection, revenue recognition etc.) are manual, your tools are fragmented, hardly keeping up the pace, and disruptions keep coming — maintaining visibility over cash flow becomes a daily struggle.
In this session, we’ll introduce a practical approach to Agile Cash-Flow Management for Finance leaders to build operations they can rely on and trust at any time—shaped by conversations with finance executives and grounded in the realities of project-driven SMBs. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to empower your team through the right mindset, adaptive processes, and connected tools—so you can stay fast, stay precise, and stay in control, even when everything changes.
- 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Ali Masoud, SAP Finance Solution Architect at Talan Americas
Keeping your SME safe from Cybercriminals
Once you accept that like taxes, cybersecurity is now inevitable, you need to take care of it. No point arguing its necessity.
This is why I wrote SECURE by Design, to allow SME owners and executives to become accountable and to take ownership over their own cyberdefenses.
During this discussion, we’ll go over the 6-steps SECURE process:
- S for Survey
- E for Educate
- C for Construct
- U for Unify
- R for Review and
- E for Evolve
The goal is simple, to take you from fearful of the unknown, to having a glimpse into building your own cyber-fortress.
- 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Rene-Sylvain Bedard, IT specialist and the CEO of Indominus Managed Security
A technology veteran with over 30 years of experience, René-Sylvain is a renowned IT specialist and the CEO of Indominus Managed Security. As a Microsoft partner for over 20 years, he leverages strong ties and expertise to propel Indominus Managed Security to new heights and make a significant impact. He and his team have a clear vision that cybercrimes will be eradicated within the next decade. Committed to collaboration and innovation, they rally around the hashtags #CybercrimeisDead and #StoptheBully, striving for a safer future where businesses and individuals can thrive without fear. René-Sylvain has received a highly commended mention as a finalist for “Best Technology Speaker 2024,” announced on July 5th at the SPEAKER AWARDS. Under his leadership, Indominus won the Best Cybersecurity for SME 2025 Canadian Business Award and are nominated for “Best Tech 2024” at thae Canadian SME Awards. He is also a bestselling author with his book, “SECURE by Design: A Leader’s Guide to Keeping Cybercriminals Out of Your Business.” The book is published by RETHINK Press and is available worldwide.
What If What You're Feeling Isn't Aging, But a Warning Sign?
At this year’s Canadian SME Trade Show, Dr. Mark Hawass will take the stage with a provocative idea: what if the fatigue, joint pain, and burnout we accept as “just getting older” are actually signs of deeper, fixable imbalances?
Dr. Hawass—an award-winning physician specializing in integrative and regenerative medicine—will reveal the silent biological patterns that sabotage performance, clarity, mobility and vitality in today’s high-performing professionals. He will give you insight into why your body may be slowing down—and what it’s trying to tell you.
“If you’ve ever felt like something was ‘off’ but were told everything was fine, this talk is designed to help you finally connect the dots. Be in the room, your future self will thank you for it.”
- 01:15 PM - 01:35 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Dr. Mark Hawass is a pioneering physician and the visionary founder of Arthritis VIP, a private medical clinic in the Greater Toronto Area specializing in advanced, non-surgical treatments for joint pain and chronic arthritis. With over two decades of experience in pain management, family medicine, emergency care, and chronic pain management, Dr. Hawass has dedicated his career to transforming lives through innovative, patient-centred solutions. Leveraging his extensive training in regenerative and functional medicine, including chronic pain management certifications, Dr. Hawass developed the revolutionary VIP Biohacking Method, which addresses the root causes of pain and promotes long-term healing. His approach combines cutting-edge therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections with holistic strategies, offering patients a comprehensive path to restored mobility and vitality.
Dr. Hawass’s groundbreaking work has earned him multiple accolades, including the 2024 Global Recognition Award and the prestigious Innovation Award and the Impact Award from Big Business Events. His clinic, Arthritis VIP, boasts a 90% success rate and has been featured on major platforms such as Forbes, CityTV, The Globe and Mail, and Business Insider. Inspired by his personal battle with chronic pain following a car accident, Dr. Hawass invested over $500,000 in advanced medical training to develop his award-winning methods. Today, he is celebrated not only for his expertise but also for his compassionate approach, which has helped over 1,500 patients reclaim their lives without surgery or reliance on pain medications.
