Toronto Networking Events for Entrepreneurs
GTApreneurs BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS TORONTO area
Our business networking events are open to members and non-members. We hope you will join us!
Why attend Business Networking Events in Toronto and the GTA?
usiness 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. Unlike sending cold emails or social media messages to people who may or may not be interested or have time to make new connections or learn about your business, when you attend our business networking events you can meets lots of people who are there to make new connections and do business together. Our guests, who are all independent entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and small business owners are happy to learn about you and your business and have you learn about them and their businesses in return. They understand you, because they are living the same entrepreneur lifestyle as you so you can feel comfortable knowing you will fit in very well.
Join us at these GTApreneurs Toronto Area Business Networking Events every month. (Some date exceptions occur throughout the year)
1. TORONTO: 1st Wednesday from 6:00-8:00pm
2. VIRTUAL: 2nd Wednesday at 12:00pm
3. NEWMARKET: 3rd Tuesday from 5:00-8:00pm.
4. VAUGHAN: Last Tuesday from 5:00-8:00pm
*Exceptions in October:
- BizX Business Expo & Conference during Small Business Week.
Newmarket: None in October
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 by the 2nd week of the month, check your junk/spam folder, then mark the email as “not junk.”
We looking forward to meeting you!
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Upcoming
VIRTUAL, GTA AND TORONTO BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENTS
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GTApreneurs Nov. 5 DOWNTOWN TORONTO Business Networking Event
Wed. Nov. 5, 2025 (6:00-8:00pm)
– Includes Guest Contact Sheet.
Join us for a fantastic Business Networking Event in Downtown Toronto on Wednesday, September 10 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
GTApreneurs Members: Free
Non-members: $12
GTApreneurs Nov. 12 VIRTUAL Business Networking Event
Wed. Nov 12, 2025
Warm-Up Ticket: 12:00-1:00pm or Premium Ticket: 12:00-2:00pm
Join us online for a fun and informative virtual business networking event open to entrepreneurs across Canada and the US, with most based in the GTA. Event takes place over Zoom video call.
Itinerary for both:
- 11:45am-12:00pm: Pre-event networking
- 12:00-12:10pm: GTApreneurs presentation
- 12:10-12:30pm: Bill Bishop, “How to use New Factory Thinking to build the future business of your dreams”
- 12:30-1:00pm: 45-second Elevator Pitches
Premium only: Stay from 1:00-2:00pm for one hour of 1-1 networking in breakout rooms so you can start developing the relationships at the event. You will also get the Guest Contact Sheet.
TICKETS
Warm-Up Ticket: Free for everyone
Premium Ticket: Free for all members or $10 for non-members
Testimonials from some of our event guests, members and other clients...
I connected with so many like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs, and the networking opportunities were invaluable. The organizers did an incredible job curating a space where business owners could share, collaborate, and support one another.
I left feeling inspired, empowered, and more connected to the local business community. Highly recommend GTApreneurs events to anyone looking to grow their network and business in a meaningful way!
Tammy, is always very helpful and supportive to you with great advice for your business along with opportunities like networking as an exhibitor and guest speaker. I personally appreciate the great advice and always open to learning something new everyday.
As an active member, I receive numerous benefits, including discounted or free event access, online training and coaching, and the chance to build lasting relationships with fellow entrepreneurs. The connections I've made through GTApreneurs have been instrumental in growing my business and expanding my network.
A special shout-out to Tammy DeFoe, the incredible president of GTApreneurs! She has built a thriving business dedicated to helping others succeed. Her mentorship has been invaluable to me, providing insights, support, and encouragement that have truly made a difference in my professional growth.
If you're looking to connect, learn, and grow, I highly recommend GTApreneurs!
Thank you, Tammy, for starting your business and bringing us together with so many incredible people at every meeting.
We appreciate you.
Filip & Cynthia
If you enjoy our events, please give us a review by clicking here >> We would really appreciate it!
SAVE BIG ON OUR EVENTS.
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GTApreneurs Nov. 18 NEWMARKET Business Networking Event
Tues. Nov. 18, 2025 (5:00-8:00pm)
– Includes Guest Contact Sheet.
Join us in Newmarket for a fun evening of business networking in a casual setting. Enjoy the nice atmosphere as you get to know the other event guests and tell them about your business.
VENUE: Knights Arms Pub & Grill
ADDRESS: 16925 Yonge St, Newmarket, ON
PARKING: Free, onsite.
TICKETS
GTApreneurs Members: Free
Non-members: $12
GTApreneurs November 25 VAUGHAN Business Networking Event
Tues Nov. 25, 2025 (5:00-8:00pm)
– Includes Food Buffet & 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
GTApreneurs Members: Free
Non-members: $25 in advance or $27 on event day
Nov. 25 Vaughan Event: How to find the event room at Improve Canada
- PARK on the NORTH SIDE of the Building, off of Snidercroft Rd.
- Go in ENTRANCE “M”
- Walk straight ahead until you come to the main hallway
- You will see the same staircase going up. Take the stairs to the 2nd floor. It is the only big event room, so it will be easy for you to find.
*Washrooms are available outside of the event room
*ELEVATOR ACCESS: When you get to the main hallway, turn right and go down a few stores, and you will see it and another staircase on the left.
*For all of our events that include the Guest Contact Sheet, you must attend the event to be included on the sheet and to receive the sheet.
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PAST NETWORKING EVENTS
GTApreneurs Aug 26-2025 Annual Summer Business Networking Party Toronto
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. >>
DISCLAIMERS:
1. By participating in our events, you are giving us permission to capture your presence by photo and video for us to use in our marketing materials to promote our other events.
2. By participating in our events, you are giving us permission to share the following with the other event guests and exhibitors: Your name, professional title, organization name, city, website and LinkedIn URLs (If you enter them when registering for the event). ONLY if you specifically indicate on your registration form that you do give us permission to share your phone number and/or email address with the other events guests, will we share them. If you indicate that you do not give us permission to share your phone number and/or email address, we will not share them. We will never share your full address or any other information.
3. If you don’t attend the event, we will not include your name or other information on the Guest Contact Sheet and we will not give you a copy of the Guest Contact Sheet.
4. Guest Contact sheet is not included with BizX 2025 tickets or exhibitor packages.
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.
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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