Toronto Organisations that Run Events

Other Resources at This Site...

Building our Network...

Use these resources to find more links, but please send in your favourite event organizations, so that we can post them for all to see.

• ASAE's Gateway to Associations Online
  Provides direct online access to more than 6,500 associations.
• Ad-Freak's list of Canadian Advertising Associations
• Yahoo!'s Toronto Business Organisations
• The York Technology Association has a list of Links to Business Associations
• The Toronto Business Journal, a weekly free newspaper, has a pretty good full-page events calender which lists the organisation and contact information.
• Look at the database of Small Business Support Organisations at Strategis.ic.gc.ca.
• Explore the Conference Board's network of organizations.

Toronto Venture Group

The TVG helps to make connections whether you're an investor looking for a hot new company to finance or an entrepreneur looking for an angel to support your development plans. TVG is a member of the Canadian Technology Network (CTN), itself an initiative of the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). You will find some resources linked to from their Homepage.

• TVG provides a great consulting service for those seeking financing, helping to refine your business plan and pitch from the perspective of a financier, and providing tons of sophisticated tips for the entrepreneur.
• Monthly Breakfast Meetings provide an opportunity to mingle, with an expert speaker discussing the venture financing process.

Future Leaders of Greater Toronto

The Future Leaders of Greater Toronto is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to presenting fellowship, leadership, training, events that are an integral part of each participant's learning experience. The Future Leaders spirit is fostered in an environment where everyone has a chance to join and learn, regardless of skill. Their goal is leadership development, with an intent to instill in Future Leaders that the exercise of good corporate social responsibility will lead to good corporate performance and eventually contribute to society's welfare. Future Leaders is a healthy environment in which young professionals creativity, risk taking and economic independence with social responsibility is valued and encouraged. Homepage

• They have a speaker series.

Junion Chamber International Toronto Chapter

Also affiliated with the Canadian Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. Focused on community projects, they have about 50 members.

From their site: A leadership development organization for young people between the ages of 19 and 40. We are a not-for-profit, non-secular and non-partisan organization. We run a number of community betterment and charitable projects during the year, notably, our Fall Fix Up, Pyjama Day, 24hr Tennis Marathon and much more. In addition we have our own baseball league. Every month we have a General Membership meeting as well as a Social event. General Membership meetings feature 1 hour training seminars on a variety of topics during the year. We also run an effective speaking course and competition.

If you are interested in developing your leadership abilities, meeting quality people, contributing to your community and having fun please contact us. Yearly membership dues are $100.00. Initiation fees for new members are an additional $25.00. Payment plans are available. Homepage.

• 1st. Wednesday of every month, at Metro Hall - 55 John St., 3rd. Floor - 7:00 p.m.

TheLegalNet

No list of Toronto events is complete without Chris Koressis and his regular parties. The events are by invitation only, but if you know someone who goes, then ask them to forward the invite along. Chris is partner in a corporate law firm specializing in technology law, licensing, and other matters of interest to high-tech entrepreneur types. Homepage.

Center for Innovation Law and Policy

They have publications on a variety of leading edge areas of policy development, based at the University of Toronto. Pretty cool. Interesting transcript discussion with some leading financiers. Homepage.

• News and Events
• Links and Local People

Strategic Leadership Forum

An educational organisation holding events to help business leaders cultivate a research interest in strategic management with a chapter in Toronto. They host a book club, breakfast seminars, and luncheons which provide a forum for research-based presentations of current and emerging strategic trends. Most events are held at The Ontario Club, near Bay and King. Homepage.

• Calender of Events.

MIT/Schulich Enterprise Forum

Operated by the MIT Alumni Association and York University's Schulich School of Business, the forum brings together entrepreneurs, investors and other business professionals to exchange ideas and build networks. Its format is based on the MIT Enterprise Forum which was founded in 1978 and operates in over 20 cities in the USA, Europe, Asia and Mexico, as well as Toronto. The Toronto chapter has been active since 1988 and has hosted more than 100 events and 5000 participants. Homepage.

• Speaking Events Calendar

Center for Outsourcing Research and Education (CORE)

CORE�s mission is to provide high quality, independent research and education on outsourcing, global sourcing and other forms of innovative collaboration. The targeted outcome is to increase the understanding and adoption of outsourcing and other forms of innovative collaboration, thereby enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and providing increased value to customers, owners, employees and communities. Homepage.

