The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is making strides towards helping people with the ins and outs of running a business.
On Wednesday, Chatham-Kent Economic Development hosted its first CK Business Development Tradeshow at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. The tradeshow was a business to business networking event that gave people access to different industries.
Andrew Tompsett, marketing and communications officer, said the idea was inspired by seeing a large number of people reaching out to the economic development department, looking to get more information on a variety of resources needed to run a business.
"In economic development we have people coming to us all the time saying 'where can I find this service? Where can I find legal? Where can I find marketing?' All these different services that businesses need. We said why don't we put them together under one roof," said Tomsett.
There were several different industries at the tradeshow including representatives for marketing companies, legal professionals and bookkeeping. SOAR Innovation, a newly opened business accelerator in downtown Chatham, was on hand. Local resident Brent Wilken was one of the first people to utilize opening up a space at SOAR for his cannabis-infused drink business. He said it's vital for entrepreneurs to have access to necessary resources in order to help them grow their business.
"On the daily, the director of finance works at [SOAR]. If I have a question about finance, I go talk to him," Wilken explained. "You add on to that the other people who work in that space, that's what the unique things about it is."
Tomsett said there were professionals at all levels of development who attended the trade show, including people who are just starting out their small business and people who have owned a large business for over 30 years. He adds that the event caps off a busy and successful past few weeks in the world of local economic development.
"October was huge because it was Small Business Month. We had for or five major events," said Tomsett. "This is sort of the wrap-up. Although it's November, it's the wrap up of what's been a very successful Small Business Month"
Tomsett said despite the tradeshow being a one-day event, the municipal economic development team is always willing to work with business owners and help them with their goals through various initiatives and programs. For anyone unable to attend the event on Wednesday, Tomsett encourages them to visit the economic development website or visit their office at 124 Thames St. in Chatham.
"Say you've been in business or you're thinking about a business, how do we take that and help you move that to the next level? That's what economic development is here for," he said. "We're in the business of helping other businesses be able to grow."