Last fall, The Business Link began testing a system to offer its Small Business Learning sessions via webcast direct to individuals’ computers. Historically, the sessions were only held in person in Calgary and Edmonton and via video-conference in select communities.

After reading about the project in The Business Link’s (TBL) newsletter, Airdrie Economic Development approached TBL and suggested another pilot project: offering the webcasts in a group setting at City Hall in Airdrie.

“We saw this as a great opportunity to offer businesses local learning opportunities,” says Sara Chamberlain, Economic Development Officer with Airdrie Economic Development. “It doesn’t make sense to drive to Calgary to participate in sessions when technology is so readily available.”

The Business Link agreed and the partnership was born. Since September 2011, Airdrie has hosted 21 TBL webinars at City Hall with 129 participants with session lengths varying from one to three hours.

Chamberlain explains the purpose and value of the webinars.

Feedback from participants showed more than 75% felt the information from the session will help them achieve business results.

While businesspeople also have the option to participate in TBL’s new webcasts alone at their home or office for a small fee, Sara sees a real advantage to the group webinars. “It gives businesses the chance to get out and meet other business owners and share ideas. Plus we chose to offer the webinars free of charge as one of the value-added services our department provides.”

Starting in January 2012, The Business Link group webcast model was offered to other communities across the province and Sara was asked to present the benefits of the program to them.

“Strengthening our regional partnerships to extend our reach across Alberta, as we have done here, truly facilitates this enhanced service delivery,” says Brent Bushell, The Business Link’s Executive Director. “Now is an ideal time for communities to add this cost-effective option as a complement to their current small business support activities.”

Businesses in Airdrie can look forward to the webinars continuing again in September. “The partnership with The Business Link has been a great success for us,” says Sara. “We can’t wait for the fall sessions to begin so we can continue to offer businesses high-quality, local learning opportunities.”

About mid-September, the City will outline their offerings for webinars in the fall. Check the AirdrieNow website.