• Events Calendar

First Tuesday

An international association linking financiers and entrepreneurs, whose Canadian franchise was recently re-launched In Toronto. A great networking opportunity even just to listen, before your idea is ready for the limelight. The First Tuesday network includes 100 cities in more than 40 countries around the world and brings together the leading players in the technology sector: entrepreneurs and managers of new ventures; venture capitalists and investors; service providers; and 'intrapreneurs' and technology managers in corporate entities. The First Tuesday network includes over 100,000 members worldwide. Homepage.

• Events Calender.
• They have a networking event on the First Tuesday of every month.

Interactive Multimedia Arts & Technologies Association

Does IMAT need a preamble? See for yourself. Homepage.

• Events Calender.
• Jazz networking event on third Wednesday of every month in the IMAT at the Reservoir Lounge, 44 Wellington St.

789 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2G8 

Voice: 416-926-9301
Fax: 416-926-8912 

Inventors' Alliance

The Inventors' Alliance is a non-profit association dedicated to helping inventors develop their business through education, recognition, friendship and support. It is all about getting a product to market. Homepage.

• The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

Young Inventors International

We help youth to overcome the most significant barrier standing between their ideas and profitable ventures - skills and networks that will allow them to commercialize their innovations. They have a conference, workshops, and a mentor hookup service. Homepage.

American Marketing Association

Holds occasional events with industry speakers. Homepage.

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR)

Provides the public and policy makers with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and problems of information technology. CPSR members work to direct public attention to critical choices concerning the applications of information technology and how those choices affect society. Canada Chapter Homepage.

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

The seem more corporate then entrepreneurial, but nevertheless. Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) is a huge association for professionals involved in middle-market corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. ACG promotes the professional interests of its members, who have assumed leadership roles in strategic corporate growth, by offering a forum for quality programs, education and networking. Homepage.

• They had a big finance event in Toronto, so it's worth watching to see if they do some more. Their national events page lets you filter out the Toronto Chapter.

Canadian Business for Social Responsibility

As Canada's leading voice for corporate social responsibility (CSR), CBSR's goal is to support business in their effort to implement higher standards of social and environmental responsibility. These guys really are a serious voice in the wilderness for ethical business, and they have a great links page. Homepage.

• They have a Toronto Speakers Series (Awesome!)

Toronto Board of Trade

The largest local chamber of commerce and board of trade in Canada. The Toronto Board of Trade's mission is to build a better community through business leadership. Our volunteers and staff achieve this by providing business services, advocating public policy positions, participating in community partnerships and facilitating economic and business development. They have some information services such as discounts on business books and publish some directories. The BOT maintains an Airport Centre on Dixon Road, 3 minutes from the Airport and The Country Club in Woodbridge at Highway 7 and Islington Avenue. There is some connection with a spirit of civic volunteerism, although they do have a right-wing tax cuts and trade liberalisation lobby effort which should be an embarrassment to the entire membership. There is a large and informative Homepage.

• Events - Recommended
• Maintains The Event line at (416)�862-4500, or by email at: events bot.com.
• They operate a business library.

1 First Canadian Place, PO Box 60
Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1C1
Phone: 416-366-6811

Toronto Board of Trade for Young Professionals

Affiliated with the Canadian Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. They have been at this since 1931, and seems like a fairly active organisation with 150 members.

They operate a professional development lecture series, courses, and competitions. While members can be from 19 to 40, the average member is about 27, coming from various backgrounds with lots of approachable, friendly people. They have a Homepage.

• On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, they have a hotshot businessperson, often a CEO or successful person under 40, to tell their story in a keynote. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., which includes an hour of mingling and a 30 minute expert lecture, are free. Following this, there is a sit-down dinner and the keynote until 9 p.m.
• Starting shortly will be a "3rd Wednesday's" where members can network and mingle outside the club at a bar in downtown Toronto.
• Events, and Current Events pages.
• Operates an Event Hotline at (416) 361-3186.
• They maintain a newsletter, which you can join by asking nicely at: newsletter btyp.org

Young Professionals Association

Young Professionals Association of Canada (YPAC) is a not-for-profit organization of 20-35 year-old like-minded Canadians working in various industries. Through networking, educational and charitable events, members will share experiences and perspectives, and will build lasting friendships. YPAC members come from all types of businesses and industries from Bay Street finance to uptown manufacturing. Homepage.

• They maintain an Events Listing.

Toronto Tech

They have an informative Homepage.

• The Mother Of All Events Listings
• Upcoming Internet Broadcasts
• Conferences and Trade Shows
• They have a Mailing List

BitNet

Their mandate is to share information about computer technology and share business and learning opportunities amongst those in the Information Technology industry in our region. They list upcoming events on their homepage.

