By Jennifer Hoegg

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Local businesses can learn about a unique chance to promote their products and services at two April 21 information sessions on the upcoming Can-Am Equine East Better Living Show.

The huge horse industry event moves from Truro to Windsor this year, bringing three days of trade show events, workshops, lectures, information sessions, and musical extravaganzas. Running May 30-June 1, Equine East is a showcase event for the Valley’s annual Apple Blossom Festival.

Windsor’s annual business expo will be rolled into the weekend’s excitement, Tourism coordinator VanEssa Roberts reported It will take advantage of Can-Am’s expansion into a “lifestyle event.”

Roberts said the combination of the Equine East and Apple Blossom audiences would bring local businesses “better opportunity and visibility.”

Traditionally an educational and commercial event for the equine set, this year’s event is “a learning expo on anything from horses from grass-cutting,” Can-Am Equine president Paul Maguire said. “We’ve been about the better living of horses. Now we’re bringing in the human element.

“We bring in speakers from around the world on the horse industry,” Maguire noted. “This year, with the Better Living Show, adds different lectures and talks over the three days on better living in the Maritimes.”

Open house

Monday, April 21, Maguire will be in Windsor to share information about the big event. During two one-hour sessions in council chambers, at 10 a.m and 6 p.m., Maguire will be talking to business owners “a little bit about what we have to offer with this event and how they can get involved.”

Maguire added that he would be distributing event coupons to businesses during the open house. “We would really like to see a lot of businesses come out.”

Roberts is excited about what the Can-Am show can bring to Windsor. Not only will local businesses have a large audience for their showcase, it’s a great way to raise the profile of Windsor and West Hants with the growing “equine lifestyle” market.

She recently attended Can-Am’s Ontario show along with Apple Blossom Festival representatives. The group distributed tourist information to thousands, many keen on visiting the area. “There were at least 2,500 people who we talked to one-on-one about the Valley and Nova Scotia. I think it was an excellent value for us.”

Can-Am is pleased with the partnership, too, Maguire said. “We’re very fortunate and happy to be teaming up with the Town of Windsor.”