Southwest Business Summit: Uniting Business Leaders for Learning, Networking, and Fun

The inaugural Southwest Business Summit is set to take place at the prestigious Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews from June 26th to 28th, 2024. The event promises a unique opportunity for business leaders from across New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada to come together, learn from industry experts, make valuable connections, and enjoy a range of engaging activities.

The summit boasts an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and featured guests, including renowned chef Michael Smith and comedian James Mullinger. Alongside them, a diverse array of workshop facilitators will lead sessions covering topics such as HR law, mental health in the workplace, funding opportunities, and immigration - all tailored to address the specific needs of small to medium-sized businesses in the region.

Elizabeth Eldridge, a psychological health consultant and one of the summit's speakers, expressed her excitement about the event, highlighting the exceptional calibre of speakers and workshop facilitators. She emphasized the value of bringing such learning opportunities to the local business community, citing the importance of personal and professional development for business owners.

"This event is for business leaders from across New Brunswick or Atlantic, Canada, to come and spend time learning, making connections, and having fun," said Eldridge. "We have some great keynote speakers throughout the three days. We have about 15 workshops being facilitated throughout the three days, and we have fun activities organized for everyone to participate in. So it'll be a really great event."

Jason McGratten, President of the Eastern Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, underscored the significance of networking and relationship-building in the business world. He emphasized the role of relationships in business success and highlighted the summit as a prime opportunity for attendees to forge new connections and expand their support networks. He said a smaller-scale expo in 2023 inspired this year's plans.

"Last year we held a business Expo in St. George. That was very well attended, and we had very good feedback from it. So from that, we worked with the Southwest Regional Service Commission and collaborated with the other chambers, St. Andrews and St. Stephen, to start creating and planning this one last summer."

Hannah McGee, the Coordinator behind the scenes of the summit, shared insights into the event's planning process, which involved gathering feedback from the local community to shape the workshop offerings. She emphasized the interactive nature of the workshops, where participants are encouraged to engage actively and come away with valuable insights and knowledge.

"We put out a survey to the local community asking what their needs are, what are they looking for, what do they want to learn about. And so from that feedback, people are looking to learn about HR law. We have an HR lawyer coming to speak," said McGee. "Mental health in the workplace is very important to a lot of business owners. We have funding opportunities, so we'll have a panel with some funding experts to give information on funding opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. And we have immigration. Immigration is a big topic right now. So we have an immigration consultant coming to do a workshop, facilitating a workshop. So, yeah, lots of exciting workshops." 

One of the key attractions of the summit is the Trade Show, featuring booths from various business-to-business service providers. Hannah detailed the diverse range of organizations participating, from law firms to insurance providers, offering attendees access to essential resources and support for their businesses.

As the summit approaches, anticipation is building for the gala dinner featuring James Mullinger's comedic performance, as well as the closing brunch with Chef Michael Smith demonstrating oyster shucking. These engaging events promise a blend of learning, entertainment, and networking opportunities for attendees to enjoy.

The Southwest Business Summit represents a landmark event for the business community in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. With a focus on learning, networking, and fun, the summit aims to empower business leaders, foster collaboration, and drive growth in the region's business landscape. As Elizabeth Eldridge aptly put it, "Don't let the opportunity pass you by - it's a unique chance to elevate your business and connect with like-minded professionals in a vibrant setting."