News Releases

-MEDIA ADVISORY/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY-BMO to Host Panels to Discuss Social Media for Small Business

- Social media experts and small business owners to participate in discussion and Q&A on opportunities for business owners to grow their businesses using social media

- BMO's Doug Porter to speak about opportunities and challenges in the current economic environment and the implications for small business owners

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 7, 2012) - As part of this year's Social Media Week, BMO Bank of Montreal is hosting two panels to discuss strategies, tactics and best practices that can be leveraged to help small companies grow their businesses and brands in the online space. Learn about content marketing, tweeting, LinkedIn, recruiting via social networks; experts will provide insight as to what's new in the social and digital space, and business owners will share tips and best practices that have helped them grow their businesses.

What:	Join other small business owners and social media experts from BMO, LinkedIn, The Working Group and Inside-Outside Thinking in a lively discussion on how social media approaches and tools drive value for business growth. Question and answer period to follow panel.

Who:	Doug Porter, Deputy Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets
	Julie Howlett, Account Director, Global Marketing Solutions, LinkedIn
	Chris Eben, Partner, The Working Group
	Liz Strauss, Founder, Inside-Outside Thinking
	Ian Portsmouth, Editor, PROFIT Magazine
	Sean Stanleigh, Editor, Report on Small Business, The Globe and Mail

Where:	Manulife Centre
	55 Bloor Street West
	3^rd Floor, Toronto

When:	Thursday, February 16, 2012
	4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Ontario Room
	6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Networking

BMO Bank of Montreal recently announced that it is making an additional $10 billion available to businesses across the country over the next three years. This credit boost will provide small and medium-sized business, in every region of the country, with the credit they need to innovate, grow and create jobs. For more information on the BMO SmartSteps® for Business Community, please visit: https://www.bmo.com/smartbusinessowners.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMOmedia

http://twitter.com/BMOsmb

For further information:

Media Contacts:
Paul Cunliffe, Toronto
(416) 867-3996
paul.cunliffe@bmo.com

Sarah Bensadoun, Montreal
(514) 877-8224
sarah.bensadoun@bmo.com

Laurie Grant, Vancouver
(604) 665-7596
laurie.grant@bmo.com