The second annual Edge Business Expo will return to Ritchot on January 22–23, 2025. For the second consecutive year, it will take place at the TC Energy Centre in Île-des-Chênes.
The first evening will give attendees an opportunity to network with industry leaders, explore local businesses at the tradeshow, and discover new opportunities. Starting at 5:00 p.m., guests will have a chance to sample delicious foods from a variety of local food trucks, as well as enjoy cocktails provided by Nomad Box Bar.
Starting at 8:00 a.m., the second day will present a full agenda with various seminars and workshops, a tradeshow featuring more than 30 exhibitors, and keynote presentations.
A highlight will be a lunch break address by David Chilton, Canadian bestselling author of The Wealthy Barber and a former dragon of Dragons’ Den fame. His talk will get underway at 11:30 a.m.
Chilton will share his wisdom on entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and how to achieve financial success. His engaging style and practical advice are sure to inspire and motivate attendees to take their ventures to the next level.
In addition to Chilton, the Expo will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including Heather Barnes, a major social media influencer known for her DIY and home décor, and Nicole Dubé, former host of CTV Morning Live Winnipeg. Both will offer unique perspectives on topics ranging from personal finance management to developing your social media presence and business expansion strategies.
Attendees can choose from eight specialized workshops where they’ll have the opportunity to dive deep into subjects like digital marketing, financial planning, leadership, and scaling a business. With four workshops available to each attendee, the Expo offers a balance of variety and depth, allowing participants to tailor their experience to meet their own professional goals.
Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen will attend the two-day event and hopes the event will help grow the region’s industry.
“I’m going to be there not just as mayor, but as a business owner who’s really invested in local businesses throughout the area,” Ewen says. “As someone who’s really invested in local businesses throughout the area, I want to participate and encourage people to participate because we’re really going to absorb as much information as we can over those two days.”
Ewen believes the event will sell out sooner than expected, based on the many on-demand seminars and workshops offered and the calibre of the keynote speakers.
“I’m really also encouraging—I can’t stress this enough—the business community and the area in and around Ritchot to get their tickets before they’re gone,” he says. “We are anticipating soldout crowds of over 200 people because of the draw-ins we have that day with David Chilton, Nicole Dubé, and Heather Barnes. Those three names alone are going to bring in so much attention. This will sell out very fast.”
Ewes is excited about the event’s potential to impact the municipality, and he can’t wait to show visitors to the area what Ritchot has to offer.
“We’re really going to showcase everything that you can do in our municipality and it’s going to be something wild. That’s the best way to put it. This is going to be a wild and great event to be a part of.”
Tickets are available $15 for those who only wish to attend the mixer, and $150 for full access to both days, including all workshops and keynote presentations.
