Atlantic Green Show 2010 Success Story
By Ken Kelly, Freelance Journalist
A steady flow of the curious, the already committed, and the very interested alike, made their way to the Moncton Coliseum Agrena Complex to take part in the first Atlantic Green Home Show during the weekend of November 20, 2010.
Organized by the Canadian Home Builders Association of New Brunswick (CHBA-NB), the Show was comprised of a collection of more than 80 exhibitors, including builders, realtors, building suppliers, equipment suppliers, environmental agencies, organic farmers and more. The leisurely, relaxed pace that permeated the Agrena during the course of the three-day exhibit served to prove that the demand for more environmentally friendly building products and solutions are certainly growing in demand.
In conversation with Canadian Home Builders Association of New Brunswick CEO Claudia Simmonds a couple of weeks after the event has concluded, it is clear that she is still riding high from the runaway success of the Atlantic Green Home Show:
“Compared to what we had expected, the weekend ended up exceeding the expectations we had laid out for it in the beginning,” she says. “A big part of that success story was how pleased the exhibitors were with the quality of the show and how serious attendees of the show were. Many times when staging a consumer show, you will tend to have people come in and spend time with you just as a way to pass the time. That did not appear to be the case with the Atlantic Green Show.
“Many of the exhibitors were saying there was a good mix of people curious how they could improve their current homes and those who took a very serious interest in the products on display. Practically all of the exhibitors have commented on how well versed the attendees were in regards to energy efficiency and how they wanted to start making less of an impact on the environment by finding more environmentally-friendly solutions.”
One of the biggest coups for the organizers of the Atlantic Green Home Show was securing renowned environmentalist David Suzuki who delivered a keynote speech to an enthusiastic crowd. In his approximate 75-minute speech, Suzuki warned of the perils to come if we, as earth’s inhabitants, don’t change our ways soon.
In a one on one interview, Suzuki applauded the initiative taken by the Canadian Home Builders Association of New Brunswick, stating that shows like the Atlantic Green Home Show have only become commonplace in major metropolitan cities such as Toronto in the past four years. It is great to see something of this stature occur in the Atlantic Provinces.
“People that attend shows such as these tend to be very well informed people,” the 74 year-old Suzuki notes. “They are the people who are ultimately going to drive the move towards greener building.”
With the first edition of the Atlantic Green Home Show now a thing of the past, Claudia Simmonds is already getting the wheels in motion for next year’s event:
“For next year’s show, we are going to be looking at digging deeper into more green products and services. We would like to see more organic, lifestyle friendly products and evolve the Atlantic Green Home Show into featuring exhibitors covering all elements of green. This would include every product and service we use from the moment we wake up in the morning and set our feet on the floor to the moment we go to bed at night. I would love next year’s edition to incorporate more of the things that people use in their day-to-day lives like appliances, clothing, cosmetics and personal care items for instance,” Simmonds notes.
“Not long after the event had wrapped up, we received a congratulatory letter from DR. David Suzuki that encouraged us to continue putting on these shows and applauded the fact that the New Brunswick Home Builders Association had taken on this initiative.”
“In addition to Dr. Suzuki’s praise, other letters and emails have poured into congratulate us and make suggestions for next year’s Show. These are very welcome and show the organizers of this event that all their hard work was worth it, says Simmonds”
“In all honesty, next year’s event stands to be an even greater success,” Simmonds excitedly notes. “We have already received commitment from many of the exhibitors we had this year that they will be returning in 2011.”
If you happened to miss out on the first Atlantic Home Green Show, you would be wise to resolve to attend next year’s Show, much the same we would all be wise to resolve to live greener from this day forward.
Testimonials
Two Ravens Farm – Dr. Andrea Locke
“Since the event started, I haven't been out of our booth. This is our target market. We are excited to be a part of the event and will definitely be returning.”
Enbridge - Lauren Nicholson
“We are pleased with the turnout and variety of exhibitors. A very good event considering this is the first year it has been put on. Enbridge will definitely consider coming back for future Green shows.”
Logix Insulated Concrete Forms- Bill Gaines
“We were particularly impressed with the quality of the show. We have met attendees from Halifax, Saint John and Fredericton to name a few places. In my opinion, there is no question about returning.”
