Ian Thompson

This session will explore practical ways organizers and municipalities can collaborate with Agricultural Societies to share resources, expand community engagement, and enrich programming. Attendees will gain insight into successful partnership models and leave with actionable strategies to strengthen their events through these valuable local relationships.

Outcomes:

1) Understand the differences between a Fair and a Festival

2) Understand the role of Agricultural Fairs in the Province of Ontario

3) Provide tangible suggestions for ways for municipalities and festival/event organizers to leverage the strength of their local Agricultural Society to share resources, forge strong relationships, etc.

BIO:

Ian Thompson is General Manager of the Caledonia Fair, Treasurer of District 6 of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS), and Treasurer of Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO). A lifelong resident of Caledonia, Ian joined the Caledonia Agricultural Society in 2008 as a first-generation junior member, later becoming the youngest director in the organization’s 150-year history. Ian was appointed general manager of the Society in 2019.

Ian’s efforts to execute creative and strategic fundraisers and special event partnerships have helped to ensure that the Caledonia Fair has been able to thrive through the COVID-19 pandemic and under the burden of a multi-million-dollar renovation project.

Ian has previously served as Chair of Caledonia’s Canada Day celebrations, organizer of the Metro Loop Victoria Day Fireworks, as President of the Canadian Society for the Preservation of Old Mills (SPOOM), and a board member for the West Haldimand General Hospital (WHGH)