Dr. Mark Hawass is a highly respected physician, chronic pain expert, and healthcare innovator dedicated to transforming the lives of patients suffering from arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. With over two decades of experience in pain management, family medicine, and emergency medicine, he has pioneered advanced, non-surgical treatments that target the root
causes of joint pain. As the founder of Arthritis VIP, Dr. Hawass developed the award-winning VIP Biohacking Method, a revolutionary approach that integrates regenerative medicine, biohacking principles, and functional health strategies to deliver long-term pain relief and restore mobility. His commitment to excellence has led him to train over 100 physicians in chronic pain management, contribute to curriculum development at McMaster University, and conduct clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness of his methods.
Dr. Hawass’s leadership extends beyond patient care. He has held key positions as a Strategic Advisor at NeuPath Health Inc., a publicly traded healthcare company, and previously served as Medical Director at NeuPath Center for Pain & Spine, where he oversaw clinical operations, hiring, and physician training. His expertise in workflow optimization has helped hospitals and clinics improve efficiency, reduce wait times, and increase revenue without additional staffing. Recognized for his groundbreaking contributions, Dr. Hawass has received multiple awards, including the 2024 Global Recognition Award and the Innovation Award from Big Business Events. His work has been featured in Forbes, CityTV, The Globe and Mail, and Business Insider, highlighting his role as a leading authority in pain management and regenerative medicine. Driven by a passion for patient empowerment and proactive healthcare, Dr. Hawass continues to advocate for innovative, science-backed solutions that redefine the standard of care.
From Patient to Pioneer: Dr. Mark Hawass’s Journey to Transforming Pain Management
Dr. Mark Hawass’s journey into regenerative medicine wasn’t just professional, it was deeply personal. After a devastating car accident left him in chronic, debilitating pain for over 11 years, he found himself trapped in a frustrating cycle of medications and temporary fixes. As a physician trained in pain management, he realized he was becoming the very doctor he never wanted to be, the one who prescribed medications but couldn’t offer real solutions.
Determined to find a better way, he invested over $500,000 in advanced medical training, seeking answers outside conventional healthcare. He studied regenerative and functional medicine, travelled across North America to learn from the best in the field, and developed the VIP Biohacking Method, an approach that targets the root cause of pain instead of masking symptoms. Today, his method has helped over 1,500 patients avoid surgery and reclaim their lives. Dr. Hawass didn’t just build a clinic, he built the solution he wished he had years ago. His story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of never giving up on finding real healing.
Beyond the Code: Balancing Digital and Human-Centered Innovation in a Digital-First Economy
As the digital-first economy accelerates, the push for technological innovation is undeniable. But thriving in this landscape requires more than just investing in digital tools—it demands a holistic approach to innovation. This keynote explores how organizations can balance digital breakthroughs with equally critical forms of innovation: in leadership, culture, business models, and customer experience.
- 01:35 PM - 01:50 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Sarah Jameson, National Director of Franchise Sales with Freshslice Pizza
Sarah Jameson, National Director of Franchise Sales with Freshslice Pizza, is a seasoned professional based in the Greater Vancouver area, with a strong background in franchising and community engagement. Sarah actively participates in industry events and is an active member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and the Toronto Region Board of Trade where she contributes to discussions on business success, innovation, and entrepreneurship .In addition to her professional achievements, Sarah is a founding member of Vancouver Women for Good, an organization dedicated to empowering women through philanthropy and civic engagement . Her commitment to both her industry and community highlights her dedication to fostering positive change and leadership.
How to Build a Story that Sells
Most businesses know what they do. A few can clearly explain how they do it. But very few can tell a story that makes people care—and act.
This workshop is built around the core idea from my TEDx talk: that **every powerful, profitable story is made of four key ingredients**. Whether you’re trying to close a deal, win a client, or stand out in a crowded market, your ability to use these ingredients determines how much people remember, trust, and ultimately choose you.
This isn’t about being a better “storyteller” in the abstract. It’s about learning how to use the psychology of story to create a deeper connection with your audience—whether that’s in your marketing, your sales conversations, or the way you talk about your business day to day.
This is a practical, guided, hands on workshop.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
- A clear, concise story you can use to pitch your business, describe your value, or connect with clients.
