Charlottetown, PE – (September 22, 2021) – The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present Janet Bannister as the keynote speaker for Small Business Week 2021. Her address will take place on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward.
In 2005, Janet launched Kijiji.ca, and it has since become one of the most visited websites in Canada. Subsequently, she led the Kijiji Global business, accelerating growth in North America, Europe, and Asia. Before launching Kijiji, Janet was at eBay in Silicon Valley, where she helped transform the corporation from a collectibles marketplace to a mainstream marketplace. She also founded and built a successful consulting business and was CEO at a Toronto-based start-up in the online content and commerce space.
Her keynote address, titled Enable or Disrupt? The New Innovation Economy will speak on three things that are reshaping businesses right now: AI and transformative technologies, platform businesses, and the democratization of creative production. From this change, Janet says that two types of companies will emerge: enablers (the ones building the transformative tech stack) and disruptors (companies that will use the transformative tech stack to redesign or create new markets, processes, models, products, and services).
In addition to the keynote by Janet Bannister, the Chamber’s Small Business Week celebration will include a virtual Lunch & Learn session on Monday, October 18, on the ins and outs of social media. On Tuesday, October 19, the Chamber will host a Business Insights Luncheon and panel discussion on the importance of digitizing the workplace. A Mega Mixer social will take place on Wednesday, October 20, followed by a second virtual Lunch & Learn on cybersecurity on Thursday, October 21.
“We are pleased to announce this exciting lineup of events for Small Business Week,” said Barb Smith, President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. “The pandemic has rapidly accelerated the need for digital transformation in the workplace, and it is our goal with this programming to provide business owners with the tools they need to succeed, no matter what stage they are at on their digital journeys.”
Registration for Janet Bannister’s keynote address is now open. Tickets are $95 +HST for Chamber members and $120 +HST for non-members and can be purchased online at www.charlottetownchamber.com, by calling the Chamber at 902-628-2000, or emailing chamber@charlottetownchamber.com. Further details on each event can be found at www.charlottetownchamber.com.
The Chamber is closely monitoring the evolving public health situation, and the safety of all guests, volunteers, and staff is of top priority. The Chamber’s Small Business Week programming will follow all COVID-19 public health protocols concerning large, organized gatherings.
The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Week 2021 would not be possible without the support of our funding partners and sponsors: ACOA, Innovation PEI, Ocean 100, HOT 105.5, the Guardian, Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward, and Insight Studio.
-30-
Janet Bannister, Founder of Kijiji.ca will be the Chamber’s Small Business Week 2021 keynote speaker.
About The Chamber:
The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce connects business and community and is PEI’s largest business advocacy organization with more than 1,050 members. For more information on the Chamber visit www.charlottetownchamber.com.
Media Contact:
Tania Crouse-Hardy
Events and Sponsorship Manager
tchardy@charlottetownchamber.com
(902) 628-2000 x 226