Dedicated Support
Our Economic Development Team is available to offer assistance navigating ongoing recovery support by the Federal and Provincial governments. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for our contact information.
Alerts
COVID-19 Business Resources
Government of Alberta Support for Businesses
The Government of Alberta provides COVID-19 related information and guidance on their website.
Alberta Biz Connect provides workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 to reopen and resume operations safely.
We also recommend visiting the Government of Alberta news page often for current announcements on business and sector-related programs and services.
Government of Canada Support for Businesses
The Government of Canada provides COVID-19 related information and guidance on their website.
Financial and economic support for businesses provides information about access to financial supports and guidance for businesses.
Canada Small Business Financing Program provides small businesses easier access to get loans from financial institutions.
Business Benefits Finder provides a tailored process to address what fits the business situation and can help the business grow.
Local Support
The Town of Okotoks Economic Development department is a single point of contact for Okotoks’ local business owners to:
- Get information about re-opening protocols and business support programs
- Learn about Town initiatives to support businesses
- Learn what Town services for businesses are currently up-and-running
- Make suggestions to the Town about local business and the economy
- Respond to requests for information and assistance
Mental Health
Resources to support business owners
Tactics for Maintaining Mental Fitness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Website
The Okotoks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem sponsored a series of FREE webinars for local entrepreneurs and businesses, along with anyone else who may need a little extra support during this time. Each topic will kick off on Thursdays with an educational webinar followed by a deeper dive training the following Tuesday on the same topic.
Topic Educational Webinar Deep-dive Training The Grief Response and Leading People through it Recorded webinar Recorded webinar Leadership through trauma and team- building tactics in crisis recorded video recorded webinar Communication skills in crisis Recorded Webinar Recorded Webinar Business resilience and supporting team mental health Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Maintaining creativity and innovation in crisis Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Tough conversations Recorded webinar Recorded Webinar Teaching team mental health and self-care strategies in crisis Recorded webinar June 2
Free Training and Webinars
Recorded online training and seminars to support businesses with recovery and future success
Calgary Chamber Webinars
The Calgary Chamber has created the following webinars to support businesses. Each one is less than an hour long and these are and can be viewed anytime:
HR Resource webinar - a Business to Business conversation: Link
Workshare and Remote Working: Link
Leadership through a crisis: Link
Mental Health and Resiliency for your employees: Link
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Recorded Webinars - note a zoom account will be required to view webinars.
Business Finance and tax: Intermediate
Finance and tax topics can often seem like another language but understanding them is necessary to the success of your business. This workshop is appropriate for owners who have some experience with finance and tax and are interested to take the next steps in your business. Those who have completed our “Business Finance and Tax: Introduction” seminar may also be interested to continue with these intermediate topics.
Recorded Webinar
Introduction to e-commerce through Shopify
E-commerce isn't easy. How do you get your products online? How will you build an online brand? How are you going to drive traffic and sales? This workshop will teach you about selling online through Shopify and how the multichannel ecosystem works. It’s an opportunity to learn the basics of online brand strategy, as well as how to find the right customers through effective digital marketing. This workshop covers everything you need to know to get your first sale online!
Recorded Webinar
Managing Cash flow in a Crisis
Business Link presenter Mark Shields.
Recorded webinar
A guide to successful email marketing for small business
Understand the steps to plan an effective email marketing strategy, to build campaigns that engage your target audience via their inbox, and to ultimately grow your business. Pre-registration is required
Recorded webinar
Digital communications in the age of OVID-19 (webinar)
In the era of physical distancing, communicating with customers has taken on a whole new importance – and challenge. Customers we previously interacted with in-person have moved online, and now all communication must flow through digital channels.
Pre-registration required.Recorded webinar
Get your store online in changing times - recorded webinar
Saved Webinar
During this time of social distancing and store closures, it is crucial now more than ever to have an online presence to still engage with customers and continue to grow your business. This webinar focused on building the basics of your Shopify store! This workshop helped businesses start from the very beginning, from creating Shopify stores and Account Settings to setting up a Payment Provider (how to get paid!)
How to dominate the first page of Google without paying for ads
SAVED WEBINAR
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Managing the impact on global supply chains
This on-demand webinar is being offered by Economic Development Canada for participants to learn how the coronavirus is affecting global trade and how your company can be protected.
Remote working Tips and Tricks
If you missed the remote working teleconference hosted by Lethbridge Telconnect. You can still watch the recorded session. Recorded webinar link
Destination Canada
Destination Canada provides intelligence, tools and resources that help the Canadian tourism industry reach international markets. Check their web site for tools and resources, and coronavirus updates.
Website
Webinars
April 1 - watch the recorded conversation with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages; Ben Cowan-Dewar, Chair of the Board, Destination Canada; and Charlotte Bell, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Recorded Webinar
Travel Alberta
Travel Alberta has been hosting a number of webinars to support businesses in the tourism industry:
Recorded webinars:
Communicating with your customers during a crisis
webinar