Small Business Week 2011 is fast approaching

This guest blog post is provided by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), which offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital and consulting services to 29,000 small and medium-sized Canadian companies.

Every year, BDC organizes Small Business Week®, a series of national events that pay tribute to the backbone of Canada's economy, that is, entrepreneurs like you. This year's edition will take place during the week of October 16 – 22.

It's a little-known fact that small and medium-sized businesses account for 99.8% of all Canadian companies and employ more than 60% of private sector workers. You are the engine of the Canadian economy and your success needs to be celebrated. This is why, for 32 years, BDC has been organizing Small Business Week® as a way to acknowledge the contribution of millions of Canadian entrepreneurs to the prosperity of our country.

Are you wondering what Small Business Week® 2011 is all about? This year's theme, Power Up Your Business: Invest. Innovate. Grow. is a call to action. This is a time to attack challenges with renewed decisiveness, market awareness and creativity. And it's time to invest in the new technology your team needs to get the job done. To find out more about how to take your business to the next level, check out our free Advice Centre or, if you're considering launching your own business, take our entrepreneurial self-assessment test to evaluate your business potential.

If you're interested in being a part of Small Business Week®, check out our national calendar of events to discover conferences, luncheons and trade fairs where you can learn and network in the company of your peers.

In 2010, 325 activities attracted more than 10,000 entrepreneurs to Small Business Week®. So, if you are a business owner or you're thinking of embarking on a business venture this year, we want to hear from you during Small Business Week®!

To learn more, visit Small Business Week® online or follow us on Twitter @BDC_News.