Consumers are the ticket for Caneast shows

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By David Johnston

---

EMC News - Ian Forsyth wants Ottawa area consumers to get the most out of life. His company, Caneast Shows, is the driving force behind a series of successful end user focused events that bring merchants and customers together under specific themes.

Forsyth has been creating successful consumer shows for most of the last two decades. Before moving to Kanata in 2008 to open Caneast Shows Inc., he directed shows for Cottage Life in Toronto for 15 years and for five years prior to that, he was account manager/show director for the Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows in Toronto.

Forsyth knows how to make an event appeal to buyers.

"It's all about bringing the right businesses and consumers together to create an event," he said from his downtown office in a refurbished century home.

Caneast Shows are directed at home and cottage owners and buyers, outdoor and adventure enthusiasts, and pet owners.

Caneast has produced four consumer shows in Ottawa: The Home and Design Show, The Home Renovations Show, The Cottage Show and The Big Backyard Show. The company also produces the Muskoka In-Water Boat and Cottage Show and Muskoka Ribfest in Gravenhurst, Ontario every July.

This year, Forsyth and his creative marketing team have added two new shows, The Outdoor and Adventure Travel Show this spring and Ottawa Pet Expo in the fall. The company has also hired new staff to produce its additional shows.

"We're really excited about the new shows," he says. "We've put a lot of time into researching the products and services that appeal the most to customers and bringing them together under one roof."

The location for Caneast Shows has moved from Lansdowne Park to the new CE Centre adjacent to Ottawa International Airport.

The 11th Annual Home Renovations Show, Jan. 20 - 22, is 30 per cent bigger than past shows.

And it was fully booked with exhibitors at the end of November, a testament to Forsyth's business acumen and leading edge business plan in the face of challenging economic times.

"We focus on creating the best shows that will bring large audiences," he said. "That means involving only the highest quality businesses."

A large part of the success of Caneast Shows is due to creating an "infotainment" event, says Forsyth.

"The key is to give the customer value-added nuggets for coming to the show."

That can be anything from "how to do it" demonstrations, to give-aways, coupons and contests.

"When it comes to creating interest in shows, the snowball is either getting bigger or it's melting away. We are the biggest producer of shows in the Ottawa area because we work harder to ensure our customers get more than they bargained for."

The Outdoor and Travel Show March 17-18 is a prime example.

"Our mission is to inspire the outdoor and adventure travel community of eastern Ontario and western Quebec to take their experiences to new heights by presenting them exclusively with products, services and attractions that ignite and nurture their passions."

Forsyth is confident that his new show will be met by an enthusiastic following. The shows he has organized have packed the space at Lansdowne Park, often drawing more than 10,000 people over three days.

"Ottawa-Gatineau attracts nearly one million visitors each year to its outdoor recreation," he points out. "We have North America's most extensive off-road, multi-use pathway system for outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation companies know people in the region are avid outdoor enthusiasts. To now have an annual outdoor and adventure travel show is a perfect fit."

Exhibitor categories for the new show include water sports, air adventures, land activities ranging from camping to hiking and climbing, snow sports, wilderness survival, ecotourism, nutrition and healthy living. There will even be wildlife photography exhibits as well as representation from volunteer organizations.

"It's a total package for anything outdoors, all under one roof," says Forsyth. "We're planning some explosive programming that is certain to impress Ottawa-Gatineau's adventure crowd. We are always developing new, non-traditional ways to showcase exhibitors' products and services. We do our best to excite our audiences - whether it's on a stage, in a pool or from the rafters."

The show will feature renowned speakers from the outdoor adventure world, paddle sport demonstrations, off-road bicycle tracks and stunt ramps, adventure film and photography, rock climbing walls, a scuba diving tank, equipment tune-up shops, contests and prizes galore.

"It's all about entertainment, and giving the customer what they want," says Forysth.

To learn more about upcoming Caneast shows, check them out online at www.caneastshows.ca.

David Johnston is a freelance writer currently on assignment for the EMC.




blog comments powered by Disqus