/R E P E A T -- MEDIA ADVISORY: Facebook and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to host free workshop for Kitchener-Waterloo businesses/

First Canadian event in Facebook's initiative aimed at women-owned small businesses

KITCHENER, ON, March 9, 2016 /CNW/ - On Monday, March 14, Facebook's Boost Your Business will take place in Kitchener, Ontario, a session dedicated to teaching small business owners in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region how to optimize their presence on the world's largest social network. The event will be co-hosted by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce with special guest, Hon. Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism. 

In honour of International Women's Day, the theme of the event will be geared toward women-owned small businesses and will highlight the important role women in business play in contributing to the local community's economic prosperity. According to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, majority women-owned small and medium-sized businesses represent over $117 billion per annum of economic activity in Canadaⁱ.

The Boost Your Business seminar will include a training session led by a Facebook small business expert on the latest best practices and strategies for success. Attendees will be learn how to use Facebook to grow their business and connect with current and potential customers.

A question and answer session will follow, featuring a panel of local small business owners, who will share their Facebook tips, tricks and suggestions. From the Potting Shed, Shelley's Stoneworks, Cocoon Apothecary and Next Time Around have been selected to join the panel as best-in-class examples of businesses using Facebook.

WHAT:                               
Free workshop on how to use Facebook to grow your small business. Business owners can register at: fbwaterloo.eventfarm.com

WHO:  
Andrea Van Leeuwen, Head of Business Marketing, Facebook Canada
Kevin Chan, Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada
Hon. Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism
Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
Local small business owners

WHEN AND WHERE: Kitchener – Monday, March 14, 2016
Bingemans Conference Centre (The Ballroom)
425 Bingemans Centre Drive
Kitchener, ON N2B 3X7
9:30am-12:00pm EST

*All media who wish to attend must RSVP by 5:00p.m. EST on Friday, March 11, 2016 to [email protected]

About Facebook Canada
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to make the world more open and connected. More than 21 million Canadians 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. 

ⁱ SOURCE The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service: http://www.owit-ottawa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Facts-and-figures-on-women-entrepreneurs.pdf

SOURCE Facebook® Canada

Alex Kucharski, [email protected]