5 outdoor lounges in Quebec seen from the inside + 4 to discover
Outdoor trade fairs are an invaluable opportunity for us to be in direct contact with our customers and thus gather valuable feedback.
At Treko, we dove into this experience, learning every step of the way.
In this article, we will take you on our journey through camping fairs.
Each show was a lesson in outdoor entrepreneurship.
We made mistakes, celebrated victories and continued to move forward despite the pitfalls.
Follow us on this adventure that shows how a young company like Treko navigates the world of outdoor living rooms , adapts and grows.
What is the point of participating in an outdoor fair?
Camping and outdoor shows are more than just a display of equipment.
They are an unmissable event for all lovers of nature and adventure.
Here's why these events attract so many people:
Discover the latest innovations
Trade fairs are the perfect place to see and test new equipment .
From ultra-light tents to high-tech stoves, it's your chance to touch and try before you buy.
Meet the experts
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, trade shows offer the chance to chat directly with professionals .
You can get personalized advice on choosing your equipment or planning your next adventures.
Get inspired for future adventures
The conferences and presentations at these fairs are an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
From expedition stories to survival tips, you'll leave with plenty of ideas for your next outings.
Doing good business
Many exhibitors offer special offers during trade fairs. This is an opportunity to equip yourself at a lower cost or to find exclusive products.
Meet the community
The fairs are a place for enthusiasts to meet and exchange ideas . It is the ideal place to share experiences, find adventure companions or simply chat with people who share your passion.
Discover local brands
For companies like Treko, these trade fairs are a unique opportunity to make themselves known.
Visitors can discover local and innovative products , often unknown to the general public.
Our experience in 3 outdoor events in Quebec
Montreal Adventure Show
2022 Edition
After two years of waiting due to COVID-19, we finally participated in our first major trade show .
Our 10x10 booth was narrow, but our enthusiasm was immense!
This show marked a first:
- Tasting of our expedition cretons
- Introducing the Bold Smoothie
Both prepared with cold water.
This first show offered us:
- A big dose of motivation
- Valuable learnings
- Ideas for the future
We left feeling pumped up and ready to conquer the outdoor world.
2023 Edition
Our second participation in this show was memorable, marked by strong moments and exciting surprises.
The presence of a super athlete at our kiosk
The event was particularly special thanks to the presence of Caroline Côté , an extraordinary explorer, at our booth.
This collaboration stems from the relationship we developed during his incredible expedition to Antarctica in December 2022 .
In fact, she put our products to the test in the extreme conditions of one of the most remote places in the world.
New products
Another exciting new feature of this edition was the introduction of prototypes of new products .
We presented three innovative concepts:
- A Chili (which would later become our “ Chili without limits ”)
- A squash soup
- A stew with split peas and root vegetables
These prototypes were so successful that our inventory sold out in just one day!
2024 Edition
This year we really put the expression "turning around on a dime" to good use!
Inspiration came from an unexpected source: a sweeper stand at the Sherbrooke show.
Their exclusive combo offer sparked Émile's idea to create special Treko "bundles" for the Montreal show.
This initiative has proven to be particularly judicious, allowing us to achieve some of our best results at an event.
Exclusive bundles captured attention and boosted sales significantly.
In addition to these special offers, we continued our tradition of introducing prototypes of new products.
This year, our star was an apple crumble , which was a big hit with visitors.
We left Montreal with a sense of accomplishment and our heads full of ideas for the future.
For future visitors
If you are planning to attend the upcoming show, don't miss our article " What to expect at the Montreal Outdoor Show ". It will give you valuable insight into this must-see event!
Expé Festival at Notre-Dame de Montauban
2022 Edition
The first edition of this emerging festival was unique for Treko.
The weather was bad. The winds were strong. But the experience was valuable.
We met many outdoor enthusiasts. These exchanges were enriching. They helped us to better understand our community.
The lectures were interesting and informative. They inspired us for our future products.
Despite the weather, enthusiasm was there. The interactions were of high quality. This first edition will remain memorable.
We reached a new audience. We received direct feedback on our products. It was valuable.
We also created links with other outdoor players. This opened the door to future collaborations.
2023 Edition
We were back for the second edition of this exciting festival, with an exciting new feature to share.
Our highlight this year was hosting a workshop on preparing Treko products, an opportunity we embraced with enthusiasm.
During this workshop, we had the pleasure of demonstrating the versatility of our freeze-dried meals by presenting four different ways to use them , as detailed in our blog post.
Despite a major challenge - torrential rain that kept falling - the workshop was a real success with the participants.
