Whitby business owners and tourism operators will hear from four local experts this week as part of Whitby Local Business Week, which runs October 20 to 24.

The free Tourism and Wellness panel, hosted by Invest Whitby, takes place October 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Port Whitby Marina. According to Durham Region Economic Development and Tourism, the panellists will discuss trends, opportunities and the future of tourism and wellness in Whitby, and attendees will have a chance to network with industry peers.

Workshops for small business

The week also coincides with Small Business Week programming from the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD), which is offering nearly all of its sessions free of charge.

The lineup includes Understanding Financial Statements on October 20, Fundamentals of Buying and Selling a Business on October 22, Securing Your Online Presence on October 23, a Side Gig Bootcamp in Clarington on October 23, and the We Mean Business Networking Lunch on October 24.

The Region of Durham is also inviting businesses to a virtual session on bicycle parking on October 22 from 11 a.m. to noon. The session will gather input on how the Region can improve bike parking for customers and staff, and will cover the Region's Bicycle Parking Guidelines Project. The guidelines were recommended as part of the 2021 Durham Regional Cycling Plan, which sets out a vision for a more connected, bike-friendly region.

Milestones and a Hollywood cameo

Closer to home, Durham Escape Rooms in Whitby is marking a decade of puzzles and teamwork this October. The business has spent ten years running escape-room experiences in the region and is planning a celebration event this month.

Whitby's Ashburn also got a screen credit. The market at Hy-Hope Farm and Golf Course was used as the interior of the Tall Pines general store in the Netflix series Wayward, part of a growing list of productions filming in Durham Region.

Fall tourism and funding deadlines

The region's fall tourism push continues through October. The Gather at the Farm campaign features nearly two dozen farms, markets and fall events, inviting visitors to explore apple picking, corn mazes, fresh-baked goods and other family-friendly experiences across Durham's rural communities.

Businesses looking to grow their reach have a deadline coming up as well. Applications for the Central Counties Tourism Partnership Program, a matching-funds initiative open to tourism businesses, organizations and event organizers in Durham, York and Headwaters, are due December 15 at 3 p.m. The program covers projects through March 31, 2026, and this year adds a new stream aimed at helping small operators access resources to grow.

Whitby Local Business Week runs through October 24.