Calling all artisans, personal services, and new businesses. Vaughan hosts many family-friendly consumer (B2C) pop-up markets, consignment stores, seasonal markets, and short-term vending opportunities available for businesses to showcase their products or services to new clientele.
Market Opportunities Include:
If you operate a family-friendly seasonal market in Vaughan or provide opportunities for vendors and individual artisans to showcase their products at your location or event, please contact us at ed@vaughan.ca
Note: Adherence to Vaughan’s regulations and policies is required. Prior to listing an activation, organizations must be able to verify that they are bylaw and permit compliant.
Description: Do you want to showcase your products and services to thousands? Apply for a vendor booth at the City’s Canada Day marketplace by completing one of the forms below before Monday, June 12:
Contact:Vaughan Celebrates – City of Vaughan Recreation
Email: vaughancelebrates@vaughan.ca
Phone: 905-832-2281
Timeframe: July 1, 2023, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Description: Latin Festival
Contact: Gina
Email: info@fuerzalatinaservices.org
Phone: 647-404-7496
Timeframe: July 15, 2023
Description: Market
Contact: Brooke
Email: mgrvillagemarket@gmail.com
Timeframe: Every Saturday (May 6, 2023 – December 23, 2023) from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Description: Market
Contact: Jamie or Brian
Email: woodbridgevillagefarmersmarket@gmail.com
Phone: 905-851-0690
Timeframe: Every Saturday (June 10- October 7, 2023)
Woodbridge Village Farmers Market (woodbridgefarmersmarket.com)
Description: Community Event
Contact: Woodbridge Fair Grounds – Nancy
Email: woodbridgefair@yahoo.com
Phone: 905-265-1782
Timeframe: Thanksgiving Long weekend
For Vendors — Woodbridge Fall Fair & Agricultural Society (woodbridgefair.ca)
Description: Business
Contact: Patricia
Email: info@thisismade.ca
Phone: 289-657-9994
Timeframe: Year long
Description: Business
Phone: 905-660-5727
Email: admin@thenooks.ca
Timeframe: All year long
Are you a Vaughan business owner or entrepreneur? Do you have feedback to share about the current business climate? What challenges and opportunities are you facing? What are your thoughts about the City of Vaughan’s business-focused programs and services? The 2022 Business Survey is underway, and you can have your say on these topics and more! Until Sunday, Dec. 4, Forum Research is conducting approximately 300 telephone surveys on behalf of the City with local businesses. Survey respondents will be drawn from the York Region Employment Survey database from a variety of industries and sizes of businesses. The calls will be placed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. If your business receives a call, you are encouraged to participate! If not, you can still complete the Business Survey online at vaughanbusiness.ca/survey2022 until Thursday, Dec. 15.
The City has also launched the Citizen Survey, which seeks to understand how citizens prefer to access City of Vaughan services and programs, receive information and updates, and more! For more information on the 2022 Business Survey and Citizen Survey, read the City’s public service announcement. For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Grow with Vaughan is back! The annual sponsorship program delivered by the City of Vaughan will once again support the business community next spring through cost-effective opportunities that provide visibility for small businesses while beautifying the Vaughan neighbourhoods they serve. With nearly 19,000 businesses in Vaughan – 88 per cent of which are small businesses – Grow with Vaughan generates additional interest in the City’s Corporate Partnership Program by nurturing relationships with the business community that cultivate potential for future partnerships and community pride. For more information on how a business can sponsor a City horticulture site, such as a public flower bed, pollinator garden or large flowerpot, visit vaughan.ca/CorporatePartnerships or read the City’s public service announcement. For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Are you a local business looking to network and build relationships with other Vaughan-based companies in the manufacturing sector? If so, join the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development team for its first-ever Business After Five event on Wednesday, Nov. 30. This interactive event is an opportunity for you to build connections, learn and promote your products and services with other businesses that share the same passion for manufacturing.
A spinoff of the successful Business-to-Business Industrial Tour hosted in June, the session will feature a Toronto Global business advisor presentation focused on the organization’s new SCORE program (Supply Chain Onshoring, Resilience and Expansion) – an initiative that helps businesses better understand local supply chains while identifying gaps, risks and opportunities.
See further event details below:
Participating businesses must be Vaughan-based with 20 employees or more and operate within the manufacturing sector. Registration to attend is open until Friday, Nov. 18, and up to 10 businesses will be selected to participate. The event is free, and light refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/events or read the City’s public service announcement. For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Do you have a new and creative idea that you want to share with Tourism Vaughan? If so, you are invited to apply for the Vaughan “Spark” Mentorship and Grant Program in partnership with the Tourism Innovation Lab. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch a tourism-focused proposal for the chance to turn it into a reality.
