INNISFAIL - It was before noon hour when Todd Becker stepped up to the podium during the annual Spring Trade Show to talk about energy.
For the second year in a row Becker, the chief administrative officer for the Town of Innisfail, and his staff organized an Innisfail Energy Hub speaker series at the event, hosted and organized by the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce.
This year the speakers were Leanne Kubiseski, from FortisAlberta, who gave an overview of demand-side management; Tristan Walker from Massif Energy, whose presentation was entitled ‘Energy as a Consumer (What is Energy?), and Brad Nickel from EQUS, whose topic was, ‘Does Solar Make Sense for You?’
Becker said engaging the public on energy is now more important than ever.
“If we lose sight about energy, we're going to lose as a community and it's going to become very expensive,” said Becker in an address to open the speaker series.
Before his presentation he told the Albertan that today’s discussion on energy with the public is one that can never end.
“It has to be constant. It can never stop. If you just stop thinking we just educated the community, no, it is going to be forever,” said Becker. “This is such a complex conversation.
“People are already impacted and they may not even realize it,” added Becker. “The more people who are aware where energy is going and the threats and opportunities it presents, the better situated we will be.”
The annual Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce Spring Trade Show at the Innisfail Twin Arena on April 5 and 6 attracted hundreds of citizens from town and across Central Alberta.
At times the two-day event took on a festival atmosphere. There was a free barbecue Friday hosted by FortisAlberta and music by Michelle Laine. On Saturday morning there was a free pancake breakfast sponsored by Servus Credit Union.
And for the kids there was a Family Fun Zone, sponsored by EQUS.
But most importantly for the grown-ups, the trade fair featured 65 of the best and most innovative businesses and services the region can offer, with each paying at least $450 to attend and set up a booth and display - despite the ongoing challenging economic climate everyone faces.
“It’s an extended, challenging time economically right now. Some people are still saying they are still impacted by COVID. Retailers are still having a lot of problems. They have not 100 per cent rebounded yet,” noted Coun. Cindy Messaros, council’s representative to the chamber’s board.
However, Messaros emphatically added that despite any apparent gloom with the current economy there absolutely remains a distinct energy of hope for a bountiful future.
“Everybody still comes here and it’s a very supportive surroundings,” she said. “There's not that competitive vibe. It's like everybody is here supporting each other.”
“It’s like, ‘if you can’t find something here, try over there, and go see over at this booth,” added Messaros. “I think having the town and the chamber supporting each other this way and having that good relationship is just good for everybody.”
Blaine Staples, president of the chamber, agreed by adding optimistically the Innisfail trade show is when Innisfail “opens up” for the spring.
“It seems like the trade show is when a lot of people come out of the woodwork that you haven't seen since last summer and everybody says hello and gets to see their neighbours again,” said Staples. “They're enthusiastic about springtime coming and the snow is almost gone.
“We know in another month we'll be able to enjoy outdoors on a regular basis.”
