Skills Ontario: Provincial Entrepreneurship Showcase
2026 Provincial Entrepreneurship Showcase
Virtual: April 28th, 2026
In-Person: May 5th, 2026 (Toronto Congress Centre, South Building)
Held in conjunction with the Skills Ontario Competition, the bilingual Provincial Entrepreneurship Showcase provides a catalyst for aspiring student entrepreneurs to display/present their business ideas and/or products. In addition to showcasing their enterprises, students at both the in-person and virtual event alike will receive valuable feedback from successful, knowledgeable industry entrepreneurs and mentors while building their professional network. Those who cannot attend in-person are encouraged to join the Livestream. Some pre-selected students will even “pitch” their idea from the stage to our live audience!
This event will also feature an inspiring keynote speaker, as well as food and beverages will be available for all those in attendance on May 5th.
Register Now
In-Person Registration will open in late January/early February
Keynote Speaker - Kate Campbell
Kate Campbell entered the skilled trades in 2005 after completing a Women in Skilled Trades Enhanced General Carpentry program. Since then, she has built a career shaped by hands-on construction and hard-earned experience, becoming a familiar face in the home renovation industry.
Kate has worked on numerous HGTV shows, including Holmes on Homes, Holmes in New Orleans, Holmes Inspection, Decked Out, and Deck Wars. She also served as a host on HGTV’s Custom Built and most recently appeared on HGTV Canada’s hit series Home to Win and Family Home Overhaul.
Outside of television, Kate owns and operates Kate’s Contracting Inc., where she specializes in rehabilitating run-down and neglected properties. With nearly two decades in the trades, she is committed to changing the face of the construction industry by advocating for women in skilled trades.
Kate’s mission is rooted in lived experience: to use her story, skills, and platform to empower women to enter the trades, take up space in male-dominated industries, and build confidence both on and off of the job site.
Full Agenda and details to come!
Questions?
For any questions about this event, please email hbastianelli@skillsontario.com.













