The Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Truck will be in Belleville on May 13 and 14. A partnership between the City of Belleville, Centre for Workforce Development, Bay of Quinte Economic Development and Trenval with support from the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Skills Ontario, the two-day event is an opportunity for students and anyone entering the workforce to get a hands-on look at the skilled trades by taking part in interactive activities and simulators in a fun, engaging environment. In addition, tours are being hosted by Schuetz Containerboard Systems, Quest-Tech Inc., Spark Power and the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre.

Members of the public are invited to experience the truck for themselves on Tuesday, May 13 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre. This event is geared towards students who are thinking about the trades and interested in learning more.

The truck features a number of different stations including: Virtual paint simulator, Electrical wall, Pneumatics, Tire and brake station, Heavy machinery simulator, Welding simulator, Tool exploration, Try-a-trade (different PPE/skilled trades apparel), Walk-a-trade (VR Oculus experience featuring activities like forklift operating, residential electrician, powerline technician, 3D printing), Automotive electrical, Cake decorating, Edison bots, Hair styling, Tool rigging and more!

Thursday, June 26 2026
10:00am – 11:00am
Speaker: Tia Loftsgard, Canada Organic Trade Association, Executive Director

Join the Government of Ontario in collaboration with the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) for a free webinar to explore trends and opportunities in the natural food and beverage industry in the US, upcoming industry events, as well as services and member benefits offered by COTA.

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Wednesday, May 7 2025
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Speaker: Grant Daisley, Senior Product Development & Innovation Expert at Whole Foods Market

Join the Government of Ontario for a free webinar to learn more about working with Whole Foods Market. During this session, you will gain valuable insights into the company, including tips and strategies to enhance your success with this retailer.

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Thursday, April 24
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Speaker: Ali Ball, Founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz

The Government of Ontario is hosting a free webinar on how to pitch your food and beverage company to buyers. This webinar will provide insights on how to define and understand your target audience, pitch fundamentals and best practices for pitching your food and beverage company to buyers.

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Tuesday, April 15
Empire Theatre, Belleville

Doors Open at 6pm
Debate at 7pm

Debate questions for federal candidates will focus on the issues managed through policy and legislation administered through Parliament. We also want to make sure candidates are applying a local lens to the issues as they seek to represent the Bay of Quinte riding. We also have broader business and economic considerations provided by the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION HERE

Wednesday, April 16
4:00pm – 5:30pm

This event will be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@quintewestchamber4249

A federal election is upon us! ✅ The QW Chamber is hosting a Candidate Forum for the benefit of the business community and the public. Federal candidates representing parties with at least one seat in parliament have been invited to participate.

Chris Malette – Liberal https://christophermalette.liberal.ca/
Erica Charlton – Green https://www.greenparty.ca/
Kate Crothers – NDP https://www.instagram.com/katecrothersndp/
Ryan Williams – Conservative https://votewilliams.ca/

All candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and outline the issues they are campaigning on.

This will be followed by questions from the public that have been submitted in advance.
Please send your questions for the candidates to manager@quintewestchamber.ca

Thursday, May 1
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Virtual Webinar – Zoom

Is your business prepared to respond to an opioid emergency?

On May 1, 2025, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Emergent will be hosting a one-hour webinar on workplace opioid overdose preparedness. As Ontario faces an alarming projection of over 3,000 annual drug poisoning deaths, businesses across the province find themselves near the frontlines of an evolving social crisis that they are ill-equipped to manage.

Hear from a panel of experts with deep knowledge and credibility on this complex challenge. This discussion will provide insight and the tools to ensure we are all prepared to act to help save a life.

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Tuesday, April 15
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Virtual Webinar Zoom

Join us on April 15, 2025, for an informative presentation and discussion with the Global Affairs Canada’s Sanctions Bureau on Canada’s sanctions regime.

Canada’s use of sanctions has significantly increased in recent years, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As Canadian businesses increasingly look to expand and source internationally, understanding the potential impact of sanctions on their business activities can be of critical importance.

This presentation will provide attendees with:
• an overview of Canada’s sanctions toolkit,
• current sanctions measures,
• best practices on how to conduct due diligence to verify sanctions, and
• information on how to apply for a permit (if one is required).

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Thursday, May 1
Crystal Palace in Picton
375 Picton Main Street
9:30am – 4:00pm

The conference for leaders and volunteers in small, rural Ontario communities will offer community and economic development ideas that work for small places, including practical examples and tools that can be adapted to small communities.

Speakers and workshops will explore the theme of “Engage and Energize: Empowering Teeny Tiny Places.”

Peter Kenyon, a renowned community enthusiast and social capitalist from the Bank of IDEAS, Australia, will attend as the keynote speaker. His talk will focus on the idea of “Growing a Sense of Community as Your Community Grows.” He will explore how to engage, energize, and empower through seven locally driven actions, providing community builders with the necessary principles, frameworks, and tools to drive change.

The day will also include speakers and workshops and cover topics like affordable rural housing, food security, breathing life into rural downtowns, attracting visitors and leadership in rural communities.

Teeny Tiny Summits started in 2016 as a forum to share practical examples, lessons learned and community economic development tactics.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Monday, April 7
10:00am – 11:30am
Bay of Quinte Business Center

Are you a small business owner looking to confidently communicate your vision and attract investors, customers, or partners? Join us for the “Pitch Your Biz” workshop, where you’ll gain the skills and strategies to deliver a compelling business pitch that will be sure to make a lasting impression.

Get ready to boost your business with our informative workshop. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your pitch and take your business to the next level!

This workshop is being held in recognition of Community Futures Week 2025!

REGISTER