- A messaging framework you can apply to web copy, social media, sales calls, presentations, and beyond.
- The tools to stop sounding generic and start sounding like *the only one who gets it*.
- Real examples of how other B2B businesses are using this framework to gain an unfair advantage.
This workshop is ideal for B2B service firms, consultants, and professionals who want to elevate their message, build trust faster, and stand out without shouting.
It’s not about hype. It’s about **authentic, persuasive communication** that turns your business into a brand people believe in.
Whether you’re already a strong communicator or feel like you struggle to explain what makes your business different, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to tell your story in a way that sells—without ever feeling salesy.
Because when you know how to tell the right story, you don’t just get attention—you earn influence.
- 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
How to use AI to Automate your business
AI excels in automating repetitive tasks allowing business owners to focus on growth. Automation through AI can streamline business operations such as marketing efforts, enabling personalized communication with customers at optimal times. Using AI in Human Resources can save hundreds of hours for example by summarizing resumes and auto filtering candidates based on criteria and key words.
Attend this live demo to learn how you can Automate your business operations and save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars
Do not miss this session to get insights that you can implement in your business immediately
- 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Amin Panjwani, Managing Partner with Achievan
Amin Panjwani is Managing Partner with Achievan, a Productivity Software Solutions Provider. Achievan has launched BusinessOperatingSystem.io (BOS). BOS is a cloud-based software platform that empowers small-medium sized business owners to manage their business operations using a single software platform. BOS is built on monday.com, a wellknown Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. Amin has been leading the team at Achievan since 2009. He leads and manages the team and focus on helping clients improve revenue and save costs by implementing no-code software solutions such as BusinessOperatingSystem.io In this session Amin will share hands-on demo on how business owners can use AI to automate their operations. Do not miss this session to get insights that you can implement in your business immediately.
Turning Finance Into Your Secret Weapon
Turning Finance Into Your Secret Weapon is a no-fluff session designed for founders who want to turn financial strategy into a competitive advantage. In this presentation, we break down how startups can move beyond basic bookkeeping and use finance as a tool for smarter decision-making, capital raising, and sustainable growth.
Whether you’re gearing up for a Series A, navigating cash flow challenges, or trying to make sense of your financials, this session will give you practical insights on:
- What investors actually want to see in your numbers
- How to build a finance function that scales with you
- The most common financial mistakes early-stage companies make — and how to avoid them
- Tools and tactics to turn your financials into a growth roadmap
This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about control, clarity, and confidence.
- 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Daryl Ching, Founder and Owner of Vistance Capital Advisory
3 Simple Steps that Will Increase Your Sales
In this truly hands-on, fun, interactive session, you’ll learn to:
Increase sales by effectively adding new target audiences. This easy and proven technique has been used successfully by hundreds of clients, so I also include it in my MBA classes.
Collaborate in ways that drive sales.
Take the first step to thinking differently about yourself, business and sales (Step 1 of 10).
Make sure you bring a pen or pencil to take part in the activity. Also, all attendees will be entered into a draw for a $100 gift card.
- 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Jane-Michèle Clark is the founder and CEO of The Q Group, author of soon-to-be-published Point of DistinctionTM, a business strategist, qualitative research expert, and seminar leader. Clark often speaks on business matters at world conferences (including the World Congress on Marketing) and provided content for the 2023 United Nations General Assembly. She has also appeared on TV shows such as BNN, as a panelist of Steve Paikin’s “The Agenda”, etc. Concurrently, for the past +20 years, JaneMichèle has been teaching in the i/BBA, MBA, and Masters of Management and Marketing programs at the Schulich School of Business where she is also a Strategy Field Study Chair.
The Q Group, which has been in business for over 25 years, helps clients develop effective business strategies, as well as customer retention and integrated marketing programs for B2B and B2C companies in multiple sectors. Clients have included: Ainsworth, BMW, Bell Canada, Citizens Utilities, 5 Hotels chains, Honeywell, Lexus, NCR, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RBC Dominion Securities and dozens of other blue chip firms, including many in the technology sector, as well as various associations and Social Sector / Not-for-Profit organisations in Canada, the US, the Caribbean, the UAE and further afield.
