The 2012 Green Living Show takes place from April 13-15 at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto.
For Tickets and information, please visit http://www.greenlivingonline.com/torontoshow

Retrospective on the Green Living Show – when being selfish is a good thing
Greg McMillan of TheGreenHub.ca

Sometimes it's okay to be a little selfish.

To qualify that statement, a little perspective: A solid contingent from TheGreenHub.ca – videographer Adam Hislop, photographer Tae McIntosh, myself and the rest of the TROHGGers*, Yani, Bryan and Alaina – took in the Green Living Show in Toronto recently. (continues below)

One could say we did it for selfish reasons – and that would be correct.

But not for personal selfishness, really, more selfishness as it applies to those living and working with us in The Green Hub area. We went to the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place with our eyes open, to pick up ideas, as well as cover the event from a media standpoint.

We intended to see what Canada's largest green consumer show had to offer, and then share the key points with our followers at TheGreenHub.ca

This then, is a retrospective our experience and observations. Selfish, maybe, but informative and helpful … definitely.

Right from the get-go we were impressed by the originality and inventive nature of the three-day event. Attendees could get their $12 admission fee waived simply by donating an old electronic device. Great idea and an eco-friendly initiative to boot.

Once inside, the green buzz was palpable. Colourful interactive displays and booths catered to all tastes and interests. The area was cleverly sectioned off with separate spaces for wine, beer and food tasting, automotive displays, products and services, as well as a separate stage where impressive speakers talked about eco-friendly lifestyles, environmental solutions and the latest green trends. (continues below)

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

There were all kinds of free giveaways, with contests and displays touting home energy conservation at every turn. There was quirky – our favourite, for some reason, was the ecoburials booth. But there were many many more.

There was lots for kids to do, from a special kids' zone area, to 'driving' hybrid cars, to animals from Jungle Cat World, to green youth leadership seminars.

We even bumped into one of new guest green bloggers at TheGreenHub.ca, Annie Szczygielski, who was a the David Suzuki Foundation booth. And we were intrigued to be able to get a close look at the Nissan Leaf, the fully electric, not hybrid, car.

While patrons were bombarded with information about environmental programs and Earth-friendly inventions, the overall effect was to drive home how the green movement momentum is picking up speed. It is incredible, and it definitely is not going away.

We also see no reason why a similar show could not be organized for The Green Hub. It would be a challenging task, for sure, but certainly doable. And staging such an event, drawing exhibitors from near and far, and showcasing their latest offerings, would help to cement our growing reputation as a leader in green.

It's an idea, anyway; selfish or not.

*Editor's note: The TROHGGers is an acronym for the family that lives at 87 Alexander Drive in Branford, the subject of the This Really Old House Goes Green project, which is following the green reno of a war-time house. With apologies, of course, to Ben Stiller and Robert de Niro of Meet the Fockers' movie fame …