THE PARENTS AND KIDS FAIR TURNS 20

HATS OFF TO ITS FOUNDING PRESIDENT LOUISE BENOIT,
MOM, GRANDMOTHER AND BUSINESSWOMAN!

 

 

 

Montréal, November 7, 2011. The Parents and Kids Fair will be celebrating its 20th year with a record 325 exhibitors! It’s what Canada’s biggest consumer fair for families will have in store for visitors as it hosts its 20th edition on March 29, 30, 31 and April 1, 2012, at Place Bonaventure, in Montréal. This is nearly five times the number of exhibitors the event attracted when it first started in 1993, and a testament to the energy and tenacity of the Fair’s founding president Louise Benoit, who is back this year as the event’s spokesperson. The fair is so irrefutably popular it is expected to draw 50,000 visitors in 2012. The Parents and Kids Fair, the famfest for expectant mothers and parents of children ages 0 to 6, is being presented for an 11th straight year by the Jean Coutu Group, an exceptional sponsor whose belief in the event, continued loyalty and commitment are a source of inspiration. The Jean Coutu Group has also been a participating exhibitor at the Fair for the entire 20 years, and its Espace Jean Coutu health info centre has virtually become a required starting point for visitors.

 

Canada’s biggest consumer fair for families

“Just like trees, kids need deep and strong roots to grow. In today’s fast-paced world, parents and expectant parents need guidance, tools and resources to make informed decisions. I remember thinking I wished there was an event with this kind of help when I was pregnant with my daughter, Marie-Soleil! That’s what prompted me to start a parenting fair for families with kids ages 0 to 6. Now the Parents and Kids Fair has grown into Canada’s biggest consumer fair for families,” observes a proud Louise Benoit, the Fair’s founding president. 

Parents love it!

Over time, the Fair has become the event of the year for families, an annual family activity that is as much fun for kids as it is informative for parents and expectant parents. Even grandparents are automatically penning it in their calendars each year. The Parents and Kids Fair pools together every possible tool and resource needed to plan and make the most of family life. It is in fact the biggest showcase for early childhood products, services and resources. Visitor satisfaction is 94%! People just love the family atmosphere, and it shows. As for Louise Benoit and her team, it continues to be a family tradition! That’s because Louise Benoit has a gift and flair for surrounding herself with the right people -- talented, versatile and loyal collaborators. “I feel blessed to be able to organize such a beautiful event that celebrates the love we feel for the children who light up our lives,” says a buoyant Louise Benoit, who along with being a driven and generous businesswoman, is also the proud grandmother of Clara and Thomas.

For starters…

Louise Benoit is a born people person and communicator -- traits she inherited from her father, an insurance man for over 40 years. “I love people,” she openly admits. “I often find myself stopping parents on the street quite spontaneously to chat about some of the issues affecting them and their children or to learn about the types of services they could use. I enjoy it and it’s my way of keeping my ear to the ground to ensure the Fair’s three signature themes – healthcare, social services, consumer products and services – remain relevant and of the highest possible quality.” 

A doer: From secretary to CEO!

Communicating comes naturally to Louise Benoit. Formerly the secretary of René Homier-Roy at the reputable Nous magazine in the 1970s, Louise has always been open to new challenges. A veteran of the event and exhibition planning business, she simply thrives on it. After working on some of Montréal’s marquee consumer and trade shows, the idea of creating the Parents and Kids Fair came to her as she sat in an outdoor terrace one sunny day. Louise remembers being struck by the number of mothers and strollers passing by and realizing there were no events aimed at helping new and expectant parents. This coincided with the growing number of pregnant women she would meet everywhere she went, a product of the demographic trend labelled as the Baby Boom Echo, which was still alive and kicking in Québec in 1991. Recalling the lack of resources available to mothers back when she had her daughter, Marie-Soleil, at age 21, she resolved to do something about it. After two years of planning, the Parents and Kids Fair launched in the spring of 1993. It was an instant success.  

Persistence that has Louise Benoit written all over it…

The secret of her success: strong values inherited from her father, such as always being actively involved, perseverance, kindness and commitment. There’s a reason why every company Louise Benoit started bears her name. “When I start something, I give it my all, and I’m not afraid to attach my name to the endeavours I’m involved with. Recognition and success in business are things you build on daily, year after year. We enjoy close ties with our partners, exhibitors and sponsors, ties based on values you can depend on: honesty, respect and trust,” says Louise Benoit.

Meaningful success: Parenting… Love and learn!

In 1994, Louise Benoit asked the scouts from the Greater Montréal chapter of the organization to escort moms with strollers, grandparents needing assistance and even expectant moms up the stairs leading to the exhibition hall of Place Bonaventure. It was a simple idea, but one that amply reflected Benoit’s knack for business, people and kids. That same year, she was made an honourary member of the Scouts du Montréal Métropolitain. For Benoit, leading a successful, rewarding life is intrinsically tied with helping people, another quality she inherited from her father, who enjoyed the final years of his life as a monk at the Saint-Benoit abbey, after helping Cardinal Léger raise funds for Fame pereo, one of the Cardinal’s first charitable endeavours. The Parents and Kids Fair continues to be free for children ages 12 and under. That in itself speaks volumes! Always driven by the desire to see children grow in the best possible developmental conditions, Louise Benoit invites you to come enjoy the 20th Parents and Kids Fair, and see why parenting is a love and learn experience!

Only the fairest godmother of all for our Fair!

A mom, to little Léo, Virginie Coossa looks forward to embracing her role as godmother of the 20th Parents and Kids Fair. Come meet Virginie March 29, 2012 at Place Bonaventure as she hosts the Fair’s official opening. Follow her throughout Canada’s biggest and nicest consumer fair for families. Virginie makes everyone smile, especially babies!

 

Celebrating 20 years of life!
Birth-Health-Education-Prevention-Leisure-Products-Services

Birth, health, breastfeeding, food, fertility, education, family therapy, security/prevention, adoption, government services, hospitals, midwives, organizations, associations, child care products, organic products, wellness advice, clothing, furniture, decoration, accessories, vacations, leisure, toys, financial products, photographers, book shops, pool safety, giant sandbox, face painting, clowns, mascots, children’s restaurant, food tastings, daycare, changing and feeding area, fashion shows, live shows, conferences, entertainment, plenty of contests and new product samples. Shopping onsite. 

Fair Essentials

When? March 29, 30, 31 and April 1, 2012 www.parentsandkidsfair.com
Times? Thursday – Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where? Place Bonaventure, Montréal.
Admission? $13 Adults, $11 Seniors/Students. Free for children 12 and under.

 

Parenting: Love and Learn!

www.parentsandkidsfair.com

 

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For information :

Andrée Peltier Relations publiques Andrée Peltier T. (514) 846-0003 apeltier@ca.inter.net

 

 

 

 

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