Toronto Networking Events for Entrepreneurs
GTApreneurs BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS TORONTO area
Why attend Business Networking Events in Toronto and the GTA?
Business networking events in Toronto and the GTA, also called Toronto area entrepreneur networking events, are great places to meet potential clients and referral partners and promote your business. Our Toronto and GTA business networking events give you the opportunity to both give an Elevator Pitch about your business and converse with the other event guests to start the relationship-building process.
Notice the word, “relationship.” In order to build a relationship with another guest you need to focus on learning about them by asking questions about themselves and their businesses before talking about yourself. Then, comment positively on what they said and ask follow-up questions.
Also, remember building new relationships and gaining new clients takes time, typically an average of 5-7 touch points, so instead of trying to sell your products and services at our virtual and Toronto business networking events, focus on getting to know the other guests and what they offer; then briefly describe what you do.
Success often comes in the follow-up. Within 24 hours of attending one of our entrepreneur networking events, send those who you believe are in your target market a LinkedIn or Facebook connection request and message, phone call or personalized email message and ask if they would like to meet for a video call to continue your conversation.
We host 4 business networking events every month, typically in this pattern:
1. IN-PERSON networking event in Downtown Toronto – 1st Wednesday of month from 6:00-8:00pm
2. VIRTUAL business networking event – 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12:00pm
2. IN-PERSON event in Newmarket – 3rd Tuesday of month from 5:00-8:00pm. View Newmarket events >>
3. IN-PERSON business networking event in Vaughan or Thornhill (One block north Steeles Ave, Toronto). Usually last Tuesday of the month in the evening at 5:00pm.
*Exceptions:
a. We are sponsoring BizCon Toronto in September 2025. We will be offering discounted tickets to this event and this will take the place of our usual end of month event in September. Details will be posted in July.
b. October 28-2025 is GTApreneurs Annual Business Expo & Conference from 9am-5pm.
Check back here every month to view our upcoming business networking events in Toronto and the GTA and subscribe to our newsletter to get a personal invitation in your inbox. If you subscribe, but, don’t see an email from us, check your junk/spam folder.
We looking forward to meeting you!
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Upcoming
VIRTUAL, GTA AND TORONTO BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS
GTApreneurs June 4 Downtown Toronto Business Networking Event
Wed. June 4, 2025 (6-8pm)
– Includes Guest Contact Sheet
*Note: You must attend the event to receive the guest contact sheet.
Join us for an exciting Business Networking Event in Downtown Toronto on Wednesday, June 4 from 6-8pm! This is a great opportunity to meet potential clients and referral partners.
Venue: Firkin on Yonge
Address: 207 Yonge St, Toronto, ON (Across from CF Eaton Centre)
Transit: 4 minute walk from Queen subway station
Parking: Paid parking under Eaton Centre
TICKETS
Members: Free
Non-members: $12
Meet Sonia Kurmey, the Co-Host for GTApreneurs Toronto Business Networking Events.
She’s a super amazing lady, and proud Arbonne Consultant. She would be happy to meet you to support your business. >>
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GTApreneurs June 11 Virtual Business Networking Event
Come out to meet other amazing business owners who may become your clients or referral partners, learn something new and promote your business!
This event will feature President of GTApreneurs, Tammy Defoe as our featured Speaker. Tammy founded GTApreneurs in 2019 and to date has hosted over 170 business networking events, organized and facilitated 300+ business group meetings, and coached many pre-launch, new and experienced solopreneurs and small business owners to effectively start their new ventures or jump-start their existing businesses. Learn more about her here: gtapreneurs.com/about
Contact Tammy at (416) 522-7770 or
info@gtapreneurs.com or book a video consultation with her here: calendly.com/gtapreneurs
[11:45am-12pm: Pre-event networking]
12:00-12:10pm: GTApreneurs welcoming presentation
12:10-12:30pm: Speaker presentation – Tammy Defoe, “Find how easy it is to grow your business using the P3C method!“
12:30-1:00pm: Elevator Pitches (45 seconds each)
Free
[11:45am-12pm: Pre-event networking]
12:00-12:10pm: GTApreneurs welcoming presentation
12:10-12:30pm: Speaker presentation – Tammy Defoe, “Find how easy it is to grow your business using the P3C method!“
12:30-1:00pm: Elevator Pitches (45 seconds each)
1:00-2:00pm: Breakout rooms (Network 1-1 with other guests)
*Guest Contact Sheet will be emailed to you after the event
*Note: You must attend the event to receive the guest contact sheet.
$10
GTApreneurs Business Networking Event Vaughan
(One block north of Toronto)
Tues June 24, 2025 (5-8pm)
– Includes Food Buffet & Guest Contact Sheet
*Note: You must attend the event to receive the guest contact sheet.
Join us for a fun, educational and productive Business Networking Event where you can meet potential clients and referral partners, learn something new and promote your business!