Eligible applicants for the program include:
To apply, submit a written application (1,000 words maximum) and a one-minute video to apply@tourisminnovation.ca by end of day on Thursday, Nov. 24. Be sure to include “Vaughan” in the subject line to be eligible for the selection process. For more details, read the City’s public service announcement. For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Are you a local business looking to network and build relationships with other Vaughan-based businesses in the manufacturing sector?
If so, join the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development team for their Business After Five event. A spin-off of the successful Business-to-Business Industrial Tour that was hosted in June 2022, this event is an opportunity for you to network, learn and promote your products and services with other businesses who share your same passion for manufacturing!
The Business After Five event will focus on energy efficiency and how businesses can be more strategic and receive rebates by reducing their energy use. Partners in Project Green will share a presentation focused on their commitment to supporting businesses in managing their energy use. The event will be held on Monday, March 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dishon Ltd. (40 Citation Dr. Vaughan).
Participating businesses must be Vaughan-based with 20 employees or more and operate within the manufacturing sector. Registration to attend is open until Sunday, March. 26, and up to 10 businesses will be selected to participate. The event is free and light refreshments will be provided.
Small Business Week is a nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small businesses make to our local economies. The Vaughan Small Business and Entrepreneurship team hosts Vaughan Small Business Week every October to provide local entrepreneurs access to the latest programs, best practices and networking opportunities.
Small Business Week events will be taking place virtually and include an in-person networking event. This series of virtual events is offered at no cost to entrepreneurs and will be delivered during the week of October 17-21, 2022.
This year’s theme will focus on businesses driving the local economy identifying opportunities for growth or launch, highlighting the local support available to entrepreneurs and small business owners through economic recovery and finding ways to succeed despite recent challenges. Entrepreneurs will also explore how to make their businesses more sustainable.
Programming is being delivered virtually together with local business support organizations Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, YSpace/York University, COSTI, Techconnex, Futurpreneur, BDC, and York Regional Police, among others.
The Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a morning of networking, light refreshments, and a program including welcome remarks from Mayor Bevilacqua, an address from Jennifer Coletta Rashty, Interim President & CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and a special feature on Digital Main Street, supporting small businesses with their digital needs across Ontario.
You must register to receive access to these sessions. Prior to the event, registrants will receive information, and attendee information via e-mail.
For more information, please contact ed@vaughan.ca.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. | In-Person @ Monte Carlo Kickoff Networking/Breakfast | 11:30 a.m (Virtual) The Entrepreneurial Journey hosted by YSpace | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Virtual) Financing for Small Business | 4-5 p.m. (Virtual) Launch your Tourism Idea with the Spark Grant Program | 10-11 a.m. (In-Person) VentureLAB Open House |
| 10- 11 a.m. (Virtual) Sustainable Development Goals chat with Professor Mark Terry | 2-3 p.m. (hybrid) - VB Café Networking | Meet & Greet Session | 2-3 p.m. (Virtual) Empowerment around your Zero Waste and Sustainability hosted by TechConnex | 1-2 p.m. (Virtual) Thinking of Buying a Business? Hosted by Nunzio Presta | |
| 1-2 p.m. (Virtual) Hiring Resources for Small Businesses with COSTI |
Scroll down for more information and to register.
Date: October 17 | Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Presented by Professor Mark Terry, Hollywood Canada Communications
Is your company doing everything it can to be sustainable?
As part of Small Business Week, learn how you can establish a Sustainability Mandate for your business through this webinar hosted by Professor Mark Terry.
In 2015, the United Nations launched a global plan known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity”. Every nation agreed to implement the 17 goals of this plan not only in its national policies, but in the behavior and practices of its people and businesses.
Date: October 17 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Presented by Dana Savescu, Employment Consultant of COSTI
Learn more about potential incentives to take advantage before your next hire! Your company’s success is tied to your employees – get valuable insights into hiring in Vaughan and learn how to make get the most of your next hire. COSTI Vaughan Employment Services will walk local businesses through available funding that will help them to hire their next employees.
Date: October 18 | Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Presented by Nafis Ahmed, Entrepreneurship Manager, YSpace
The Entrepreneur’s Journey – The path to becoming an entrepreneur has many up’s and downs, and while there is no linear path to becoming a successful entrepreneur, this session will cover some of the key steps to pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams.
This session will cover:
Date: October 18 | Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. |4921 Rutherford Rd, Woodbridge, ON inside Pierre Berton Resource Library
Presented by Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC)
Join Faaria Wali, Small Business Advisor at the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) to celebrate Small Business Business Week. The meet & greet session will be a networking opportunity with fellow entrepreneurs to share about your business, meet other like-minded entrepreneurs, and learn more about VBEC services.
This hybrid session will be held both virtually from our ventureLab Innovation Space at the Pierre Berton Library (spots limited). Participants can attend in-person or turn on cameras virtually.
This session is ideal for any stage of business (or idea!) who like to know what services we offer at the VEBC or talk about your business in this open-forum style Q&A.