Jane-Michèle’s strength and passion: Determining what will give a company a strong, sustainable competitive advantage today and tomorrow along with the best ways of making this a reality… including how to leverage partnerships to advantage, how to create outstanding customer experiences, and how to motivate employees to realize the vision.
Jane-Michèle was also responsible for the introduction of market research to the Middle East. As a result of these and other ongoing innovations in the marketing arena, Jane-Michèle has been nominated 11 times for Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (most recently in 2018).
AI or Die? A Practical Path to Smart Small Business Operations with Zoho
Start small, grow smart—real-world wins and lessons from Zoho-powered AI and automation.
A workshop for Small business owners ready to explore AI without the overwhelm.
- Why AI matters now for small business
- Common fears and real limitations of AI
- Where small businesses usually win with AI
- The staged approach: Start small, scale as you learn
- Live Demo: A Quick AI Workflow in Zoho
- Real Stories: What Other Small Businesses Are Doing
- Your AI Roadmap: Where to Begin
- Ethics, data, and human oversight
- 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Kira Tchernikovsky, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Customerization Inc.
Kira Tchernikovsky is the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Customerization Inc., a Toronto-based technology implementation firm specializing in business automation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With over 20 years of digital transformation and marketing experience, Kira has dedicated her career to helping Canadian SMEs streamline their operations through the effective use of Zoho solutions. As a Zoho Premium Partner, Kira leads initiatives that empower businesses to leverage AI and automation tools to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Her insights from events like Zoho Inspire 2025 highlight her commitment to guiding SMEs in adopting advanced technologies to drive growth. Kira’s approach emphasizes personalized solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring that technology serves as a strategic asset rather than a challenge. Her work continues to make a significant impact on the digital transformation journeys of small businesses across Canada.
Value of Fractional HR for Small Business
Fractional HR Support Advantages:
- Support of a Whole Team vs. a Single Incumbent
- Breadth of Expertise A fractional HR team provides access to a broad range of expertise in different areas of HR, including legal compliance, compensation, talent management, employee relations, and recruitment. A single incumbent may have strengths in certain areas but is unlikely to cover a wide variety of HR functions with the same depth.
- Consistency and Continuity You can ensure consistency in HR service delivery with a whole team, even if one team member is unavailable. This mitigates risks and ensures no gaps in handling critical HR responsibilities.
- Holistic Approach Our team can take a holistic approach to address the company’s immediate needs while focusing on long-term strategic initiatives like talent management, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices, and building a strong organizational culture.
- Scalability and Flexibility A team-based approach provides the flexibility to scale your HR support based on business needs without the fixed costs of hiring a full-time HR team. This ensures that your HR function evolves seamlessly as your company grows.
- HR Discipline Our team will help you establish a best-practice HR discipline by implementing efficient, legally compliant, scalable HR processes. This will set you up for long-term success with processes designed to manage ongoing growth and complexity.
- Support in Hiring a Full-Time HR Representative As your HR function matures, we can assist you in identifying the right time to hire a full-time HR professional. Our team can lead the external recruitment process, ensuring you find a candidate with the necessary HR expertise that fits your company culture. We’ll develop the job description, lead the candidate search, and provide interview support to ensure you hire a top HR leader.
- 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Achieving Important Productivity Gains In YOUR Business by Leveraging AI/GenAI Tools Without Breaking the Bank
- 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
- Opp: Room 106, Level 100, (North Building, MTCC)
Meet Patel is a machine learning engineer and AI software developer for Zetane with a strong foundation in data science and full-stack development. Meet has been a key contributor to Zetane client solutions as well as ZetaForge Studio and ZetaForge Chat platforms. With experience in building scalable AI solutions, Meet works at the intersection of software engineering and applied machine learning. His work spans from model development and deployment to secure infrastructure design, with a focus on delivering impactful, data-driven applications. Passionate about addressing real world business problems with AI solutions, he actively explores new technologies to push the boundaries of AI adoption in real-world settings.
Exclusive Panel Discussions
Digital Transformation Unlocked: Strategies for Small Business Success
- 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Founder and CEO of Women Helping Empower Women and the Chief of Staff at Myant Corporation
(Moderator)
CEO & Founder, Toronto Digital Marketing Agency
AVP Digital at Co-operators.
