Organizers of the Canada North Resources Expo hope to attract upwards of 7,000 visitors to look at close to 200 exhibits when the trade show hits the CN Centre on May 31 and June 1.
New Brunswick-based Master Promotions has taken over the administration of the show from the Central Interior Logging Association (CILA) although the local forestry organization will still be a presenting sponsor of the event.
"We do forestry events, heavy equipment events and this part of the world is just bustling with this type of activity and movement," Master Promotions spokeswoman Denise Miller said.
Miller described this year's event as "all encompassing" because it will expand beyond its forestry base in an effort to attract exhibitors and attendees from a variety of industries.
"It's not just a forestry show, it's not a heavy equipment show, but it's going to be the venue to show all those products and services that are needed to get the infrastructure built for those megaprojects that are in the works," Miller said.
All but two of the bulk outdoor spaces have been booked which is where executive show manager Mark Cusack said all the "heavy iron" will be located. Most of the heavy machinery will be static, but there will be a demonstration zone to show some of the equipment in action.
"That live demo area outside, that will be a draw," Cusack said. "If you have any kind of noise at these shows it draws a lot of people."
Some of the exhibitors are expected to bring simulators so people see what it's like driving excavators or hydraulic forestry machines.
Inside, Cusack is hoping to have between 120-125 exhibitors in support areas like fuel and hydraulics. There will also be seminars and a drive and ride area to try out new trucks.
In the past Master Promotions had been focused on eastern Canada, from Newfoundland to Ontario, but have been expanding west in recent years. They have hosted aquaculture shows in B.C. in the past, but this will be the first northern forestry expo produced by the company.
Miller said the focus now is attracting an audience for the exhibitors, which means reaching out to trade associations and large companies to get the right people to show.
"Our biggest goal is to bring an audience, not to have a huge gate," she said, adding exhibitors get free passes they can hand out to clients and associates. "The exhibitors will steer a lot of this because they know what customers they want at the show."
With the resource economy booming, Miller said some exhibitors will also be trying to fill job openings.
"Companies out there are crying for workers so we're encouraging visitors to bring their resumes to the show to hand out to these folks," she said.
