From cars to landscaping, and food to financial services, some of the Foothills’ best businesses will be showing off what they have to offer at the Okotoks Trade and Lifestyle Show this weekend.
More than 140 exhibitors representing a wide range of services will be at the Okotoks Recreation Centre for the annual event, hosted by the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce.
“The ground is not going to be unfrozen yet, you cannot go digging in your garden so you have to come to the trade show,” said chamber president Bev Carlson.
Exhibitors will be spread across the Murray and Piper arenas, with the majority hailing from Okotoks and the foothills area, and a few from south Calgary.
Carlson said it’s a great place for local businesses to showcase their products and services and for people to find what is available from businesses at home in the Foothills.
Businesses set to show their wares will range from home-based businesses, to restaurants, car dealerships and landscaping firms.
“We’ve had water fountains with dirt and bricks set up, it’s just amazing the lengths the exhibitors are going to,” said Carlson.
This year, the Chamber is giving away some big-ticket items for door prizes.
One is a gift certificate for a free holiday donated by Okotoks Ford and it is good for a cruise, a Mexican vacation or a trip to Las Vegas. A second trip is also up for grabs including a two-night stay in a two-bedroom condo at Meadow Lake Resort in Montana. The third prize is a $200 gift certificate for Sobeys.
The popular Foothills Festival of Flavours will continue this year. People will be able to try samples from a variety of restaurants in town. This year’s lineup includes The George, Wok Box, Cora’s, Gourmet on the Go and Rylie’s Cattle Barn.
The event will be held in the Piper Arena on Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets will be sold for “a buck a bite” on Saturday afternoon during the event.
For exhibitors, the event is a good way to showcase their business and what they have to offer for potential customers.
Jay McFarlane, co-owner of McFarlane Agencies, said it’s a more social atmosphere for people to be introduced to the business.
“From a networking standpoint or an exposure standpoint, it’s another way for people to come see us,” he said.
McFarlane said they don’t go to the trade show solely to attract new clients, but it is part of being involved.
“Our intention is to reiterate the services that we provide,” he said. “We’re built on service so it’s another way for us to build rapport and sell the service side.”
McFarlane said the trade fair is also a good way for staff to meet with clients and other exhibitors.
For Kayben Farms owner Judy Kolk, the timing couldn’t be better.
“It’s just at the beginning of our season, so it’s a wonderful time to be in contact with people,” she said. “We’ve always felt it was a really valuable thing for us to be part of and every year we want to make sure we’re in it.”
It’s also a good place to unveil something new for the year, said Kolk.
While they advertise in a variety of different mediums and locations, Kolk said the trade show complements their marketing efforts by providing another way to reach people.
The trade show runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The chamber is hosting an exhibitor’s lounge on Friday night to network and meet with other businesses.
