Lindsay Campbell
Sunshine and summer-like temperatures may have hindered attendance at this year’s Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo but businesses that set up booths for the two-day show were not discouraged.
More than 60 different businesses were on hand, with outgoing Chamber executive director Annely Armstrong-Thorstad noting there was a different goal this year.
“We’ve tried to attract more home-based businesses and have a little bit more variety for people,” she remarked.
“We look at needs in the community,” she added. “For instance, one of the needs in our community is roofing so we try to get a roofing business here. . . .
“We want to make sure if there’s any special needs or any special activities that are going on in the community, they have a presence here.”
For Jolene Richert of Jamberry Nails, this was the first year she had a booth.
As a newcomer, Richert said she heard from veteran trade show attendees that there’s usually a better turnout.
“I’ve heard it’s been better in past years so I will come back next year,” she remarked.
“Hopefully, other people will come back and I can let other people know more about my business.”
But Richert stressed just because there was a lack of traffic doesn’t mean she had a bad experience.
“I’ve still seen a lot of people that I know and I’ve met a lot of people who had no idea that Jamberry even existed,” she noted.
“I’ve gotten to show them the product and tell them what it’s all about.
“Even if they don’t buy today, I hope that from this they can think about it and pass the word on.”
Beauticontrol rep Marilyn Marostica came to the trade show from Winnipeg because she said word travelled that the event had something to offer for entrepreneurs.
Only hearing about the show a day before it opened, she phoned up Armstrong-Thorstad and left from her home at 6:30 a.m. on Friday.
“When I found out there was an opening, I jumped in the shower, got my act together, and drove straight here,” she recalled.
Like Richert, Marostica said there could have been a better turnout. But she believes the chance of having her booth set up was better than none at all.
“I always try to make the best of a show,” she reasoned.
“You never know,” she added. “Someone might say, ‘I really like her product,’ and phone me later.
“I never say never.”
Bridget McGinnis said she’s gone to the trade show for the past five or six years.
“I always go because I like to see what is available in the community, in the Rainy River District, and in Northwestern Ontario, as well,” she remarked.
“I like to be aware of who locally is doing something new.”
McGinnis also said she noticed a refreshing change in the variety of businesses on hand.
“I’ll absolutely come back next year,” she enthused.
“I’ve found that this year there is a lot of home-based businesses, more than there has been in the past,” McGinnis said.
“They had a lot to do with health and taking care of ourselves, which was nice to see.
“ I didn’t know that people locally were getting more involved in that so it was really nice to see,” she added.
“There were a few cards that I picked up today [Saturday] that I will most definitely follow up on.”
Three fundraisers also were held in conjunction with the trade show.
“Rockin’ for a Reason,” organized by the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, featured 24 “rockers” this year, including reigning Citizen of the Year Dr. Brian Johnstone.
Organizer Dixie Badiuk said the effort raised around $5,500 this year, with all proceeds going to support the auxiliary’s many projects.
Meanwhile, Fort High’s “Chem-Free Grad” committee raised $1,100 with its annual cake roulette, where 70 cakes were won.
And the Voyageur Lions Club held its annual “Jail or Bail” fundraiser in conjunction with the trade show for the first time.
Bill Michl, who chaired the event, said although the number of volunteers and pledges were a lot lower, there were some advantages to having it in the new location.
“We were really lucky to have it at the expo this year,” he remarked.
“We were able to get people who have passed by to volunteer for the cause.”
Michl added the club is leaning towards having the fundraiser at the trade show again next year.
“Convicts” were participated in the fundraiser included former town councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft, Nicke Baird, Morgan Albisser, Gord Taggart, Bonnie Penney, Marc Jodah, Daryl Eyolfson, Tom Veert, Brad Houghton, Missy Andrusco, and Catharine Peerenboom.
The event raised $5,000, which will go towards Special Olympics and “Friends of Kids.”
