It seems like everyone is jumping into the green event business these days. The majority have good intentions, but many are just trying to make a buck. Then there are those who started out with the right heart, but have grown to become big business ventures with large staffs and even larger salaries. For me, I say, “support the local shows and forget the big corporate ventures.”
This may seem a little harsh, however, supporting green expos or fairs that are put on by local people and use local suppliers is a more sustainable approach and better for the local area. We all know that if you buy local, your money will exchange hands at least three times in your very own community (http://www.newrules.org/retail/key-studies-walmart-and-bigbox-retail#1).
Local shows may not have the same advertising budgets, nor fancy websites or brochures, but they are in touch with what is going on in the community. They have a sense for what their neighbors want to see and talk about. They are celebrations and give a sense of neighborhood.
Shows that come into town once a year, then pack their circus tents, and move on to the next city are missing the point of sustainability. They are big business and take a lot of the money out of the community they claim to support.
Therefore, my advice is this: look at who is producing these events. If you are looking for them on the internet, it may take some work to find local festivals as the “big guys” have more money to spend on their websites and Google ranking. But with a little effort you will find those gems that support your neighborhood.
