Just a sample of our Past Events!
Monthly Newsletter
Take a look at our newsletter for stories, tricks and tips.
2007
Small Business Seminars and Brown Bag Presentations
Click here for the schedule for Small Business Seminars and Brown Bag Presentations.
Rural Women’s Speaker Series
The Rural Women’s Speaker Series was designed to explore a range of issues with a focus on the personal and professional development of women, their businesses and their communities.
Monday, October 29, 2007
9-3 pm
Carstairs Arena
Presented by: Women in Business
To view full information click here.
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November 20, 2007
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Cochrane Golf Club
If You Ain’t Selling – You Ain’t in Business
An Interactive Session about Common Sense Marketing
Click here to view full information
Canmore Build a Better Business Lunch Series
Past seminars:
October 30, 2007
Bruce Lee of
Bruce Lee, of Encore Seven Inc. (www.bruceleespeaker.com) and learn "How Not to Scare Your Customers Away"
November 29, 2007
“Greening Your Business”
Speaker: Dr Melanie Watt of The Biosphere Institute of Bow Valley
Cochrane Business Network Events
October 5, 2007
Topic: Speed Networking for Business
Speaker: Patricia Alderson, CFCWest
Employee Retention Workshop
To download the information in a pdf format, click here.
Small Business Week Events - October 13 - 19, 2007
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK LUNCHEON & NETWORKING LUNCHEON
WINNING EDGE AWARDS DINNER
Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce
COMMUNITY AWARDS LUNCHEON
Community Futures Centre West
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK CELEBRATION
Thursday, October 18 - Program at 10:30 am
Join us in our video conference as we celebrate our small business community!
Health and Wellbeing Summit in the Rockies
The Canmore Economic Development Authority is inviting the Bow Valley community of health and wellbeing practitioners, residents, business owners, developers, entrepreneurs, and government officials to join us in setting the direction for establishing the Bow Valley as a leader in health and wellbeing at Silvertip Resort on November 9, 2007.
More information at www.rockieshealth.ca
Cochrane Christmas Light Up
Saturday November 24th
5 PM to 7 PM -
1st Street Downtown
Hot Dogs & Hot Chocolate
Fire Pot Gathering
Music & Entertainment
Santa Claus—5 to 7 PM
Please bring a non-perishable food item and/or gift
to support the Cochrane Activettes “Share Your Christmas Campaign”
Come early to shop your local businesses!
Is 2008 the Year You Start Your Business in the Bow Valley?
Community Futures Centre West has an exciting line up of events this January for new and aspiring business owners in the Bow Valley. Learn about the resources available in our community and get terrific tips on how to start your own business or build your existing one:
Are You a Mompreneur? January 9th
Show me the Money! January 10th
Dazed and Confused? January 17th
The Business Jolt! 3rd Thursday of every month at Toshy’s Family Restaurant, 837 – 8th Street.
Canmore Build a Better Business Lunch Series
January 29, 2008
Speaker: Craig Elias
Topic: How to Outsell the Big Guys
March 25
Leadership: Chaos to Clarity
Mona Cooley, DTM
Nandini Venkatesan, DTM
Cochrane Business Network
March 7, 2008
Guest Speaker: Ryan Harper
Topic: Tax Tips for Sales and Business People
The Business Jolt
At Community Futures Centre West, we feel strongly that joining with local businesses to bring you quality events and information reflects our genuine interest in helping local businesses to grow. Join us and our partners to access expert business advice while enjoying one of their great coffees – on the house.
Airdrie
March 26, 2008
Craig Elias
Topic - sales and networking
Canmore
March 20, 2008
Brian Garnier
Topic - taxes
Cochrane/Canmore/Airdrie
April/May
Brenda Mahoney of Strategies for Success
Topic: Marketing
Rural Womens Speakers Series Presents the Airdrie Women in Business Day
April 21, 2008
9:00-4:00
Goldenrod Hall
$30 (includes lunch)
Join us for a day of learning, networking and fun! You could also have a chance to win an office reorganization from Pam Wenzel or a private image consultation from Janice Schmode! Here's what the day will look like:
Patricia Alderson Presents: Importance of Networking
Patricia will inspire you to tackle the art of networking and develop contacts that will be long-lasting and add real value to your life. You'll see that the secret to success is in your attitude and approach, not in the number of people you meet or the number of business cards you hand out. In a fun interactive session, you'll learn how to connect with people in a productive fun way. Build good relationships, practice your skills and have lots of laughs.
