We Mean Business - Red Deer Chamber of Commerce

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farmandacreage There was plenty to see and do at the Farm & Acreage Show in March. In addition to seminars on solar energy, a showcase of RVs by Lacombe RV and a toy show, there were exhibits from all across the leisure and rural living spectrum. This November, Agri-Trade will, for the 26th year, deliver a world-class exposition to participants. Space went quickly for the popular show with indoor space filled shortly after registration officially opened. Outdoor space has sold quickly, promising a very successful show and demonstrating that the economic downturn hasn’t impacted the marketing of the ag industry, as it has many other sectors. Agri-Trade is on pace to set new records for exhibitors and has the potential to attract more attendees than past shows as well. This year’s Agri-Trade follows an extremely successful 25th Anniversary show with more than 30 charter exhibitors – companies that had exhibited at every show since Agri-Trade’s debut in 1984. That figure is almost a quarter of the exhibitors from the original show. In March, blizzard conditions chilled the attendance at the Farm & Acreage Show, part of the Red Deer Home & Garden Show. It was the second year for that event and while raw numbers were down, several exhibitors commented that they believed the contacts they made were of a higher quality. One of the show’s highlights was a series of sessions by Sundog Solar, demonstrating solar energy solutions. The sessions drew significant participants and very few left before the end of the presentation. In May, the North American Farm Show Council held its annual general meeting in Red Deer, attracting members from New York Farm Show, Canada’s Outdoor Show (Ontario), Ag Progress Days (Pennsylvania), Power Show Ohio, Western Farm Show (Missouri), International Plowing Match (Ontario), Spokane Ag Expo (Washington), Midwest Ag Expo (Illinois), Farm Science Review (Ohio), as well as Agri-Trade. 26 Attendees toured the Westerner Park facilities and enjoyed an evening reception there, before digging into a busy agenda with meetings at the Capri Centre the next day. The three day conference included a presentation on Ag Innovation Awards by David Kaun that aroused interest among delegates. Capture Technologies of Towota, New Jersey revealed some amazing and cost efficient technology on bar coding and qualifying attendees. Christopher Havens, Chief Technology Officer and Stephen McWilliams, Vice President of Sales showed how attendees can be VIPed at any show using bar code information established prior to a show or event. Basically, they take information supplied to them by the event and using a system of sophisticated bar code applications, classify and identify the attendee at the event. When he or she enters the facility they simply use a pre-issued ID badge at any participating exhibitor location to register to receive information, machinery quotes or service and parts information. The demographic information established in this manner becomes a very powerful marketing tool for event managers promoting certain unique qualities of the event that will appeal to a certain type of exhibitor. The following day, delegates traveled to the Reynolds Alberta Museum and were duly impressed with the quality of the displays and the colourful depiction of the heritage of agriculture. Following the tour, the delegates enjoyed an evening reception at the Capri Centre, hosted by Agri-Trade. The conference wrapped up May 21, with a discussion of membership issues and the naming of future NAFSC AGM sites, in Austin, Texas next year, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina and Spokane, Washington. T A K I N G C A R E O F B U S I N E S S T O G E T H E R
alookback The highlight of the Ambassadors Luncheon on March 4 was a presentation by Bev Latter, Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Planning Employment Connections, on the Aboriginal talent pool that is available within the Red Deer area. Businesses & organizations collaborate with Aboriginal Agencies to facilitate programs that resulted in successful hiring. Forty people attended. There was a great turnout again at the Red Deer Legion on April 28 for the Business After Hours. More than 175 enjoyed an excellent networking event and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres. Our February 24 Business After Hours was hosted by North Hill Inn, with 175 in attendance. The buffet included a great array of exotic foods, including alligator. It was a small crowd, but all 25 people attending the Mentoring Breakfast benefited from the presentation by Cabel McElderry, of One-to-1 Fitness. He presented information on understanding posture and how it affects your daily life and the anatomy of everyday aches and pains. There were 225 curious attendees at the much anticipated Business After Hours hosted by Masterpiece Inglewood on March 31. Great food and tours of the new assisted living facility was their reward. T A K I N G C A R E O F B U S I N E S S T O G E T H E R 27
Page 1 and 2: Will your business be ready? 4 Seiz
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T S My Point of View 3
Page 5 and 6: Life’s good... Sing Along! T A K
Page 7 and 8: Tired of the status quo? Do you dem
Page 9 and 10: and provide the staff (the company)
Page 11 and 12: NORTH STAR SPORTS (RED DEER) INC. J
Page 13 and 14: AFFORDABLE Our comprehensive progra
Page 15 and 16: Does an employer need to involve em
Page 17 and 18: Great Value & Sisterhood go a lot f
Page 19 and 20: inthespotlight The Red Deer Chamber
Page 21 and 22: The Red Deer Regional Economic Deve
Page 23 and 24: T A K I N G C A R E O F B U S I N E
Page 25: chuckwagonchampionship Got your eye
Page 29 and 30: DAY 78 … mark your calendars! YOU
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We Mean Business - Red Deer Chamber of Commerce

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