From Deb Morse, Festival Founder and Director

Spring is FINALLY in the air. Although my daughter Aliyah (age 5) enjoyed the snow, I'm ready for the warmer weather. Festival preparations are at the forefront of my mind and spending time in the garden is a welcome reprieve especially on sunny days. Things are in full swing, and it looks like magic is going to happen. We have a wonderful, fabulous team I want to introduce you to:

James Cowan (Co-producer/production manager) shown here with daughter Sienna (age 2) is in his first year with the festival. James has over 10 years experience in the concert and event industry working on many events such as the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, The Western Canadian Music Awards, The Vancouver International Film Festival, and many more tours, festivals, concerts and community events. James' other passion is organic gardening/farming and building community. He and his family are part of a budding ecovillage project on Salt Spring Island called EcoReality.

Daniel Tourigny (Administrative support/logistics coordinator) started as a volunteer at the 2nd Annual Organic Islands Festival and found a deep appreciation for the amazing energy present that weekend. Daniel graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Victoria. He has a strong interest in promoting a happier, saner, more peaceful planet. Daniel enjoys spending time volunteering at the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre and the Victoria Centre for Self-Awareness.

Judy Kitts (Volunteer Coordinator/Sustainability Expo Director) is a Master's student in Dispute Resolution at the University of Victoria. She recently conducted research in Israel and the Palestinian territories. As a newcomer to Victoria, Judy is taking full advantage of all the island has to offer inlcuding training for her first triathlon. Judy's work with the festival fuels her aspirations of starting a compost, growing a herb garden, and trying to decrease her eco footprint.

More team members are coming on board. Exhibitors are signing up (lots of new ones this year) and sponsors too, which we are very grateful for. Feedback from last year was fantastic! Over 4,000 attendees enjoyed 100 exhibits, food demos, entertainment and the gardens. Our exit surveys show the majority of festival attendees are MORE or MUCH MORE likely to:

• Buy from an exhibitor (84%)
• Shop with sustainability in mind (71%)
• Adopt sustainable habits (61%)

This festival is making a differnce and as awareness about climate change grows, more people are eager to green up their lives. We want to make a bigger difference and challenge people to integrate what they learn at the festival.

This year the new Sustainability Expo will educate festival goers with fun, interactive presentations focusing on how to make sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices. Expo presenters will issue a call to action to festival goers who will pledge to integrate into their lives what they learn at the festival. If your community group would like to educate festival attendees in this way, please contact Judy -- volunteering@organicislands.ca for more information.

Feedback from last year also told us that we need to improve. And we have committed to creating a cleaner, greener, happier festival. This year the festival will be powered by a renewable energy station (courtesy of Energy Alternatives), and James, our co-producer, is putting together an Eco-Compliance Team to help the festival come closer to a zero footprint.

There is lots more news to share but I need to go and get on with my work as there is SO MUCH to do. You will be hearing from me again soon. I can't wait to share more about the wonderful program we are putting together.

In the meantime, there are lots of ways to get involved with the festival. You can: Volunteer (contact Judy), Exhibit or Sponsor (contact Deb), become a fan on Facebook (contact Daniel), and/or Help spread the word -- link to our website (www.organicislands.ca), or forward this newsletter.

Yours for a sustainable, organic future,
Deb Morse, Events Producer/Director
Dynamic Governance Consultant (Trainee)
T: 250-658-8148 E: deb@organicislands.ca
Creator and founder of the Organic Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo

1. Important Dates

*July 5, International Free Hugs Day. New this year at the festival: free huggers and tree huggers.

2. Thank you to our sponsors - Sponsors List

• Organic Champions: Level Ground Trading, LifeStyle Markets
• Organic Heros: Natures Path Foods
• Organic Sustainers: BackFit Spinal Health & Fitness
• Organic Supporters: SPUD, The Pinch Group at Raymond James
• Organic Friend Partners: Energy Alternatives, Pro Organics, Industry Images, Island Displays
• Main Stage Sponsors: Good Planet Company, Hemp & Company
• MEDIA sponsors: CHEK NEWS, Monday Magazine, GardenWise, Village 900 AM 100.3 The Q!, The Tyee, Harbourliving.ca

Some cash and in-kind sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact us now.

