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Note: This event page is for the in-person option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the virtual event page.

About this workshop:

This webinar will give you an overall view of what you need to know to export goods abroad:

• financial issues (Incoterms, payments, exchange rates, insurance),

• Canadian export regulations,

• declarations and permits,

• logistics costs,

• Free Trade Agreements and their impact,

• regional differences (USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia),

• shipping to trade shows,

The roles and responsibilities of the:

• exporter,

• the importer,

• the carrier,

• the freight forwarder,

• the customs broker, and

• other intermediaries.

Learn the basics as well as the important details that will impact your bottom line and avoid mistakes, minimize costs/risks and maximize revenue.

About the speaker:

Following a + 30-year international logistics career, Christian Sivière started a Montréal-based import-export consultancy in 2010, Solimpex, active in two areas:

• consulting to help SMEs grow internationally; and
• training on the regulatory, customs and logistics aspects of Importing and Exporting, Free Trade Agreements and Supply Chain Optimization.

Christian is a subject-matter expert and lectures for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association in Toronto, gives seminars and webinars for various trade organizations like the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Export Québec, Invest Ottawa, Supply Chain Canada and similar, and personalized training for importers and exporters. He publishes articles in Inside Logistics and Supply Professional.

Note: This event page is for the virtual option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the in-person event page.

About this workshop:

This webinar will give you an overall view of what you need to know to export goods abroad:

• financial issues (Incoterms, payments, exchange rates, insurance),

• Canadian export regulations,

• declarations and permits,

• logistics costs,

• Free Trade Agreements and their impact,

• regional differences (USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia),

• shipping to trade shows,

The roles and responsibilities of the:

• exporter,

• the importer,

• the carrier,

• the freight forwarder,

• the customs broker, and

• other intermediaries.

Learn the basics as well as the important details that will impact your bottom line and avoid mistakes, minimize costs/risks and maximize revenue.

About the speaker:

Following a + 30-year international logistics career, Christian Sivière started a Montréal-based import-export consultancy in 2010, Solimpex, active in two areas:

• consulting to help SMEs grow internationally; and
• training on the regulatory, customs and logistics aspects of Importing and Exporting, Free Trade Agreements and Supply Chain Optimization.

Christian is a subject-matter expert and lectures for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association in Toronto, gives seminars and webinars for various trade organizations like the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Export Québec, Invest Ottawa, Supply Chain Canada and similar, and personalized training for importers and exporters. He publishes articles in Inside Logistics and Supply Professional.

REGISTER HERE

About this workshop:

Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure if it could become a great business?

This interactive 1.5-hour session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to explore whether their idea has the potential to become a successful venture. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or re-evaluating an existing concept, this webinar will help you take a critical first step.

What You’ll Learn:

• Assessing Your Business Idea: Learn how to evaluate your idea through key questions that entrepreneurs should ask before launching. We’ll discuss factors such as customer needs, value proposition, market fit, and feasibility.
• Introduction to the Lean Startup Canvas: You’ll be introduced to the Lean Startup Canvas – a powerful, one-page tool designed to help you visually map out the key components of your business model. We’ll guide you through each section, helping you start validating your idea right away.
• Understanding Basic Cash Flow: Finances are critical, especially in the early stages of a business. We’ll walk you through a simple cash flow projection tool to help you understand your potential income, expenses, and financial runway. cash flow template will be provided to all attendees for ongoing use.

Who Should Attend:

• Individuals with a new business idea they’d like to explore
• Early-stage entrepreneurs seeking validation tools
• Anyone considering self-employment or launching a small business

What You’ll Leave With:

• A solid understanding of what makes an idea viable
• A draft version of your Lean Startup Canvas
• A cash flow worksheet tailored to small businesses
• Greater confidence in deciding whether to move forward

Note: All attendees will be receiving a copy of the lean startup canvas & cash flow worksheet (with formulas pre-saved) live through chat during the session.

About the speaker:

Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

About this workshop:

Have a business idea but aren’t sure how to take the first step? This engaging and informative webinar is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of exploring business ownership. Whether you’re considering a side hustle, launching a startup, or turning a passion into a full-time venture, this session will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to get started confidently and compliantly.

