Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition building on momentum; proposing date change

Exhibition enthusiasts will be happy to know plans are in motion for the annual Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition with the 2017 Planning Committee having met for the first time last week.  Leading the charge again this year are Amanda Langille and Tanya Colburne of Langille & Colburne – More Than Events, the same event management firm hired to oversee the 2016 event.  ‘’We were incredibly happy with feedback from 2016.  Overall, the response by attendees was very positive, ‘’ said Langille, as she notes the numbers indicate the same, ‘’the event saw an increase of 50% in attendance over the previous year and a 28% increase in the bottom line.’’

Dawn MacKay, a volunteer with the Farm Equipment Museum says the Museum relies on Exhibition traffic to further their awareness.  ‘’2016 was the best Exhibition we’ve had in years’’ said MacKay, sharing that 50% of their visitors last season attended during Exhibition week.

Together with NSPEC Staff and the Exhibition Planning Committee, Langille & Colburne are looking forward to building on the momentum created in 2016 with a proposed date change and a ‘’Nourishing Growth’’ theme that ties together Canada’s 150^th birthday celebration and agriculture.  Tanya Colburne also feels the theme is symbolic of the Exhibition grounds as a whole.  ‘’The large Bible Hill venue is one of the Maritime’s only ‘’camping festival’’ locations, and given its geographic location and its potential as an event venue, it’s important to nourish the growth here in that sense as well.’’

The organizers are also looking at moving the dates of Exhibition to start on Wednesday instead of Monday and end on Sunday instead of Saturday.  ‘’This gives families an extra weekend day to enjoy the Exhibition, and it’s logistically easier for livestock caregivers like 4-H, for example,’’ says Colburne.

Just prior to the first planning committee meeting, the NSPEC had representation at the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE) in Fredericton earlier in November. ‘’The NSPEC was happy to have a presence at this important industry conference,’’ says NSPEC General Manager, Joe Nicholson, ‘’it’s reflective of our commitment to continuing to build on the momentum created last year.’’

Part of that is continuing to work with sponsors, business, and volunteers.  Langille notes new  systems are in place and there are lots of opportunities for people to get involved as a volunteer,  ‘’we currently have a call for volunteers in the areas of fine arts & photography, coordinating the Exhibition parade, opening ceremonies and ag-awareness,’’ she says.  Anyone who is wishing to volunteer is encouraged to email [email protected].

The Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition is proposed to run August 23 to 27, 2017.  More details can be found at www.nspe.ca