Mark Your Calendars:
Join Us at an Upcoming Event
| | Unlocking Government Funding Opportunities for Business Growth | September 29, 2026 | Virtual | |
Join BDO GrantMatch and the Ottawa Board of Trade for an informative webinar designed to help businesses better understand and capitalize on today's government funding opportunities. During this session, BDO GrantMatch's funding specialists will provide an overview of the Canadian government funding landscape, highlighting federal, provincial, and regional grant and incentive programs available to support business growth, innovation, productivity improvements, workforce development, sustainability initiatives, and capital investments.
What to Expect:
- A live Q&A session will provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions specific to their business objectives and funding challenges.
- Additional resources and information on how to connect with the BDO GrantMatch team to explore funding opportunities and build a long-term government funding strategy for their organization.
Whether your business is planning investments in technology, equipment, expansion, training, research and development, or sustainability initiatives, this webinar will provide valuable insights into navigating Canada's evolving funding landscape.
| Ottawa Board of Trade Mayoral Debate 2026 | October 1, 2026 | University of Ottawa | |
Ottawa’s next Mayor will make decisions that shape our city for years to come. On October 1, join Ottawa’s business community for the Ottawa Board of Trade Mayoral Debate 2026, featuring:
- Alex Lawson
- Jeff Leiper
- Neil Saravanamuttoo
- Mark Sutcliffe
We’re also excited to announce Marieke Walsh, Senior Reporter, Ottawa at The Globe and Mail as moderator for the debate.
With Election Day just weeks away, the candidates will take on the issues that will define Ottawa’s next chapter: housing and growth-enabling infrastructure, transportation and mobility, economic competitiveness, talent and investment, downtown revitalization, and Ottawa’s role as Canada’s capital.
Grounded in the Ottawa Board of Trade’s More Ottawa campaign, the debate will explore how each candidate plans to build for growth, compete to win and elevate the capital, and how they intend to turn their priorities into measurable action.
For Ottawa’s business community, this is an important opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, understand their approaches to the challenges and opportunities ahead, and be informed ahead of Election Day.
More ambition. More action. More Ottawa.
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Not able to join the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Mayoral Debate in person? Join us virtually!
Tune in online to hear directly from Ottawa’s mayoral candidates as they share their perspectives on the issues shaping our city’s future, from growth and infrastructure to economic competitiveness and downtown vibrancy. Wherever you are, you can be part of this important conversation ahead of the October 26 municipal election. Thank you to Rogers TV for hosting this livestream.
| | Ottawa's Next Chapter: An Economic Leaders Panel | | October 6, 2026 | Ottawa Art Gallery | | |
What does Ottawa need to compete, grow, and prosper in the years ahead?
With Election Day approaching, Ottawa’s business and economic leaders, candidates, and community leaders will come together on October 6 for Ottawa’s Next Chapter: An Economic Leaders Panel - an important conversation about the priorities that will shape our city’s economic future.
Moderated by David Coletto, Founder and CEO of Abacus Data, the discussion will feature:
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Megan Cornell, Associate General Counsel at General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada
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Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism
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Kelly Rhodenizer, Senior Vice President, Development at Colonnade BridgePort
Together, they’ll explore competitiveness, infrastructure, housing, talent, downtown renewal, investment, growth, and what Ottawa needs to position itself for the opportunities ahead.
Candidates for Mayor and City Council will also be invited to attend, giving guests an opportunity to connect with those seeking public office ahead of the October 26 municipal election.
This is not a candidate forum or debate. It is an opportunity to put the perspectives and priorities of Ottawa’s business community at the centre of the conversation about our city’s next chapter.
Join us on October 6 and be part of the conversation about Ottawa’s economic future.
| | More Ottawa Municipal Election Regional Roundtables | | October 13, 2026 | Virtual Roundtables | | |
Ottawa’s next chapter will be shaped by decisions made across every part of our city.
As part of our More Ottawa municipal election campaign, the Ottawa Board of Trade is bringing candidates together for a series of virtual Regional Roundtables focused on the priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing communities across Ottawa.
Moderated by Rick Chase, Vice President and Partner at Gifford Carr, the conversations will explore what it will take to accommodate growth, strengthen our economy, and improve quality of life. From downtown renewal and transportation connectivity to infrastructure readiness, innovation, rural economic development, and access to opportunity, each roundtable will focus on the priorities unique to its part of the city.
Join the conversation in your area:
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10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Central: Wards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
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11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - East: Wards 1, 2, 10, 11, 18, 19
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1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - West: Wards 4, 6, 7, 8, 23
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2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - South: Wards 3, 9, 22, 24
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4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Rural: Wards 1, 5, 19, 20, 21
These conversations will go beyond what candidates support to explore how they plan to deliver results, where greater collaboration is needed, and how progress should be measured through 2030.
| | Ottawa Small Business Summit 2026 | | October 19, 2026 | Bayview Yards | | |
Building a business takes vision, resilience, and hard work, but it also takes the right people, ideas, and connections.
Join the Ottawa Board of Trade, OCOBIA, and Invest Ottawa this Small Business Month for a day of practical learning, meaningful conversation, and connection. Hear candid lessons from local entrepreneurs, explore resources and government supports, join focused discussions on succession planning or building your client list, and take part in a hands-on AI workshop featuring tactical tools you can put to work in your business right away.
Come ready to learn, contribute, and connect. Leave with practical ideas, new relationships, and a clear next step for your business.
| | Business After 5: Escape Manor Halloween Takeover | | October 20, 2026 | Escape Manor Lounge | | |
Join the Ottawa Board of Trade on October 20 for a special Halloween edition of Business After 5 at Escape Manor Downtown, where Ottawa’s business community will come together for an evening of connections, conversation, and a little friendly competition.
Escape Manor will be fully decked out for the season, complete with Halloween décor and upbeat tunes throughout the evening. Between conversations, challenge your connections to kinetic games including bocce ball, foosball, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and cornhole, or step up to Escape Manor’s Darts Reimagined boards.
And don’t forget your costume! Guests are encouraged to get into the Halloween spirit for our costume contest, with fun prizes for the best costumes as voted by your peers. Plus, stop by the photobooth to capture the evening with your team and new connections.
It’s going to be a frightfully good night for making new connections. Come ready to connect, compete, and celebrate the season with Ottawa’s business community.
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