Seminars & Workshops

Seminars, workshops and conferences are beneficial at any stage of business development.

The BECN offers opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners to improve their skills and learn business best-practices through a variety of educational formats.

Work Shop Session teams working together

Educational opportunities include several different formats; seminars, workshops, roundtable and networking opportunities, best practices, business panels, iPlan: Planning & Prioritizing workshop, and events delivered by experts in a variety of business topics, and for women entrepreneurs under the 'She Owns It' brand.

Upcoming events will be posted on this page and on the Business & Entrepreneurship Facebook page

View educational videos posted to the BECN YouTube Channel. There are educational resources offering best practices and helpful tips. Including; business panels with local entrepreneurs, 6 individual short videos on various business topics (social media, photography enhancement, website and branding, finance, accounting, enhancing your digital presence).


partner port hope logos
Business Series: Interactive Workshops for Entrepreneurs

We are excited to announce the launch of a dynamic 4-part Business Series, created to empower local entrepreneurs and business owners with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to scale up, boost skills, and continue thriving in today’s evolving market.

This FREE workshop series is proudly offered in partnership by: Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN)Municipality of Port Hope, and the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce.  Together, we’re committed to fostering entrepreneurship, supporting small business growth, and strengthening the local economy by providing accessible training, valuable resources, and direct connections to industry experts.

Whether you're a start-up looking to solidify your business plan, an established business owner seeking new marketing strategies, or simply eager to future-proof your operations with cutting-edge tools like AI, this series offers something for every entrepreneur in Northumberland County.

Each workshop is designed to be interactive and hands-on, focusing on actionable strategies that you can immediately apply to your business. Plus, these sessions offer fantastic networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts, and community partners.

Thursday, March 20: Business Planning Workshop

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join Julie Savard, Business Advisor, for a FREE online workshop discussing how to write a successful business plan. Writing your first business plan is a major step in putting your small business on the map. Most importantly, it helps articulate the concepts that inspired you to start your business as well as evaluate potential hurdles like competition, risk analysis, and funding issues.
Register for Business Planning Workshop

Thursday, April 10: Marketing Adaptation vs. Marketing Standardization

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
NEW LOCATION: Jack Burger Sports Complex. 60 Highland Drive, Port Hope

Join Karen McDonald-Hurley of Opportunity Group, to work through Market Adaptation or Market Standardization? In this interactive workshop, you will learn the difference between market adaptation and market standardization and decide which strategy is right for you. Learn the factors and trends that influence both strategies using examples from large multi-nationals and small rural one-person-owned businesses. Discover the best ways to incorporate adaptation or standardization in your business and take away the beginning of a marketing strategy consistent with each.

What you’ll learn

  1. Marketing Adaptation: Discover how to tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with your local community and meet the unique needs of your customers.
  2. Marketing Standardization: Learn how consistent messaging can build a strong brand identity while saving time and resources.
  3. Key Decision Factors: Understand when to adapt and when to standardize, with practical tools to help you find the right balance for your business.
  4. Real-World Examples: Explore inspiring success stories from rural businesses that have thrived using these strategies.

Why attend?

  • Gain actionable insights to help you grow your local customer base and connect with your community.
  • Participate in interactive discussions and activities designed for hands-on learning.
  • Network with other entrepreneurs who share your challenges and goals.

Who should attend?

  • Business owners looking to attract more customers.
  • Anyone passionate about building a thriving business.

What to bring

  • Your unique business challenges and questions.
  • A desire to learn and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Register for Marketing Workshop

Wednesday, May 14: Future-Proofing, A.I. for Small Business

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Municipality of Port Hope, Canton Location. 5325 Cty Rd 10, Port Hope

Join Sofie Andreou of 123 Digital Power for an engaging and interactive 2-hour workshop, "Future-Proofing: AI for Small Business," designed specifically for small business owners. This hands-on session will empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform and future-proof your business.

Workshop Highlights

  • Understanding AI: Get a clear and concise overview of what AI is, how it works, and why it's essential for small businesses.
  • Practical Applications: Explore real-world examples of AI being used successfully in small businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: Participate in live demonstrations of AI tools and technologies that can be easily implemented in your business.
  • Hands-On Activities: Engage in interactive activities designed to help you identify areas in your business where AI can make a significant impact.
  • Expert Insights: Learn from industry experts about the latest AI trends and how to stay ahead of the curve.

By the end of this workshop, you'll leave with a solid understanding of AI, practical strategies to integrate AI into your business operations, and the confidence to safely embrace AI a key component of your business's future success.

Don't miss this opportunity to future-proof your business with the power of AI. Register now and take the first step towards transforming your small business.
Register for A.I. Workshop

Wednesday, June 11: Video Marketing Basics to Grow Your Business

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Municipality of Port Hope, Canton Location. 5325 Cty Rd 10, Port Hope

Join Sofie Andreou of 123 Digital Power for an engaging and interactive 2-hour workshop, "Video Marketing Basics to Grow Your Business," designed specifically for small business owners. This hands-on session will empower you with the essential knowledge and tools you need to leverage digital video marketing to enhance your brand and drive business growth.

Workshop Highlights

  • Understanding Video Marketing: Learn the fundamentals of video marketing, its importance, and how it can benefit your small business.
  • Creating Compelling Content: Discover tips and techniques for creating engaging and high-quality digital video content that resonates with your target audience.
  • Practical Tools and Techniques: Explore various tools and platforms for video creation, editing, and distribution, tailored for small business budgets.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: Participate in live demonstrations of video marketing strategies and see how they can be implemented effectively.
  • Hands-On Activities: Engage in practical activities designed to help you develop a video marketing plan and create your first video.
  • Expert Insights: Gain valuable insights on the latest trends and best practices in video marketing. 

By the end of this workshop, you'll leave with a solid understanding of video marketing basics, practical strategies to create and share compelling video content, and the confidence to use video marketing as a powerful tool to grow your business.

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your digital marketing efforts with the power of video. Register now and take the first step towards transforming your business!
Register for Video Marketing Workshop