As a part of the Canadian Connections marketing program a qualitative fair is bing organized yearly from February 2006. It activates Canada’s good image in the Netherlands and Europe for a number of economical and cultural sectors, which are aimed for the general public ‘the consumer’.

During the Canadian Connections Fair the consumer can transform his interest in Canada into actual actions. During this Fair the consumer will be treated as a guest and can take their time to realize every dream. Among the Fair activities there is room for creating and maintaining business relationships. The guests can orientate themselves on the lifestyle in Canada, the arts & culture and tourism market and find information for a professional future in Canada.
The main objective is an effective yearly Canada Fair where companies and other organizations can exhibit their Canadian products in a beautiful shop-window.

Of course! Canada offers all year round an extensive range of impressive travels: City trips, nature experiences, winter sports, golf trips, ranches, action of relaxation, luxurious of adventurous, Indian culture: make your choice, because Canada always gives a great experience!

Canadian Connections Fair is a marketplace where consumers and entrepreneurs will meet yearly.

The location

The impressive and attractive Hazemeyer Hengelo is the stage for the Fair.

Hazemeyer Hengelo is an inviting location for a peaceful stay in a special ambiance of industrial heritage. This setting creates the perfect circumstances to define the interest in Canada more closely and see one of the many renowned Canada specialists for a vacation, art object or a typical Canadian product

Walas the Canada Specialist / Canadian Connections proudly presents the results in the evaluation report of the second Canadian Connections Fair which took place 2– 4 February 2007 in Arnhem.

Due to the excellent cooperation between the organizer, location provider, entertainment provider, food & beverage experts as well as all the participants and of course the guests, we can look back at a successful and inspiring event. Please visit the web page with our participants since they offer their beautiful Canadian products throughout the year.

Some results:
Total number of participants: 43
Total number of visitors: 3.911
Total number of presentations: 15
72% of our visitors has a positive response

Origin of visitors:
From all over the Netherlands but especially from:
Gelderland, focus on Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Duiven
Overijssel, focus on Twente
Friesland
Zuid Holland, focus on Den Haag

We've sent a questionaire to more than 300 visitors of the fair. Almost 20% filled out the form and returned it to us. Thank you all very much! We feel it is very importand to hear how you, as our guest, experienced this Canadian event. We share some of the results with you.

Our first question was about the way people knew about the fair. It turned out our presence at the Vakantiebeurs was not unnoticed. Also friends and family pointed out the fair to people they knew who would beinterested.

"How did you know about Canadian Connections Fair 2007?" (vakantiebeurs, road signs, adds, newspaper article, different)

The average stay was long:
By offering special food & beverages, opportunities to browse through Canadian products, books and art, relaxing area’s, films, presentations and a variety in entertainment and performances this goal was reached, especially during the weekend.
The participants could zoom in on the interest of the guests by personal communication.

For the participants especially it is interesting to know why people visited the Fair (multiple answers could be given) and how long they stayed.

"With what purpose did you visit the Fair? " (nice day out, immigration, travel, artists, culture&art, different)

"How long did you stay at the Fair?"

One of our goals was to create the open and friendly Canadian atmosphere. According to our visitors we succeeded! 91% agrees. And of course we asked whether you plan to visit the Fair again next year!

"If the Fair is organized agian next year I: will be there fur sure / think I'' come / will not come "

Some conclusions and advises for the Fair in 2008:

• Same choices in lay out and products.
• Open from Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• The basis costs for organizer will stay more or less the same.
• Using a variety of entertainment in the same way.
• Maybe entertainment/performances on Thursday evening for invitees and press and Friday and Saturday for public.
• Emphasizing more on art and culture.
• When possible more focus on East Canada as well.
• Need for more participants in immigration and moving sector.
• Better sound system.

Who is who...

Walas the Canada Specialist bv is a part of the Walas International Group, which has a close relationship with Canada since 1992. Walas International is successful in the economical, tourist and cultural (project) development, marketing & sales of Canadian projects in Europe.
Walas the Canada Specialist (EU) cooperates closely with Walas Concepts Incorporated (Victoria and Vancouver, BC, Canada).