SAD DAY: Nigel Thompson is disappointed to see the cancellation of the North East Expo and Leisure Show for the second year running.
Waning interest from public, exhibitors proves too costly
Written by SALLY EVANS.
THE North East Expo and Leisure Show, planned for Wangaratta in February, has been cancelled for a second year in a row.
Committee members decided to axe the rural event after receiving just 15 bookings from exhibitors before the closing date on December 14.
While acknowledging the drought may have played a part in the poor response, expo president Nigel Thompson said public interest had also waned in the event.
"The effect of the drought and the cancellation last year I’m quite sure has changed the exhibitors’ attitude to the show, but I think we need to be realistic," he said.
"Over the last few years, both the number of exhibitors and the public attending the expo have declined and this has made it quite difficult for the expo to make enough profit to finance the next year’s activities.
"The drought has been a big factor, but certainly not the only one."
Mr Thompson said it was with a heavy heart that the committee decided to cancel the long-running expo, which was founded by local residents Sam Perna and Betty Matthews 23 years ago.
At its peak, the event attracted about 150 exhibitors and thousands of visitors.
Mr Thompson hoped the expo could be revived maybe in another form the following year.
Committee members will meet again in late February to decide the fate of the North East Expo and Leisure Show in the future.
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