Date: October 19 | Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Presented by Futurpreneur & BDC & Credit Union
Hosted by the Vaughan Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC), you will hear from small business financing experts from our Small Business Week presenting sponsor Meridian Credit Union, Futurpreneur, & the Business Development Bank (BDC). Experts will share more on what financing options are available to entrepreneurs and small businesses. You will learn about what is required to access financing and what makes for a strong application.
Date: October 19 | Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Presented by TechConnex
Empowerment can take many different forms. When you create an environment of empowerment within an organization, great things can happen. Your employees become more engaged and perform better, you foster an improved work environment, and you build your culture and brand.
In partnership with Tech Connex, join us for an open-forum style discussion with Bruce Buchan, Founder and CEO at CleanRiver Recycling Solutions on best practices to create a culture of empowerment around zero waste and sustainability initiatives in your business.
Date: November 24 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Presented by WSPS, WSIB, & MOL
Join us for a webinar presented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development (MLITSD), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).
This webinar will focus on the basics of Health & Safety needed for your small business including, worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Financial rebates and free resources for small businesses will be discussed too.
In this session, we will review:
Date: October 20 | Time: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Presented by Tourism Innovation Lab
Attend an info session to learn more about a new tourism innovation program offering mentorships and grants launching in the City of Vaughan. The Vaughan “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is being launched to encourage local entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profits and community groups to apply with their new tourism ideas for the City of Vaughan.
Join representatives from Tourism Vaughan Corporation, City of Vaughan Economic Development and the Tourism Innovation Lab as they officially announce the Vaughan “Spark” Program. Applications will be accepted from October 20th to November 24th.
Date: October 21 | Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. |4921 Rutherford Rd, Woodbridge, ON inside Pierre Berton Resource Library
Presented by ventureLAB
This session is intended for founders of tech companies located in York Region, or those who are curious about the tech ecosystem in Vaughan and want to learn more about ventureLAB.
Throughout this session, we will introduce:
During the session you will introduce your company or business area- this will give us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with you and see how we can better leverage how we can best enable your business growth. In your pitch, please include brief details on the following:
Following our presentation, founders will get a 15-minute one-on-one session with one of our experienced business advisors.
The City of Vaughan and York Regional Police want to keep your business safe. Unfortunately, this virtual training session has been postponed. However, If you are interested in getting insight and information on how to safe guard your business, staff and customers, you can still contact your local Crime Prevention Officer Vince Garisto at 1182@yrp.ca. The officer is glad to speak to you on a one-to-one basis or to set up a visit to your place of business.
Date: October 21 | Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Presented by Nunzio Presta, Founder of BuyAndSellABusiness.com
Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) is the path to becoming an entrepreneur by buying and growing an established small business. For entrepreneurs with the desire to make a meaningful impact and own their own businesses, this can be less risky than starting a business from ideation. Join our discussion to learn how you can Make Business Ownership Real!
Topics covered in this session:
This session is ideal for:
** Additional events will be added , please check back for more information.
The Better Your Business Tap into Social and Environmental Sustainability Program is a new initiative that will support five Vaughan-based businesses in incorporating the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their corporate practices.
Every business has opportunities to serve its community and generate positive social and environmental change by implementing progressive business practices. The ever-increasing threat of climate change has also made systemic changes and adaptation policies necessary for businesses here and around the world.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations at the Paris climate summit in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Participants of the program will receive one-on-one consultations with Professor Mark Terry, PhD, who will evaluate their current business practices and help guide the development of their new sustainable business model to incorporate the United Nation’s 17 SDG’s. By implementing these strategies, businesses can unlock new market opportunities, operate more efficiently, connect with their communities and become more resilient to potential environmental and economic risks. The UN’s Sustainability Development Goals Action Team will then review each action plan, and if approved, each business will receive a certificate of compliance from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Youth Climate Report (YCR) and the City of Vaughan to share their commitment to being socially and environmentally sustainable with their customers and clients.
To be eligible for the program, businesses or not-for-profits must:
Applications will re-open in June 2023. For more information about the Better Your Business: Social and Environmental Sustainability Program please email ed@vaughan.ca.
Are you an entrepreneur or business owner looking for additional support to start or grow your business in Vaughan? The City of Vaughan’s Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (VBEC) supports local businesses and entrepreneurs at all stages. The VBEC fosters innovation and growth across the city’s business community and provides a robust list of services to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners, including:
To book your business consultation or learn more about starting or growing your business,
visit vaughanbusiness.ca. To receive news as it is released, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
In partnership with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, the City of Vaughan remains committed to delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to the Vaughan community. This program focuses on creating and maintaining vibrant and inclusive local main streets while providing entrepreneurs and businesses with economic opportunities. Participating businesses are supported by dedicated Main Street Ambassadors, customized market research and data analysis. The program also offers non-repayable funding contributions for new and existing small businesses. For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/MyMainStreet. For updates and news as it happens, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
