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Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) is bringing female entrepreneurs together on May 27 for an evening focused on connection, conversation and community. 

Hosted at Palais Noir in Ajax, She Means Business will feature speakers, networking, appetizers and a cash bar. New for this event are curated booths showcasing a mix of women-owned businesses and support organizations. 

Whether you’re attending to grow your network, build community or reconnect with other women who understand the entrepreneurial journey, the evening is designed to leave participants feeling energized, supported and inspired.

Live music and local talent are key parts of Durham Region’s visitor economy. Invest Durham’s Beyond the Music: Ready or Not Ready supports the people and businesses that help bring that experience to life by offering a free evening of industry insight and connection.

Taking place on May 28 at Old Flame Brewing Co. in Port Perry, the event brings together musicians, venue owners and industry professionals. Attendees will enjoy a roundtable discussion, industry panel and a moderated question-and-answer session focused on the business side of music, including publishing and promoting songs to radio. 

The evening also includes Small Town Open Mic, offering performers a chance to take the stage (separate registration required by emailing Camperdown).

Voting is underway to name Durham Region’s top businesses in this year’s Durham Region Readers’ Choice Awards.

Readers submitted thousands of nominations for their favourite shops, services and professionals across the region. Those entries have been narrowed to top contenders across nine categories, including food and drink, home improvement, automotive and more. The top vote-getters in each category will be recognized as award winners. Voting runs until May 29, with winners to be announced on July 13.

Connect Across North Durham 

Business and community leaders from across north Durham are invited to connect at the first ever Tri-Township Networking Extravaganza. 

The free event takes place on June 3 at Mill Run Golf Club and offers an opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen connections across the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. Attendees can meet the teams behind the North Durham Chamber of Commerce and the Brock Board of Trade and learn about membership. There’s also raffles and prizes to be won, along with a poutine bar! 

Submissions are open for the 2026 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario presents the awards annually to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. 

Awards are presented in the following categories: 

• Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence
• Tourism Marketing and Travel Media Awards of Excellence
• Indigenous Tourism Award
• Culinary and Agri-tourism Award
• Doug Smith Leadership Award
• Air Canada Future Leaders Award

Submissions must include a short video and a letter of support from any referenced partners or collaborators. The deadline for nominations is July 15.

The Town of Whitby has launched its Hotel and Conference Centre Attraction Program. The new, time‑limited initiative is designed to help bring new hotel and conference centre developments to market in Whitby.

The program offers targeted incentives, including development charge deferrals, to support eligible hotel and conference centre projects that are ready to proceed. The application intake will remain open until one of the following occurs: two enrolled applicants successfully obtain building permits, or April 27, 2029 is reached.

In need of a performer or team of well-trained enthusiastic youth for your summer community event? Connect with Canadian Musicians Co-operative about their Community Engaged Performances program. All performances are SOCAN/Resound licenced, and help support young musicians and performers on their journey in the music industry. Submit your request.

The Aftermarket launches May 30 in downtown Oshawa as a new outdoor night market. Interest on the retail side is strong, with a vendor waitlist in place. There’s still room for musicians and volunteers to get involved as the market runs through September 26. Join the lineup.

Markets Ontario returns to Watson Farms for two outdoor events this season. The market has space for more than one hundred vendors, as well as a food truck alley. Spots for the event on June 6 are taken, but vendors can still sign up for the September 19 market. Submit your application.

Set against a backdrop of blooming lavender fields, vendors can join The Brightside Collective at its Market Series taking place every Saturday in July at Tranquility Trails Farm in Pickering. Vendors who complement the calm, elevated and sensory-driven experience of the season are encouraged to get involved.

Vendors have a chance to join one of Durham Region’s most photographed locations when The Sunflower Farm in Beaverton hosts its annual Market Days on August 1 and 2. Applications are being accepted from small businesses and food vendors. Find out how to get involved.

Get a jump on the fall market season by submitting your application to Picks and Giggles’ fall market at Maple Grove Orchards in Bowmanville. Running October 3 and 4, vendors can apply to participate in either one or both days. Apply to be a vendor.

Current News & Trends

When the FIFA World Cup™ comes to Toronto this summer, visitors are invited to trade the crowds for a more relaxed experience in Durham Region. Discover how Durham Tourism is promoting local experiences.

Destination Canada predicts a strong year for tourism, with visitor spending forecasted to reach $140.9 billion in 2026. Read the Canadian Tourism Outlook to learn what’s driving demand and where business opportunities exist.

The Township of Scugog has launched its Scugog Tourism Visitor Growth Plan, outlining priorities to guide tourism development over the next five years. Review the plan to learn more about how growth will be supported across the township.

Congratulations to the Biltmore Theatre on its recent win at the Canada Live Music Association Awards! The Oshawa venue took home the award for Best Teamwork in a Medium Club. View the full list of winners.

Plans to reshape downtown Uxbridge are moving ahead, with the Township entering into a land sale agreement with One Horizon Inc. for the Lower Brock Street properties. Read the full announcement.

The Town of Ajax has launched a new platform—Powered by Ajax—to connect local businesses. Learn more and discover how the registry works.

Pickering’s Cycle Life has been named Best Bike Business in the 2026 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards for the York Durham Headwaters region. Ontario by Bike recognized the family-run shop for its more than 40 years of experience in the cycling industry, and its welcoming approach to customers. Explore all 2026 Bicycle Friendly Business Award winners.

Clarington is moving forward with plans to preserve an important piece of automotive history. Known as ‘the McLaughlin shed’, the wood-frame building is one of the last remaining links to Robert McLaughlin’s Enniskillen Carriage Works. Read more about the decision and next steps.

Scugog businesses and residents have until May 21 to provide online feedback on preliminary conceptual options for the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds. Register and get started.

Construction on the Bowmanville GO extension is expected to begin soon, with bridge work already underway. The extension will include 19 new kilometres being constructed along the Lakeshore East line. Learn what's ahead for the project.

Port Perry’s George Stanley Inn is hosting a curated Photography Content Day on June 9, offering creatives exclusive access to five themed luxury suites. The application-based experience is designed for photographers and content creators to capture engagement sessions, headshots, branding and lifestyle content in a unique, high-end setting. Get more information and application details in their media kit.

Congratulations to Nest at Trail Hub in Uxbridge on becoming 100 km Foods Certified for 2026! This recognition highlights their commitment to sourcing locally and building menus around Ontario’s seasons. Read the full announcement.

Clarington has officially broken ground on the first phase of trails at a new park located on the former Bowmanville zoo lands. Explore what’s planned for the space.

Using social media to promote your business? Instagram just launched a new feature called Instants, letting users share disappearing photos that are available for 24 hours and can only be viewed once. Learn more about Instagram Instants.

Get started on showcasing local attractions, events and experiences across Durham Region. 

Inspire exploration across Durham Region with Open Skies. The adventure planner is a valuable resource to help visitors and locals discover attractions, experiences and outdoor adventures in every season. The guide highlights 129 ways to make the most of Durham, featuring stunning photographs and easy-to-use checklists. Share the digital guide at DurhamTourism.ca/discoveror contact Durham Tourism to stock complimentary printed copies. Request copies for your business.

Make your event easier to find with Durham Tourism’s online events calendar. This free listing tool reaches thousands of residents and visitors each month and is featured across select municipal websites. Set up a profile, add your event information and if approved, your listing will be available to anyone looking for entertainment, attractions and seasonal experiences across the region. Submit your event.