Pam Wenzel Presents: Organize Your Home Office
Pam will demonstrate how to set up a new office or re-organize one to make it more productive and functional. Her motto is de-clutter, de-stress, delight! Learn simple techniques to make your office function smoothly and give you more time to enjoy what you want to do, not what you have to.
Sandra Jiggins Presents: Life Values
Every decision you make is guided by values. Anytime you have difficulty making an important decision it may be a result of being unclear about your values. In this hands on exercise determine what your values are in order to achieve life’s goals.
Joan Bell Presents: Release Your Inner Child and Experience the Joy of Laughter
Nancy Tolonen Presents: Financing Your Business
Nancy will share her years of experience in lending when she discusses how to finance your business. Examine what financial resources are available for small business owners, the best way to approach a financial institution and where to go if the bank turns you down.
Janice Schmode Presents: Dress for Power
Explore the topic of image and how your appearance affect how we act, feel and think. Learn what to wear to be appropriate for every occasion and situation, from a job interview to “Casual Friday’s”.
Other Events
How To Outsell The Big Guys
Craig Elias
March 11, 2008 at 7 pm
Airdrie City Council Chamber
How to Outsell the Big Guys
Craig Elias
April 9, 2008
Cochrane RancheHouse Theatre
SPRING 2008
The Marketing EXCEL-erator Event for Small Businesses
May 30, 31 & June 1st
Location: Canmore Radisson Hotel
Your investment: $2695 minus $350 Community Futures registration discount
Sound expensive? Can’t afford this much on a marketing course? Please read on and then decide if you can afford NOT to attend, if you want to grow your business! We are thrilled to offer this special opportunity to our regional businesses as it’s not often that a chance to learn from top marketing experts from across North America comes to our region of the world. Strategies for Success has arranged for six experts to work directly with you and help you develop a full marketing plan for your business. This isn’t a theory only seminar – it’s a hands on, work on your own business, intensive session. You’ll walk away with a practical marketing plan you can implement right away. Topics such as Online Marketing, Email Marketing, Effective Communications, Duct Tape Marketing, Content That Sells and Affordable Graphics will all be covered.
Visit www.marketingexcelerator.com for more information and to register for this exclusive opportunity. Be sure to enter the Community Futures Discount Code MEC08VC to save $350. Here’s a Hint – register online at the same site for the next free information session about the event (scheduled for 1 p.m. this Friday, April 25th)– rumour has it you’ll learn how to save an extra $100…
Win a Free Ticket! All attendees who register using the Community Futures Code will be entered into a draw to win their admission. Imagine, three days of in-depth learning – totally free.
FALL 2008
Are You An Entrepreneur?
Date: October 21, 2008
Time 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm (seminar starts at 7 pm)
Location: Airdrie City Hall 400 Main Street SE Airdrie, Alberta
Cost $ 10.00 in advance and $ 15.00 at the door
This fun and casual evening is your chance to:
- participate in a one-hour seminar about being an entrepreneur
- get your questions answered by representatives from 10 business support organizations (including funding agencies)
- hear success stories from real Airdrie entrepreneurs
- take home a copy of the I Am an Entrepreneur Guide
- win a fabulous "Kick Start Your Business Basket" prize
Who should attend? People who:
- have a business idea but aren't sure where to start
- want to work from home
- are new business owners
- want to learn about being an entrepreneur
Brought to you by Community Futures Centre West and City of Airdrie
Small Business Week - October 19 to 25, 2008
Attend some of the great events in your community:
Airdrie
Women in Business Trade Fair
Sunday, October 19
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Town & Country Centre, 275 Jensen Dr. NE
Admission: $2 (children under age 12-free)
Sponsored by the Airdrie Women in Small Business Association.
Chamber Networking & Small Business Week Kick Off Luncheon
Monday, October 20
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ramada Inn & Suites, 191 East Lake Crescent
$15 members/$20 non-members
To RSVP by October 17 or for information, call the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce at (403) 948-4412.
Am I An Entrepreneur? Evening
Tuesday, October 21
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Airdrie City Hall, 400 Main Street SE
$10 in advance/$15 at the door
To register, click here.
Interested in starting your own business but don't know where to start?
This fun and casual evening is your chance to learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Get your questions answered by representatives from business support organizations (including funding agencies), and hear success stories from real Airdrie entrepreneurs. Plus, you'll have the chance to win a fabulous "Kick Start Your Business Basket" prize.
