Sarnia, ON – The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) will host the Legacy & Leadership Summit: Building Stronger Businesses & Transitioning for Tomorrow on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Point Edward. The event is being held in celebration of Business Week, recognizing the important role that businesses play in driving economic growth and strengthening our communities.
Made possible through the generous sponsorship of Coldwell Banker Southwest Realty, the half-day summit is designed to be thought-provoking, bringing together local business owners, industry experts, and community leaders to explore strategies for growth, resilience, and long-term planning. The event will serve as a starting point for deeper conversations about building a lasting legacy, strengthening local communities, and preparing for the future.
Keynote speaker Emily Branton, founder of Boss & Buddha, will share personal and professional insights on the emotional and practical elements of preparing for major business changes, including protecting what you built, navigating leadership transitions, and choosing the right path forward. She will share her journey of starting and scaling two high-growth companies before leading them to successful acquisitions, offering real-world strategies to help business owners navigate change with confidence and purpose.
The content-packed program will also feature a Strategic Growth Panel moderated by keynote speaker Emily Branton and SLEP Economic Development Officer Chantelle Core, with panellists from Great Lakes Law, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, the Ontario Centre of Innovation, and experts from the private sector. Other highlights include a session on defining and preserving a business legacy with Firefly Insights, a discussion on strengthening local economies through employee ownership with Common Shares and Employee Ownership Canada, and a presentation on practical support at every stage of business growth from the Business Development Bank of Canada.
"Strong businesses make strong communities, and planning for both their now and their future is essential to sustaining the Sarnia-Lambton economy," said Matthew Slotwinski, CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. "Through our Business Retention and Expansion efforts, we hear from owners about their priorities, challenges, and opportunities. This summit is an opportunity to bring those thoughtful discussions into a shared space, connecting owners with the tools, knowledge, and networks that can help them strengthen their businesses today while positioning for tomorrow. Whether that future involves expansion, leadership changes, or new ownership, these conversations are vital to keeping our local economy strong."
Chantelle Core said the summit aims to spark the kinds of conversations that lead to action. "Business owners are increasingly recognizing the importance of long-term planning and strategy for growth and inevitable transitions. We are also seeing strong interest from people looking to buy businesses and more employees exploring opportunities to transition into ownership to continue the legacies that were built before them. Planning and being aware of the options available is critical to sustaining our business base, supporting growth, and ensuring Sarnia-Lambton remains a place where businesses can succeed for decades to come."
The summit will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with breakfast and networking included. Registration is free, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Southwest Realty. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/events/legacy-leadership-summit
About the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the Sarnia-Lambton area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we focus on promoting the distinct advantages Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and maintaining a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the Sarnia-Lambton area.
For Media Inquiries:
Arianne Garcia
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
(519) 332 1820 ext 225
arianne@sarnialambton.on.ca
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