Series Kicks Off With First Event In Coquitlam
GREATER VANCOUVER, Jan. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Facebook Canada today announced Small Business Boost, a series of free events geared toward small business owners that will take place in communities across Canada over the course of 2015. The Small Business Boost program will teach small business owners how to optimize their presence on the world's largest social network, including strategies for finding new customers and deepening relationships with existing customers.
Jordan Banks, Global Head of Vertical Strategy and Managing Director, Facebook Canada announced the nationwide series today at Canada's first 'Boost' event in Coquitlam. The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Delta, Richmond East was on hand representing the office of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry. Michael Hind, Executive Director of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, co-host of the event, also addressed the audience.
"Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, and the landscape to attract and retain customers is more competitive than ever," said Banks. "With 20 million Canadians active on Facebook every month, we believe it's crucial that small business owners equip themselves with knowledge and technical skills to grow their businesses online and on mobile. The Small Business Boost program will provide tools, support and education to enable small businesses in Canada to grow."
According to Industry Canada, small- and medium-sized businesses represent 99.8 per cent of all businesses in Canada, account for nearly nine of every 10 jobs in the private sector and contribute 39 per cent to our private sector gross domestic product. Canadian SMBs are actively investing their hard-earned dollars with Facebook every month. These investments are helping create jobs and add value to economies on global, regional and local levels.
A report by Deloitte announced earlier today, found that Facebook enabled a total economic impact of $5B and created 82,000 jobs across Canada in 2014, with $1.1B of economic impact and 17,000 jobs coming from small and medium sized businesses.
The cross-country event series will be free for local business owners. The second event will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on January 22, 2015, co-hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. On February 9, 2015, a Small Business Boost event will take place in Montreal, co-hosted by the Monkland Merchants Association. Additional Small Business Boost events will be announced in the coming weeks.
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The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry said, "There is a world-class small business community here in British Columbia. And with Vancouver recently being named the most entrepreneurial city in the country by Futurpreneur Canada, this is an ideal region to launch Facebook's Small Business Boost program designed to help grow small businesses. Through our government's Digital Canada 150 strategy we are ensuring small businesses across the country can access the skills and opportunities they need to thrive and grow in the digital economy."
Michael Hind, Executive Director of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce said, "Social Media is an untapped resource for many small and medium sized businesses as a way for them to market themselves to new and existing customers. We are pleased that Facebook chose Coquitlam as the location to kick off the Small Business Boost program and help our entrepreneurs leverage the momentum and raise their visibility in this growing marketplace. Small businesses bind communities together, and in the Tri-Cities, they are essential to the social fabric that connects families, communities, and employees."
About Facebook
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. All other brand or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE Facebook® Canada
Image with caption: "Facebook Canada kicks off its Small Business Boost in Coquitlam with Senator Yonah Martin, Michael Hind Executive, Director of the Tri-cities Chamber of Commerce, Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Member of Parliament, Delta-Richmond East and Jordan Banks Global Head of Vertical Strategy and Managing Director of Facebook Canada (CNW Group/Facebook® Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150120_C4275_PHOTO_EN_10381.jpg
Please contact: Meg Sinclair, Facebook Canada, [email protected], 647.274.2271; Richelle Robillard, On behalf of Facebook Canada, [email protected], 416-644-2264
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