This year, Montreal will be hosting the 20th edition of Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert, a yearly exposition that takes place both here and in Quebec City. Montreall.com chatted with Jacques Landry, exhibitor coordinator, to talk about what the event is, what visitors can expect and why Montreal is becoming so into all things green.
Montreall: Can you explain Expo Manger Santé et Vivre Vert and what it is, what it offers, typically how long it runs, for people who may not know?
Jacques Landry: The Expo is a health food, ecology, and global health event where visitors can discover new ideas for meals, lunch boxes, anti-stress techniques, and everyday eco-friendly habits to put into practice to improve their health, well-being, and living environments.
The Expo in Montréal take place on Friday, March 24, 9:30am to 8pm, Saturday, March 25, from 9:30am to 6pm, and Sunday, March 26, from 10am to 5pm at the Palais des Congrès.
M: What is your role within the Expo?
JL: My title is exhibitor coordinator but in reality, I do much more. I am responsible for the smooth running of all the event logistics as well as the supervision of many aspects of the organization.
M: How long has it been taking place?
JL: It is the 20th edition of the Expo in Montreal and the 17th edition in Québec City.
M: How many visitors do you usually get every year?
JL: It grows every year. Last year, we had 23 500 visitors in Montreal and 10 000 in Québec.
M: How are participants chosen? What are the criteria? How do you decide what makes these participants unique or interesting?
JL: We try to promote veg, organic, non-GMO, local products and services and we are looking for exhibitors that are in harmony with our philosophy. We do not necessarily require this entirely of our exhibitors but we encourage it.
M: Do you have anything special happening this year? Any themes or new participants?
JL: This year, our theme is: For a healthy Québec, increasingly green and organic! We are highlighting how our food and lifestyle choices impact the environment and our children’s health and future.
M: What trend have you seen evolve since the Expo first started? (more of a particular type of product, similarities with the participants, etc.)
JL: More and more people want to feel better, they want to have control over their health, the want to be informed and educated. That trend is growing every year. As for the products themselves, there are more veg products, less meat and dairy, increasingly organic products, and people want to know what exactly is inside the products.
M: To what do you attribute the growing popularity of the Expo? To the green living movement in the city?
JL: The green movement is the icing on the cake, but what supports the icing is the cake itself. The cake is the desire to feel better. People want to be healthier, they want to be able to have an impact on their health, they want to know what is right and what is wrong for them in terms of food, cosmetics, and even clothes. It starts with the person and when the person feels good, they can go further toward the environment.
M: What do you hope for the future of the Expo?
JL: To continue to inspire, to inform, to stimulate exchanges, and to have an impact on people’s health, wholesome living, and wellbeing!
Event Dates:
Friday, March 24, 9:30am to 8pm
Saturday, March 25, 9:30am to 6pm
Sunday, March 26, 10am to 5pm
Where:
Palais des Congrès, 1001 Jean Paul Riopelle Pl, Montreal, QC H2Z 1H5, Place d’Armes metro
Website: http://expomangersante.com/en/
Cost at door: $14 regular rate, $11 student and seniors (65+) rate, free for 16 years old and under
Photos courtesy of the Expo Mangé Santé et Vivre Vert
