A change in location has resulted in renewed interest among exhibitors for the Estevan Showcase Business Expo.
Showcase will run from Sept. 22 to 24 at the Power Dodge Ice Centre (PDIC). The event was held at the building for many years, but it shifted to Affinity Place in 2011 when the events centre opened.
However, due to concerns about water seeping in through the temporary floor covering the ice at Affinity Place, the Showcase organizers – comprised of representatives of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Estevan and the Estevan Lions Club – decided to move Showcase back to the PDIC.
Jackie Wall, the executive director for the chamber, said 59 booths had been booked, as of Friday morning. One of them is an outdoor exhibit that will be located in the front courtyard of the Estevan Leisure Centre.
“It's significantly ahead of last year at this time,” said Wall. “That's great to see.”
Last year 42 booths had been booked the week of the event.
She didn't have a figure for how many actual vendors had committed to Showcase, since some of the vendors will have more than one booth.
“Some of those double booths, they will have more than one product,” said Wall.
The PDIC can accommodate 71 exhibits. If all the available space in that building is booked, then Showcase can also move into the hallways of the Estevan Leisure Centre.
Wall said the vendors have been very receptive about the change back to the PDIC.
“We have not had one complaint about moving over to the other facility,” said Wall. “They are very accepting because there is not going to be any ice yet, so we won't have any issues with the flooring, or with the temperature.”
If someone wants to be part of Showcase, Wall asks them to be booked before setup begins on Thursday.
"We would encourage people, as soon as possible, to get their applications in," said Wall.
Showcase will offer a good variety of exhibitors this years, she said. Some of the popular annual vendors will be back this year, but they also have some new vendors. Some non-profits will be present to promote their upcoming events and fundraisers.
She is confident that the public will be happy with the change in venue.
“There were some issues with the flooring buckling, and we were concerned about possible slipping or tripping, so those concerns will be mitigated now,” said Wall.
People who attend Showcase will enter through the main door of the Estevan Leisure Centre, pay admission and then walk down the leisure centre's hallway to the PDIC. Wall doesn't expect there will be any issues with users of the weight room or squash courts. It helps that the RM of Estevan aquatic centre is still closed for the annual pool shutdown, she said.
Admission will be $5 for one day for anyone over the age of 12. If people want to attend multiple days, they can purchase a weekend wristband for $6.
“As long as you have that wristband on, you can come and go for all three days,” said Wall.
The promotion started last year, and it was well-received, Wall said.