VP of Digital Strategy at Search Engine People
Founder & CEO of B2BeeMatch
There’s a rising trend that small businesses must adopt new strategies to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This serves as an impetus for the CanadianSME Business Magazine to organize a panel discussion to bring together industry experts and successful entrepreneurs to discuss actionable methods to implement digital transformation. Here’s a rundown of critical aspects that will be addressed in the event:
- Overcoming Barriers to Digital Adoption: Learn how to manage common hurdles, such as the expenses of digital upgrades, technological skill gaps, and fear of change, which can prevent small businesses from fully embracing digital technologies.
- Leveraging Government Programs: Learn about the financial support and training resources the Canada Digital Adoption Program and other government initiatives can offer to make digital transformation more accessible for small businesses.
- Real-World Success Stories: Hear directly from business owners who have effectively integrated digital innovation to drive growth. These stories will exemplify and inspire the true impact of digital transformation on the success of small businesses.
Join this discussion to unlock strategies for sustainable growth in a digital world and gain the confidence to make transformative changes in your business.
AI and Automation: Transforming Small Business Operations for Efficiency
- 12:15 PM - 01:00 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Sr Growth Manager at Sage
Co-Founder, CTO of Customerization
Canada Country Manager & Growth Lead at GoDaddy Canada
National AI Lead at Mitacs
Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are also changing the game for small firms, making operations more efficient and increasing output. This panel aims to provide small businesses with easy, doable solutions for automating and integrating AI into their daily operations. Here are the main points:
- Practical Applications of AI: Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) may improve customer service, boost marketing efforts, and optimize business processes. From chatbots to predictive analytics, panellists will discuss AI technologies and apps that are economical and user-friendly for small enterprises.
- Balancing Automation with Human Creativity: As automation takes on monotonous activities, this conversation will examine how businesses can balance using automation for efficiency and supporting creativity, human insight, and decision-making.
- Case Studies of Success: Learn from small business owners who have implemented AI and seen how these tools have improved productivity, reduced expenses, and fueled growth. Real-life examples will demonstrate the power of AI and automation in enabling firms to thrive.
This panel is vital for small business owners looking to improve operational efficiency, save time, and keep up with AI-driven technologies.
The Human Element: Nurturing Talent and Culture in a Tech-Driven Small Business Landscape
- 02:30 PM- 03:15 PM
- Conference Hall, Room 107 - Constitutional Halls (North Building, MTCC)
Head of Service, Small
Business at ADP
Senior Principal and the Toronto Growth Leader for Mercer Marsh Benefits Canada
Senior Vice-President & Associate Director at Robert Half Management Resources
CEO / Founder of Page Pros Inc.
Co-Founder of Watchdog Security
Small firms are more important than ever to cultivate people and sustain a strong company culture in the face of digital transformation’s effects on the workplace. This panel will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of embracing technology in the workplace while cultivating a positive work environment. Crucial aspects to address are:
- Strategies for Remote Team Building: Panellists will discuss innovative approaches to fostering team spirit and a shared sense of purpose in today’s increasingly distant workplace, assisting companies in remaining engaged, inspired, and true to their core principles.
- Upskilling and Reskilling for the Digital Economy: Employees must acquire new technological abilities and digital literacy to maintain a competitive edge. To help small firms prepare their employees for the digital economy, our panellists will discuss ways to upskill and reskill them.
- Balancing Automation with Human Skills: Human abilities like empathy, creativity, and problem-solving are still in high demand, even though robots can do many mundane jobs. This workshop will discuss ways organizations can incorporate automation while maintaining a personal touch.
- Mental Health and Work-Life Balance: Maintaining a work-life balance and mental health has become increasingly crucial as digital-first workplaces and remote work become the norm. The panellists will offer strategies for promoting the well-being of employees in a technology-driven environment, thereby nurturing a positive work environment that fosters both productivity and wellness.
This panel will offer valuable insights into cultivating a culture centred around people, which is crucial for enduring success in an increasingly digital world.
- 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
Mortgages for the Self-Employed: Real Options, Real Approvals
Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed shouldn’t be this hard—but traditional banks aren’t built for the way entrepreneurs earn. At Effortless Mortgage, over 30% of our clients are business owners, freelancers, and non-traditional borrowers—and we help them get approved every day.
