Your Story. Your Brand. Your Vaughan.

Feb. 11, 2020 12:00 p.m.
​Celebrating local business leaders at the 18th Annual Vaughan Business Expo

Today, hundreds of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and business experts came together to share experiences and best practices at the 18th Annual Vaughan Business Expo, presented by BMO. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with local industry leaders, build relationships and discuss new and bold ideas.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua delivered a keynote address, which focused on Vaughan’s thriving business community.

At this year’s Expo, attendees were able to visit four different featured zones, each focusing on different industries:
  • Innovators Zone presented by My Blue Umbrella
  • York Region Food Movers, Makers, and Shakers Zone presented by Mentor Works Ltd.
  • Culture Creators Zone presented by Arcadia Live! Productions
  • Business Builders Zone presented by Ablii by nanopay

Additionally, there was ZONE2041 presented by Millennial’s Choice. This feature zone in the Expo’s lobby highlighted Vaughan’s future with an opportunity for interactive engagement.

Three different “Office Hours” took place throughout the day providing opportunities to speak with experts, get advice and learn from industry leaders in importing and exporting, marketing and branding, and funding and finance. This provided participants the chance to learn about different businesses and allow for targeted networking.

The City is committed to helping small businesses thrive and offers advice, access to industry experts and assistance with brand development through the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC). As outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan, Council is committed to ensuring the City undertakes initiatives that ignite economic prosperity and social capital, celebrate Vaughan as an entrepreneurial city, and showcase the city as the gateway to economic activity in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. ​The City will launch the new Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital Task Force this year to help bring forward ideas to strengthen our local economy and engage residents.   

QUOTE
“Today, we celebrate the forward-thinking entrepreneurs who innovate and advance our thriving business community. The Vaughan Business Expo provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to strengthen their corporations and connect with fellow peers. The City of Vaughan is committed to business excellence and is an economic leader in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. With more than 12,000 companies that employ upwards of 223,000 people, Vaughan has the talent, resources, networks and transportation connections to help businesses of all sizes scale and expand. Programs like Activate!Vaughan enrich Vaughan’s economic prosperity, showcase our entrepreneurial spirit and promote environmental stewardship — all priorities that are outlined in our Strategic Plan. I want to extend my warmest and sincerest gratitude to our emerging business leaders and everyone who joined us at the 18th Annual Vaughan Business Expo. Each of you are helping to lay the foundation for a bright and promising future for all.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua 

QUICK FACTS
  • The Vaughan Business Expo focuses on business growth through the facilitation of strategic partner development.
  • The Vaughan Business Expo was held at Terrace Banquet Centre.
  • Through the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC), the City offers invaluable planning advice, access to industry experts and assistance with brand development to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners.
  • Since 2010, VBEC has helped entrepreneurs start or expand nearly 3,600 businesses in our community.
  • Vaughan is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada with over 12,000 businesses that employ more than 223,000 people. The City’s economic growth has been transformational in the last 10 years with 60,000 jobs being created and major city-building initiatives being realized.

LEARN MORE
  • Mayor Bevilacqua’s statement on the Vaughan Business Expo
  • Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC) webpage
  • Vaughan and ventureLAB partner to expand services for entrepreneurs news release
  • 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan webpage
  • A ground-breaking collaboration puts healthcare in Vaughan at the forefront news release
  • Vaughan advances city-building agenda in Israel news release
  • Niagara University continues vision to become premier binational university in Ontario with addition of new master’s degree programs new release

 

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