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The early registration deadline for the Ottawa Business Summit expires on Dec. 31.

The one-day conference will bring together some the top local and national business speakers on Feb. 4. The event is specifically designed to educate business owners and managers on everyday issues such as performance management, productivity, sales growth, corporate culture, Internet marketing, exit strategies and accessing foreign markets.

Registration forms must be received by Dec. 31 for the discounted $99 fee to apply. After Jan. 1, the fee increases to $149. The registration form can be downloaded at www.ottawabusinesssummit.com.

The summit is co-organized by the Ottawa Business Journal, the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise and the City of Ottawa. It merges three business events into one – OBJ's annual business conference, the City of Ottawa's Small Business Forum and the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise's Family Business Day.

"We've been working hard for months to pull together the conference program," says OBJ publisher Michael Curran.

"I think the speakers are top-notch and attendees will walk away from the event with great value and lots of practical lessons they can implement to improve their business."

While the Ottawa Small Business Forum had been a tremendous success, the city decided it would be great to partner with OBJ and CAFE.

"The City of Ottawa recognizes the crucial role small businesses play in our community," says Darrell Cox, economic development consultant with the City of Ottawa. "We understand the importance of giving tomorrow's business leaders the tools and skills to prosper today. We feel by partnering with the OBJ and CAFE, we could lend our expertise and resources to help create an even bigger and better event for our business community."

CAFE Ottawa president Deborah Mohr-Caldwell says the summit fits her association's mandate to share experiences and knowledge.

"CAFE encourages all family businesses to come out and take advantage of this great learning opportunity. It's time well-spent," says Ms. Caldwell.

More information on the event will be announced in coming days, including two national keynote speakers.