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Business owners in Peterborough City and County are encouraged to attend Bridging the Divide: Future-Proofing Your Business Against U.S. Tariffs, a free event aimed at helping local businesses manage the impacts of shifting trade policies.
Hosted by Community Futures Peterborough, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Association, the event will take place on Tuesday, March 4th, at Market Hall. Doors open at 8:00 a.m., offering networking opportunities over food and drinks before programming begins at 8:30 a.m.
The event will feature a panel discussion focusing on the effects of U.S. tariffs, changing consumer buying habits, and strategies to mitigate risks in trade and supply chain management.
“The impact of U.S. tariffs is being felt across our region, and business owners are facing new challenges that require immediate attention,” said Devon Girard, executive director of Community Futures Peterborough. “We recognized the urgency of this issue and felt it was essential to bring together experts in trade, supply chain management, and finance to provide actionable insights.”
Opening remarks will be delivered by Girard, Joel Wiebe of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, and County of Peterborough Warden Bonnie Clark. Panelists include Bob Armstrong, president of Armstrong Trade and Logistics Advisory Services; Andrea Parkes, a supply chain professor at Fleming College; and Sherry Hill, CFO of Peterboro Matboards and secretary of the Kawartha Manufacturers Association.
Armstrong, a keynote speaker, brings over 50 years of experience in global supply chain management, trade, and logistics. He has led international trade missions and held leadership roles in industry associations.
“Canada’s supply chains are critical to our country’s economic success but are under constant upheaval,” Armstrong said. “Will we see a new, larger flow of goods across Canada, or will our trade relationships shift towards the Far East and the EU? These are the questions businesses must consider.”
With Peterborough exporting more than $580 million in goods to the U.S., Wiebe emphasized the importance of strategic planning. “Our local economy is disrupted,” he said. “This is an opportunity to address the risks in our supply chain.”
The event will also explore engagement with policymakers, contract clauses in tariff agreements, and supplier relationship strategies.
Registration is available at www.cfpeterborough.ca.
