Skip to content
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube
occ-logo
  • Ontario Economic Report
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Government News
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Small Businesses, Big Impact
    • In Data We Trust
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies
    • Our Publications
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Ontario Economic Series
    • Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Diversity and Inclusion Policy
    • Strategic Plan
    • By-Laws & Code of Conduct
  • Contact
Asset 6
x
x
  • Ontario Economic Report
  • COVID-19
    • Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Webinars
    • Our Advocacy
    • COVID-19 Policy Brief Series
    • SME Difference Makers
    • Government News
    • Work From Home
    • Mental Health Resources
    • How to Protect Yourself
    • Talk To Us
    • #DifferenceMakers
  • Advocacy
    • Small Businesses, Big Impact
    • In Data We Trust
    • Ontario Economic Report
    • The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies
    • Our Publications
  • Councils
  • Events
    • Ontario Economic Series
    • Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park
    • Annual General Meeting
    • Ontario Business Achievement Awards
    • Ontario Business Advisory Council
  • Webinars
  • Programs
    • Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
    • Talent Opportunities Program
    • Discover Ability Network
    • Export and Trade
  • Membership
    • Affinity Programs
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Policy Updates
    • Blogs
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Diversity and Inclusion Policy
    • Strategic Plan
    • By-Laws & Code of Conduct
  • Contact
search_White

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Announces Launch of New Business Diversity Economic Expo

The three-day, virtual trade show will celebrate diversity in Ontario’s business community

COVID-19 Information COVID-19 Resources
Tools and Resources Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions Webinars Our Advocacy Policy Brief Series SME Difference Makers Government News Work From Home Mental Health Resources How to Protect Yourself Talk To Us #DifferenceMakers
Become a Member
Become a Member >
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Media Release

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Announces Launch of New Business Diversity Economic Expo

September 28, 2020

(Toronto, September 28, 2020 – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) announced it is using its convening power to contribute to the efforts to address the equity gap in business with the Business Diversity Economic Expo as part of its virtual 2020 Ontario Economic Series. Happening on October 22, October 28 and November 17, 2020, the business to business virtual trade show and networking event will put a spotlight on businesses which are Black-owned, Indigenous-owned, People of Colour-owned, Women-owned, LGBTQ2+-owned, and businesses owned by People with Disabilities. The OCC will also be inviting procurement officers and supply chain leaders from large private sector, public sector and academic institutions to attend and meet with business owners.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on businesses of all sizes across the province, but the effects have been even more overwhelming for businesses which are Black-owned, Indigenous-owned, People of Colour-owned, Women-owned, LGBTQ2+-owned, and businesses owned by People with Disabilities.

The OCC has long recognized the issue of equity in hiring practices, but equally important is ensuring that purchasing decisions do not overlook businesses owned by under-represented groups, as wealth creation is the key to long-term equality.

“Being Mayor of the most multicultural and diverse city in the world, the City of Toronto is proud to partner with the Ontario Chamber for its virtual trade show event focused on diversifying supply chains and celebrating inclusivity. Our diversity is our strength and I look forward to getting to know more of the truly amazing businesses right in our backyard over the course of the Business Diversity Economic Expo,” said Mayor of Toronto, John Tory.

The business case for supplier diversity in Canada is clear and has many benefits including more robust supply chains and increased economic development. Additionally, in a marketplace as diverse as Canada’s, customers expect an organization’s workforce and practices, including procurement, to reflect this diversity.

“Inclusivity, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas from around the world will be central to achieving greater prosperity here in Ontario,” says Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “As it has been for nearly 20 years, the 2020 Ontario Economic Series will be the forum for visionary leaders in the public, private, education and not-for-profit sectors to shape Ontario’s future growth and role in the global economy. We look forward to using this platform to highlight Ontario’s business diversity and provide opportunities for under-represented groups to showcase their businesses in front of new audiences.”

Dates:

  • Thursday, October 22, 2020 – 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET
  • Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2020 – 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET

Tickets for the Business Diversity Economic Expo and 2020 Ontario Economic Series are on sale now at occ.ca/oes.

The OCC would like to recognize its partners Bruce Power, the City of Toronto, Power Corporation of Canada, Meridian, Waste Connections of Canada, and Global Public Affairs for making the 2020 Ontario Economic Series and the Business Diversity Economic Expo possible.

-30-

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:

Ceara Copps-Edwards, Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce at cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca or 647-936-6734

Previous

Additional Regional Economic Funding Welcomed By Chamber

Next

Ontario Chamber Encouraged By Speech From the Throne

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube

Site Nav

  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • News
  • About
  • Contact

Receive Updates

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up to date on everything with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Subscribe Now
PREMIER MEMBERS
IBM TELUS SNC Lavalin Ontario Power Generation Hydro One CPAO Bell BDO Canada RBC Royal Bank TD Bank Group Ontario Real Estate Association Music Canada Medavie Blue Cross GSK DM Primerica CN Desjardins PwC McCarthy Tetrault Coca-Cola Canada Meridian Credit Union Uber BMO Bank of Montreal Bruce Power Air Canada Power Corporation of Canada Boehringer Ingelheim Eli Lilly Greater Toronto Airports Authority Aecon Enbridge Tilray Rogers Google Waste Connections of Canada Cogeco Omers Labatt Arcelor Mittal IBC LiUNA ICG Northeastern University Fire and Flower Golfdale Consulting The Stratagem Group 407 ETR Concession Company Ltd. Accerta McKesson Canada Rothmans, Benson and Hedges (RBH) Nerds on Site Grasshopper Astra Zeneca Bio Marin Pharmaceutical Birch Hill Equity Partners Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Career Colleges Ontario CF Industries Cisco Systems Canada Club Link Corporation Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited Innovative Medicines Canada Magna Carta International Pfizer Canada Inc. Service Now Servier The Canada Life Assurance Company Northbridge Consulting Insurance MNP Takeda

Ontario Chamber of Commerce © 2021 | Privacy Policy | Service Standard | Employment Opportunities
The OCC is an accredited chamber of commerce