Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum 2026

Presented in partnership with marketcityTO, the City of Toronto's Public Markets Entrepreneurship Forum is a must-attend event for market operators and small business owners.

Connect with vendors, market operators, managers, and small businesses to share best practices, discover new retail opportunities, and learn what it takes to run a thriving business in a public market. This is your chance to get practical insights from industry leaders, build sector-wide connections, and gain the skills you need to elevate your neighbourhood market or small business.

As the first event of its kind, we are focused on building the public market sector and strengthening the connections between market managers, local vendors and small businesses.

This event is designed to give market operators and small businesses the tools they need to succeed, including:

• Gain actionable insights and best practices from industry leaders to help grow your business and thrive in public markets.
• Explore effective management techniques and innovative approaches to support vendors and enhance overall market experience.
• Foster collaboration across sectors to create new partnerships and drive sustainable economic growth.
• Learn about initiatives from the City of Toronto that supports small businesses and public markets.

Get inspired by thought-provoking panels, take part in breakout sessions led by grassroots innovators, and join a facilitated networking session connecting current market managers with small businesses. Each experience is designed to help you, your neighbourhood market, and the businesses within it thrive.

Plus, learn about the new Public Markets Action Plan, available grants, business support programs, and mentorship opportunities to give your market or business a boost this season.

If you require accommodation, please notify us by email at least 4 weeks before the event date at [email protected]. To cancel the accommodation, we require 5 business days' notice before the event date.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Info: Breakout sessions will focus on four key areas designed to strengthen and grow public markets: supporting small business success, leveraging technological tools for both markets and vendors, advancing policies that enable thriving market environments, and enhancing marketing strategies to build stronger community engagement.

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Host or Publisher Enterprise Toronto