Genesee Valley Chapter
Adirondack Mountain Club

Outdoor Expo 2005

Saturday, June 11, 2005   9 AM - 4 PM   Mendon Ponds Park Beach Area

We need you for Expo 2006!

Thanks to all for making Expo 2005 a great success!
Photos by Cathy - Pictures from the beach by Cheri

(We also had a grand time at Expo 2004 and took lots of pictures.)

Updated June 13, 2007 10:06 PM ET

What is Outdoor Expo?

Have you ever wanted to just try a canoe or kayak but didn't know where to go? Have you ever wondered if there was a club with your outdoor interests? Here's your chance!

The Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is hosting the 8th Annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday June 11th from 9:00 - 4:00 on the beach at Mendon Ponds Park.

The Genesee Valley Chapter has organized this event with YOU in mind! Just come see what you can do in the Rochester area! Demonstrations, discussions and activities will be offered all day on a wide variety of outdoor related topics. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with people that share the same interests as you all in one location! Last year's Expo attracted approximately 500 people who attended more than twenty workshops on various aspects of outdoor activities. Attendees also viewed and inspected new outdoor gear and tried out canoes and kayaks on Hundred Acre Pond. ADK, other local outdoor clubs, and local outdoor retailers presented all events.

What can I do at Expo 2005?

Download the Expo 2005 Schedule (pdf).

There will be dozens of canoes and kayaks available to try at no cost. There will be representatives from area clubs offering information on what they do and how to join. Besides the ADK, there will be clubs such as the Rochester Orienteering Club, Rochester Biking Club, Genesee Waterways, Finger Lakes Trails Conference and many more! There will also be other outdoor related events going on all day such as tent displays, hikes, cooking demos, map & compass skills, biking, orienteering, and backpacking demos just to name a few.

There will be additional workshop at the beach.

All this and more - free and open to the public! Bring some friends, bring the kids, and spend the day. You can buy lunch, snacks, and drinks from Foodlink (same folks as last year) or you can pack your own.

Workshops!

Brush up on your skills and learn new ones at the Expo 2005 workshops. So far we have GPS 90-min Hike, Nordic Walking, Butterfly Hike, Geocaching, 1-Hr Hike West Esker, 5-mile Hike East Esker, Gentle Hike, Orienteering, Nordic Walking, Beginning Compass, Orienteering, Dehydrating Food, Knot Tying, Planning a Family Hike, Planning an Adventure Trip, Bike Maintenance, Emergency Bike, Changing a Flat in the Woods, Long Distance Biking, Higher Altitude Climbing, Stoves, Selecting a Tent, First Aid for Dogs, Lightweight Backpacking, Boot workshop, Dealing with Bears, Caving, Wilderness Survival, Beginning Kayak Techniques, Where to Paddle a Canoe, Canoe Paddling Techniques, Pack your Kayak, Adaptive Paddling, Build Your Own Paddle, Rescue and Recovery, Whitewater Techniques, Choosing a Boat, Commuting by Bike, Lyme Disease, Bats and/or Bluebird Trails, Search and Rescue, For Women Only, Outdoor Cooking, Massage for the Trail, Leave No Trace, and Where to Go and What to See in Wetlands.

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Who will be at Expo 2005?

Rochester area outdoor vendors and clubs are invited to participate in Outdoor Expo.

The following vendors, clubs and organizations have participated in the past couple years or are new for 2005. The ones marked with a # have confirmed that they will participate this year.
If you're not on the list, but want to be, contact one of these folks.

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Outdoor Expo FAQs for Outdoor Clubs

What is the Outdoor Expo?

The Outdoor Expo is an event put on by the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club to educate people about what they can do locally outdoors. By inviting local outdoor related clubs, we are hoping to help these people connect with clubs that match their interests.

Why should we participate in the Expo?

This is the perfect opportunity to meet people interested in the outdoors! There are no fees attached to this event. Last year there were over 500 people that registered. You'll get to spend the day talking about things you enjoy and meeting people with similar interests. Did we mention that its FREE?

When & where will the Expo be?

OUTDOOR EXPO will be JUNE 11TH FROM 9-4 AT MENDON PONDS PARK BEACH AREA.

We haven't signed up, can we still participate?

If you haven't let us know you want to join in the fun and educate the public about your club - there is still time. Just let us know.

How many other clubs will be there?

It's too early to say for sure, but you can look at the list to see who has particpated in the pase ... there will be A LOT of boats available to try out and the list of workshops is impressive.

Can I get a copy of the schedule of events?

Check back here for more information on the events, sometimes we have last minute changes.

What if we want to do a demonstration?

