Embassy Sends Canadians to Small Business Network of the Americas International Sister Center Workshop

U.S. Embassy Ottawa is providing funding for 19 Canadian small business development experts to travel to Grapevine, TX, near Dallas, to participate in the Small Business Network of the Americas 2nd Annual International Sister Center Workshop. The workshop is being offered by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the U.S. Embassies in Canada and Mexico and the U.S.-based America’s Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC). It will feature participants from across North America as well as other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

The goal of the workshop, which will take place on September 9, is to increase the connectivity of the Small Business Network of the Americas (SBNA) through the creation of direct, independently sustainable partnerships between small business service providers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. SBNA is an Obama Administration initiative to link small business service providers across the Western Hemisphere to expand access to business counseling services, financing, and opportunities for international trade.

Participants will be matched with counterparts from other countries who have a similar focus and will have the opportunity to create draft partnership plans. The workshop is an opportunity for those working at small business support centers in all three countries to network, develop ideas, work together and share best practices. The workshop will coincide with ASBDC’s 34th Annual Conference from September 9-12.

The ASBDC association is a partnership program uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development organizations. It is dedicated to the sound development of small business throughout America. Founded in 1979, America’s SBDC provides a vehicle for continuous improvement of the Small Business Development Center program, exchange of information among members regarding objectives, methods and results in business management and technical assistance, and advocacy of America’s small business community. More than one million businesses are assisted by America’s SBDC member programs each year.

Participants are available for interviews before and after the program upon request. A complete list of participants, including the city in which they are located can be found below. More information about the workshop can be found at www.asbdc-us.org. For an overview of SBNA, please visit YouTube.

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Jennifer Young
Media Assistant
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Tel: 613-688-5315
Email: youngjm1@state.gov

2014 SBNA Workshop: Dallas, Texas
Name Organization City/Province
Taylor, Anthony Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association Vancouver, BC
Gilles, Donald Economic Development Corporation of British Columbia Vancouver, BC
Douglas, Laurel Women’s Enterprise Centre Kelowna, BC
Nickel, Rodney Business Development Bank of Canada Whitehorse, YK
Wood, Rebecca Calgary Chamber of Commerce Calgary, AB
Scarlett, Tracey Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Edmonton, AB
Chugh, Pawan Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Yellowknife, NWT
Ring, Marshall Manitoba Technology Accelerator Winnipeg, MB
Earl, Derek World Trade Centre Winnipeg Winnipeg, MB
Jain, Vikas Enterprise Toronto Toronto, ON
Kirolos, Hany City of Barrie Barrie, ON
Richmond-Denis, Erin City of North Bay North Bay, ON
Rotondo, Dolores Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre Vaughan, ON
Shaver, Teresa Business Advisory Centre Durham Oshawa, ON
Perron, Christian Economic Development Authority Montreal, QC
Carpentier, Claudine Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce Montreal, QC
Mejia, Ana Agglomeration of Longueil Economic Development Boucherville, QC
Godbout, Yanick Development SME Levis, QC
Beaton, John Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development Antigonish, NS