| NEWS 04.28.08 4:57 PM |
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| Green Living Show Attracts Celebrity Speakers |
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Planning a consumer show that attracts thousands of visitors is an involved process to say the least. But when former U.S. president Bill Clinton is the keynote speaker, the planning becomes that much more complex, says Margaret Johnston, director of the Green Living Show, which took place at the Direct Energy Centre this past weekend. "The physicality of the stage is probably more than what you would have for any other speaker. But it's also the logistics around the security," said Johnston of the impact that such a high-profile guest has on the show.
Johnston and the Green Living staff decided whom they wanted on the stage at this year's event, but it was show producer Justina Klein who handled the arrangements. "[Justina] guides that whole process," said Johnston, who reported that the Green Living team was successful in securing all of their top choices for speakers this year. "It's really about making sure that we have a cross section of speakers ... people who are well known and are doing good things in the environmental world," Johnston said.
Education was a key factor in selecting individuals to speak on the Home Depot Green Living main stage, she said. "The high-profile speakers help to bring attention to the issues and to the show itself," she said, adding that the local guests often share practical information about how attendees can adopt green practices at home. There are also speakers who combine the two, she said. "Ed Begley Jr. started as being known as an actor and so he has that high profile, but this is a gentleman who walks the walk. He lives the message every day," she said.
Other speakers included environmentalist Robert Kennedy Jr., film producer Jean-Michel Cousteau, Toyota Canada managing director Stephen Beatty, Toronto Argonauts C.E.O. Michael "Pinball" Clemons, and gardening expert Mark Cullen.
—Susan O'Neill
RELATED TOPICS
Bill Clinton, Robert Kennedy Jr., Jean-Michel Cousteau, Stephen Beatty, Michael Clemons, Mark Cullen
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