Fair brings businesses together "$56"- * 54 r /&84
STÉPHANE LAJOIE stephanelajoie@eap.on.ca
“You can find everything from financial advice to gardening andwater treatment, said visitor SimonGartner. “When yougo to the big shows inMontreal andOttawa, youget all kind of information but nothing local. Here, you can talk to thewindowguy fromHawkesbury and the tractor dealer fromAlexandria. Local businesses are the core of our economy and it’s nice to see them coming together”.
With more than 2000 visitors and dozens of exhibitors fromPrescott-Russell, Glen- garry and Argenteuil, the 2016 Champlain Commercial Fair, which was held April 16 and 17 in Vankleek Hill, was a resounding success.
Étienne Cuerrier and Suzanne Tessier, owners of Pierre Perreault garage inHawkesbury.
At the Town of Hawkesbury booth, Mayor Jeanne Charlebois also believed that partnership is the key to the economical development of the region. “By coming here, we show that we are interested in a common development that we lead by example. Many stopped to talk to us about our multi-func- tional room at the arena. Hawkesbury is the commercial hub of the region and we need to act the part.” The Champlain commercial fair was also a big public-relations event and a place to network. Contests and sweepstakes were organized to catch fairgoers’ attention along with the distribution of free handouts. “Two years ago, the fair was very good for our visibility, because many people didn’t
knowwhere we actually were after we took over the Krown rust control banner, said Suzanne Tessier of Pierre Perreault garage in Hawkesbury. This way, they were able to find us. It’s not a fair where you make a lot of sales but we meet a lot of people, and as a business, you need to be seen around; reaching out to new customers or to those who have been with us for years is a crucial part of the business.” Topped with a VCI fundraising breakfast, the fair was the place to be last weekend and many visitors were pleased by the diversity and the usefulness of the event. “(It’s) The best place to rediscover our local economy and get some much needed input on pro- jects”, said visitor Tom Fairweather.
ORO Systems’ owner, Pierre Julien, has installed water treatment systems throughout Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. His Alexandria-based company has a mobile service in a region known for its sulfurous and ferrous water. —photos Stéphane Lajoie
Presentation Evenings - Soirées présentations
Thursday April 28 at 7 p.m. / Le jeudi 28 avril à 19h Thursday May 5 at 7 p.m. / Le jeudi 5 mai à 19h
Club de Golf Outaouais, 301, Montée Outaouais Mike Gervais : 613-850-8124
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