Presented By:
Join us for an in-person event designed to support, celebrate, and inspire small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs. The Small Business Solution Summit is more than a conference—it’s a launchpad for sustainable growth, take-away solutions and meaningful connections.
The 2nd Annual Small Business Solutions Summit Offers: a dynamic luncheon keynote speaker, panel discussions, an Ask Me Anything session, networking opportunities and exhibitors offering small business solutions.
Join Us On
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
9:00am – 4:00pm
Superior Inn Thunder Bay, ON
Members $85 + HST
Non-Members $105 + HST
Why You Should Attend?
- Broaden your Horizons
- Engage with thought leaders, fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers.
- Accelerate your Business
- In this high-energy atmosphere filled with passionate, like-minded professionals.
- Advance Growth
- Build connections with our partners, to utilize their resources, mentorship, and training beyond the event.
- Achieve Peak Success
- Walk away with transformative ideas and turn them into reality.
Why You Should Exhibit?
- Generate high-quality leads from motivated business owners
- Showcase your products, services, and solutionsin person
- Connect with key decision makers who influence purchasing
- Engage a focused B2B audience looking for real value
- Boost your brand visibility across the region
- Strengthen your presence in the small business ecosystem
Booths are limited, secure your spot now! This is your moment to put your brand in front of the people who are ready to take action. Together, we can strengthen and support the businesses that power Northwestern Ontario’s economy.
Small Business Solutions Summit
2026 Agenda
9:00AM - Registration Opens
Enjoy coffee, networking, and explore the exhibits!
Lanyard Sponsor – Jones Insurance
Attendee Gift – Impact Promotions
9:30AM - Welcome and Introductions
Presenting Sponsor – Thunder Bay International Airport Authority
9:45AM - Opening Session
“Bring About What You Think About”
Speaker: Eddie LeMoine
Business leaders are working in an environment of constant change, growing demands, and ongoing uncertainty. Over time, that kind of pressure can affect decision-making, creativity, confidence, and overall performance.
This opening keynote encourages attendees to reset their mindset, refocus their energy, and approach the opportunities ahead with greater clarity and purpose.
Attendees will learn:
- How mindset influences performance and results
- Why optimism is a competitive advantage
- How leaders shape workplace culture
- Practical strategies for maintaining focus and resilience
- How to create momentum in times of change
10:15AM - Fill Your Cup - Coffee & Networking
Coffee Sponsor – Tbaytel
10:35AM - Spotlight #1 - Entrepreneur Success Story
10:50AM - Session #1 - Marketing Panel
Maureen Mills from Salesman Consulting
Jayna Dawd from CEDC
Ashley Pugh from Generator
The panel will be a live Q&A from the entrepreneur (Maureen) to the SMEs Jayna and Ashley regarding real marketing insights to tackle the issues entrepreneurs face. The attendees will be able to take away tangible tools and ideas to apply to their own business.
11:35AM - Lunch Buffet Opens
12:10PM - Keynote + Q&A
“HR – Building Capacity: You can’t hire your way out of this!”
Speaker: Eddie LeMoine
Sponsored by: Thunder Bay Ventures
Most organizations are trying to solve today’s workforce challenges by hiring more people.
The problem is there simply aren’t enough people available to meet future demand.
This practical session offers a different perspective on growth and workforce challenges.
Drawing on ideas from his new book Beyond Headcount, Eddie explores three ways organizations can build capacity:
- Finding new sources of talent
- Getting more from the people they already have through leadership and engagement
- Using technology and AI to remove low-value work and increase productivity
Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can use immediately to strengthen their workforce, improve productivity, and better position their organizations for future growth.
- Attract and retain talent more effectively
- Improve employee engagement
- Develop stronger leaders
- Increase productivity
- Build workforce capacity
- Leverage AI and technology more effectively
- Prepare for demographic and workforce changes
1:05PM - Make Connections & Explore Solutions
Lounge Sponsor – Open Mind Interiors
1:25PM - Spotlight #2 - Entrepreneur Success Story
TBD
Spotlight Sponsor – Weilers Law
1:40PM - Session #2 - Strategic Planning
Donna Smith from Bain Smith Consulting
2:20PM - Fill your Cup - Coffee & Networking
Coffee Sponsor – Tbaytel
2:40PM - Session #3 - Ask Me Anything: Q&A Opportunity with the Experts
4:00PM - Closing Remarks
Presenting Sponsor – Thunder Bay International Airport Authority
Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Coffee Sponsor
Spotlight Sponsor
Gift Sponsor
Keynote Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Lounge Sponsor
If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s Summit, please contact
Vanessa Franklin – Events Coordinator | vanessa@tbchamber.ca