INSPIRE is an annual entrepreneurial celebration hosted by Small Business BC, one of the premier organisations and resources for small to medium-size businesses in the Canadian province of British Columbia. With Inspire, Small Business BC aims to embody all of the elements that have brought the organisation recognition in Canada and beyond. Here are the answers to some key questions about this year’s INSPIRE.

What is Small Business BC’s INSPIRE Event?

INSPIRE is the 7th annual celebration of entrepreneurship organised by Small Business BC, the premier resource for knowledge-based small business products and services in British Columbia. The organisation, supported by funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada, and BC’s Ministry of Small Business, has won acclaim nationally and globally for its service to small business.

Small Business BC aims to provide the kinds of products and services that help entrepreneurs to successfully set up small business ventures, assisting with those ventures’ development and growth and enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities.

The INSPIRE event is a gathering of BC’s leading entrepreneurs and CEOs and 400 of the province’s small and medium-size business owners as well as government representatives and industry influencers. If you are setting up in British Columbia, INSPIRE is a networking opportunity that you simply shouldn’t miss. With low-cost admission, tight 3.5-hour timeframe, free drinks, canapés, networking opportunities, interactive panel sessions and amazing keynotes, it’s a must for your calendar.

Where & When is INSPIRE?

INSPIRE 2016 is taking place on Thursday September 29th at the Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver from 5.30pm to 9pm.

This year, INSPIRE acts as the curtain-raiser for British Columbia’s Small Business Month, which is celebrated every October to mark the contributions of small businesses to BC’s economy and its local economies.

What happens at INSPIRE?

INSPIRE will this year see more than 400 small business owners converge on Vancouver, along with a fantastic array of guest speakers and some of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs and CEOs.

It’s a highly structured set of events, scheduled smartly within a 210-minute timeframe, with announcements, discussions and keynotes allowing for numerous learning opportunities as well as chances to network.

The full agenda is available here, but some of the chief reasons to attend are provided by the guest speakers and their keynotes, so read on for more details.

Who are the speakers?

THERE is a wide range of entrepreneurs and business people due to attend INSPIRE this year, and here are some of the must-see speakers you can learn most from on September 29th.

Charles Chang – President and Founder, Lyra Growth Partners; Founder, Vega

CHARLES Chang is a born entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and mentoring. Starting from scratch in his basement in 2004, he used his life savings, a second mortgage on his house and four credit cards for financial support. Vega has become one of the most popular lifestyle brand of clean, plant-based products, sold in more than 20,000 stores across North America. Vega and Charles were honoured by a number of prestigious award schemes, including Profit 100 Fastest Growing Companies, Canada’s Best Managed Companies and E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year.

Darryll Frost – Founder and President, Central City Brewers & Distillers

DARRYLL Frost is the founder of Central City Brewers & Distillers and continues to be its President, overseeing its mission to create beer in the finest traditions of the craft, using only the finest ingredients available. The company fundraises for autism research annually, donating $2 from each six-can-pack and 25c from every 473ml single. This tradition began when Darryll’s son Callum was diagnosed with autism, and since 2013 the company has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars for the cause.

Sunny Lenarduzzi – Radio and Television Host/Reporter, City TV

A RADIO and TV host for City TV, Sunny Lenarduzzi values connecting to the audience with authentic content. Following a particular broadcast on the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sunny was inspired to found a business that served people who want to live life on their own terms, and helped them achieve their goals. Sunny has previously worked with entrepreneurs, personal brands and corporations, helping to digitise their businesses online through social media and video marketing.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets for INSPIRE are available now. The first 100 buyers can get tickets for just $39. Regular general admission costs $59. All ticket information is available here.

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