Belleville Chamber of Commerce CEO marks Bay of Quinte Small Business Week | InQuinte.ca
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Belleville Chamber of Commerce CEO marks Bay of Quinte Small Business Week

By Lindsey Harren Oct 19, 2026 | 9:19 PM

Small Business Week across Canada currently hits a bit different with the impact of the U.S. tariffs, and an uncertain economy.

Locally, Belleville, Quinte West, and Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Municipality of Brighton, are once again coming together to host a series of events.

Online registration due to capacity, is required to attend the free events this week. The full event list can be found on the website. Anyone is invited to participate and join in.

Tuesday, October 20th

  • Michael Crowe will host a hands-on workshop about artificial intelligence in business operations. The event will be held at The Landmark in Trenton from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Free BDC Bank webinar online from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Women In Business event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Landmark.

Wednesday, October 21st

  • “Not A Trade Show” returns this year with roughly 40 to 50 people delivering their three-minute elevator pitches through a variety of rounds. Hosted by The Pentecostals of Quinte starting at 10 a.m.
  • Free BDC Bank webinar online from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Mega Mingle at Occasions By The Bay from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., open to chamber and non-chamber members from all of the communities.

Thursday, October 22nd

  • Brighton Business Breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Timber Ridge.
  • Free BDC Bank webinar online from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Steps For Business presentation by Picton lawyer Sonia Szabo at the Picton Library from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, October 23rd

  • The 30th annual Quinte Business Achievement Awards from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m at the new Legacy Event Centre in Belleville in the far east-end along Highway 2. Tickets are still available for the event, and are $120.
  • There are 130 businesses that have been nominated for awards in 12 different categories. The full list of nominees can be found on the QBAA website.

 

Jill Raycroft, the CEO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, continues to encourage everyone to shop and support local, along with attending events this week. Membership is healthy at the Chamber with 450 to 480 members annually.

Speaking to InQuinte.ca this week, Raycroft added that the Chamber has welcomed 34 new members so far this year.

The gala event on Friday is a way she said for the community to celebrate the stories of local business owners, their resilience, and the impact they have on local economic prosperity, and the opportunity for growth.

The CEO was asked about the biggest challenges for the Chamber, and overall thoughts as we get closer to the end of the year.

“I think what I have reflected on more than this year is usual, is that when people refer to different communities, and even the types of wages and jobs there…I realized that Belleville has been a city built on private industry and private investment. The diversity of our membership in particular, it’s a really great cross section of the business landscape here. So I think we have a lot to offer and we have a lot to offer young people who are thinking maybe there is nothing in Belleville for me. There are so many opportunities for young people,” concluded Raycroft.

She pointed to growth happening with established businesses like BSC Automation Ltd., and folks getting creative with forming a service type business that fills a void in the community.