Port Hope business owners and entrepreneurs can take advantage of a free series of business workshops this spring.
The Municipality of Port Hope is collaborating with the Business Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN) and the Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce to deliver the four-part workshop series.
From March to June, local business owners, operators, and entrepreneurs can attend the monthly workshops to upskill or reskill and assist them in a competitive economy, a media release from the municipality stated.
Kailyn Coupland, BECN business development coordinator, said the intent of the workshops series was “to empower local entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to successfully grow, adapt, and thrive in today’s evolving business landscape.”
“Through this collaborative effort between BECN, the Municipality of Port Hope, and the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce, we aim to achieve maximum capacity of attendees at each session, assisting to elevate businesses through educational support,” Coupland told kawarthaNOW. “Through these efforts, we aim to see increased community engagement and networking, assisting with business growth opportunities while providing practical and immediate tools entrepreneurs can implement right away.”
“Ultimately, our goal is to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and support network they need to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and contribute to the vibrant business community of Northumberland County.”
The workshop series kicks off on Thursday, March 20 with a 90-minute virtual session on business planning essentials led by BECN business consultant Julie Savard.
The series continues on Thursday, April 10 with the interactive “Market Adaptation vs. Market Standardization” workshop at the Town Park Recreation Centre in Port Hope, which will explore marketing strategies and how to choose the right approach for their business. The workshop will be led by Karen McDonald-Hurley of Opportunity Group.
On Wednesday, May 14, the “Future-Proofing: A.I. for Small Business” workshop at the Port Hope Community Hub in Canton will see Sofie Andreou of 123 Digital Power show participants how to future-proof their small business with artificial intelligence.
The final session on Wednesday, June 11 at the Port Hope Community Hub in Canton will focus on video marketing basics for small business owners. The workshop will also be led by Sofie Andreou of 123 Digital Power.
“This partnership with our regional and local friends at the BECN and the chamber is just one of many ways that the municipality is working hard to support our business community,” said Desta McAdam, director of development services at the Municipality of Port Hope, in the release.
The workshops are free to attend but registration is required, as spots are limited. Visit www.northumberland.ca/en/becn/seminars-and-workshops.aspx to learn more and to register. Each workshop requires a separate registration.
Questions about the workshops can be directed to bizhelp@northumberland.ca.
