Surrey – SEPTEMBER 22 UPDATE – Google kicked off its national Grow with Google tour in Surrey today at the City Centre Library. The one-day event came to Surrey to advance economic opportunity through digital skills training to help small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals grow their skills, careers and businesses.
Surrey was selected as the first event on the national Grow with Google tour due to the exciting business growth and educational momentum the city is experiencing. Nearly 300 local businesses, entrepreneurs and skill seekers attended the event, including local politicians John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, Minister Bruce Ralston, Jobs, Trade and Technology, Government of British Columbia, and Acting Mayor of Surrey, Mike Starchuk. Throughout the day, attendees took part in three workshops, one-on-one sessions, demos and various discussions highlighting the local small business community. Topics covered included introductory search engine marketing, website analytics and optimizing Google Search and Maps to drive business growth.
The Grow with Google tour is part of a larger initiative aimed at providing Canadians with access to digital skills training through online tools, resources and cross-country events. Earlier this week, Google announced $2 million in grants as part of the Grow with Google initiative. The grants will be used to provide access to digital skills training through a national partnership with Canada Learning Code, as well as the facilitation of Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate, an online program that helps Canadians become ready for an entry-level job in IT support in about eight months.
Google partnered with a number of local community partners to make today’s event happen, including City of Surrey: Business & Economic Development, Surrey Board of Trade, Downtown Surrey Business, Improvement Association, Mosaic BC, South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce, Progressive Intercultural Community, Services Society, League of Innovators, Canada Learning Code, and Futurpreneur Canada.
“Today’s event is really just the beginning,” says Eric Morris, Director of Retail Services, Google Canada. “The commitment to growth that we saw here today from Surrey residents was astounding, and we encourage everyone to continue learning. Through Grow with Google, our support and resources extend well beyond this day through our local partners and accessible digital hub.”
ORIGINAL STORY – SEPTEMBER 21 – On Friday, the Grow with Google tour is coming to Surrey, as part of its larger initiative to help Canadians create economic opportunity through digital skills training across the country. Surrey marks the first city on the Canadian Grow with Google tour.
Google will host a free, one-day event at the City Centre Library from 10am to 5pm on Friday, September 21st.
The event will feature three different Google-led workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, hands-on help, and community partner booths for the 300 anticipated attendees.
The workshops will provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools needed to get their businesses online, including setting up a Google My Business profile to get found on search and maps, online marketing, and website analytics.
