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Sept. 9

Toronto Property Tax Incentives - do they help the economy? Recently, the City of Toronto approved property tax incentives to compete with economic growth and job creation in the 905 region. Property tax incentives are applied across the United States as a way to increase the municipal property tax base and encourage economic growth - but do they work? The Toronto Office Coalition commissioned a report on the implications of property tax incentives for Toronto. The author, Dr. Enid Slack, director of the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance at the Munk Centre for International Studies, will address the Economic Club of Toronto, 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel, Meeting Room 3, 145 Richmond St. W. at University Avenue. Visit www.ecot.ca for registration details.

Sept. 10

Networking Breakfast with the Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, part of the RBC Business Owners Program, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Centennial College Residence and Conference Centre, 940 Progress Ave. Registration is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Visit www.bot.com for details and to register.

Sept. 16

The International Council of Shopping Centers Inc. (ICSC) host its New Urbanization Forum: Moving from Now to Wow, at The Carlu, 444 Yonge St. This year's forum brings together Canadian and international industry experts from the owner/developer, investment and retail communities to discuss subjects relating to the changing retail environment and, specifically, the movement in Canada from traditional enclosed shopping centres to new open air and lifestyle centres. Day starts at 8:30 a.m. and goes to 3:30 a.m., with panel discussions, debates and keynote speaker Eric R. Kuhne discussing new archetypes that celebrate the pageantry of civic life that restores health and education to the top of the development agenda. For registration details, contact Kyle Tomlin, senior meeting planner at Canada, ICSC, at 416-486-4511.

Sept. 16

Developing a Million Dollar Idea, an Enterprise Toronto seminar discussing what makes one business idea soar, while others crash, with speaker Roger Pierce; 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Toronto City Hall, Committee Room 4, 100 Queen St. W. Free. Call 416-395-7416, e-mail enterprisetoronto@toronto.ca or visit online at www.enterprisetoronto.com.

Sept. 16

Patent Your Inventions: part of a series of programs offered through the Business Information Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 p.m. Learn how to patent inventions in Canada and the United States, including process, cost and resources. Visit online at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_bus_programs.jsp.

Sept. 16

Navigating the Landscape for Employee Health, with speaker Michael Decter, former chair of the Health Council of Canada, 8 a.m. at the Toronto Board of Trade - Downtown Centre. Assess what is available through the public health system, the emerging legal imperatives to workplace health, case studies on evidence-based workplace intervention, and a clinician's view of evaluating the efficacy of your wellness program. To register or for more information, visit: www.oha.com/navigating.

Sept. 18

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto extends an invitation to attend a European Business Club (EBC) networking opportunity, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Toronto Board of Trade, First Canadian Place. This month's EBD is organized by the Belgian Canadian Business Chamber. There will be food stations and door prizes; admission is $22 online at www.eucocit.com or $25 at the door. For details, e-mail info@eucocit.com.

Sept. 18

Capital Projects in Emerging Markets, presented by the Canada-Arab Business Council in co-operation with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canada Pakistan Business Council, at the Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd. To register, contact Rick Mann at the Canada Arab Business Council at 416-362-0050 or info@canada-arabbusiness.org or Andy Merchant at the Canada Pakistan Business Council at 905-673-8281 or cpbc@rogers.com. For details on exhibiting or sponsorships, contact Barbara Vink at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade at 416-325-6514 or barbara.vink@ontario.ca.

Sept. 18

The Retail Loss Prevention Conference brings together more than 300 retailers and loss prevention experts to share experiences and the latest techniques for protecting retail resources. The theme of this year's conference is Creating Connections, and will focus on strengthening relationships between the retail industry, law enforcement, governments, and the community. The conference takes place at the Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd. The cost for Retail Council of Canada members is $330 and for non-members is $440. Visit online at www.retailcouncil.org/events/lp/ for details and to register.

Sept. 19

Networking Breakfast with the North York Chamber of Commerce, a part of the RBC Business Owners Program, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at The Wyndham Garden Hotel, 185 Yorkland Blvd. Registration is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Visit www.bot.com for details and to register.

Sept. 23

Getting a Professional Engineering Licence in Ontario: part of a series of programs offered through the Business Information Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 p.m. Learn about the requirements and how to obtain a professional engineering licence. Visit online at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_bus_programs.jsp.

Sept. 24

Society of Industrial and Office Realtor's 43rd annual fall seminar, 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Grand, CNE grounds, with guest lecturer Michael J. Lipsey, president of The Lipsey Company, a leader in training and consulting for the commercial real estate industry. For details and to register, visit the SIOR website at www.siorcanada.com.

Sept. 30

Competitive Pricing of your Product or Service, an Enterprise Toronto seminar on how to decide on a price for your product or service, and when to change that price. Review a case study to illustrate certain pricing options, and including specific recommendations for pricing consulting services, with speaker Brenda Bamber; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Toronto City Hall, Committee Room 4, 100 Queen St. W. Free. Call 416-395-7416, e-mail enterprisetoronto@toronto.ca or visit online at www.enterprisetoronto.com.

Oct. 1

Leveraging PR and marketing to build your business: part of a series of programs offered through the Business Information Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 to 8 p.m. Key steps in establishing a presence for your business and positioning business products and services. Both offline and Internet-based tactics are presented. Visit online at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_bus_programs.jsp.

Oct. 1

Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast, apart of the RBC Business Owners Program, with guest speaker Joel Martin, product manager, Microsoft Canada, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Strate's Restaurant, 365 Evans Ave. at Kipling. Registration is $14.86 for members, $19.81 for non-members. Visit www.bot.com for details and to register.