Hosted by Airdrie Economic Development and Community Futures Centre West. For information, call (403) 948-8844.
Marketing: Kicking it Up a Notch
Wednesday, October 22
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Airdrie City Hall, 400 Main Street SE
To register, click here.
Join us for this lively one-hour seminar, as part of Airdrie Economic Development's monthly Business Education Series.
Take your marketing to the next level! Learn ad agency secrets ranging from evaluating media to creating highly effective messages that your target market will identify with.
Presenter Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, Publisher of AirdrieLIFE Magazine, is a certified ad agency practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry.
For information, call (403) 948-8844.
Winning Edge Awards Banquet
Thursday, October 23
6 p.m.
Woodside Golf Course, 525 Woodside Drive
$40 per person
Celebrate Airdrie's finest businesses at the 11th annual Winning Edge Awards Banquet. Winners of the Eco Edge, Winning Edge and Family Friendly Business awards will be announced.
The banquet will feature guest speaker Douglas Vermeeren. Douglas is the creator and producer of the new movie The Opus which is being touted as the sequel to The Secret. Douglas is a top international speaker and author on turning human potential into amazing performance. He has been voted one of the Top 10 Calgarians to Watch.
Tickets for this evening or great food and entertainment will be available for purchase at the City of Airdrie or the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce in mid-September.
Cochrane
Wednesday Oct 22
Annual Community Awards
11:30 a.m. Tin Cup Café For tickets 403-932-0320
LEAN Seminar
October 29, 2008
7:15am-7:40 am breakfast
seminar 7:45 to 1:00 pm
Hall of Vision at the Cochrane RancheHouse
101 RancheHouse Road, Cochrane AB
In this highly competitive environment, improving the productivity of your organization is a key part of any business strategy. LEAN thinking is a culture that does more with less – less effort, less equipment and less space while providing customers with what they want. LEAN works by identifying and minimizing activities absorbing resources and creating no value. Why go Lean? By using “Lean thinking”, many firms have realized gains in productivity and profitability. Case studies from different industries will show how LEAN has improved efficiency and profitability. Understand the steps to “LEAN Thinking”, identifying waste and inefficiency, understanding productivity tools and effective decision making.For more information on LEAN visit www.albertacanada.com/productivity/lean
To register, click here.
This workshop is presented at no cost to local
employers and is sponsored by Alberta Finance
and Enterprise, Calgary Regional Partnership and
its member communities.
To view a pdf of this information click here.
For more employment initiatives visit http://www.calgaryregion.ca/crp/business/employmentinitiatives.aspx
The Road to Success
November 17, 2008
8:30 - 4:00
The Tin Cup Cafe (at the Cochrane Golf Club)
$49
The road to business success can be full of pitfalls and roadblocks. Give your business the tune up it needs to stay on the right track. No GPS required!
Networking - Patricia Alderson, CFCWest
Marketing - Brenda Mahoney, Strategies for Success
and more....
Elaine MacPherson, E=MC2 The Centre for Business Excellence
Gerri Polis, Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce
Karen Falk, Safety in Motion
To register: www.eventbrite.com/event/201223866
Need more information? Click here for the PDF or call 1-877-603-2329
Employee Development Seminar
November 24, 2008
Airdrie Council Chambers
6:00 to 9:00
No charge to attend
Calgary Regional Partnership and the City of Airdrie wish to encourage businesses to attend an Employee
Development Strategies workshop.
Discover the benefits of establishing comprehensive training and development programs to build employee
skills. Learn about the broad range of learning opportunities for your employees. Analyze your needs; develop
objectives and strategies for creating a more skilled workforce.
The aim of this interactive workshop is to increase your knowledge of effective employee development
practices and resources that can assist your business. It is also an opportunity for you to share ideas with fellow employers, and access additional resources.
Agenda:
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Registration
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Workshop
Topics Include:
The Business Case for
Building Skills
Analyze Needs and Gaps
These workshops are presented at no cost to local employers and are sponsored by Alberta Employment
and Immigration, Calgary Regional Partnership, City of Airdrie, Airdrie & District Chamber of Commerce
Community Futures Centre West and Airdrie Employment Services.
To view a PDF of this information click here
Simon Fraser University
Certificate Program for Community Economic Development Professionals
Simon Fraser University’s certificate program is for professionals working in community economic development who want to increase their skills and knowledge in the field. Our instructors are practitioners with many years of experience and a special knack for sharing their expertise.
