Small businesses will be celebrated in Cochrane, October 16-22.

National small business week is a national celebration organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to recognize the importance of small businesses within the community.

Bill Popplewell, Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce, says not only is it a great way for small business owners to promote themselves but also an opportunity to network with other owners.

"The business people themselves need to be involved, they need to know their neighbours, they need to support their neighbours, they need to bring their questions and their problems together to find solutions."

Cochrane has a multitude of small businesses, and the Chamber has a couple things planned to celebrate.

"On October 19 we have a Lunch n' Learn this time we have 5 different media groups putting on small presentations on showing the various businesses how to get involved in media, how do you choose what you're going to do, which is the best way, what's the project you're working on? Not just spending money for advertising but determine what results you want to come."

The Chamber is also hosting an evening social on Friday, October 21 at the Cochrane Public Library and MP Blake Richards will be in attendance.

"Blake Richards is one of our special guests for the evening, he would be more than happy to sit down and visit with people one on one, in a social setting. If you have a question I am sure he would like to discuss it with you, at the same time if he doesn't have an answer there I am sure he would be happy to have it on the list and bring you back an answer later."

Both of the Chamber's events are about encouraging collaboration. Looking into the future businesses that network and work together will have a better chance to succeed.

"They do need to get together, they do need to collaborate, they do need to network with each other, they have got to start looking for other people's ideas. There's little ideas that don't cost  a lot of money, but if you invest the time talking and listening; there is a lot to be learned and a lot of little things that will help your business grow even in these economic times."

You can register for the evening social here.