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Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum 2026
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Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum 2026
Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum
Join us in person at the Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum: Elevating Neighbourhood Markets. Fueling Small Businesses, on Weds. July 8th, 2026, at St. Lawrence Hall.
This free full-day event brings together Toronto’s market operators, community leaders, small business owners, and sector organizations. Join us to collaborate, share best practices, and access resources and networking to strengthen public markets and support inclusive local economies.
Join us for the in person Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum: Elevating Neighbourhood Markets. Fueling Small Businesses.
Hosted by the Toronto Small Business Enterprise Centre, in partnership with St. Lawrence Market and marketcityTO, the Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum is a dynamic full-day event connecting Toronto’s market operators, community leaders, small business owners and organizations working in the sector.
Gain practical insights from industry leaders, join interactive breakout sessions led by grassroots innovators, and connect through facilitated networking. The dynamic two-part opening plenary will energize the day, while the forum spotlights grants, business support programs, and valuable mentorship opportunities. In part one, community leaders offer the latest insights on opportunities, challenges, and trends in the sector. In part two, the City of Toronto presents a Roadmap to Strengthen the Public Markets Sector.
For accommodation requests, email etoronto@toronto.ca at least 4 weeks before the event date.
Start your day with coffee, tea, and morning treats from a curated selection of market vendors.
For lunch at St. Lawrence Market, enjoy a complimentary meal from South Market’s prepared-food vendors. Use your Mrkt Voucher to sample a variety of fresh, local flavours.
We're aiming for a zero waste event. Please bring your reusable water bottle and lanyard from previous events. If you don't have a lanyard, no worries—a basket with assorted lanyards will be available on site.
To attend, please register for this event via the Eventbrite page HERE
Program at a Glance | ||
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Registration, Refreshments & Networking | ||
Morning Program 9:00 AM - 12:35 PM | Land Acknowledgement & African Ancestral Acknowledgement | |
Welcome | ||
Opening Remarks | ||
Opening Plenary | Public Markets Round Up! by marketcityTO Roadmap to Strengthen the Public Markets Sector | |
Panel Discussions | Panel 1: Public Markets in the Current Climate Panel 2: Market Managers & Vendors: Collaborating for Success | |
12:35 PM to 1:45 PM Lunch: Market Bucks Program at St. Lawrence District South Market | ||
Afternoon Program 1:45 PM - 4:15 PM | Breakout Sessions | Session 1: Supporting Small Business Success at Public Markets Session 2: Leveraging Technology to Benefit Markets & Businesses Session 3: Policies that Enable Thriving Markets! Session 4: Marketing your Market: Creating Community Engagement Round Table Conversations |
Market Bingo and Market Vendor Snacks | ||
Closing Remarks & Next Steps | ||
4:30 PM onwards | Social Event | |
Full Day Program and Sessions
Land acknowledgement and African Ancestral Acknowledgement
Welcome
Opening Remarks
Opening Plenary
Part 1: Public Markets Round Up by marketcityTO
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Overview: Since the 11th International Public Market Conference in 2023, the public market ecosystem has seen growth and transformation. Join this dynamic round-up as top sector leaders reveal breakthrough insights and spotlight game-changing initiatives. Get inspired and energized to join the movement for a stronger, more vibrant public market sector!
Speakers:
Kyla Schwarz-Lam, Project Lead, marketcityTO | Website
Part 2: Roadmap to Strengthen the Public Markets Sector
Time: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Overview: Get ready for an exciting opening plenary— from Grassroots Action to City Policy! Join Marina Queirolo, Economic Development Officer for the City of Toronto, as she unveils the journey behind the Action Plan, shares upcoming milestones, and highlights ways the public market sector can get involved in this groundbreaking initiative.
Speakers:
Marina Queirolo, Economic Development Officer, City of Toronto | LinkedIn
Panel Discussions
Panel 1: Public Markets in the Current Climate
Time: 10:55 AM - 11:40 AM
Overview: The current climate is complex! US tariffs, political unrest, economic uncertainty, rising food costs, loneliness epidemic, and extreme weather all threaten small businesses and regional resilience. Despite challenges, public markets continue to adapt and remain places that residents love and beacons for local small businesses to have opportunities. In this session, industry leaders will share practical solutions and inspiring stories of community resilience. Discover how public markets drive economic opportunity, foster connection, and create vibrant spaces that help our communities grow stronger—no matter the climate.
