2026 Small Business Week Conference

Name: 2026 Small Business Week Conference

Date: October 20, 2026 - October 21, 2026

Registration: Register Now

Event Description:

THE BUSINESS OF BEING IN BUSINESS

Running an organization is about more than the numbers. It is about the people, decisions, challenges and opportunities that come with leading an organization.

Join us Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday for practical workshops, thought-provoking conversations and inspiring keynotes focused on the realities of running an organization in the North.

Built-in breaks give you time to network, connect with other attendees and catch up on your own work.

Whether you're building a business, leading an established company or running a non-profit, many of the challenges are the same. How do you build a strong team, make better decisions, use your resources wisely, navigate challenges and keep your organization moving toward what matters most?

This year's conference brings together practical ideas and tools around leadership, workplace culture, AI and workflow automation, partnerships, business disputes, organizational priorities, employer responsibilities and more.

No matter where you are in your organization's journey, you'll leave with new ideas, practical tools and connections you can put to work.

Real organizational challenges. Practical ideas you can take back to work.

Scroll down to see the full schedule of events!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Tina Varughese
Human Connection Expert | Bestselling Author

The Human Side of Unconscious Bias

First impressions, positive or negative, are made in seven seconds or less. We all make quick assessments of others without even realizing it. We are not born with bias. Biases are formed by past situations, experiences, background, and culture. Unconscious biases typically exist towards gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability (both physical and mental), and weight. Most of us will say "I see people for who they are" but do we? Unconscious biases affect and impact decision making both professionally and personally with real impact.

Recognizing, managing, and mitigating unconscious bias promotes inclusion and belonging; inclusion and belonging drives innovation, increases productivity, and stimulates creativity while promoting a healthy, happy, and engaging culture.

Tina's Biography
VISIT TINA'S WEBSITE: http://tworksforyou.ca

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jennifer Ménard-Shand
Indigenous French-Canadian Entrepreneur

Purpose-Driven Partnerships: How to Deliver Transformative Business Outcomes
Behind every visionary is a strategist who turns dreams into reality - and when these roles are rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and complementary strengths, the results can be exponential.

In this insightful and uplifting keynote, Jennifer Ménard-Shand unpacks the power of purpose-driven partnerships through the lens of "Walt and Roy Disney" dynamics: where big ideas meet focused execution. Drawing from her own lived experience building companies alongside her trusted business partner, Alison Hernández, Ménard-Shand reveals how their alignment in values and common goals is the foundation to unlocking 10x growth. Inspired by the principles in outlined in the bestselling book, 10x is Easier than 2x, she explains that exponential results aren't possible without radical focus, trust, and a shared mission. Their success is proof that when the right people come together for the right reasons, momentum multiplies.

Delivered with heart, humility, and humour, this talk is perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries seeking to achieve more by going deeper, not just faster. Because in the end, no one makes it alone - and we are always stronger together. When opportunities knock, the right partnership ensures you don't just answer... you rise.

Jennifer's Biography
VISIT JENNIFER'S WEBSITE: http://www.jmenardshand.com

Focusing on What Matters Most: Business, Life, and What Comes Next
When you own a business, it can be difficult to separate what is important from what is simply demanding your attention. This workshop is designed to help you step back and consider what matters most to you in your personal goals, finances, family, lifestyle, and future. A guided self-assessment will help you identify weaknesses, opportunities, and where your current situation is out of step with your goals. You'll leave with a short list of priorities worth addressing and a plan for how to move forward.

This session build off the insights you gained from last year's SWOT Analysis and Goal Setting workshop presented by KWB, however attending last year's session is not a requirement to benefit from this year's workshop.

Speakers:

Darren Buma, CPA, CA - Partner, KWB

Richard Ouellette, CPA, CA - Partner, KWB

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Practical AI and Automation for Small Business

AI and automation are everywhere, but where should a small business actually start? This session cuts through the hype and shows owners how to identify the tasks consuming their time, understand the difference between automation and AI, and see where each can add the most value. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, participants will see how small businesses are using these tools today to save time, reduce errors and stay on top of their operations. The session also covers how to evaluate a tool, or anyone offering to help implement one, before spending a dollar, including the right questions to ask and the red flags to watch for. Attendees will leave with a simple framework to choose their first project and practical next steps they can apply in their own businesses.

Speaker:

Atiba Lewis - Founder of ATL Workflow Automation Inc.

Atiba's Biography

Get a Grip on Your Business: Six Keys to Getting What You Want from Your Entrepreneurial Company
Longer hours, people who don't follow through, profit that won't hold steady, and growth that stalls. Sound familiar? This 90-minute workshop introduces EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System: a complete set of simple, practical tools that does three things. Gets your leadership team on the same page about where the business is going. Makes your leaders disciplined and accountable about getting there. And builds a team that actually functions well together. You'll follow along in your own workbook with time to look hard at your own business as we go, and leave with tools you can start using the same day.

Speaker:

WSCC Essentials

Whether you’re operating a small, medium, or large sized business in the Northwest Territories, there are legislated requirements that you need to know. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) will provide a panel of experts who will walk you through services that impact every business, like annual payroll reporting requirements, your safety essentials, and incident and injury reporting processes. Whether you are new to business or just looking for an update on WSCC tools and services, this panel will be full of essential information. You’ll also hear about WSCC's new Employer Support team, which is a team of local professionals dedicated to helping answer employer’s questions and providing assistance in accessing online services. The WSCC will also provide participants with free posters and resources for your workplaces!

Before You Sue: A Business Owner's Guide to Making Better Dispute Decisions
When a business dispute arises, going to court is rarely the only option. The challenge is knowing when to litigate, negotiate, mediate or walk away.

Join Field Law for an interactive workshop designed to help business owners make informed decisions when disputes arise. Rather than a traditional presentation, participants will work through realistic Northern business scenarios in small groups, considering the risks, costs and practical factors that can shape the best path forward. Field Law will then walk through how they would assess each scenario, including the questions they would ask, the information they would want and the options they would consider before recommending next steps.

Participants will leave with a practical decision-making framework and checklist they can use to assess future business disputes.

Speakers:

Justine Blanchet - Partner, Field Law

Anthony Burden - Partner, Field Law

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: