We were at the fair, really a tradeshow for wellness products and services, at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Jan 13,14 2007. Although most exhibitors were for-profit ventures, NFPs like ourselves were invited at no charge. We were located in an area with Canadian Organic Growers, Eat Locally Hamilton, Environment Hamilton, Acorus Native Seeds, and William Dam Seeds.
Attendance was not high, maybe 100 people came through our area of the show, but we had some interesting conversations. It amazed me how many people have still not heard about energy scarcity, tho all had some idea about climate change. We put a good booth together in very short notice, thanks to Tracey P. We brought a laptop and showed clips from Power of Community, Walmart: High Cost of Low Price, and powerpoint presentations. We created a bio-intensive garden template on the floor in the centre of the room, 100 sq Ft, using the design in Jeavons' excellent beginner book, Sustainable Vegetable Gardening. This sparked a lot of cameraderie and story swapping, among the exhibitors as well as visitors. Next year we think it would be good to make it more form part of an exhibit area. We met Andy King, Events Marketing person for the RBG who interested in organizing a 'green' living show some time. We met Connie Dam-Byl from Wm Dam Seeds and explored doing a field trip to their store and demonstration gardens. We met Heather Donison of Green Venture who is doing a low income housing energy upgrade project which we might be able to piggyback on for burlington. Lots of good connections.
See photo attached.