The annual Blackfalds Trade Show will be held later this month in the new Abbey Centre.
Something that parents might find nice about this year’s event, which is slated for May 31st, is that a designated children’s area has been created in one of the three courts in the Abbey Centre gym.
“The parents can just come in, drop their kids off at the supervised area and the kids can play with the different balls, as they’ll be able to use the court,” said Chamber of Commerce President Carlene Kowalchuk.
The Chamber of Commerce comes together to promote businesses, community events, community concerns and financial interests of a town, officials said. Through them, the Trade Show is made available year after year.
“This year will be a lot busier because we’ve had a lot more advertising,” said Kowalchuk. “We have 51 vendors that are paid, and we actually have a lot of vendors that are small businesses that aren’t big brand names.”
Kowalchuk said some name-brand vendors are going to be appearing at the show, but many of the vendors are their own independent business. Most of the vendors are local but some have come from as far as Fort McMurray to be a part of the trade show. Some of the vendor examples include hair extension, clothing for kids and adults, accessories and even a not-for-profit food vendor.
“The gym will be divided into three sections. Two of these will include the actual Trade Show, where the third section will house a supervised kids play area,” explained Kowalchuk.
Chamber members can earn ‘chamber bucks’ to be spent at Blackfalds vendors. Information will be given at the fair as to which businesses will accept the ‘chamber bucks’.
‘Chamber bucks’ are earned by filling out a ‘passport’ by having each vendor sign for it after their booth has been visited. This passport also enters a person in a draw for major prizes.
“There are over $1,500 in door prizes. Each vendor has offered to produce some sort of prize.”
With this model of the show, vendors can encourage people to check out their stock while offering incentives (passport stamps and prizes) to raise product awareness.
“The whole idea of the Chamber is to promote local businesses,” said Kowalchuk.
Organizers encourage folks to come out to the Abbey Centre on May 31st and see local businesses as they work to spread the breadth of their public appeal.