VENUE: Improve Canada, 2nd floor auditorium
ADDRESS: 7250 Keele St, Vaughan, ON (Between Steeles Ave W. and 407)
PARKING: Free, onsite. Park on the NORTH SIDE of the building.
TICKETS
Members: Free
Non-members: $25 in advance or $27 on event day
How to find the event room
PARK near building entrance O, M or J (North/West sides of the building)
Our EVENTS take place UPSTAIRS on the 2nd FLOOR in the auditorium.
INDOOR DIRECTIONS:
Option 1:
- Go in ENTRANCE “O”
- Walk past the mini-pool
- Make a RIGHT and go straight.
- We are the 6th store on the left side, unit #118.
- Go 1 store past that and on the left you will see a STAIRCASE going up to the second floor
- Walk up the stairs and through the door on the left, then straight ahead
- You will see signs with directions
Option 2:
- Go in ENTRANCE “M”
- Walk straight ahead until you come to the main hallway
- You will see the same staircase going up
Option 3:
- Go in ENTRANCE “J”
- Walk straight ahead, almost half way down the aisle and you will find the west staircase and elevator.
*ELEVATOR ACCESS: At the east-end staircase, go right a few stores (heading west)
**Get a full-year of access to our business networking events, plus a FULL-PAGE AD on our website and more…
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PAST NETWORKING EVENTS
GTApreneurs May 27-2025 Business Networking Event Vaughan - Toronto
BUSINESS NETWORKING TIPS: What are the Secrets to Success?
Some entrepreneurs regularly attend networking events and convert some of those event guests into clients. Other entrepreneurs attend networking events and never get clients. Why is that?
The big secret, which is not an actual secret, is to consider the contact you make with people at a networking event as one “touch,” in a multi-touch sales or business development process. Unless you sell products, other event guests will not buy from you or hire you on the spot at an event, so don’t tell them everything about your business. Instead give a few benefits of your services and suggest you meet for a video call at a later date to learn how you may be able to collaborate.
Before that though, make sure to take the time to get to know the other person. This is important for 3 reasons.
- They will feel like you care.. it will make them like you more.
- You can qualify them – meaning are they qualified to become your clients, based on need, desire, ability to pay and them not having a best friend or family member who offers what you do. This will help you determine if it is worth your time to suggest a one-one-one meeting with them and it will tell them whether it is worth their time to meet with you at a later time.
- You can connect them with others you know, if applicable
- They may send you referrals
How can you get to know the other guests at the event and how can you get them to know you? Talk with them. Say, “Hi, how are you? I’m [Your Name]” It’s an easy conversation starter. They will tell you their name and you can both say, “Nice to meet you.” After that, say or ask something not specifically related to your business or their business to build some rapport. I call these conversation extenders.
There are 2 ways to extend a conversation:
- Make a comment, such that the other person wants to comment or ask about your comment.
- Ask a question.
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Remember always comment POSITIVELY on what the other person says.. DON’T COMPLAIN about anything.. NO ONE wants to hear about anything negative and if you say anything negative, they will not want to have another conversation with you again.. meaning, they WILL NOT become your client.
You only get one chance to make a 1st impression. Make sure that it’s a good one. Leave other people with a feeling that they like you and would be happy to converse with you more in the future.
For example, you could comment on:
a. Weather
b. Something they are wearing or something about them.. i.e. give a compliment (Be genuine)
c. Venue – “This is a beautiful space!”
d. Event – “Wow! There are a lot of people here!”
Or you could ask them:
e. “Have you been to a networking event before?”
f. “Have you been to one of these events before?”
g. “Are you from around here?”
h. “Do you live in the area?” [DO NOT ask, “Where do you live?” It is too personal for some people, especially when its a male asking a female]
i. “Did you see the Jays game last weekend?”
Then say, “Tell me about your business,” comment positively on what they say and ask follow up questions. After you’ve both had a chance to talk, if you determine they are qualified to be your client, suggest that you meet again another time were you can talk about how you can collaborate.
Hopefully they will agree and you can book the meeting then or tell them you will send them an email tomorrow to set something up. If it’s the latter, make sure to SEND THEM THE FOLLOW-UP EMAIL. *Make sure to always send follow-up communication (email, phone or LinkedIn connection request with a note) within 24-48 hours of meeting a prospect or the lead may go cold.
Note, networking events are one of many sales funnels you can use to grow your business, and like other sales funnels, you will never get 100% of those you connect with to say Yes to a meeting and say Yes to becoming your client, and that’s ok. If you can get a meeting booked with around 10-30% of event guests, and you follow a good format in your one-on-one meeting, you will find that networking events are a great way to get new clients. Note, for some types of products and services, people need more time to feel they know and like you. and can trust you to provide high-quality products or services. Also, many people may not be looking for what you are offering at that moment, so come back to our events every month and you will get closer and closer to success.
If you want help with converting event guests into clients, book a video consultation with Tammy Defoe. She would be happy to tell you about her custom coaching and training programs.
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