Oct. 3

Transportation Breakfast at the Toronto Board of Trade, downtown Centre, with Rob MacIsaac, chair of Metrolinx, introducing the Metrolinx Draft Regional Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy. The plan will unveil a multi-faceted approach to transportation planning, implementation and investment by recommending transformational changes in our transportation infrastructure and our attitudes and choices for travelling; 7:30 to 9 a.m. Cost is $55 for board of trade members, $75 for non-member, tables available. Visit www.bot.com for details and to register.

Oct. 7

Retail Council of Canada presents a loss prevention workshop for store managers, regional operations, investigators, and owner/operators, featuring loss prevention expert Randy Nelson, president of Pro Active Measures. Attendees will learn how to understand inventory shrink; recognize potential vulnerabilities; look at internal corruption and the different types of external threats. The workshop will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Registration fees are $100 for retail council members and $150 for non-members. For detail, e-mail events@retailcouncil.org or visit online at www.retailcouncil.org/events/.

Oct. 8

Business Plans for a Small Business: part of a series of programs offered through the Business Information Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 to 8 p.m. A good business plan is a key to success when starting a business. Learn the steps in developing a good business plan. Visit online at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_bus_programs.jsp.

Oct. 9

TELUS and the Toronto Board of Trade host a panel discussion in honour of Small Business Month, bringing together one of Canada's top business celebrities from CBC's hit reality show Dragons' Den, a business visionary, and a successful local tech start-up entrepreneur, to discuss the trends and challenges facing the small business market today; 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Toronto Board of Trade - Downtown Centre. Panelists include Arlene Dickinson, star of Dragons' Den; Tony Lourakis, president and CEO, Complete Innovations Inc.; and Dan Golberg, VP TELUS Small Business Solutions; Hosted and moderated by Carol Wilding, president and CEO, Toronto Board of Trade. This event will focus on how Canadian entrepreneurs can reach the next stage of success by learning from successful Canadian enterprise leaders. Attendees can also tour the newly renovated Business Centre, including a demonstration of the new state-of-the-art technology that can now be accessed by local businesses at the Toronto Board of Trade. Cost is $55 for members, $75 for non-members. Visit www.bot.com for details and to register.

Oct. 20

Summit on Corporate Social Responsibility, organized by Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. This year's theme is Linking Stakeholders to the Bottom Line, and will focus on how Canada's top companies are adapting to the changing needs of key stakeholders, and how these parties are changing the face of corporate responsibility. Many of Canada's leading executives and experts will discuss trends and issues relating to supply chain and product stewardship, environment and climate change, employee engagement, community investment and shareholders. Summit will take pace at the Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Rd. Registration is at 7:45 a.m. and the day goes until 5 p.m. For details and to register, contact Wesley Gee, conference director, at wesley@cbsr.ca or visit www.cbsr.ca.

Oct. 15

Buying a Business or a Franchise: part of a series of programs offered through the Business Information Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, 789 Yonge St., 6:30 to 8 p.m. Factors to consider when buying a business include location, the company owner, the company's financial statements, and conditions of buying a franchise. Visit online at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/uni_bus_programs.jsp.

Oct. 26 and 27

Grocery Innovations Canada 2008 provides retailers and manufacturers with an opportunity to connect with each other and conduct business. There are new products to discover, interesting trends emerging and innovative ideas - all key for retailers to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive and consumer demanding marketplace. The event will feature more than 500 exhibit booths, conference speakers such as Galen G. Weston and Tom Peters and will bring together more than 6,000 industry professionals at the Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd. in Etobicoke. Grocery Innovations Canada is presented by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. For details and registration information, visit www.groceryinnovations.com.

Ongoing

Business Innovation Group - BIG - a networking organization promoting ideas for Business Professionals. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just starting out, BIG has something to help you grow your business. Toronto chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month, 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at David Duncan House, 125 Moatfield Dr., Don Mills and York Mills roads, $22 for members, $27 for non-members; Downtown chapter meets the third Wednesday of each month for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., members $25 prepaid, $35 cash at the door, guests $30 prepaid, $40 cash at the door; Scarborough North chapter meets the third Thursday of each month, noon to 2 p.m. at Kally's Restaurant, 430 Nugget Ave., off Markham Road, north of Sheppard Avenue, $15 for members, $20 for guests. There are no regular BIG meetings in December. Visit www.bignetworking.ca for more information.

Midtown Business Alliance, a marketing association and networking group, meets Tuesdays, 8 a.m., Meggie's Restaurant, 174 Eglinton Ave. W. Call Margaret Lindsay at 416-930-4288.

Internationally Educated Professionals, upgrade language, technical skills, employment preparation, paid internships. Skills for Change, 791 St. Clair Ave. W. Call 416-658-3101.

Don Mills Networking Group meets the third Thursday of every month at Anthony's Grill, 1090 Don Mills Rd., 9 to 10 a.m. No membership fee, food and beverage at the cost of the member. E-mail donmillsnetworking@gmail.com.

Referral Quest Beaches, marketing association and networking group, Thursdays, 7:30 a.m., Beachside Grill, 1922 Queen St. E. Call Graeme McPhaden at 416-992-7954.

Mini computer sessions, Riverdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave. Learn how to use a mouse, search the Internet, register for free e-mail and more. Classes also available in Cantonese and Mandarin. Call 416-393-7720 for dates and times.

Free career and employment services for women, including assessments for skilled trades and apprenticeship. Individual and group setting available. Two Scarborough locations. Call 416-283-5229 for more information.

The Business Breakfast Networking Club, Scarborough chapter, meets Wednesdays, Golden Griddle Family Restaurant, 10 Milner Ave., 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Call 416-261-9388.

Scarborough Investment Club, meets the third Tuesday of every month to learn, discuss and invest in the stock market, $25 per month, YMCA, 230 Town Centre Ct., 6:30 p.m. Call 416-759-1219.