Canva World Tour Coming to Laurel Ridge Community College November 12

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to improve their marketing skills can learn from a Canva expert when the Canva World Tour comes to Laurel Ridge Community College’s Fauquier Campus on Thursday, November 12.

The free event, called the Warrenton Community Lab, will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and offer hands-on training, live demonstrations, networking, and practical tips for using Canva, the popular online graphic design platform.

Bealeton resident Roger Coles, a Canva Verified Expert, will host the workshop in partnership with the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

The event is part of the international Canva World Tour, a series of in-person and virtual learning opportunities designed to help people develop their creative skills and make better use of digital design tools.

Bealeton resident and Canva Verified Expert Roger Coles will lead a free, hands-on Canva workshop on November 12 at Laurel Ridge Community College’s Fauquier Campus, in partnership with the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center.

For Coles, bringing the event to Fauquier County is a chance to help local businesses learn skills they can use right away.

“We’re going to share practical Canva tips, do some live demos, and give people time to try things for themselves,” Coles said. “And of course, we’re going to have some fun along the way.”

Participants won’t simply sit and watch presentations. They will have opportunities to follow along, explore Canva’s features, and practice creating their own designs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops so they can participate in the demonstrations and try the tools being discussed.

The evening will also include food, networking opportunities, prizes, and other activities.

Helping Small Businesses Create Better Marketing

For many small business owners, designing advertisements, social media graphics, flyers, and promotional materials is just one of many responsibilities competing for their time.

Hiring a professional designer may not always fit the budget, particularly for a small business or someone just getting started.

That’s where Canva can help.

The online platform offers design templates, editing tools, and AI features that let users create professional-looking materials without extensive graphic design experience.

Coles said the workshop will help participants work more efficiently while improving the look of their marketing materials.

“Small business owners wear a lot of hats, and designer usually isn’t one of them,” Coles said. “I want to show people how Canva can help them create better marketing faster, especially with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday promotions right around the corner.”

The timing is especially useful as businesses prepare for the busy holiday shopping season.

Local retailers, restaurants, service providers, and other businesses often need to produce new promotional materials quickly to advertise special offers, events, and seasonal activities.

The workshop shows how Canva can simplify that process while helping businesses maintain a polished, consistent appearance.

The event is not limited to business owners. Entrepreneurs, marketers, educators, nonprofit representatives, and other creative professionals are also welcome.

Whether someone is new to Canva or already uses the platform regularly, the goal is to provide practical knowledge and opportunities to learn from others.

Bringing a Global Event to Fauquier County

Andy Gyurisin, director of the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center, said hosting the event represents an important opportunity to bring additional business education and resources to the region.

He is particularly pleased that the Fauquier Campus will host what organizers describe as the first Canva World Tour community event in Virginia.

“At the SBDC, we’re always looking for ways to connect entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to succeed,” Gyurisin said.

“Partnering with Canva and Laurel Ridge Community College allows us to bring a world-class learning opportunity directly to small business owners in Virginia. Attendees will walk away with practical marketing strategies, a better understanding of AI and design technologies, and valuable connections that can help them grow their businesses and increase their impact in the communities they serve.”

The Small Business Development Center provides training, counseling, and other resources to help entrepreneurs start, operate, and grow their businesses.

Events such as the Canva workshop give local business owners a chance to learn new skills while connecting with others facing similar challenges.

The Warrenton Community Lab is expected to attract participants from Fauquier County, the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, and surrounding communities.

Organizers plan for about 150 to 200 attendees, according to the Virginia Small Business Development Center’s event listing.

Coles said the Canva World Tour’s international reach makes the local event particularly meaningful.

“Canva World Tour is happening in cities around the world, and it’s really special to bring that experience to the business owners and creatives right here in Virginia,” he said.

While Canva offers numerous online classes and virtual events, Coles said there are relatively few in-person opportunities in the United States.

The World Tour, running from September through November, includes workshops, community gatherings, and online learning opportunities worldwide.

Participants can explore design techniques, learn about new tools, and connect with others interested in using technology to communicate more effectively.

Free Registration Now Available

The Warrenton Community Lab will be held in the Barkman Conference Room at Laurel Ridge Community College’s Fauquier Campus, located at 6480 College Street in Warrenton.

The program is free, but advance registration is encouraged.

Attendees can expect live instruction, hands-on demonstrations, downloadable resources, refreshments, and opportunities to meet other local business owners and creative professionals.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop to get the most out of the interactive sessions.

For local businesses preparing holiday promotions or anyone wanting to improve their design skills, the workshop offers a chance to learn new techniques without the expense of a traditional training program.

Event Details: Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Laurel Ridge Community College Fauquier Campus, 6480 College Street, Warrenton.

To learn more or register, visit Canva World Tour – Warrenton.

For questions about the event, contact Andy Gyurisin at agyurisin@laurelridge.edu.