The eight courses offered in the program are organized to provide opportunities for thoughtful exploration and practical learning in the critical elements of CED values and principles, enterprise development, financing, planning and research, community participation and sustainability. The range of courses provides an excellent grounding for practitioners in a variety of workplaces and settings.
All courses will be held in Cochrane.
COURSE FEE:
The course fee is $420 per course. In addition, there is a $25 non-refundable application fee for the certificate program.
FOR LOCAL INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER CONTACT:
Corinne Burns, Cochrane Liaison
Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
Telephone: 403-851-2261
Email: corinne.burns@cochrane.ca
For course details visit: www.sfu.ca/cscd/ced
To download the full brochure click here.
This program is offered in Cochrane, Alberta through a partnership between Simon Fraser University, the Canadian CED Network, Community Futures Centre West, the Town of Cochrane, Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Cochrane Society for Housing Options.
Value Plus - A Quest for New Farm Value Workshop
January 16 & 17, 2009
Location: Airdrie Agricultural Centre
Register: www.farmcentre.com/workshops or 1-866-492-1172
Cost: $85
Many businesses are exploring the diversification into new enterprises or the addition of value to existing enterprises to create value to both the consumer and the farm business. The purpose of this 2 day workshop is to assist farm and rural based entrepreneurs with a process of how to tap into new value added opportunities from idea to market. This workshop will explore case studies of innovative rural and farm businesses that have developed value added ideas and opportunities.
The “Value Plus – A Quest For New Farm Value” workshop covers the full “how to gambit” from identifying and evaluating new value added ideas through to taking them to market and build a value added business around them. Participants will follow a new value added idea from its inception through the development process to finding a niche in the marketplace.
Also included with registration is a Wine and Cheese reception on Friday. Meet and chat with some local successful value added operations.
To view a pdf of this information, click here.
Employee Recruitment Strategies Workshop
January 15, 2009
Tin Cup Cafe -
240 River View Drive,
Cochrane, AB
Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
No charge but you must register at www.calgaryregion.ca
Businesses at any stage of employee recruitment planning are invited to this session to learn more about how
to find and recruit the talent they need and become an “employer of choice”. This is a chance for your
business to review its current recruitment practices and learn new strategies through sharing and discussion.
The aim of this interactive workshop is to increase your knowledge of effective recruitment practices and
resources that can assist your business in managing a labour shortage. It is also an opportunity for you to share
ideas with fellow employers, and access additional resources.
Click here to view a pdf of this information
Employee Retention Workshop
February 3, 2009
Airdrie City Hall,
Council Chambers
400 Main Street SE
Airdrie, AB
Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
No charge - but you must register at www.calgaryregion.ca
The seminar will help you to:
•Develop an understanding of the best practices and tools to help your business retain workers.
•Discover creative strategies to attract and keep employees.
•Review your current plans, wage strategies and retention actions and update them.
Businesses at any stage of Employee Retention planning are welcome. This is a great opportunity to share
ideas with fellow employers and access additional resources.
Click here to view a pdf of this information.
Women in Business Expo
Admission $10.00
Tickets purchased at the door
Come visit us at the Calgary Women in Business Expo! We are thrilled to sponsor this event on March 28th and 29th and have arranged a special admittance price for you. Please be our guest by taking advantage of the attached 2 for 1 admittance coupon, compliments of all of us at Community Futures Centre West.
This show is a premiere opportunity to learn about services and support available for business owners and to meet with the many exhibitors. The weekend is chock full of great seminars - all free with the price of admission. Over 1,700 people attended last year, with about a third from our own communities, outside the Calgary area. So round up colleagues and friends (of course men are welcome) and meet at the big Four Building for a two days of great learning, networking opportunities and ideas on how to help your business not just survive, but grow in these economic times.
Hear firsthand how Community Futures helped up and coming country and music singer Codie Prevost start his award winning road to success in the music industry though a start-up loan. Join Patricia Alderson as she talks with Codie about his experience and then take a break from the excitement of the show and enjoy Codie while he sings and plays selections from his latest CDs for you. We know he'll help make this a show you'll remember.
See you at the show! Be sure to drop by our booth and say hello.
4th Annual Women in Business Expo
March 28 & 29, 2009 at Stampede Park - Big Four Building
11:00 to 5:00
www.nationalwomeninbusinessexpo.com
To view a pdf of this information, click here.
