Embracing Digital Transformation
for Small Businesses
Small Business Show 2024
When
Where
Who should attend?
Counting Down
An exclusive event for small business owners
Embracing Digital Transformation for Small Businesses
Share success stories and case studies of small businesses that have successfully undergone digital transformation.
Offer practical tools, strategies, and hands-on experience in digital technologies.
Connect: Create networking opportunities with digital experts, tech vendors, and fellow small business owners.
1. Target Audience
2. Small business owners and entrepreneurs
3. Start-up founders
4. Business managers and team leaders within small enterprises
5. Digital transformation enthusiasts and professionals
6. Core Topics
Introducing affordable and effective digital tools for CRM, accounting, inventory management, and more, suitable for small business needs.
Strategies and tools for managing remote teams and digital collaboration effectively.
- 8:00AM - 9:30 AM
Event Inauguration
- 9:30 AM - 9:40 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Shiraz Siddique, Media Host and Consulting Editor at CanadianSME and Founder of Leverage Consulting
Our Media Host, Shiraz Siddique, brightens every conversation with his insight, intellect and intensity. As a serial entrepreneur and sought-after guest speaker, his passion is to help companies win more deals and generate greater influence. For the past twenty years, Shiraz has held Senior Sales Leadership roles for Inside and Direct Sales teams and Sales Operations. His methodology of Calibrating, Calculating and Communicating your message, has led to record-setting performances that Outperform, Outpace and Outsell competitors.
- 9:40 AM - 09:45 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Remarks by Hon. Victor Fedeli, Minister for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario
The Honourable Victor Fedeli is a lifelong entrepreneur, successful businessperson, and philanthropist, and serves the Ford government as Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.
His business experience led his firm Fedeli Corporation to be ranked 34th in the Top 50 Best Places to Work in Canada in 1989. It also served him well, when he was elected to two terms as Mayor of North Bay from 2003 to 2010. As Mayor, Vic focused on fiscal prudence and economic development, restoring hope and restoring solvency to North Bay.
- 09:45 AM - 09:50 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Remarks by Paul Gaspar, Director, Small Business, UPS® Canada
Paul Gaspar is Director of Small Business for UPS Canada. His role is to educate and guide small businesses in Canada on ways to better leverage UPS’ tools to help them grow and expand both domestically and internationally. With his team of small business ambassadors, he empowers small business owners to determine the best mix of customized services, technologies, and innovations available to them.
- 09:50 AM - 09:55 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Remarks by Faye Pang, Canada Country Manager for Xero
Faye Pang is the Canada Country Manager for Xero, the global small business platform with more than 2.7 million subscribers worldwide that’s dedicated to making business beautiful. Prior to joining Xero, Faye helped launch the Uber Eats app in Toronto in December 2015, scaling the business from 80 restaurants on launch day to 20,000 partners by the end of her tenure.
Exclusive Keynotes
Leveraging Technology For Business Growth
- 09:55 AM - 10:10 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Exclusive Keynote by Paul Gaspar, Director, Small Business, UPS® Canada
UPS is a long-time IT innovator, laying the groundwork to improve customer service with intelligent applications that deliver relevant, seamless experiences to its customers on virtually any device. Paul Gaspar, Director of Small Business for UPS Canada, will discuss how to leverage the often-free technology tools at your disposal to improve service, reduce costs and grow your business.
How new technology unites small business owners and the people that support them
- 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Paula Festas, Co-Founder, CEO at huumans
A seasoned executive, Paula Festas brings over 25 years of experience and a proven track record of success driving global, high-performing organizations toward profitable partnerships. Currently CEO at huumans, a smart, cost-effective accountancy and bookkeeping service for small business owners, Paula uses her extensive skill set to support SMBs at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
The Two Ways Attackers Target Small Businesses & How You Can Prevent Becoming The Next Victim
- 10:35 AM - 10:50 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Sai Huda, Founder, Chairman and CEO, CyberCatch
Sai Huda, is the founder, chairman and CEO of CyberCatch, an AI-enabled cybersecurity software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution. CyberCatch first helps implement all necessary cybersecurity controls, then the solution automatically and continuously tests the controls to detect security holes and helps remediate them so attackers cannot exploit them to steal data or install ransomware. Sai is a globally recognized risk and cybersecurity expert and the author of the best-selling book, “Next Level Cybersecurity” and a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences. He also helped author Canada’s national Cybersecurity standard, CAN/CIOSC 104, Baseline Cybersecurity Controls for SMOs.
