Kin Club business expo a success
By Mark Squibb
The CBS Kin Club hosted its first annual business conference and expo the weekend of October 16-17.
The free business conference was held at the Manuels River Interpretation Centre on the Friday and featured local speakers, including business owners, professionals, and members of the RNC, who spoke about threats to local small businesses.
A community expo was held at the Interpretation Centre the next day, Saturday. Dozens of local vendors were on hand, while Kin Club members and other volunteers offered fun activities for children and sold lunches out of the café in support of the club.
“We wanted to try something new, and one of our members, Jill Taylor, came up with the idea of doing an expo,” said CBS Kin Club President Tracy Lawrence. “So, we decided to give it a try and started adding more and more things to make a bit of money for the community, because all the money made will go back to the community.”
Once the plan was hatched, Kin members got to work sending emails, visiting businesses, making phone calls, buying supplies, and gathering volunteers ahead of the big weekend.
“It was a lot of work, I’ll be honest with you,” said Lawrence, who said Kin Club members put in hours upon hours of work.
Thirty-two vendors were on hand selling their wares and promoting their work, including arts and crafts hobbyists, local businesses, and community groups.
“We’re trying to be more involved in our community,” said Kai Seto of RBC, one of the event’s several sponsors. “Some people see a branch closing here and there and think, ‘Oh my goodness, RBC is not going to be there anymore,’ but we are always going to be around.”
“The Kin Club have been big supporters of the community,” added fellow banker Gary Clarke. “To support them makes RBC feel like we’re doing the right thing for the people of CBS.”
For smaller businesses, events like the expo are a good way to boost revenue and get their products to new customers.
“It’s good to get out at events in the community,” said Earon Pike of O’Liver Freeze Dried, a Conception Harbour based company that sells freeze dried candies and dog treats. “It just gives us that little bit extra.”
Avalon MP Paul Connors said he’d like to see the Kin Club hold the event every year.
“The Kin do a lot of good things for the community, and having an event like this allows vendors and businesses in the town to come and show their goods and be able to have access to residents who are out on a Saturday,” said Connors, who applauded the club for partnering with so many other non-profits and businesses to make the event a success.
Andrea Canning, meanwhile, was wearing two hats at the event, as a co-owner of Newlander Meat Shop, and as a member of the Downtown CBS board.
“From a business perspective, we’re here promoting the business, and letting people know that we’re a local business in the area, but it’s also about connections,” said Canning. “I’ve gotten a chance to talk with a few different business owners here and people who have stopped by the booth.”
The Kin Club, meanwhile, has a busy year ahead. In March, the club will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary, and in August will host the national convention. If you’re interested in getting in on the action, you can email Kincbsclub@gmail.com or attend a meeting. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Worsley Park.