Led by experts from Invest Ottawa, this beginner-level seminar will introduce you to the key regulatory requirements and business considerations at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. You’ll learn about:

• Municipal Requirements: Understand business licensing requirements and zoning considerations in Ottawa.
• Provincial Regulations: Explore different business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation), how to register your business in Ontario, and what structure might be best for you.
• Federal Obligations: Get an overview of federal requirements including HST registration and obtaining a Business Number (BN).

In addition to regulatory basics, the webinar will highlight valuable resources available to entrepreneurs, including:

• Support Services & Community Resources: Discover how Invest Ottawa and its partners can support your entrepreneurial journey through mentorship, networking, training, and more.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the path to launching your business and where to find the support you need every step of the way.

Who Should Attend:

• First-time entrepreneurs
• Individuals with a business idea but no prior experience
• Anyone looking to understand the business startup landscape in Ottawa and Ontario

About the speaker:

Paula Hopkins is a passionate entrepreneurship advocate. She is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Team, and has worked with Invest Ottawa for over 10 years to help people start and grow their businesses.

Note: This event page is for the virtual option of our hybrid model. Click here to go to the in-person event page.

About this workshop:

Are you struggling to create a marketing strategy that truly connects with your audience?
Do you find yourself facing roadblocks that prevent you from building brand loyalty and driving consistent revenue growth? In today’s fast-paced, AI-driven market, entrepreneurs need more than just a great product – they need a strategy that uses AI to build lasting relationships with customers, delivering personalized experiences at scale.

Invest Ottawa is excited to host Lubna Forzley, Founder and CEO of Stories, for an exclusive deep dive into AI-powered marketing strategies. Drawing from her experience with Coca-Cola – an iconic global brand – Lubna will guide you through the critical elements of developing a 360-degree marketing plan.

Discover how AI can amplify your storytelling, streamline your content strategy, and personalize customer experiences, transforming your brand’s presence and driving sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn from Coca-Cola’s Success: Gain insights from Lubna Forzley, Founder of Stories and Coca-Cola alum, as she unpacks the strategies behind building a brand that resonates globally.
• Harness AI for Smarter Marketing: Explore how AI tools can supercharge your content creation, customer segmentation, and real-time data analysis.
• Build a 360-Degree Marketing Plan: Leave with an actionable roadmap – integrating AI and traditional strategies – to elevate your brand’s influence and grow your business.

About the speaker:

Lubna is the Founder and CEO of Stories, a coaching and mental health platform that was proudly recognized as the Most Innovative Mental Health Tech for 2023 by Mentl. With a unique career spanning marketing and coaching, she combines her expertise to grow organizations, while growing their leaders.

A passionate advocate for growth and transformation, Lubna is an ICF-accredited (PCC) coach and a certified practitioner in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry Program. She has worked with royalty and leaders from Fortune 500 companies—including Coca-Cola, Google, American Express, BP, Bayer, and Square, BASF, US Department of Airforce, Federal Aviation Administration and CVC Health Corporation

With over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience, Lubna has held regional executive positions at Coca-Cola, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and BNP Paribas, as well as advising startups across various industries, including e-commerce, FMCG, banking, and human development. As a Coca-Cola alumna, she spent years building the iconic brand and driving impactful initiatives.

Speaking and Thought Leadership:

Lubna is a globally recognized speaker, having delivered hundreds of talks worldwide, including two TEDx talks. She has engaged with organizations like Johnson & Johnson, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Endeavor, Invest Ottawa, and TiE, among others. She has hosted global conferences and roundtables featuring luminaries such as Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Dr. Gabor Maté, and over 40 household names. Additionally, she has shared stages with notable figures like Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple.

Published Work and Media Features:

Lubna is the author of Enhancing Business Community Relations, published by the United Nations Development Programme, and is currently working on her next book, Crack It, which delves into the power of transformation. Her insights have been featured in major outlets, including Associated Press, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as in the book Something to Believe In: Creating Trust and Hope in Organizations.

Advocacy and Personal Life:

As a board member for griefstories.org, Lubna continues her mission to foster meaningful change. A tireless advocate for women in leadership, she is also a proud mother of three, balancing her professional and personal life with grace.