New Business Development

Dedicated to helping business development professionals in�building their expertise in spotting, designing, analyzing and evaluating business opportunities, disseminating business development strategies and methodologies, and in engaging line staff and senior corporate executives in a productive dialogue on how to spot or anticipate change that could lead to unique business opportunities, thus maintaining an ongoing competitive advantage. A small Homepage.

• They run a variety of busy topical email forums, including an Events and a lower-traffic Toronto Chapter Events.

Toronto Product Management Association

An association of Product Management and Marketing professionals who meet monthly in Toronto and have an on-line community devoted to best practices in the marketing and management of technology-based products. Homepage.

Toronto Talks

Hosts regular lecture series from Toronto's leading experts in the fields of Internet and E-Commerce, Management, Leadership skills, Personal Development and Business Development skills. Homepage.

• Calender of Events and Upcoming Events pages.

The Advertising Club of Toronto

A non-profit organization that serves the advertising industry and all its related services including media, creative, production, advertising management and marketing. Their Mandate is to organize events that will present the newest ideas and developments in the advertising industry, and create social and business networking events for ad industry colleagues. Homepage

• Calendar Events

VentureDrive

Went out of business.

Spadina Bus

A regional business and technology association, which has now ceased operations. Their monthly seminar series had lots of practical information, right down to things like how to choose an accountant. Spadina Bus has been a significant hub for thirty-something technology types, and hosted a heck of a lot of parties. Homepage.

• Spadina Bus has sadly closed its doors!
• They maintain a mailing list.

Techspace

This incubator-type firm has several offices, providing venture capital, value-added rental space, and business services. They have a newsletter; subscribe at the bottom of their Homepage.

• Events - Occasional

439 King St. W, 4th floor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

A lobbying organisation promoting the interests of its members to government by submitting proposals, participating on committees, and organising regular conferences to promote trade liberalisation and corporate globalisation. They have chapters all across Canada. Homepage.

• They organise conferences with an Events Page.

Ontario Network on the Regional Innovation System (ONRIS)

If you're familiar with the concept of a "creative cluster", like Silicon Valley where the conditions are right to attract both creative people and the resources needed for their crazy projects, then this find is exciting. Part of the network seems progressive in a Jane Jacobs kind of enlightened way, and part of it has a hard-line conservative edge to it. Homepage.

• They have an Events Listing (Sweet!)
• A regional part of the Innovation Systems Research Network, and hosts an annual conference.
• Connected with Program on Globalization and Regional Innovation Systems (PROGRIS) at the Centre for International Studies at U of T, which was founded by a couple of professors interested in regional innovation centers.

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

The Society is a member-interest, advocacy organization, created jointly by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and the Canadian Society of Professional Engineers. Huge. Homepage.

• They have some events.

Organisations Elsewhere in the GTA

Mississauga Board of Trade

The mission of the Mississauga Board of Trade is to create an environment for Mississauga business to compete and prosper by acting as a voice in pro-business lobbying efforts. They host professional development seminars, networking events, and the like.

• They have a huge Events Calender.

ConsultNet

ConsultNet is a group of Professionals, Business Minded Consultants and Associates interested in sharing of information, knowledge and offering support. Homepage.

• Speaker Series on the last Wednesday of the month from January to June and September to November at 6:30 p.m.

Mississauga Technology Association

The Association has more than 100 member companies, and sponsors a regular series of events - luncheon speakers, seminars and member exhibit opportunities, all providing excellent informative, networking opportunities for its members In recognition of its importance to the community. Homepage.

• Events Calender.

York Technology Association

The mission of the York Technology Association is to foster a networking and learning environment conducive to the growth and success of all technology stakeholder and to take action, on behalf of its members, on issues that are important to the technology industry. Serving 150 members in North East Metro and Southern York Region since 1982. Homepage.

• They organise monthly events, with a luncheon series focusing on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, breakfast series, and additional topical lectures. These generally are generally quite good.

Organisations Elsewhere in Ontario

Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum

Serving Hamilton and the Region of Halton, the GHVF slogan is "Where Ideas & Money Come Together". The non-profit organisation's purpose is to bring together technology developers/users with sources of capital, to provide speakers of interest, and to promote the technology sector in the area. Homepage.

• They hold events every couple of months to get entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and service providers in the same room.
• They maintain an Upcoming Events page.

