The Great Outdoors Expo and Market

The Great Outdoors Expo and Market project was designed to:

Key Priorities of Focus

This project focuses on all four of the CDC’s Key Priorities.

The Lac du Bonnet Community Development Corporation and its partners are gearing up for another fantastic Expo and Market in 2023.

On May 6 and 7, 2023, The Great Outdoors Expo will feature everything that outdoors people could dream of, from building a beautiful backyard oasis to finding the best outdoor equipment and showcasing outdoor activities and adventures.

The Artisan Market will feature Manitoban Artisans and their homemade, handcrafted works of art. The Market showcases various products like jewelry, food and beverages, musicians, painters, woodcarvers, small businesses, and much more!

For more information about the Expo and Market, please visit GreatOutdoorsExpo.ca.

The CDC and its partners presented the Great Outdoors Expo & Market in May. This two-day event drew 1,500 people to the event, recorded sales of $82,622 on the show floors and generated over $250,000 in qualified leads for the large ticket item vendors who were in attendance.

In a sample survey of sponsoring businesses completed after the Expo, we received reports of weekend sales increases from 7 to 40 percent compared to the weekend before the Expo showing a direct impact on the community, especially for restaurants and accommodations.

Many new partnerships were also formed between the vendors, with local businesses now offering new products or services due to the connections made at the Expo.

The Lac du Bonnet Community Development Corporation attended the Interlake Outdoors Show in Arborg, Manitoba. The show was a well-organized event hosted by a team of community volunteers, the Bi-frost Recreation District, and JP Events.

Having attended several events organized by JP Events, the EDO recognized a partnership opportunity to produce a tradeshow in Lac du Bonnet that would focus on attracting the Eastern Manitoba business community and artists.

A committee was formed, including members from JP Events, NC Linsey Creative, ZAMM Communications, Barrier Bay Resort and the Lac du Bonnet CDC, to produce and host the Great Outdoors Expo in Lac du Bonnet.

This event will become an annual event in Lac du Bonnet, hosted on the first weekend of May. The profits from the event will be used for Lac du Bonnet CDC Operational Expenses and to fund Community Initiative projects the CDC is working on.