Denis Flanagan CLD
Director of public relations and membership services

The year 2008 wound down for our communications department with two large consumer events: The Royal Winter Fair and The Crystal Ball Gala.
 

The Royal

We partnered with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Canada Blooms and The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association to create a display around the wine bar that offered a combined information booth. During the 10-day show, we distributed over 8,000 Garden Inspiration magazines.

Thanks to these Royal Winter Fair donors: Camilla House Imports, Brookdale Treeland Nurseries, Flowers Canada-Ontario, Lange Transportation, Miller Compost - The Miller Group, Moonstruck Landscape Lighting, Muskoka in the City, Townscaping, Unilock Limited and Universal Rock/WC Marketing.
 

The gala

We decorated the silent auction area and again distributed our consumer magazine to over 1,500 attendees. This event is a fundraiser for the Reach for the Rainbow organization. The funds are used to support the integration of disadvantaged children into regular day camp programs. Reach for the Rainbow develops integrated opportunities, enriching the lives of children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, their families and the communities in which they belong across the province of Ontario.
As well as the two events featured above, the following is a list of the many consumer points of contact I was involved in on your behalf during 2008. I had great support from staff and members — thanks to everyone.

I estimate LO made over one million points of contact with consumers through these events
 

TV and radio

Global News/weekly garden tips
Rogers, three recordings played all summer
CBC Radio, 10 interviews through summer
CHCH Natural Gardening interview
CFRB Garden Show, regular sessions
740 AM, hosted garden show
Classical FM, gardening update
CFOS AM, interview on garden trends
 

Home and garden shows

Canada Blooms, display and seminars
Success with Gardening Show, seminars
Cottage Life Show, seminars
Design for Living Show, seminars
London Home Builders Show, healthy lawns
Quinte Home Builders Show, display and seminar
TBG, Jump On Spring Show
Canadale Garden Show
Belleville Garden Show
Peterborough Garden Show
Alliston Home and Garden Show
Picton Garden Show
St. Jacobs Garden Centre/Fafard event
St, John’s, Nfld., garden show seminars
Pickering Town Centre
 

Horticultural society presentations

Claremont
Gravenhurst
Bronte
Fanshawe
Claremont
Uxbridge
Milton
Welland
Hensal
Woodbridge
 

Other events

OPA Convention, presentation
OHA Convention, presentation
Master Gardeners, presentation
York University Garden, presentation
Missisauga Garden Council, presentation
Mississauga Cancer Society presentation
Communities in Bloom Awards, Gravenhurst
Schools in Bloom Awards, Niagara

The year 2009 promises to be even more exciting and productive, as we expand our communications department and launch our Green for Life campaign and website.
 

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Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.