BARRHEAD -The County of Barrhead will host its first-ever Rural Lifestyle expo in early May or late April.
To help launch the event, council, during their March 4 meeting, approved $2,900 in seed money, which will come from the 2025 operational budget.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun said in the municipality's multi-year strategic plan, council identified the need to promote and celebrate the "rural way of life and its achievements" and, as such, are always looking at economical ways to promote the county.
She also said county residents have requested, through feedback from the municipality's annual budget surveys, that the county put on more events celebrating the community.
"They just don't want us to spend too much money doing it," Oyarzun said.
Rural development director Dawn Fedorvich said they plan to create a full-day event highlighting services, attractions and key businesses available in the County of Barrhead.
"The goals would be to celebrate what life is like in our region, educate about what's available to them, and really engage the public about rural living, showcase public services and position ourselves as a leader in community development," she said.
Fedorvich said they would use a tradeshow format, inviting vendors to participate for free, with presentations scattered throughout the event.
Potential topics she suggested were FireSmart and rural crime prevention.
Vendors would be open to not-for-profit organizations, businesses in the service and retail industries, tourism operators, farm businesses, municipal government or anything else that educates and engages the public in regard to rural living.
In October, the county hosted its first business LIFT (Learn, Inspire, Focus) business conference.
The one-day business conference featured guest speakers Keka DasGupta, an award-winning public relations and marketing strategist and Michelle Cederberg, a certified speaking professional and author, who spoke on ways to re-energize businesses, as well as a tradeshow with over 100 companies attending.
The conference was well received by both participants and attendees, so much so the municipality is planning its sequel.
Related links: https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/lift-conference-elevates-barrhead-business-network-9684515
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/business-conference-speakers-inspire-attendees-9684621
https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/county-of-barrhead-looks-to-organize-second-business-conference-and-tradeshow-9925358
Fedorvich said while the two events are similar, they target different audiences, adding the LIFT conference focus is business owners and operators. The Rural Lifestyle Expo is for the general public or end users.
To emphasize the celebration portion, Fedorvich said they plan to combine the event with the county's annual appreciation dinner.
It is worth noting although, technically, it is part of the same event, the appreciation dinner has its own budget, which is already included in the 2025 budget.
Fedorvich added that combining the events will help draw people to the expo while simultaneously helping to keep costs at a minimum by maximizing staff time.
Administration also hopes that combining the events will also help revive the community appreciation dinner, whose attendance has waned recently.
"The expo will allow residents to meet and talk with us, staff, administration in an informal setting," Fedorvich said.
Coun. Walter Preugschas said that while he supports the concept, adding the proposed May 3 date is too late.
The other date, which administration bandied around, is April 26.
"Even April is already nip and tuck for farmers, and you suggest putting it into May."
Fedorvich agreed, adding staff were struggling to come up with a date that wouldn't be too late in the season but would still give them enough time to organize the event.
"Easter also messes us up a bit this year. Having two short weeks in April and hosting it in March doesn't give us enough time," she said.
Coun. Paul Properzi also suggested May 3 might be the wrong date, saying the first Saturday in May is when not-for-profit organizations usually participate in the province's annual highway cleanup.
Reeve Doug Drozd said there is never a perfect date; next year, they could always adjust it.
"I'm glad you are trying to do something ... because in the last few years, council really hasn't had many touch points with the public, except for the budget open houses," he said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
