The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce has some big plans for talent for next month's Best Business Showcase and Trade Fair event at the Credit Union CUPlex.
The event, running Oct. 24 to 26, is a trade show designed to showcase the best of business in the Battlefords. The venue will be the new NationsWEST Field House.
As Chamber executive director Linda Machniak told the Chamber board last Tuesday, a number of notable speakers and presentations have been lined up for the three days of the event.
Machniak confirmed that Matt Dominguez will be the guest speaker at the kickoff VIP luncheon. Dominguez is a Grey Cup winning former Saskatchewan Roughrider who is now the new broker of record for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in North Battleford.
Also coming is Dr. Booze from Saskatoon. He will be on hand with three slots each day: one on red wine, a second on white wine and a third on Christmas cocktails for the holiday season.
He will have some sampling there for guests who come up on stage.
Also confirmed is RiderGirl. Her name is Colleen Sutton and she has been performing a one-woman show as RiderGirl across Saskatchewan and Canada.
She will be at the VIP luncheon Thursday and do a presentation at suppertime, said Machniak, to promote her show. RiderGirl has been booked for Nov. 16 at the Dekker Centre.
Peg Gilchrist of Jockey Person to Person Clothing will be bringing in a designer from New York to expose audience members to the clothing line.
Saturday, Oct. 26, headline entertainment includes Chris Emery and Larry Finnson, who were on Dragons Den in 2012 and made the Clodhopper candies that were very successful. When they went on Dragons Den they persuaded Arlene Dickinson to invest in their company and they now market OMGs, a gourmet candy that will also be on sale throughout the show.
Also coming is Richard Brown, longtime TV news anchor on CTV News, Global, CNN Headline News and in various American markets. He most recently hosted a talk show on News Talk Radio in Saskatchewan and now works for the mayor's office in Saskatoon.
Machniak said Brown has a "very unique view of the world and of Saskatchewan and its development based on his experiences around the world."
There are a couple more spots to fill, Machniak said. Also, Machniak said they are hoping to have North Battleford native Andrew Albers of the Minnesota Twins appear. A formal invitation has been extended but he has not been confirmed yet.
As for other preparations, both UltraPrint and Battlefords Tribal Council have been lined up as hall sponsors and Crown Cab has been secured as the stage sponsor.
North West Regional College was secured as the VIP luncheon sponsor and the Battlefords Small Business Loans Cooperative Ltd. and the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Loans Association have been secured as the breakfast sponsor. Battlefords Hotel Association is sponsoring entertainment.
Booth sales continue to go well. Machniak reported that 59 of 76 booths have been sold in the UltraPrint hall and 48 of 64 booths have been sold in the BTC hall. There are also five or six strong leads for additional booths, she said.