C/O Simpson, Wigle
400-21 King Street West 
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4W7

Phone:  (905) 528-8411 #301
Fax:    (905) 528-9008 

Oshawa Jaycees

Also affiliated with the Canadian Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. Homepage.

90 Glenabbey Dr. 
Courtice, Ontario L1E 2B6 

Res. (905) 435-0102 
Fax. (905) 435-9940 

Whitby & District Jaycees

Also affiliated with the Canadian Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. Homepage.

P.O. Box 62
Whitby, Ontario  L1N 5Y7

Res. (416) 428-4800 
Fax. (416) 428-4848  

Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI)

OCRI is the rallying point for business, education and government to advance Ottawa's globally competitive knowledge-based economy. With and through its members and partners, OCRI brings people, ideas and resources together - through connectivity - to build wealth and quality of life in Ottawa. Homepage.

• Now this is an events listing!

Supporting Women

We're all still working on the Women's Lib after all these years, so it's important for women to get connected into supportive communities. Much of business is still fundamentally white-male dominated.

• Women in Capital Markets
• Women Entrepreneurs Canada
• Women in International Trade
• Canadian Women's Business Network
• Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs
• Powerpoint Group

• Women in Film and Television
• Wired Women Toronto Events
• Digital Eve Toronto
• Women in Film & Television (WIFT)
• Canadian Women in Communications (CWC-AFC)

• Women in Science and Engineering
• Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science and Technology
• Women in a Home Office

More Nationally-Oriented Organizations

Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance)

Committed to growing the global competitiveness of its members, 80% of which are currently active exporters. The common purpose that unites the membership is CATAAlliance's commitment to members' business growth. With offices across the country, we are focused on the provision of business services and government relations programs that conserve and leverage member resources. Homepage.

• Their national Events Listing has stuff from all over, including some in Toronto.

SMART Toronto

Merged with the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA).

Innovation Management Association of Canada

The Innovation Management Association of Canada is a network of research, technology management, and innovation leaders in Canada. IMAC grew out of the merger of the former Canadian Research Management Association, CRMA, and the former Canadian Association for the Management of Technology, CANMOT. Homepage.

• They organize a national conference and workshops. IMAC-ACGI Events.

Information Technology Association of Canada for Ontario

A lobbying organisation promoting the interests of business that describes itself as "Ontario's voice of the information technology industry." It also provides a business development network, and an annual half-day conference. Their goals seem to be "aggressively" promoting tax cuts for big business, encouraging the growth of "job training" programs at Universities, and explaining to government departments how they can become customers of their members. Homepage.

• They have a solid Events Page, with a couple of lists of related events. Recommended.

Computer Consultant Organizations

Association of Professional Computer Consultants (APCC)

A networking organization with a newsletter and events specifically for independent IT consultants. Working solo can have its drawbacks -� no benefits, no insurance plan, no interaction with colleagues, so APCC exists to address this for its members. Homepage.

National Association of Computer Consulting Businesses

Is a made-in-Canada Association that represents IT services� �firms on Canadian public policy issues. Homepage.

Association of Professional Computer Consultants

Canadian association serving independent contractors. Homepage.

Toastmasters

This is an opportunity to practice impromptu and prepared public speaking, chairing events, and dealing in constructive criticism aimed at fine-tuning your ability to communicate. This is a (slow-loading) list of Toastmasters clubs in Ontario, with a couple dozen in Toronto alone. Meetings have a few dozen in attendance, and each will have different character, so shop around just by showing up. Homepage.

• Check out the Technology Business Networks's Toastmasters Page, where we have reconnaissance information to help you to navigate the various local clubs.
• If you do any research into the groups in the area, please send me whatever information you gather (what the interests of the members are, what the members do, networking potential, if there's a good vibe, et cetera) so I can post it on the Toastmasters Page.
• To join, just show up and pay a small fee.

Social Clubs

Meet Market Adventures

An adventure tour company catering to young single professionals ranging in age from 21 to 35 in Toronto and the surrounding GTA. The company was started last June and has already grown to 8000 members. Homepage.

Uptown Recreation & Social Club (URSC)

This has parties for a mainly corporate crowd, advertising as a chance to 'Network without the Work'. Homepage.

• They maintain a email announcements list, which can be joined by emailing info ursc.com
• There is an Events Page events page.

Finding More Events

The following links provide lists of local online services, which have information on conferences and other events. If you find anything, send it in so that we can compile all of the groups, events, and opportunities on this website.

• The Toronto Board of Trade has a short list of local event directories, for finding trade shows and conferences.