Caledon Chamber of Commerce to host 2025 Fall Business Summit

October 23, 2025 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) will present this year’s 2025 Fall Business Summit on October 29, with themes of growth, economy, and Artificial Intelligence.

With a day full of guest speakers and networking opportunities, this year’s summit aims to strengthen local business resilience.

Marion Upshall, President at Caledon Chamber of Commerce, says that with the ever-evolving community in Caledon, growing to a population base of 300,000 and 125,00 jobs in 26 years, they aim to be ready and prepared for it.

Mayor Annette Groves will be one of the guest speakers at the summit, speaking about growth in Caledon.

Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca, will also be in attendance and will be speaking about growth as well, in relation to the Region.

The Keynote Speaker will be Daniel Tisch of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Upshall shares that Tisch has been extremely involved with the Province, as well as the federal government, as they navigate tariff issues.

“That whole economic landscape has been a rollercoaster ride. It’s continuously evolving, but at the same time, we need to hear where we stand at this point. Each time I speak to businesses, it does not matter the size, that same feeling of uncertainty is forever at the back of everyone’s minds,” says Upshall. “It’s important that we get these three levels discussing with our business community as how we’re dealing with everything, how the growth is coming along, etc.”

The other theme for the summit this year is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Ready, Set, AI, presented by Dr. Kelly O’Neill and Ken Morris, will explore not only the concept of AI but also its potential to unlock business opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

It will also explore how AI can enhance local business resilience and drive growth.

“Many people look at AI and still get a little nervous about it; they will walk us through how AI can support the growth of their businesses,” says Upshall.

Upshall says that with the messaging shared alone, businesses should look forward to attending this event and leave feeling supported.

“Having the support and confidence to continue moving forward, and not have this uncertainty continuously at the back of their mind.”

Upshall emphasizes the importance of these summits for the business community.

“They come to us when they need support,” says Upshall. “We have to provide them with the message as to what’s coming down the pipeline as we continue to grow over the next 26 years. It’s so important for us to support them in many ways.”

Upshall says this will be one of the best business summits held to date, as well as one of the most important ones.

“Based on where our uncertainty is right now, I think it’s one of the most important ones to attend.”

The day will conclude with the Business Excellence Awards, an event that hasn’t been offered through the CCC since 2017.

Upshall says that it’s an exciting opportunity to reintroduce the awards and “bring them back to life.”

“It’s a great achievement to receive such an award, and it’s recognition for their [businesses] hard work. For so many businesses, the rollercoaster rides that they have been on since COVID [have] not stopped. Those that are remaining in business and are working very hard, it’s nice to be able to recognize them.”

Tickets must be pre-purchased in advance and are available at caledonchamberofcommerce.ca/business-summit.

The cost is $75 plus HST for members and $100 plus HST for non-members.