The Lacombe Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Spring Trade Show for the 38th year and this year they are looking to be a community hub where neighbours interact
“Our Trade Show this year is Friday, April 27th from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m,” Chamber Executive Director Monica Bartman said.
The main aim of the Trade Show is to help Chamber members network and expand their businesses, but in 37 years the show has evolved to also being a place where Lacombe and district residents are able to get to know their neighbours.
“This is the 38th year, so it has been around for quite awhile. It has evolved over time, but essentially the idea is to give our members and businesses a place where they can come and have the opportunity to meet with a lot of local people, meet current new customers and potential new new customers over the course of the weekend,” Bartman said.
“Over the years, it has evolved a bit to include things like Coffee with Council. The City gets to use the opportunity where 3,000 residents come through to their event that allows them to talk to the public and gather feedback.”
The amount of vendors increases every year, which presents a slight challenge due to space constraints at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex, but Bartman said that is a good problem to have.
“We have a lot of our regular local business, but there is also a nice variety of some new businesses,” she said. “There really is something for everyone. You can pick up your holiday trailer, ATV and pick-up truck all in the same weekend or you can can plan your home renovations for the year including windows, garage doors, paint, flooring — there is a little bit of everything.”
This year also features the return of food trucks including Dingerings Mini Donuts and Hungry Beasts. The concession at the arena will also be open and the Lions Club of Lacombe, for the price of a Food Bank Donation, will be sponsoring a free swim at the pool meaning a family can spend a whole day at the Trade Show if they choose to.
“You could come to the Trade Show in the morning, do a walk-around, have some lunch and then hit the pool,” Bartman said.
If you aren’t looking to spend all your money, there will also be several of Lacombe’s non-profit groups set up at the Trade Show.
“If you aren’t looking to purchase anything but are wanting to get involved with your community, it is a great way to do that,” Bartman said.
The Chamber is not currently looking for volunteers but wants to remind the public that the $1 admission to the show is going to a good cause,
“That goes straight to our scholarship fund,” she said. “In the last couple weeks we opened up our applications for the scholarship and this is how we are able to offer support to local students.
“If someone wanted to give more than a dollar, we are okay with that.”
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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