The annual Northwest Trade Expo is back on May 2 and 3 at the Smithers Civic Centre.
Organizers are expecting to fill the floor, with more than 70 exhibitors displaying their products.
There will be everything from banking and mining industries, to hot tub and RV displays, to local food businesses represented.
And it looks like the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce will have another full house.
“Sales of booths are coming along, and, at this point, we are expecting to fill it,” said the chamber’s Susan Bundock.
“The chamber puts on the event to help businesses show and demonstrate their products to new and existing customers.
“It’s a great opportunity for businesses to meet and connect with their customers,”
The event will also feature fun for the entire family, with face painting, pony rides, wood carving, balloon animals and fly fishing demos.
As usual, BV Home Centre will have a booth at the expo.
Manager Travis Naninnga sees it as an opportunity to raise awareness of what his store has to offer.
“We are just trying to make the public aware that we can supply anything the north needs,” Nanninga said.
Another advantage, Nanninga says, is the ability to pack a week’s worth of shopping into a single afternoon.
“I don’t go into a lot of stores,” he said.
“I am a guy who doesn’t like shopping, so at the trade expo, its great to get to see what all the other local businesses have to offer.”
Proceeds from the event go towards the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce operating budget.
“It doesn’t make a lot of money for us, we put this on so that local businesses have an opportunity to showcase their product, as a service to the public.”
There are still a few spots available for businesses. If interested, contact Susan Bundock at the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce.
Cost for a display varies, from $250 to $495, depending on the size of the booth.
Last year more than 70 businesses had booths at the event and a total of 3,000 people attended over the two days.