In this value-packed demo session, we’ll cover:
- Why banks say no (even when you can afford it)
- What lenders actually look for behind the scenes
- How Effortless Mortgage gets you approved with our network of 90+ lenders, including B and Private options
- The 3-step strategy to become mortgage-ready as a business owner
At the end of the session, receive “The Self-Employed Mortgage Guide: Make Your Mortgage Work for You”.
- 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
Outgrowing Band-Aids & Duct Tape to Build a Stronger Business:
A smarter way to solve business problems without burning time, money, or brain cells.
Figuring things out on the fly got you this far—but now it’s time for smarter solutions.
If you’ve ever juggled five free tools, watched YouTube tutorials at midnight, or launched a new offer with crossed fingers and sheer hope—you’re in good company. That’s the “duct tape” phase of entrepreneurship, and it’s a badge of honour. But at some point, patchwork systems, guesswork marketing, and DIY fixes start holding your business back instead of pushing it forward.
In this fast, fun, and eye-opening talk, we’ll explore how business owners can level up without burning through time, money, or brain cells. You’ll discover why solving problems yourself isn’t always the smartest move—and how tapping into experienced consultants and specialists can transform your business faster and better than you imagined.
We’ll discuss shifting from firefighting to focused growth, avoiding expensive trial-and-error, and building smarter systems that work for you, not against you.
Whether you’re still bootstrapping or already scaling, you’ll leave with practical strategies for moving beyond the duct tape phase—and toward a business that’s stronger, smoother, and more scalable than ever.
- 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
How to make your website the No. 1 sales agent?
You know which industry probably has the most boring websites? **B2B SaaS.**
Maybe it’s the design. Maybe it’s the copy. Either way, visitors stick around very less—unless they have to for work or business.
So how do we change that?
How do we make sure visitors see the best side of your product?
How do we give them exactly what they came for—and make them want to come back?
Ultimately improve the engagement and make your website the No.1 sales person.
- 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
Lead Flow Demo: From Landing Page to Inbox
In this live demo, we’ll walk you through a complete lead capture and email automation journey—from first click to conversion.
We’ll start by showcasing how to create and customize a landing page using Cyberimpact’s built-in landing page builder. You’ll see how easy it is to design a compelling offer, set up a form to collect contact information, and publish your page in minutes—no coding required.
From there, we’ll demonstrate how to connect the landing page to a powerful marketing automation workflow. You’ll learn how to automatically send a welcome email, trigger a lead nurturing series based on user behavior, and segment contacts for personalized follow-ups.
Throughout the demo, we’ll highlight best practices for lead generation, email timing, and content personalization to keep your audience engaged and moving through the funnel.
Whether you’re new to marketing automation or looking to optimize your current lead generation strategy, this session will give you practical insights and a clear picture of how Cyberimpact makes the process seamless—from landing page to inbox.
- 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
Scaling your business with AI Agents
Join us for a hands-on demo showcasing how small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of AI Agents to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and scale operations, without hiring more staff or writing a single line of code.
At ProsperaLabs.AI, we’ve built a no-code AI agent platform that lets businesses deploy intelligent virtual agents in minutes. Whether it’s automating customer onboarding, handling inbound queries, qualifying leads, or managing internal workflows, our AI agents act like digital team members, working 24/7, always on-brand, and continuously learning.
In this live demo, you’ll see how easy it is to:
- Launch a custom AI agent tailored to your business needs
- Automate repetitive tasks that drain your team’s time
- Integrate with your existing tools and data (like email, CRM, docs, and more)
- Control and customize how your agent speaks, responds, and adapts
This isn’t just a tech showcase—it’s a preview of how you can grow faster, serve better, and compete smarter with the help of AI. Perfect for SMBs in any industry looking to scale without the typical overhead.
- 01:15 PM - 01:35 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
THE POWER OF 3D Virtual Tours & Video in marketing your location
You have a location and you want your prospective clients to see just how great it is so that they want to come for a visit? This presentation is for you.
Own a Co-working space? Beauty studio? Medical/dentist office? Art gallery? Restaurants? Retail store? This demo will explain some of the modern visual tools to show and market your location to prospective clients.
Ever heard of 3D Virtual Tours? I will be explaining how they work, how to use them and how other businesses are using them for their advantage.
