BDC Small Business Weektm 2017 to focus on helping entrepreneurs prepare for the future

Bank collaborates with Facebook Canada to celebrate small business

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Preparations are well under way for the 2017 edition of BDC Small Business Week^TM (SBW), which runs from October 15 to 21 under the theme, "Future-proof your business: Adapting to technology and demographic trends."

This year, BDC is inviting Canadian entrepreneurs to learn about key emerging business trends, in particular two forces that are reshaping Canada's businesses: the evolution of talent and the digitization of the economy. A full research report, including practical tips for business owners, will be published on October 16.

Editorial resources are already available for business editors including:

• Six entrepreneur stories and how they adapted their businesses;
• An infographic on small business in Canada; and,
• A list of national and local spokespersons now available for interviews.

"BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to Canadian entrepreneurs, accompanying them at every step of their business journey. Part of that journey includes looking to the future to ensure business owners are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead," added Michael Denham, BDC's President and CEO. "It is for this reason that we are delighted to partner with a technology leader like Facebook for this 38^th edition of BDC Small Business Week."

The collaboration will include a series of free "Boost Your Business with Facebook" seminars, which aim to provide business owners with the most up-to-date tools, insights, and best practices for achieving success on Facebook & Instagram.

"BDC and Facebook share a common goal of helping Canadian small businesses become large and local businesses, global. This is especially important in Canada where small business is truly the backbone of our economy, which is why we are thrilled to partner with BDC for this year's Small Business Week," said Kevin Chan, Head of Policy at Facebook Canada.

Facebook and BDC will also co-host a SBW kick-off event at Facebook's Toronto headquarters in downtown Toronto on October 16.

A national calendar of events can be consulted on the SBW microsite at www.bdc.ca/sbw. You can also follow BDC Small Business Week on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: #SBW2017.

About BDC Small Business Week^TM
BDC Small Business Week^TM is a Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) trademark whose origins date back to 1979 when BDC business centres in British Columbia's Lower Fraser Valley pooled their resources to organize a week of activities for entrepreneurs. This first event and the one that followed in 1980 were so successful that BDC officially launched BDC Small Business Week^TM across Canada in 1981. The initiative was quickly adopted by Canada's business community. In 2016, close to 300 activities across Canada attracted around 15,000 business people. This BDC flagship event celebrates entrepreneurship at the local, provincial and national levels.

About BDC
BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. With its 118 business centres from coast to coast, BDC provides businesses in all industries with financing and advisory services. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions. To find out more, visit bdc.ca.

About Facebook Canada
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to make the world more open and connected. More than 23 million Canadians use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. All other brand or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Business Development Bank of Canada