Entrepreneur Evening
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:30 - 9pm
City of Airdrie Council Chambers, 400 Main Street SE
This fun and casual evening is your chance to learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Get your questions answered by representatives from business support organizations (including funding agencies), and hear success stories from real Airdrie entrepreneurs.
Registration: 6:30pm
Workshop: 7-8pm
Mix & Mingle: 8-9pm
Cost: $15
Small Business Week (October 17 - 23, 2010) in...
AIRDRIE
Monday, October 18
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce SBW Kick-off & Networking Luncheon
A delicious buffet lunch followed by networking led by our keynote speaker. Bring lots of business cards and a stack of one marketing item from your business for our networking table.
Location: Woodside Golf Course, 525 Woodside Drive NW
Time: 11:45 am – 1 pm
Tickets: $15-members, $20-prospective members.
RSVP to Lorna Hunt at (403) 948.4412 by noon October 13
Tuesday, October 19
Entrepreneurial Edge Evening
Do your dreams include starting a business of your own? Come learn the secrets of success from a panel of marketing, sales and financial experts, and meet with small business support providers who can help you build the edge to succeed. All aspiring entrepreneurs invited!
Location: City of Airdrie, 400 Main Street SE
Time: 6:30 - 9 pm
Tickets: Early Bird—$15 (before Oct. 14) Regular—$20
Register at www.airdriebizresources.org
Wednesday, October 20
Social Media: Is it Right for Your Business?
Join us for two exciting and informative workshops to find out how you can use popular Social Media tools to benefit your business.
Presenter, Gail Helmer, will deliver two workshop sessions:
Social Media Basics for Business (9 -11am)
- What is social media for business.
- Why you need to be using social media for your business.
- The three things you need to do every day to grow your business.
- How to sell more to your existing customers.
- Plus lots of other insights, tips and tricks to using social media.
Developing a Successful Small Business Social Media Strategy (1:30 – 3:30 pm)
What is social media.
- The essential and not-so-essential social media applications.
- The 10 essentials keys to a successful social media strategy.
- The five best time-saving social media tools.
- The three best ways to track and measure your social media strategy.
- Plus lots of other insights, tips, and tricks to using social media.
Location: City of Airdrie, Council Chambers, 400 Main Street SE
Tickets: Single workshop—$30. Both workshops—$50.
Register at www.airdriebizresources.org
Friday, October 22
Winning Edge Awards Banquet
A Small Business Week highlight! Celebrate Airdrie businesses that provide exceptional service, a family-friendly setting and environmental leadership. New this year, an outstanding business leader will be recognized with the Airdrie Business Leaders Award. This year’s event features guest speaker Tim Tamashiro.
Location: Woodside Golf Course, 525 Woodside Drive NW
Time: Cocktails at 6 pm, Dinner at 7 pm, Guest speaker & awards to follow
Tickets: Early Bird—$50 (up to and including Oct. 1), Regular—$60 (Oct. 2 –15)
Buy your tickets at www.airdriebizresources.org
COCHRANE
From the Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce:
Wednesday, October 20
Focus on the Customer - Great Business 2 Business Customer Service Lunch N Learn
Saturday, October 23
Member Appreciation Pancake Breakfast (free pancake breakfast)
Home Based Business Showcase
See www.cochranechamber.ca for more information
From Town of Cochrane Economic Development & Community Futures Centre West:
Thursday, October 21
Social Media Basics for Business (9am-11am)
$25
Social Media Basics for Business is just that - basics. Come find out what social media is all about. Join instructor Heidi Schempp Fournier to learn
- What is social media for business
- Why you need to be using social media for your business
- Choosing the right social media tool for your business
- Tracking and analyzing how its working
- Content management
Register or for more information go to http://socmedia.eventbrite.com
From Town of Cochrane Economic Development:
Thursday, October 21
Business Resource Expo (11am to 2pm)
Free
Go to www.cochrane.ca and click on Activity Centre for more information
CROSSFIELD
From the Town of Crossfield:
Thursday, October 21
Workplace Conflict Strategies (9-11:30, light lunch included)
$20
Learn how to use the six-step issue based problem-solving method to respond to workplace conflicts promptly and constructively. Improve your ability to explore the range of concerns and interests in respectful and non-threatening way, and increase your knowledge of the resources and supports available to employers for resolving workplace conflicts.
Click here to register
From the Crossfield Chamber of Commerce:
Thursday October 21
Business Awards Gala
