by Karina Hunter

Stephanie Ash, founder & CEO of Firedog Communications

The Township of Manitouwadge Economic Development department is extending an invitation to local businesses of all sizes, from large corporations to part-time home based businesses and everything in between, to come together for a networking breakfast, featuring Guest Speaker Stephanie Ash.  Scheduled for early December, the breakfast will also serve as a brainstorming session to establish the level of interest among professionals in the community regarding the formation of a Business Association (also referred to as Chamber of Commerce); Manitouwadge has not had a formal conglomeration of business owners
advocating on behalf of the business community for a significant number of years. 

Guest Speaker, Stephanie Ash founder of Firedog Communications Inc., will be sharing ideas regarding how businesses can stretch their advertising dollars, with a short presentation titled “Marketing on a shoestring budget”. Ash has worked in public relations and marketing in Marseille, France, London, England and Sydney, Australia; EDO Dave Raymond seized the opportunity to welcome her as a guest speaker; Ash’s last presentation in Manitouwadge which focused on Customer Service was well attended receiving much positive feedback. Topics to be covered will include information on advertising locally, nationally and internationally and education regarding how to best use media and social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter to market your business. 

Raymond was quite enthusiastic about the potential for growth within Manitouwadge should local businesses choose to rally together to promote collective business interests. The breakfast date has yet to be finalized, visit www.manitouwadge.ca or check upcoming Forecaster for details. 

Submitted to The Echo 11.06.09