TORONTO—The Manitoulin Expositor had a successful week at the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show held over the March Break, showcasing its Salmon Classic and doing double duty to promote Manitoulin tourism and the Chi-Cheemaun ferry.
“We had great interest from the public,” said Dave Patterson, avid fisherman, Expositor product manager and Salmon Classic lead. “People were very excited to see an event of this calibre on Manitoulin Island and were wowed by the $12,000 first prize on offer.”
Expositor staffers Mr. Patterson, Rick and Alicia McCutcheon, Carly Gordon and Steve Green were joined by Fuel the Fire TV’s Neil Debassige and Rob Seifried, who really drew in the crowds to The Expositor booth. “A video of Fuel the Fire TV’s salmon episode played constantly at the booth and when the ‘screaming reels’ went off, it stopped people dead in their tracks,’ Mr. Patterson added.
“We gave away upwards of 2,000 This is Manitoulin’s, Chi-Cheemaun schedules and other Island promotional items,” said Ms. McCutcheon. “It’s amazing how many people we spoke to who have been to Manitoulin at some point in their lives and are big fans, and for those who haven’t, we invited them to come and visit.”
Sportsmen Show fishermen were happy to learn that thanks to the hard work of Island Fish and Game Clubs, the salmon fishery is on the rebound and ready for action at this year’s Salmon Classic.
This is the second show of the year where 2016 This is Manitoulin’s have been handed out to those looking for more information on Manitoulin and its many offerings. Last month Maja Mielonen and Guy Nielen handed out 1,200 of the magazines along with ferry schedules and municipal brochures to attendees of the International Bicycling Show in Toronto with yet more enthusiastic response for the world’s largest freshwater island.
“We heard often of the desire to visit Manitoulin this summer as it has been on many people’s bucket lists for years,” Ms. Mielonen said.
The press run for This is Manitoulin for 2016 was 57,500 copies and are distributed at Ontario information centres across the province, as well as across Manitoulin Island.
For more information on the Salmon Classic or to buy a ticket (for just $60), visit www.fishmanitoulin.com, call 705-368-2744 or stop by The Expositor Office in Little Current.
