This year鈥檚 亚洲天堂 Lake Trade Show drew an estimated 1,994 attendees over the course of the weekend, marking another successful chapter in what has become a signature event for the community.
Organized by the 亚洲天堂 Lake & District Chamber of Commerce, the show featured dozens of vendors, live entertainment, prize draws, and fundraising efforts鈥攁ll of which contributed to a vibrant and well-received gathering.
"We had no complaints from vendors or attendees,鈥� said Randi Amendt, manager of the Chamber. 鈥淎ll positive feedback.鈥�
Over 40 exhibitors took part in the event, with booths spread across both indoor and outdoor spaces. Inside, attendees could explore offerings from organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, Chinook Community Forest, Kal Tire, Hampton Lumber, and the Lakes District Fair Association. Outside, the lineup included Frontier Chrysler, Sullivan Motor Products, BC Emergency Health Services, and Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Bar, which occupied a notable 70-foot space.
The event wasn鈥檛 just about business. Most booths held draws, and the Chamber, in partnership with Rio Tinto, hosted a door prize giveaway worth $1,000 in local gift certificates.
Live entertainment was coordinated by the Lakes District Arts Council. The performances were widely praised.
鈥淭hey did an outstanding job,鈥� said Laura Blackwell, a board director with the Chamber. 鈥淭heir contribution was instrumental to the event鈥檚 success.鈥�
One of the highlight of the event came from Paul Hilliard, owner of Woods N Water, who held a live auction right on the show floor. Hilliard donated several items from his store and raised over $700 for the local food bank.
鈥淐ontributions like Paul鈥檚 not only enhance the atmosphere but also demonstrate the strong community spirit that makes our event so special,鈥� Blackwell said.
The trade show also included a diverse mix of food vendors. Four food trucks were on-site, and one of them sold out on both days. 鈥淗e had never attended such a large and well-attended event,鈥� Blackwell said. 鈥淗e described it as a fantastic experience.鈥�
Mayor Henry Wiebe said he was impressed by both the attendance and the level of engagement from the public. His presence helped underscore the importance of the event to the region.
The Chamber emphasized that trade shows like this one require months of planning and coordination, but are a vital tool for supporting local businesses. 鈥淭rade shows provide significant value to participating businesses,鈥� Blackwell said. 鈥淭hey create opportunities for networking, lead generation, and brand exposure. They also offer a platform to engage with potential customers and showcase products to a targeted audience.鈥�
As the final booths came down and the last of the raffle prizes were claimed, organizers turned their eyes to the future. The next 亚洲天堂 Lake Trade Show is scheduled for 2027. In the meantime, the Chamber expressed its gratitude.
鈥淲e would like to thank all the businesses and people in our community for supporting the local trade show,鈥� Amendt said.
