Algonquin College helps build industry connections at Business – Marketing networking event

OTTAWA (March 21, 2025) – On March 19, 2025, 100 graduating full-time students in the Business – Marketing diploma program eagerly gathered for an evening of industry networking at Algonquin College’s Ottawa Campus, creating a buzz of excitement and nerves in Nawapon.

Industry contacts at the event included individuals from Ottawa’s top marketing and sales fields, senior business leaders, and Ottawa entrepreneurs. Of the nearly 60 industry guests, 33 were Algonquin College alumni.

The event, organized by Prof. Bill Garbarino, faculty of the School of Business and Hospitality, included food and non-alcoholic beverages provided by corporate sponsors Assent, Craft & Crew, BMO, Hack Racing Division, MaxBounty and Conscious Lead Life, all of which have employees that are alumni from the Business – Marketing program.

“The reason we keep coming back, what Bill did for me and colleagues of mine is incredible,” said Dave Hale of Craft & Crew on the power of relationship building.

“Find a way to be yourselves in this. Networking is an opportunity to be human together. The connection between the classroom and the industry is what makes this special,” said Dale Allen, Coach at Conscious Lead Life.

“Education is more than what you find in a book, and our faculty take the time to offer more,” said Heidi Upson Ferris, Chair, Marketing and Management Studies, School of Business and Hospitality at Algonquin College.

A student added QR codes to the industry professionals’ lanyards for easy connection, which linked directly to their personal LinkedIn profiles.

Please visit the Algonquin College website to learn more about the School of Business and Hospitality.

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For more information   

Megan Fraser   
Communications Officer   
Algonquin College   
613-302-0138   
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com 

About Algonquin College 

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 250 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke and AC Online.