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SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2025!

From October 20th to 24th, we’re shining a light on the entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers who keep our local economy buzzing. Join us in celebrating the innovation, resilience, and excellence of local businesses! From your favourite café to the new shop downtown, small businesses are the heartbeat of Western Nova Scotia.

Together with partners like Western REN, CBDC, Ignite Atlantic, CDENE, Nova Scotia Works, The Town of Yarmouth, and the Municipalities of Yarmouth and Argyle, a full week of events is planned across the region — from networking sessions and youth entrepreneurship gatherings to the Yarmouth Business Awards Gala.

Show your support by attending an event, sharing your favourite local business online, or stopping by a local shop. Every bit of encouragement helps our small businesses grow strong all year long!

MONDAY OCTOBER 20, 2025:
10:00 AM – Small Business Week Launch & Ribbon Cutting at Edward Jones Yarmouth

Join us as we officially kick off Small Business Week by hosting a ribbon cutting celebration at the brand-new Edward Jones office, located at 377 Main Street, Yarmouth. Stop by, say hello, and be part of the excitement!

10:00 AM – Stemma Analytics Webinar (French)

Start your week by tuning into this informative session presented by Stemma Analytics—delivered entirely in French.
Register by clicking HERE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 2025
10:30 AM – Youthpreneur Speed Networking at NSCC Burridge Campus

Get ready for a fast-paced morning of connection and inspiration! The Western REN and NSCC are teaming up to host a Youthpreneur Speed Networking Event—bringing together students and local business leaders for meaningful, one-on-one conversations.

The event runs from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in The Cube at NSCC Burridge Campus. No registration required—just drop in and join the fun!

For more details, contact wcleveland@westernren.ca.

11:00 AM – Fall Job Fair at NSCC Burridge Campus

Looking for your next opportunity—or your next great hire? Don’t miss the Fall Job Fair, taking place from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the gym at NSCC Burridge Campus.

Hosted by NS Works / Southwest Employment Services in partnership with NSCC Burridge, this event connects job seekers with a wide range of local employers and community organizations.

Job Seekers: Dress to impress and bring plenty of résumés.
Employers: To reserve your spot, contact kperry@swemployment.com.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – CDENE Social Evening in Tusket

Unwind and connect with fellow professionals at Tusket Falls Brewing for an evening hosted by CDENE. Enjoy great company, local flavours, and meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting.

RSVP here to save your spot!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, 2025
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – The Small Business Social

Join us at Third Cup Café (10 John St., Yarmouth) for an evening dedicated to celebrating Small Business Week! Connect with local business owners, entrepreneurs, community members, and support organizations—all in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Special Presentation at 4:30 PM: “Thriving During Times of Adversity” with SSI Consulting
Plus: Stick around for a raffle featuring some fantastic prizes!

Register here to save your spot.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23rd
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Futurpreneur Lunch & Learn at Ignite Atlantic

Thinking about starting your own business? If you’re between 18 and 39, join IGNITE Atlantic and Futurpreneur for an inspiring Lunch & Learn session at 210 Main Street, Yarmouth.

Discover the programs, financing options, and mentorship opportunities available to help young entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures. Otni Chinenere from Futurpreneur will guide you through the process and answer your questions.

Lunch is provided.
Register here to reserve your seat.


5:00 PM – The 18th Annual Yarmouth Business Awards – Presented By: RBC and Doane Grant Thornton

The celebration of the year is here! Join us at the Mariners Centre as we honour our region’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, community leaders, and changemakers. Doors open at 5:00 PM for an unforgettable evening of recognition, connection, and celebration.

Dinner Menu prepared by Chef Tina Wright and her team from The Argyler Lodge – a culinary experience that pairs perfectly with the night’s festivities.

A limited number of tickets remain!
Special Perk: Every Business Awards ticket includes a 40% discount on Nova Scotia Music Week (@novascotiamusicweek) events.

Buy tickets here before they’re gone!

Friday, October 24
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Small Business Week Wrap-Up Social in Clare

Close out Small Business Week in style at Rendez-vous de la Baie (23 Lighthouse Rd, Church Point). Enjoy an evening of great company, conversation, and community spirit as we celebrate the entrepreneurs and innovators driving Western Nova’s success.