Yauheni Baldziusau, Co-Founder and CEO of Odyssey3D
- 01:35 PM - 02:00 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
The Power Pitch: Storytelling That Gets Funding
Raising capital requires more than numbers and projections—it requires a story that sticks.
In this live demo hosted by the Canada Startup Association, Hammad Siddiqui and Naz Noorani will walk founders through the Fundable Story Framework—a practical approach to building a pitch that investors not only remember, but believe in. This session is designed for early- to mid-stage startups preparing to fundraise.
We’ll kick off with a quick storytelling masterclass, breaking down 3 powerful elements of a compelling startup narrative:
- The Hook: What problem are you solving and why now?
- The Credibility: Why you? What traction or insight sets you apart?
- The Ask: What are you building next—and what support do you need?
You’ll then break into small groups to improve a sample startup pitch using the framework. This is your chance to practice in real time, collaborate with peers, and see what makes a story truly stand out.
There’s something special in store for the winning group—and if you’re working on a startup idea, you’ll also have the opportunity to receive further guidance and support from the CSA team beyond this session. We’re here to help you move forward—with clarity and confidence. Remember: Your story isn’t a side note. It’s capital.
Director of Community & Partnerships at Canada Startup Association,
Executive Director at Canada Startup Association,
Naz Noorani, Director of Community & Partnerships at Canada Startup Association, is a brand strategist and systems builder with over 9 years of experience across India and North America. She brings a warm, no-fluff approach to helping founders and purposedriven brands simplify chaos and scale with clarity. As the founder of SOS Consulting and Calm Se Kaam, Naz blends data, storytelling, and digital wellness to build human-centered brands and community-led ecosystems. With a background at Deloitte and deep roots in both strategy and creativity, she supports founders through pivots, launches, and non-linear journeys. Naz is passionate about reimagining success beyond the highlight reel and driving sustainable growth through strategic execution.
Hammad Siddiqui, Executive Director brings over 36 years of experience in working with startups, entrepreneurs, and business associations in many countries from Turkey to Papua New Guinea. He is a qualified non-profit executive from the US Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management, Washington DC, USA. Hammad has been mentoring startups and founders for many years. A passionate solopreneur and LinkedIn strategist, Hammad now leads initiatives that help Canadian startups grow globally, while also guiding professionals in building powerful personal brands and launching independent careers. He believes in keeping things simple, and making growth accessible to all.
- 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
- Exhibitors Hall - Room 105/106
Work Without Walls: Secure, Seamless Access from Anywhere
In today’s distributed world, small and mid-sized businesses must enable employees to work from anywhere—without sacrificing security, performance, or user experience. In this live demo, we’ll show you how combining Parallels RAS and ControlUp delivers a cost-effective, enterprise-grade solution that supports hybrid work without the overhead of legacy systems.
We’ll walk through a real-world scenario: an employee accessing their Windows workspace from a hotel room on a Chromebook. Using Parallels RAS, they get a fast, secure, and app-optimized experience on any device, anywhere—with no need for VPNs or high-end hardware. Meanwhile, ControlUp runs in the background, continuously monitoring session performance, endpoint latency, Wi-Fi quality, and resource usage. If anything goes wrong—slow logins, printer mapping issues, or overloaded servers—alerts are triggered in real-time with guided remediation.
Attendees will see how:
- Small IT teams can centrally manage remote access across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS.
- Real-time analytics from ControlUp make troubleshooting remote work effortless.
- Secure Access with MFA, session policies, and SSO can be enforced easily with Parallels RAS.
Whether you’re managing remote employees, contractors, or a frontline workforce, this solution makes flexible work simple, secure, and supportable—without breaking your budget.
Join us and see why “Work Without Walls” is not just a buzzword—it’s the future of productive work.
Moin Khan is a seasoned IT leader with over 20+years of global experience delivering enterprise-scale technology solutions across more than 20 countries.
As Senior Architect and Managing Director at XenTegra Canada, he specializes in digital workspace transformation, cloud strategy, and secure infrastructure design, with a proven track record leading multimillion-dollar initiatives for Fortune 500 clients and public sector programs. His background includes senior roles at Citrix and Microsoft, where he spearheaded complex deployments involving VDI, mobility, and managed services. Moin brings a blend of deep technical expertise, business acumen, and a passion for mentoring and public speaking—making him a compelling voice in modern IT transformation.
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