Facilitator:
Melanie Anderson, Executive Director, Farmers' Markets Ontario | LinkedIn
Speakers:
Lesley Vaage, Manager Economic Development, City of Toronto | LinkedIn
Nicole Jacobs, Market Manager, Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market | Website
Mireya Forero, Community Markets Support Manager, FoodShare Toronto | LinkedIn | Website
Melissa Podner, Co-Founder, Three Sisters Indigenous Craft Market | Website
Aaron Vansintjan, Policy Lead, Food Secure Canada | Website
Panel 2: Market Managers & Vendors: Collaborating for Success
Time: 11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
Overview: Strong collaboration between market managers and vendors—and among vendors themselves—is essential for vibrant public markets. This panel brings both groups together to break down barriers, encourage “co-petition” (collaborative competition), and spark honest conversations. The focus is on building trust and strengthening partnerships to boost small businesses and overall market success.
Facilitator:
Carolyn Wong, Founder and Manager of Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market | Website
Speakers:
Carole Ferrari, Founder of Motherdough Mill & Bakery | Instagram
Mathieu McFadden, General Manager and Director of Sales of ChocoSol Traders | Website
Sabina Ali, Executive Director at Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee and Manager of Thorncliffe Community Market | LinkedIn | Website
Kealan Sullivan, Founder of Hippie Market & Sunday Variety at St. Lawrence Market | Website
Breakout Sessions
Session 1: Supporting Small Business Success at Public Markets
Time: 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Overview: Moderated by the City of Toronto (SBO), this session spotlights three business incubators and shares strategies for market managers to support business success and enable vibrant public markets.
Facilitator:
Jith Dravin, Small Business Consultant, City of Toronto
Presenters:
Session 2: Leveraging Technology to Benefit Markets & Businesses
Time: 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Overview: AI is everywhere—sometimes helpful, sometimes challenging for market managers. As community leaders and vendors adapt to new technology, this session will discuss how digital tools can streamline operations, save costs, strengthen connections, and increase impact.
Facilitator:
Nick Grosskleg, Director, SMB Sales East, Rogers Business | LinkedIn
Presenters:
Session 3: Policies that Enable Thriving Markets!
Time: 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Overview: Join a candid discussion among market leaders, researchers, vendors, and not-for-profit leaders on the types of policies that enable thriving markets.
Facilitator:
Marina Queirolo, Economic Development Officer, City of Toronto | LinkedIn
Presenters:
Sarah Heynen, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Food & Ecology | LinkedIn | Website
Caitlin Scott, Professor and Program Coordinator, George Brown Polytechnic | LinkedIn
Lori Beazer, Founder of Afro-Caribbean Farmers' Market | LinkedIn | Website
Odysseas Gounalakis, Owner of Scheffler's Delicatessen & Cheese | Website
Session 4: Marketing your Market: Creating Community Engagement
Time: 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Overview: In this hands-on workshop, two experienced market managers will share practical approaches to promote your markets, emphasizing purpose-driven messaging, storytelling, and strategies to boost vendor and small business engagement.
Facilitators:
Session 5: Round Table Conversations
Time: 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Overview: Have a topic you’re eager to explore or inspired by a session you want to dive deeper into? Round Table Conversations offers a dynamic, open space for action-driven market managers or business owners to spark discussions. Grab a paper, propose a topic, and connect with others ready to collaborate. We’ll capture emerging ideas—fueling future projects and innovation.
Networking and Closing Remarks
Market Bingo:
Time: 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
A lively, facilitated networking session designed to spark connections among market operators, small businesses, City staff, and more.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps:
Time: 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM
After a full day, marketcityTO and City of Toronto leaders will share key reflections and outline next steps as we continue working together to strengthen Toronto’s Public Markets Sector.
Sponsors:
Funders:
Partners:
