First Kootenay Reverse Trade Show a big success

Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliance (KRREA) held its first ever Kootenay Reverse Trade Show on Thursday, November 4, at the Prestige Inn in Cranbrook.

There were 16 exhibitors and a sold-out crowd of 109 registered for lunch, and many more attended the trade show.

What is a reverse trade show? It is a twist on the traditional trade show…the Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliance's (KRREA) goal was to put potential buyers behind the booths while potential vendors (or providers of services) attend the show and have the opportunity to meet these procurement professionals.

"One of the mandates at KRREA is to encourage connections between businesses in the Kootenays and that is exactly what the Reverse Trade Show accomplished," said Keith Powell, chair of KRREA. "I saw more people exchanging business cards, talking business and shaking hands than I've seen in a long time. People didn't want to leave, they wanted to talk to everyone."

Guest speakers included Fred Mehl of Shadow Mountain and Rick Jensen, CEO of Panorama Resort and New Dawn Developments. The event was sponsored by Shadow Mountain Resort, Columbia Basin Trust, Teck Coal, BC Hydro and Kootenay Business magazine.

Click here to see a slide show of the Reverse Trade Show.