Bridges to Better Business Returns October 29
October 11, 2026Cornwall Ontario – The highly anticipated Bridges to Better Business event, a cornerstone of Small Business Month. This year’s edition, Built on Connection, will take place on Thursday, October 29th, from 7:30AM to 10AM at the South Stormont Hall in Long Sault.
Small Business Week is an important time to highlight the vital role that small businesses play in our community. Small businesses are essential to our local economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to the overall vibrancy of Cornwall, SDG Counties and Akwesasne. This year, the Bridges to Better Business event will focus on community, celebrating the connection between local businesses and the people they serve. When local businesses and residents support one another, they help create strong connections and shared success that keep our region thriving.
Keynote Speaker, Jessie Cardinal
Jessie is the co-owner of Cardinal & Son Wholesale Meats in Cornwall. She and her brother, Andre, are in the driver’s seat of their multi-generational family business that has been in operation since 1960. She graduated from Trent University in 2006 with her bachelor’s in business administration and has been working full-time at the company ever since.
Now in the 3rd generation, Cardinal’s is a vital part of the community, offering high-quality meat and food products while maintaining that old school customer service. Over the last 20 years, the business has seen many changes and faced multiple challenges. Recently, they have opened their doors to the public to extend that “old school” family business shopping experience.
This session will include candid discussions surrounding the challenges of running a small business, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and the importance of customer service and community interactions. Rather than a traditional presentation, the discussion will take place in an interview-style format, encouraging authentic conversation and meaningful insights.
Registration
The Bridges to Better Business event is open to business owners, entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone with an interest in business, innovation, and community growth. The event has sold out!
Event Details
- Thursday, October 29th, from 7:30AM to 10AM
- South Stormont Hall, 2 Mille Roches Road, Long Sault
Agenda
- 7:30am – Doors Open/Registration, Breakfast Buffet Served
- 8:15am – Welcome & Opening Remarks
- 8:30am – Keynote Speaker, Jessie Cardinal
- 9:15am – Information Session #1
- Mireille Lemire, Business Advisor, Cornwall SDG
Business Advisory Centre
- Mireille Lemire, Business Advisor, Cornwall SDG
- 9:30am – Information Session #2
- Angela Bero, Executive Director, Cornwall and Area
Chamber of Commerce
- Angela Bero, Executive Director, Cornwall and Area
- 9:45am – Information Session #3
- Denis Lapierre, Executive Director, ACC Futures
- 10:00am – Thank you/Wrap up