Leveraging Skip’s Newest Technology To Support Your Small Business
- 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Steve Puchala, CEO, SkipTheDishes
Join Steve Puchala, interim CEO of SkipTheDishes, to learn about Skip’s journey from a tech start-up built in the Prairies to an iconic Canadian brand that’s helping thousands of small businesses thrive in today’s digital and on-demand economy. Steve will share how Skip’s technology can support your business with flexible employee perks to improve productivity, encourage wellness and drive recruitment.
From Prospects to Promoters: Enhancing Business Processes with Effective Pipeline Management
- 11:25 AM - 11:40 AM
- Conference hall 107 - Constitutional Hall
Kevin Karthick, Director, Channel Partnerships at Zoho Canada
An overview of Bigin by Zoho, a pipeline-centric CRM built specifically for small businesses to centralize all customer operations on a single platform, manage opportunities, boost productivity and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.
By Kevin Karthick, Director, Channel Partnerships at Zoho Canada.
Kevin joined Zoho in 2012 as a product consultant for Zoho CRM. He moved to partner channel management in 2015, where he was one of the core members and led initiatives around training, support, pre-sales, onboarding, and operations globally. He is passionate about his work, and he’s always thinking of new and better ways to contribute to the channel’s growth while thoroughly enjoying his Zoho journey. In a new change to his role, he is now managing the Zoho Canada channel program & operations. He has a firm belief in Spirituality & Pollyannaism.
Agenda Coming Soon
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Save 50%* on shipping and get support from a small business ambassador
UPS is pleased to help the CanadianSME and IndigenousSME community save time and money through special services and shipping discounts. We put the power of logistics to work for you every day by providing speed, outstanding reliability and technology tools so you can focus on your business—not your shipping.
*Incentives are based on the daily rates in the UPS Rate and Service Guide. The member understands that actual rates for shipments may vary and be less.
Our Speakers - 2024
Paul Gaspar
Director, Small Business, UPS® Canada
The Hon. Victor Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Faye Pang
Canada Country Manager, Xero
Michael Mehr
Partner of Edmison Mehr Chartered Professional Accountants and Xero Ambassador
Frank Vella
CEO of Constant Contact
Shrad Rao
CEO and Co-founder of Wagepoint
Georges Levesque
President at Levesque Negotiation
Parthiban Dhakshnamurthy
Procurement Assistance Team Leader, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) – Procurement Assistance Canada – Ontario Region
What Our Attendees, Exhibitors
& Sponsors Have To Say
Delivering a Keynote session
You'll have the chance to deliver a keynote session on a topic relevant to your industry or area of expertise. This offers the opportunity to share your insights, experiences, and best practices with attendees, positioning yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Opportunity to exhibit
We are excited to offer you a unique opportunity to showcase your products and services to a diverse and engaged audience at the upcoming business show. This event provides the perfect platform for exhibiting your offerings, generating leads, and networking with potential customers.
Opportunity to deliver a workshop
You will have the opportunity to offer an educational workshop on a topic associated with your business or area of expertise. In this interactive format, you may share your knowledge, conduct hands-on instruction, and communicate directly with guests.
Opportunity for Product Demo
You'll have the opportunity to set up a product demo station, showcasing your latest offerings to attendees. Demonstrate how your products work, highlight their features and benefits, and engage with potential customers in real time.
Save your seat for the best Small Business Conference of the year
A day of Intensive Discovery
Save your seat for the best Small Business Conference of the year
metro toronto convention centre
We are thrilled to announce the Small Business Show 2024, which will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, one of the best and most prestigious venues in Toronto.
The event will provide a unique opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, network with other businesses, and connect with potential customers. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre offers a state-of-the-art facility with ample space to accommodate a diverse range of businesses and industries.
Located steps from Canada’s top attractions in the heart of Toronto. A convenient indoor tunnel connects event-goers to two fantastic hotels, Union Station and the UP Express, a 25-minute air-rail link to Pearson International Airport.