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Montréal 2SLGBTQI+ Business Symposium

2SLGBQTI+ Business Symposium Montreal
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Montréal 2SLGBTQI+ Business Symposium

Join Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce at Fabrik8 for an inspiring one-day event centered around the theme “Pride in Business“!

This event aims to empower 2SLGBTQI+ business owners and their allies through informative presentations, testimonials from successful entrepreneurs, and networking opportunities. We will explore how inclusion and diversity drive innovation and growth in the business world, as well as raise awareness about the programs offered by CGLCC.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the vibrant 2SLGBTQI+ business community in Montréal! Reserve your spot today and be part of a dynamic community driving positive change and inclusion in business – it’s completely FREE!

Thank you so much for your interest in the CGLCC’s first-ever 2SLGBTQI+Business Symposium in Montréal. Due to overwhelming interest, the event is at capacity, but sometimes life happens and people who previously registered cannot attend. If some spots open up, interested wait listers will be contacted in the order that their forms are received: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5txiXvI8e0Oe3P2sFbC5W-ERG_KTZEFGvt6z-HlX3L9UNlA1N0UxME9aODE2MEJaTEZHT1VSNUZQRi4u&route=shorturl

Date: October 4th, 2024
Time: 9am-5:30pm
Location: Fabrik8, 7236 Waverly St, Montréal, Québec

**Simultaneous interpretation between English and French will be available for all discussions, sessions and panels.**

9am – 9:45am: Welcome and Registration
– Breakfast/Coffee + networking

9:45am – 10am: Opening Activity

10am – 10:10am: Opening Words

10:10am – 11:10am:  Supplier Spotlight
– Roundtable with new certified suppliers in Québec

11:15am – 12pm: Keynote

12pm – 1pm:  Lunch Break
– Lunch + networking

1:15pm – 2:15pm: Roundtable
– Roundtable on creating Inclusive Work Environments, featuring Connor McKiggan (CGLCC) & Rainbow Registered businesses

2:15pm – 2:30pm: Afternoon Networking Break
– Coffee/Tea + networking

2:30pm – 3pm: Fireside Chat

3pm – 4pm: Panel
– Women in Business, moderated by Florence Gagnon (lez spread the word) – in partnership with BDC

4pm 4:15pm: Closing Remarks

4:15 – 5:30pm: Networking Reception
– Evening networking reception with refreshments
– Supplier showcase

Event Host

Our Team

Photo of Kim Boucher-Morin (she/her)
Kim Boucher-Morin (she/her) Business Development Manager (Quebec & North), CGLCC

Opening Activity

Our Team

Photo of Andréa Pallotto (they/them)
Andréa Pallotto (they/them) Feldenkrais Montreal

Opening Words/Welcome

Our Team

Photo of Darrell Schuurman (he/him)
Darrell Schuurman (he/him) Co-Founder and CEO, CGLCC

Supplier Spotlight
Supplier Success Stories: Strengthening Businesses Through Diversity 

Our Team

Photo of Mélika Fontaine (she/her)
Mélika Fontaine (she/her) Host Grants Manager (Quebec & Atlantic), CGLCC
Photo of Gabrielle Huppé (she/her)
Gabrielle Huppé (she/her) Supplier Co-Founder and President, Next Chance 
Photo of Kiki (they/she)
Kiki (they/she) Supplier Co-Founder and CEO, Auntie Dee's Kitchen
Photo of Domenic Calcara (he/him)
Domenic Calcara (he/him) Supplier CEO, Recrute Action Inc.
Photo of Clément Roy (he/him)
Clément Roy (he/him) Supplier Founder and CEO, Nucléus Stratégie

Keynote
Elevating 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship with Queertech

Our Team

Photo of Naoufel Testaouni (he/him)
Naoufel Testaouni (he/him) Co-Founder and CEO, QueerTech
Photo of Andy Saldaña (he/him)
Andy Saldaña (he/him) Co-Founder and COO, QueerTech

Roundtable
Creating Inclusive Workspaces: Strategies for safe spaces 

This roundtable will bring together leaders from Rainbow Registered businesses to discuss how they’ve built inclusive workspaces that celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion. Panelists will share their experiences in building spaces that embrace diversity, foster innovation, and promote a sense of belonging. 

Our Team

Photo of Connor McKiggan (he/they)
Connor McKiggan (he/they) Moderator National Business Development Manager, CGLCC
Photo of Greg Barker (he/him)
Greg Barker (he/him) Speaker Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Governance, Canada Lands Company
Photo of Lynn Blouin (she/her)
Lynn Blouin (she/her) Speaker Conseillère principale, Attraction, rétention, promotion et structure touristique, Service du développement économique, Ville de Sherbrooke 
Photo of Jean-François Tremblay (he/him)
Jean-François Tremblay (he/him) Speaker Partenaire d’affaires principal, Talent, Plus Compagnie

Fireside Chat
Building inclusive financial futures: Supporting the growth of entrepreneurs

Discover how Desjardins is committed to supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ community with financial strategies designed to help entrepreneurs grow sustainably while respecting their personal values. We’ll talk about the importance of securing your financial future, whether personally or professionally, and how these inclusive approaches can truly help diverse clients thrive.

The Fireside Chat will take place in French, with simultaneous interpretation available in English

Our Team

Photo of Merve Tosun (she/her)
Merve Tosun (she/her) Moderator National Business Development Coordinator, CGLCC
Photo of Maricarmen Ubeda
Maricarmen Ubeda Speaker Strategic Advisor, Procurement, accounting and administrative services division, Desjardins
Photo of Gustavo Gonzalez-Cortes (he/him)
Gustavo Gonzalez-Cortes (he/him) Speaker Account Manager, Desjardins Montreal Business Center

Panel
Women and 2SLGBTQ+ People in Business 

Let’s focus on the future of women and 2SLGBTQ+ people in business. Entrepreneurship has the unique ability to create instant connections and offer singular experiences that bring people together. How can our diverse perspectives, as women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, help our businesses shine? Let’s embrace creative and open approaches, from supplier diversity to building networks of valuable resources. This one-hour discussion will bring together passionate individuals who champion women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship.  

Moderated by Florence Gagnon (lez spread the word) – in partnership with BDC

Our Team

Photo of Florence Gagnon (she/her)
Florence Gagnon (she/her) Moderator Founder, lez spread the word
Photo of Geneviève Bergeron (she/her)
Geneviève Bergeron (she/her) Panelist Co-Founder and Creative Director, Club Sexu
Photo of Murielle Bien-Aimé
Murielle Bien-Aimé Panelist Founder and CEO, La Masion Komandō Inc
Photo of Coppélia Laroche-Francoeur
Coppélia Laroche-Francoeur Panelist Co-Director, Festival Filministes
Photo of Paige Glabb
Paige Glabb Panelist Human Resources Business Partner, BDC