The fourth annual Women in Business Expo will take place on March 8 at the Best Western Brantford Hotel & Conference Centre, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders from across the region.
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 19 Holiday Drive, the event coincides with International Women’s Day and aims to highlight women-led businesses from Brantford, Brant County, Norfolk County, and neighbouring communities.
The free, day-long event will feature a trade show with more than 50 vendors, guest speaker sessions throughout the day, prize giveaways, a photo booth, and swag bags for the first 100 attendees.
Founder and organizer Samantha Gernhart said the expo has grown steadily since its launch four years ago and has become a regular gathering for the local business community.
“Now in its fourth year, the event has really established itself as a must-attend gathering for the local business community,” Gernhart said. “Every year we see strong interest from vendors, sponsors and attendees, and the energy continues to build.”
According to Gernhart, the event is designed to showcase the achievements of women in business while creating opportunities for networking and professional growth.
“The Women in Business Expo is all about learning from one another, showcasing the incredible women in our community, and creating meaningful connections,” she said.
The program includes six speaker sessions covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship and marketing to leadership and personal development.
Speakers scheduled throughout the day include Samantha Gernhart, Danielle Simpson, Mandy Samwell, Sophia White, Sarah O’Neil and Denise Lowe.
Organizers have also partnered with Community Resource Service, Brantford Food Bank as the event’s non-profit sponsor.
Because admission is free, attendees are encouraged to support the organization by bringing donations of non-perishable food or household items. Cash, credit, and debit donations will also be accepted at the event.
Gernhart said integrating a charitable component reflects the expo’s broader focus on community support.
“Since we do not charge admission, we wanted to find a meaningful way for the local community to benefit from the expo,” she said.
“By encouraging donations, we hope to make a tangible impact for families who rely on the Food Bank.”
Organizers expect hundreds of attendees over the course of the day.
For Gernhart, the measure of success is both practical and personal.
“From an event planning perspective, success means everything runs smoothly. But ultimately, success is seeing people leave inspired, uplifted and excited to come back for the fifth edition” she said.
The event is open to the public and does not require pre-registration, although organizers say registering in advance helps them estimate attendance.