Register here to join the celebration!

Stay connected! Follow the Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Instagram for event highlights, photos, and stories all week long — and help us celebrate the people building the future of Western Nova, one small business at a time.

COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR FOR PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

*** JOB OFFER CLOSED ***

Job Title: Community Navigator for Physician Recruitment & Retention
Reports to:
Community Navigator Oversight Committee (CNOC) & Executive Director for YACC for Daily Operations and Accounting
Full-Time, 40 Hours

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce’s “Medical Recruitment Partnership” is seeking a Community Navigator for Physician Recruitment and Retention to join our team. This is a fast paced and ever-changing project-based role that will challenge you on a daily basis.

As Community Navigator for the Yarmouth Area (which includes the Town of Yarmouth, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, Municipality of the District of Argyle, and Municipality of the District of Barrington), you are a passionate champion of Southwestern Nova Scotia. The Community Navigator will work to recruit physicians to our region and retain the physicians already working here. At any given point there are numerous projects and initiatives happening and many stakeholder relationships to manage including with Nova Scotia Health Recruiters, Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, Doctors Nova Scotia, Medical Schools, Medical Clinic Staff, Regional Hospital Staff, and various community resources. The Community Navigator will lead marketing efforts targeted toward the recruitment medical professionals and applicable conferences and recruitment events.

This position will report to the Executive Director of YACC and will be responsible to an oversight committee for ongoing management and direction.

Duties & Responsibilities:

√  project the strengths of our community, regional health facilities and existing medical professionals

  • project the strengths of our community, regional health facilities and existing medical professionals
  • establish and maintain connections with local Medical Professionals in support of retention goals
  • coordinate activities (social events, peer gatherings, etc.) to support the retention of current complement of medical professionals
  • Work closely with the NSH recruitment team, especially the Yarmouth-based recruiter and the Southwest Region MD Lead for Recruitment and Retention
  • establish connections with potential medical professionals coming to the area and follow up with them to ensure any questions or concerns about the area are addressed
  • aid in travel arrangements and site visits for incoming professionals in concert with the NSH recruitment team.
  • establish community connections and information such as:

     √   connect families to school officials / tour schools

     √   help with housing needs (temporary and permanent) 

     √   provide community information on extracurricular activities, lifestyle, facilities, infrastructure, environment, culture

  • Liaise with NSH recruiter to identify family members of incoming or visiting medical professionals in order to help arrange for alternative activities during hospital tours (where applicable)
  • create a database of conferences, newsletters, advertising platforms to monitor
  • attend national and regional conferences were appropriate and budget allows for the purposes of promoting our region to medical professionals
  • arrange events for residents and medical students such as dinners, outings, etc.
  • visit local schools to promote practicing medicine in the region to potential students
  • visit Dal University provincial medical school campuses to promote practicing medicine in our region
  • be knowledgeable about the activities in the community
  • implement benchmarks and measures of success
  • prepare quarterly reports to be circulated by email to CNOC to update on progress prior to each CNOC meeting, and attend meetings to provide a brief summation of the update and answer questions.
  • Work with the MD Lead for Recruitment and Retention to conduct exit interviews with physicians leaving the area or changing roles
  • Other administrative tasks

Qualifications:

  • Above average interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated Understanding of cultural competence
  • Can-do attitude and ability to hold confidence in all matters
  • Self-motivated and able to work with little supervision
  • Strong Interviewing Skills
  • Post-secondary Education
  • Results Driven, works well under pressure
  • Computer skills (Excel, Outlook , Word etc.)
  • Background in health care system and community development an asset

Working Conditions:

Small office environment with local travel and meetings. Some longer distance travel will be required to attend conferences. Variable hours required, including evening and weekends as required to accommodate site visits and conferences.  Must have access to a working vehicle and insurable.

Additional Information:

Rate of Pay: Remuneration based on skills and experience

Hours: 40 hours per week/Full-TIme

Work Hours: Typically 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends.

Work Setting: Office & On-the-Go

Benefits: Vacation (details to be provided) and access to the Chamber Benefits Plan.

To Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and explaining why you’re a great fit for this role by September 9 2025 to Renee Dease, Office Manager: info@yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com

 

Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce AGM

Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting

Sponsored By:

 

Join us for the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting

This gathering brings together Chamber members, local business leaders, and community stakeholders to review the accomplishments of the past year, discuss priorities for the year ahead, and elect the incoming Board of Directors. This will include breakfast, our business meeting and special presentations.

Enjoy networking opportunities, light refreshments, and updates on the Chamber’s strategic direction and initiatives that continue to strengthen our region’s business community. Your voice and participation help shape the future of commerce in Yarmouth.

Special Guest Speakers: Melissa Quinn, Nova Scotia Loyal Project Executive and Sean Meister, President & CEO of Global Bluenosers.

 

Doors Open: 7:45am

Breakfast Available: 8:00am

AGM Proceedings: 8:30am

Breakfast Includes:

  • Assortment of Breads (which also includes Gluten Free)
  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Home Fries
  • Bacon
  • Sausage
  • Home Fries
  • Pancakes
  • Yogurt
  • Bagels, Pastries, Muffins
  • Selection of Juices
  • Coffee & Tea

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

2024 Yarmouth Business Awards: October 24th

2024 Yarmouth Business Awards: A Night To Shine

Get ready for a spectacular evening as the Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce proudly brings back the highly anticipated annual business awards! Join us on October 24th, 2024 at the Mariners Centre, for the 17th edition of this prestigious event, where we’ll celebrate the best and brightest in our thriving business community. This beloved tradition has become a cornerstone for recognizing excellence, fostering connections, and showcasing the vital role of a strong business ecosystem in our region.

*** The nomination period is now: CLOSED ***

The 2024 award categories are:

  • Business of the Year (Less than 10 employees)
  • Business of the Year (10 or more employees)
  • Rising Star of the Year
  • Export Achievement
  • Customer Service Award
  • Community Impact Award
  • Business Leader of the Year
  • Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Tourism Business of the Year
  • Non-Profit Organization of the Year
  • Female Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advancement Award

Doors & Cocktails at 5:00pm | Awards start at 6:30pm

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Register for a Free Professional Development Course!

The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to partner with the Province of Nova Scotia to offer our members free professional development courses!

Check out these 2 courses starting in January 2024:

Performance Management with Lisette Jones (Registration is now closed for Performance Management as the course is full)

Wednesdays 9:00am-1:00pm | Starting January 17th 2024 for 10 weeks

The intention of this program is to provide you with a general overview and understanding of the role of performance management as an integral function of HR in your company – whether you have one or 50 employees. In addition to laying the foundation for a performance management system, the program will provide knowledge, tools and templates for engaging your employees, and applying coaching techniques to support your team in being the best they can be.

Learning Outcomes:
•Identify the core components of performance management
•Identify the four learning styles
•Explain how learning styles impact performance
•Manage performance logs
•Create a process for checking in with employees
•Conduct stay interviews
•Developing SMART performance goals
•Identify when and how to provide the three main forms of feedback
•Explain the three feedback triggers
•Illustrate the J Curve
•Design performance appraisals tools
•Identify the steps in progressive discipline
•Manage common performance issues
•Define the fundamentals of coaching
•List the elements in asking the right questions
•Compare and contrast facilitating versus directing a team’s direction
•Compare and contrast strategic questioning techniques and identify when to apply each

Customer Service Excellence with Lisa Olie

Mondays 9:00am-1:00pm | Starting January 15th 2024 for 10 weeks

This program creates the opportunity for you to provide the best experience possible for your customers. You will explore key elements of customer service standards, gain clarity on your customers’ expectations, study the seven types of challenging customers, and learn how to navigate difficult customer situations.

You will explore in-person, telephone and online/email customer interactions in various business settings to help you analyze your current customer experience and develop customer service strategies tailored to your business. You will learn techniques to improve internal customer service to help make you a better customer to your suppliers and business community.


These 10 week courses are free, customized to your needs, and provincially certified, with a value in excess of $1,500 per person.

Seats are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Classes will be virtual so you must have a computer with a webcam to interact properly.

Requirements

  • Must be an owner or employee of a business based in Nova Scotia
  • Be willing to complete detailed registration form
  • In order to graduate you must attend 80% of classes

To Register

Complete the registration form and email it to info@yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com or call the office at 902-742-3074