Future Oxford Expo to showcase county's future in sustainability
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Next week, Oxford County kicks off its plan for the future with the Future Oxford Expo.
The exposition features a plethora of speakers, including Dr. Bryan Smale, director of the Canadian Index of Well-Being, and Dr. Jose Etcheverry, the co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative, among others. Throughout the day, the expo will also feature municipal, community and business exhibitors, the Plug'n Drive Electric Vehicle Road Show and the waste-free food booth by Todd's Dogs, which boasts hot sandwiches and other food.
In total, there will be 37 exhibitors showing off things related to sustainability, including the United Way, Oxford Creative Connections, Oxford People Against the Landfill and Transition to Less Waste, as well as a number of other community organizations and businesses.
"The exposition is all about the launch of our Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan," Oxford County CAO Peter Crockett said. "It's a showcase of community exhibitors to give a flavour of what's going on in our community in terms of various sustainability initiatives (and) it is an event with some speakers that will highlight some very key aspects of sustainability."
Some discussion items on the agenda over the course of the expo include electric mobility and the transformation of the automotive and transit industries, the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy, and the role of small and medium sized businesses in a vibrant economy and a sustainable future.
"It's exciting from the standpoint that community sustainability is the plan that everybody wanted," Crockett said. "It is a community-driven plan and it is intended to be the launch of the implementation of the plan. More importantly, it will get people talking about what's going on in our community and how they may be able to figure out how to do their part and participate in their part of our sustainable future."
The expo will take place on Jan. 28 at the Oxford Auditorium in Woodstock. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to attend.
For more information on the 2016 Future Oxford Expo visit www.futureoxford.ca.
IF YOU GO
Jan. 28, 2016 Oxford Auditorium (875 Nellis Street, Woodstock, Ont.)
9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is free