3. Who is coming - Exhibitors List

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, WeGo Solar, Eco Furniture, Greenway Carpet Cleaning Ltd, Trust for Sustainable Forestry, Salt Spring Seeds, Seed Sanctuary Project, AK Green Initiatives, BC Sustainable Energy Association, CanCompost, Conscious Learning for Health Institute - Movement for Life, The Organic Gardeners Pantry, Franca Organics Ltd., Biofert Manufacturing Inc., Sunscaping, Investors Group, Sidney Integrated Wellness Community Society (SIWCS), Global Health Brokerage Inc., Global Superfoods Inc., Outside/In Cosmetics, Isabella's Dream, HarbourLiving.ca, Affordable Hot Tubs & Saunas Ltd, Aromatic Farm Coop, Lilikoi Specialty Foods, Golden Maples Farm - Gourmet Foods and Wild Preserves, Kali Wags, The Healthy Snack For Dogs

We warmly welcome exhibitors across Canada from Manitoba to Sooke:

The Good Planet Company Honestly Tea & Gifts Salt Spring Gelato Delizioso Ltd Gathering Place Trading Company Body Organica Health & Wellness Solutions Fair Kick Soccer Silk Road The Good For You Gourmet Honestly Teas Western Canada Wilderness Committee Enviro Gem Advantage Health Matters SPUD Lifestyle Markets & Select Stores The Supreme Master Ching Hai Assoc. Hotties Hotdogs and Salt Spring Spice Updegrove Chiropractic Clinic Gaia College Discover Chiropractic Family Wellness Centre Sunset Bay Honey Farm Not Just Pretty Modern Clothing Karin's Country Farm Ltd. Habitat Acquisition Trust Rebecca's Garden & Echo Valley Farm PSC NATURAL FOODS Sooke Harbour House Dragonfly Dreaming Natural Care for Body & Spirit Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods Guayaki Yerba Mate Friends of Animals Capital Region Beekeepers Assoc. Planet Organic Market Valhalla Farm Herbs n'Things Kenta Farm Level Ground Trading Society for Organic Urban Land Care Backfit Spinal Health and Fitness Stewardship Natural Landscape Design The Pinch Group at Raymond James Ltd Raincoast Conservation Foundation Hemp & Company and many more ...

Check out the up-to-date list.

This is what people are saying:
An absolutely fantastic show! Level Ground Trading
A successful event with great exposure and networking opportunities. Nature’s Path Foods

4. Exhibit Spaces -- 75% booked, Registration Deadline is May 1st

• Prime Corner 10’ X 10’– Regular $1,125 -- only 1 available
• Prime 10’ X 10’ - Regular $938 -- only 1 available
• Standard Corner 10’ X 10’– Regular $688
• Standard 10’ X 10’– Regular $563
• Promo Table 8’ X 4’ – Regular $313
• Body Worker 8’ X 8’ – Regular $281
• Non-Profit Table in Sustainability Expo 10’ X 10’ – Regular $220
• Non-Profit Table 8’ X 4’ – Regular $220
• Farm Exhibit 10’ X 10’ — Regular $125

Fees include: Exhibit space, name in program, online directory listing, advertising opportunities in Times Colonoist 4 Full page impact feature Reserve your exhibit space online now or contact Deb Morse, deb@organicislands.ca or 250-658-8148.

5. Upcoming Green Events

Events in April - Victoria and West Shore

Emily Carr Collection at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria | Ongoing | Victoria
Green Learning | Ongoing | Royal Roads University, Sooke School District, Canadian Earth Institute, and Westhills
Soft Plastics/Styrofoam Recycling Event | April 12 | Westhills | Langford (and every 2nd Saturday after Apr 12!)
Holly Arntzen and the Voices of Nature School Programs | Various dates/locations
The Trials and Exhilarations of Being a Landscape Painter with Gretchen Markle | April 30 | Metchosin Growing Up Green Week at Westshore Town Centre | April 19-29 | Langford
Emily Carr House | Opening for the Season May 1st | Victoria

More info: 250.478.1130 www.emilycarrfestival.ca

6. Organic Islands Updates

Please contact us if you have questions. Or visit the web site:

Sponsors

MAIN STAGE SPONSORS:

The Good Planet Company

Hemp & Company

ORGANIC PARTNERS:

Energy Alternatives

Industry Images

Feedback from our sponsors and partners

"Nature’s Path Foods was a sponsor and exhibitor at the first festival for Organic Islands. The organizers did a fantastic job of advertising and promotions for the event.

Overall the event was a success and provided great exposure and access to lots of networking with other organic enterprises."

Dag Falck, Organic Program Manager
Nature’s Path Foods, Richmond, BC

"An absolutely fantastic show and great weather. That is to say, all that you were in charge of (and weren’t in charge of) was excellent! Level Ground Trading had a great show - the visitors were great to meet with."

Stacey Toews, Fair Trade and Social Justice Advocate
Level Ground Trading, Saanichton, BC

"We’ve been getting rave reviews about the weekend and what a great event you produced. The feedback has all been positive and everyone is looking forward to the next Organic Islands Festival."

Robyn Burton, Executive Director
Glendale Gardens & Woodland
home of The Horticulture Centre, Saanich, BC