The National Women’s Show Toronto edition was held Friday through Sunday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. As usual, there were exhibitors from many industries, ranging from fashion and beauty to food, travel and more. In addition, there were demonstrations and fashion shows. All in all, the event was a great deal of fun – especially in the food section as there were many things to sample. However, if you were part of the media, it was NOT that great.
Goat cheese samples from Crosswind Farms
The event itself was extremely crowded. Of course, that is a good thing. It means that the National Women’s Show is making money. However, long lines aren’t exactly the best for media who want to speak with exhibitors and/or take pictures. We get complaints from “regular” attendees who believe we are hogging the line – especially in the food areas. It would have been nice if there had been a media preview a little earlier, similar to events like the Interior Design Show or the One of a Kind Show. That way, media can get the information they want from exhibitors without disrupting regular attendees.
Harmony Organic Milk
Yes, I realize this sounds like I’m trying to be very polite (and not to mention, stereotypically Canadian), but in my experience at events, I have been criticized by non-bloggers/media that I am taking too much time with speaking with exhibitors and photographing their products. Well, it’s part of my job to do this. Typically, this comes from people of a certain age who don’t “get” the digital world. Late Gen Xers and Millennials don’t really care since they’ll be doing the same – whether they are part of the media or not.
Mustard from Sur Les Quais
However, as I noted earlier, the National Women’s Show as NOT bad from a consumer perspective. I personally had a great time trying different products – when I had the chance – even if the products are not new. Harmony, one of the two major organic dairy brands, was there sampling milk (though not new products – just their regular line) and I had the chance to try their UNhomogenized whole milk. This is NOT something I drink on a regular basis (I’m a skim kind of girl) and it was definitely much creamier than even regular whole milk since the cream is not mixed in. Another item I like were the tubes of mustard from The Hungry Artisan‘s Sur Les Quais line, which come in several different flavours, including truffle and lime. Some of my favourites, including Crosswind Farms (there with both their skincare and food products) and Natura, which sells non-dairy milk alternatives were there, but brands which were in attendance last year, including Oliv Tasting Room and Rolling Meadow Dairy were not back.
Would I go back next year? Probably. I found that this year, although I went at around the same time as 2014, was a bit more difficult for media, due to the crowds (not that it was that easy last year, either). It’s getting busier by the year!