Just email Deni at: denicharp-at-aol.com with a brief description of the event and we'll try to incorporate it.

When & where can we set up?

Please plan to set up your tables between 8 and 9 AM. Park tables are available but they are heavy to move and have benches attached, so bringing your own table and chairs is best. We would also suggest bringing a tarp in case of rain. You can select a site on the path to the beach area. If you have a preference get there sooner rather than later.

Will food be available?

Foodlink will be available for lunch.

I heard about a raffle, what's it going to be?

In the past the Expo Committee held a raffle at the end of the day. This year, we're going to get out of the way and let clubs and vendors hold their own if they so choose. It's a great way to collect contacts. We do ask that you keep the value of individual prizes to $100 or less.

How can we help make this Expo a success?

Please let your membership know about this event. If you would like your club website linked to the Outdoor Expo page please send us your website address. As the we get closer to Expo we will have posters for you to download and post.

What if we can't make it but would like to get information about the club to the Expo?

If you can't make it but would like to make your informational or events brochures available to the public, please contact us, we will have a table for handouts.

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Outdoor Expo FAQ's for Vendors

What is the Outdoor Expo?

The Outdoor Expo is an event put on by the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club to educate people about what they can do locally outdoors. By inviting local outdoor related clubs, we are hoping to help these people connect with clubs that match their interests.

Why should we participate in the Expo?

This is the perfect opportunity to meet people interested in the outdoors not just the casual passer-by but people interested in the outdoors! There are no fees attached to this event. You'll get to spend the day talking about things you enjoy and meeting people interested in the outdoors; interested in products you provide. Last year there were over 500 people that registered. Did we mention that its FREE?

When & where will the Expo be?

OUTDOOR EXPO will be JUNE 11TH FROM 9-4 AT MENDON PONDS PARK BEACH AREA.

We haven't signed up, can we still participate?

If you haven't let us know you want to join in the fun and educate the public about your club - there is still time. Just let us know by March 30, email John at: andrew1-at-usadatanet.net.

How many other vendors will be there?

It's too early to say for sure, but you can look at the list to see who has particpated in the pase ... there will be A LOT of boats available to try out and the list of workshops is impressive.

Can I get a copy of the schedule of events?

Check back here for more information on the events, sometimes we have last minute changes.

What if we want to do a demonstration?

Just email John at: andrew1-at-usadatanet.net with a brief description of the event and we'll try to incorporate it.

When & where can we set up?

Please plan to set up your areas up between 8 and 9 AM. Park tables are available but they are heavy to move and have benches attached, so bringing your own table and chairs is best. We would also suggest bringing a tarp in case of rain. You can select a site in the area south of the parking lot. It's a large area so we aren't putting any size limitations on your area. If you have a preference exactly where you will be, please come sooner rather than later.

Will food be available?

Foodlink will be available for lunch.

Can we sell anything at the Expo?

No, we are trying to keep the Expo a non-commercial event. We are stressing the fun and adventure aspect of the outdoors and want to avoid people feeling pressured to buy things. You can however, hand out coupons if you'd like. We can tell you from past events that people have gone back to vendors that were helpful and knowledgeable at their displays to buy the gear they wanted.

I heard about a raffle, what's it going to be?

In the past the Expo Committee held a raffle at the end of the day. This year, we're going to get out of the way and let clubs and vendors hold own if they so choose. It's a great way to collect contacts. We do ask that you keep the value of individual prizes to $100 or less.

How can we help make this Expo a success?

Please let your membership know about this event. If you would like your club website linked to the Outdoor Expo page please send us your website address. As the we get closer to Expo we will have posters for you to download and post.

Outdoor Expo is a cooperative, educational venture. It's a chance for the Genessee Valley Chapter of ADK and the participating vendors and clubs to give back to the Rochester area community, and get some significant exposure in the process. Costs for this event are kept to a minimum but some expenses are still incurred and absorbed by the ADK. Monetary donations made to the ADK after the Expo to help defray expenses are appreciated although not mandatory. Your staff members and volunteers, who generously donate their time, knowledge and experience, are what truly make this a mutually beneficial and continuously successful event.

What if we can't make it but would like to get information about the club to the Expo?

If you can't make it but would like to make your informational or events brochures available to the public, please contact us, we will have a table for handouts.

Posters to Download

• Expo 2005 Flier (.pdf)

Here are some more sample posters from last year.

• Need to check out some new gear?   (.pdf)   B&W   Color
• Trying to get a grip ... on what to do?   (.pdf)   B&W   Color
• What will you do when the snow's gone?   (.pdf)   B&W   Color

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Teams and Contacts

Want to help out with something? These are the folks to contact.

