2006-2007 Annual Report - Canadian Association of Fairs and ...

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Canadian Association of Fairs and ExhibitionsConnecting the pieces ... With ProgramsTools for Economic Viability6Fairs and exhibitions in Canada have a longhistory of providing economic, educational,and social benefi ts to their communities.As an industry sector we face increasedcompetition from sports events, festivals, andother entertainment. We also face challengeswhen presenting current data on our sectorwhen seeking funding from local governments,communities, and corporate sponsors. Inorder to survive in today’s competitive climate,traditional agricultural fairs and nationalassociations require robust and credibleresearch to demonstrate the value this sectorbrings to their communities.C.A.F.E. has been awarded. $611,400 infunding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada(AAFC) through their Advancing CanadianAgriculture Agri-Food Program(ACAAF)for a research study which will quantify theeconomic, educational, and social benefi ts offairs and exhibitions in Canada. The study willprovide Canadian fairs and exhibitions andthe national offi ce with the tools required tocompete and survive in the highly competitivespecial event sector. The results will be used togain both provincial and federal reinvestment.Tools for Implementation againstPathogensIn the fall of 2006, C.A.F.E. was awarded $1.1million by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada(AAFC) through their Advancing CanadianAgriculture Agri-Food Program(ACAAF). Thesefunds were provided to deliver 30 educationalworkshops across Canada and user friendlyimplementation tools which are beingdelivered through the C.A.F.E. website and theConsumer Protection Program(CPP).These tools include brightly colouredhandwashing signage that is in a formatready to download and send to your printer,in either 8.5” x 11” or 17” x 22” format. A free,full-colour 18” x 25” poster is also available inFrench or English. As placement of signageis important, we have created the Guidelinesfor Implementing the Signage Program and anImplementation Checklist in both French andEnglishMany of the workshop participants arevolunteers so we have developed a monitoringchecklist, industry FAQs, and public FAQs all ofwhich are available in French & English.In an critical situation the local media isstanding by for comments so we havedeveloped the Working With the Media: AGuide for Fair and Exhibition Managementwhich offers tips on how to present a positivepublic opinion of your operation.C.A.F.E. encourages everyone to check itswebsite frequently for updates to resourcematerials and new information on ConsumerProtection.Tools for Government RelationsIn January 2007, C.A.F.E. held its fi rstLearning Forum which focused on GovernmentRelations with Effective Strategies forCommunity Capacity Building throughLegislative Advocacy. We were awarded$10,000 in funding from the Rural Secretariat– Networking Initiative. C.A.F.E. also produceda Guide for Fairs, Exhibitions and ShowsUnderstanding The Legislative ProcessWorking with Politicians and the AdvocacyPlan Toolkit . C.A.F.E. will be holding itsSecond Annual Learning Forum in March,2008. Registration will be available through theC.A.F.E. website in November, 2007.
2006 - 2007 Annual ReportConnecting the pieces ... With GovernmentAgriculture and Agri-FoodC.A.F.E. has been working with Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada to provide input thatwill help shape the discussion and moveforward the consultations for the developmentof the “next generation” of government policy.In partnership with the federal and provincialgovernments, the fair and exhibition sectormust seek out new opportunities to ensure itsfuture success and profi tability as an industry.It is critical that the fair and exhibition sectorand interested partners focus their energy andenthusiasm on bringing innovative ideas andsolutions to bear on the challenges pertinent tothis industry.Heritage CanadaC.A.F.E. and the Ministry of Heritage throughtheir Building Communities Through Arts andHeritage program, which is a reinvestment of$30 million, have discussed how best to worktogether to provide opportunities to the fairand exhibition membership to help them ‘sortout’ the criteria and procedures required inapplying for these new funds. We are lookingforward to the Heritage Ministries attendanceat the 2007 National Convention, in Toronto.We are confi dent that their workshop and theiraccessibility at C.A.F.E.’s trade show will assistour members with the guidance and supportthey require.Through the Arts and Heritage fund ourindustry may well see the benefi t throughon-going funding for special anniversaries,infrastructure and performing arts. In thisfunding capacity, partnering with local historicalsocieties will benefi t the fair and exhibitionindustry.C.A.F.E. encourages the ProvincialAssociations of Agricultural Societies to work inconjunction with your regional Heritage Canadaoffi ces.C.A.F.E. is committed to ensuring that as manymembers as possible be better positioned totake advantage of this reinvestment.Canadian Pandemic Influenza PlanC.A.F.E. was invited to join a working group ofnot-for-profi t associations by Health Canadato explore ways to support the Governmentof Canada during a disaster, terrorist event,or public health emergency such as a fl upandemic.C.A.F.E. members facilities strengthenCanada’s readiness to respond to communityemergencies. C.A.F.E. participates in thePrivate Sector Working Group on PandemicInfl uenza Planning (PSWPIP), Public HealthAgency of Canada (PHAC) and the PublicSafety and Emergency Preparedness Canada,(PSEPC) in Ottawa.Industry CanadaC.A.F.E. was invited to meet with the Secretaryof State, Small Business and Tourism, TheHonourable Diane Ablonczy, MP to addressthe skills and labour shortages across Canada.These shortages are negatively impactingsmall businesses and communities that ourfair and exhibition sector provides services toand are critical part of sustainability to bothurban and rural communities. Small businessesare the backbone of the Canadian economy,accounting for 99 per cent of all businessesin the country. They lead in job creation (overtwo million jobs created between 1993 and2003 — of which one million came from startupcompanies) and are responsible for over20 percent of the country’s gross domesticproduct.7
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