Trade show starting to fill up

With the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual home and leisure show coming up in less than a month, more and more exhibitors are signing up.
But for those undecided about getting involved, Chamber office manager Dawn Booth said there’s still time to book space for the show, which will take place April 28-29 at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“I think we’re at 45 exhibitors right now. We usually have just over 60, so we’re getting there,” she noted. “But there’s quite a few people on the fence at this point in time, or haven’t actually sent in their contracts.
“ We’re pretty close to where we need to be.
“We have quite a few new exhibitors registered this year, so that’s good to see,” added Booth. “And we’re continuing to get calls from exhibitors that haven’t been here before.”
Many familiar exhibitors also will be back again, such as Badiuk Equipment, which once again will be showcasing boats, ATVs, and more in the ’52 Canadians Arena.
As in past years, the public can expect free samples, draws, and demos at the trade show.
Booth noted anyone wanting to do demonstrations, particularly those tying into the home and leisure show’s theme “Life at the Lake,” should contact the Chamber office (274-5773).
Those doing demos don’t necessarily have to be registered exhibitors.
Meanwhile, although 2006 won’t see the return of the popular “Hole-in-One” putting contest, Booth noted there will be a skill-testing contest in which contestants will get chances to win “big prizes.”
Called “Rainy Lake Horseshoes,” it will be a similar game of skill, where players pay a fee, throw horseshoes, and if they get so many points, put their name into a draw.
Then, the first 100 or 200 people’s names will be drawn, and each of those will get a chance to enter their code into the safe. If they crack the code, they get a choice of prizes.
The three main sponsors will be Badiuk Equipment (an outdoor recreation package), Sight & Sound (a $50,000 home theatre system), and IQON Financial ($50,000 cash).
There also will be consolation prizes.
Booth stressed the overall format of the home and leisure show will remain the same as last year, given it’s worked well and the organizing committee didn’t want to mess with a successful formula.
There will be a small admission fee, either $2 or $3, with one dollar going to the museum renovation fund.
And instead of “passports” that trade show-goers get stamped by exhibitors and enter in a draw for prizes, there will be a comment card they can fill out and enter.
Booth also noted Crime Stoppers won’t, in fact, be holding a “Bail or Jail” fundraiser in conjunction with the trade show this year due to insufficient manpower.
“It’s unfortunate. We hope they’ll come back again next year,” she said.
The trade show will run from noon-9 p.m. on Friday, April 28 and again from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.
For more information on the show, to book space as an exhibitor, or to sign up as a volunteer, call Booth at 274-5773.
Information also is available at www.fortfranceschamber.com