Committee Chair

• Steve Tryon (stryon-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for keeping the rest of the team pointed in the right direction and working together effectively.

Workshop Coordinator

• Ken Harbison (kharbiso-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for developing, recruiting and scheduling demonstrations, workshops and events for the public for the Outdoor Expo. This includes working with the Expo Chairman, Clubs Coordinator and the Expo committee to develop ideas for events as well as people to run the events. This may include working with any other clubs that expresses an interest in doing an event. The coordinator will also develop and produce a schedule to be printed on the events, times and locations.

Outdoor Vendor Coordinator

• John Harrison (andrew1-at-usadatanet.net)
• Act as a liaison between the Expo Committee and the various outdoor vendors that may be invited to participate. (No coordination with beach vendors will be required. In the case of overlap between 'land and sea', the Outdoor Vendors Coordinator shall work with the Water Vendor Coordinator.)

Waterways Coordinator

• Charlie Helman (chelman-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for developing, recruiting and scheduling the waterfront demonstrations, workshops and events for the public for the Outdoor Expo.

Beach Coordinator and Water Vendor Coordinator

• Charlie Helman (chelman-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Develop a list of boat vendors, including contact person, that could be invited to participate in the Expo (With assistance from the Expo and Waterways Committees).
• Act as a liaison between the Expo Committee and the various vendors that may be invited to bring boats to the beach. (No coordination with land-based vendors will be required. In the case of overlap between 'land and sea', the Beach Coordinator shall work with the overall Outdoor Vendor Coordinator.)
• Ensure in advance that all participating boat vendors are aware of, and agree to the rules governing their participation in the Expo, and enforce these rules during the Expo.
• Coordinate operation of the boating registration table, including making sure that all boat vendors provide an adequate supply of sign-in / liability waivers in advance of the Expo.
• Provide to the Volunteer Coordinator the number of persons needed to staff the boating registration table.
• Coordinate a Safety Patrol staffed by ADK GVC WW members.
• Delineate portions of the beach to be used by each boat vendor.
• Coordinate installation and removal of buoys in the pond.

Volunteer Coordinator

• Steve Tryon(stryon-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for making sure all you wonderful volunteers are in the right place at the right time, know what you need to do, and have the tools necessary for the job.
• If you want to help out with the registration desk or other volunteer position, this is the one to talk to.

Registration Coordinator

• Margaret Reek(m-reek-at-cs.rit.edu)
• Is responsible for signing in visitors to Outdoor Expo.

Outdoor Clubs Coordinators

• Deni Charpentier (denicharp-at-aol.com)
  and Polly Mayne ()
• Is responsible for locating, contacting and recruiting clubs to participate in the Outdoor Expo. This includes searching out new clubs and contact information, then contacting them with the information about the Expo, keeping a list of contacts and responses and trying to get the clubs to man a table and if possible do a demo or something that introduces people to the club. The coordinator should keep the Events Coordinator informed of any possible events any clubs may want to do. The coordinator should also follow up at the Expo and after with the clubs thanking them and looking for suggestions for improvements to pass back to the committee.

Food Coordinator

• Charlie Helman (chelman-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for arranging for food for volunteers and contacting food vendors.

Publicity Coordinator

• Rich Sensebach(rsensen-at-gvc-adk.org)
• Is responsible for getting the word out about Outdoor Exp.

Signs Coordinator

• Cathy Quinn (BirdyQ-at-frontiernet.net)
• Is responsible for the signs that will guide visitors around Outdoor Expo.

Committee scribe

• Cathy Quinn (BirdyQ-at-frontiernet.net)
• Is responsible for taking and publishing meeting minutes and helping the rest of the team stay organized.

Photographer

• Cathy Quinn (BirdyQ-at-frontiernet.net)
• Is responsible for taking wonderful photographs of Expo 2005 for the rest of us to enjoy.

Web page

• Steve Tryon (stryon-at-rochester.rr.com)
• Is responsible for keeping the information posted here up to date.

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Expo 2005 Calendar

• October 26, 2004 - Planning meeting
• January 25, 2005 (Tuesday) - Planning meeting
• February 23, 2005 (Wednesday) - Planning meeting -
• March 23, 2005 (Wednesday) - Planning meeting
• April 27, 2005 (Wednesday) - Planning meeting
• May 25, 2005 (Wednesday) - Planning meeting
• June 11, 2005 - Outdoor Expo at Mendon Ponds
• June 22, 2005 (Wednesday) - Follow-up and thank-you letter writing meeting 6:30 at Steve's - 285 Shaftsbury Road

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Updates? Corrections?

• Contact Steve Tryon - stryon-at-rochester.rr.com