DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair

Plan, launch & grow your business at our annual fair

Are you looking for information, resources and inspiration to start a small business or grow as an entrepreneur?

The free DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair supports diverse entrepreneurs get the knowledge and tools they need to plan, launch and grow their own business in Canada.

Presented annually during Small Business Month since 2016 by DIVERSEcity’s award-winning self-employment program, the fair has helped inspire and connect hundreds of diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners.

This is a powerful event you don’t want to miss!

Join us for the FREE 2024 DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair!

Date: October 17, 2024
Time: 3–7 pm
Location: Surrey City Hall, 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC (Steps from Surrey Central SkyTrain Station)

Everyone welcome!

Register to attend the free event via Eventbrite here.

2024 Event Agenda

3–5 pm

Small business tradeshow
Local marketplace featuring 34+ businesses selling gifts and innovative products
+Networking and hosted refreshments by Bon Moment

5–6 pm

DIVERSEtalks panel discussion: “Turn your ideas into entrepreneurial income”

We’re excited to welcome a dynamic panel of speakers:

	Moderator: Tom Conway, CEO, Small Business BC. Tom brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience to his role at SBBC, including advocacy, fundraising and governance. Small Business BC is an independent non-profit organization that exists to elevate every BC business.
	Jujhar Singh Mann, founder of Mann and Co Bakeshop Jujhar’s journey into the culinary world was sparked by a love for the artistry and creativity of baking shows. Under the mentorship of renowned chefs, he refined his craft, blending South Asian traditions with the sophistication of French pastry artistry. He was a Food Network Champion and a finalist on Netflix’s Is It Cake?.
	Asha Wheeldon, Founder and CEO, KULA Foods Asha is a visionary leader dedicated to creating Afro-Caribbean food for a more inclusive plant-forward future. From her roots in Isiolo to her journey through Toronto and Vancouver, Asha’s trajectory reflects a profound commitment to cultural representation and social impact.
	Sifu Matthias Klenk, Owner, Immortal Dragon Sifu has over 20 years of martial arts experience. He is a former client of DIVERSEcity’s self-employment program. Alongside teaching Shaolin Kung Fu in Vancouver, he pursues his passion for film, the arts, writing, business and design.
	Rony Thaler, Board Member, La Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDEBC) SDEBC is a non-profit organization working to support the economic development of the Francophone community.

6–7 pm

Watch DIVERSEcity Business Pitch Competition, onstage, Dragons’ Den style, and cheer on the brave shortlisted candidates

Register to attend the free event via Eventbrite here.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities

Want to join us as a featured sponsored? Want to exhibit your services or business at the fair? We are excited to partner with you and give you a platform to showcase your services or business to 300+ attendees.

Please fill out the following form or download for more information our sponsorship package here.

2024
Sponsors

Supported by:	Awards Sponsor:	Marketing Sponsor:	Media Sponsor:

Featured Exhibitors

2024 Exhibitors

Why be a sponsor or exhibitor?

Newcomers face countless barriers to employment, so it’s no surprise then that many newcomers turn to self-employment and entrepreneurship after arrival, with higher rates than Canadian-born people. Statistics show that 10.8 per cent of self-employment Canadians are immigrants, versus 7.5 per cent who are born in Canada.

It’s, in fact, a global trend. A study by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that immigrants were more likely to start businesses than native-born populations in most of the 69 countries surveyed. Why is this the case? Immigrants have the education, skills and risk tolerance to succeed as entrepreneurs. However, they lack information on the local context of doing business. That’s why new immigrant entrepreneurs need additional support.

BIPOC and women entrepreneurs also face added barriers in starting their own businesses, including access to funding. Yet they are both growing demographics in self-employment. The DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur & Small Business Fair is a great starting point for newcomers, BIPOC, women and other diverse community members.

Want to connect with these growing demographics of entrepreneurs? Join the DIVERSEcity Entrepreneur and Small Business Fair as a sponsor.

Download our Sponsorship Package 2024