2024 Edition
Our third participation in the Expé Festival was full of new features.
We were both exhibitors and presenters. It was a pleasure to meet our collaborators like Mount Trail and Alex Godard .
This year, we innovated. We presented four new products in development. This initiative allowed us to collect valuable feedback from our customers.
The Saturday night pot luck was a great success.
Our two new coffee drinks were very popular. Our two pasta dishes were also a hit.
Want to relive the highlights? Check out our photo gallery. You’ll find a visual summary of our participation.
Discover our photo album from the Expé 2024 Festival: Link to the photo gallery .
Tribal Fest
2022 Edition
Tribal Fest made its grand return after the pandemic. We were there!
The atmosphere was warm and festive. The view of the St-Maurice River was magnificent.
A variety of exhibitors were present. This added to the richness of the event.
For us, it was a moment of nostalgia. Treko was born in Shawinigan in 2018, during Startup Weekend.
Coming back here was like coming full circle. We were able to measure how far we had come since we started.
The event allowed us to reconnect with our roots. We were also able to interact with new outdoor enthusiasts.
2023 Edition
Friday started off on a bad note. The weather put us through its paces.
A few hours after the start, the wind raged. Powerful gusts swept across the St-Maurice River.
Our borrowed tent didn't hold up. It flew away, taking our entire kiosk with it.
Emile was discouraged. He even considered abandoning the event.
But perseverance paid off. He decided to stay regardless.
The rest of the weekend was a pleasant surprise. The weather turned beautiful.
Ironically, the rain returned just after the dismantling on Sunday.
This experience taught us:
- The importance of resilience
- The need to be prepared for any eventuality
- That sometimes you have to hold on despite the difficulties
2 Outdoor Events We'll Never Go Back To Again
Opening Show of the Quebec Camping and Caravanning Federation (May 18-19-20, 2023)
Credit: FQCC
This event taught us an important lesson. Challenges are part of the entrepreneurial adventure.
Our hypothesis seemed logical. RV owners would need emergency supplies, we thought.
Unfortunately, the reality was quite different. Sales did not meet our expectations at all.
This experience made us realize something important.
Our target audience may not be RV owners.
What we learned from all this:
- The importance of knowing your market well
- Don't rely solely on assumptions
- The usefulness of testing your hypotheses before fully committing
Despite the disappointment, this experience was valuable. It allowed us to refine our understanding of our target customers.
This show will no longer be on our calendar. But the lessons learned will guide our future decisions.
Sherbrooke Camping, Hunting and Fishing Show (March 15-16-17, 2024)
We had high hopes for this show. Our logic seemed unstoppable.
Light and easy to prepare meals? Perfect for hunters and fishermen, we thought.
Unfortunately, the reality was quite different. The clientele was not there.
We have discovered something important. Hunters already have their eating habits well established.
Changing these habits proved more difficult than expected. Many did not want to try something new.
What we learned:
- Do not underestimate the weight of habits
- The importance of knowing the specificities of each audience
- The need to adapt our approach according to the context
This experience was a painful learning experience. But it allowed us to adjust quickly.
The following week in Montreal, we put these lessons into practice.
This show will no longer be on our calendar. But the lessons learned are valuable for our future development.
4 Camping Shows We'd Like to Attend Soon
At Treko, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities to meet our community. Here are 4 events that particularly catch our attention:
Outdoor, Hunting, Fishing and Camping Show and Quebec Boat Show
A must for outdoor and water sports enthusiasts in Quebec.
Why we are thinking of going:
- Our major client, Latulippe , is already participating
- Opportunity to consolidate our presence in Quebec and Lévis
- Large potential audience for our products
This show could be an excellent showcase for Treko in the National Capital region.
Chicoutimi and Rimouski Nature Expo Show
Well-established events: 40th edition in Chicoutimi, 34th in Rimouski. A great longevity!
Points of interest:
- Numerous hunting and fishing kiosks
- Large potential audience in regions where we are less present
We are a little hesitant to go there because of the similarity with the Sherbrooke show, which encourages us to be cautious. We will have to carefully assess the target audience before committing ourselves.
Memory & Roots Festival
A unique traditional music festival that could open us up to a new audience.
Key facts:
- Largest traditional festival in Quebec
- International influence
- Family and intergenerational audience
- Strong eco-responsible commitment
Opportunity: Reach a different audience, sensitive to traditions and ecology. Our values of eco-responsibility could particularly resonate here.
NORR Festival
The largest outdoor gathering in Quebec. An event that seems tailor-made for Treko!
Highlights:
- Community passionate about nature and adventure
- Outdoor initiation and improvement clinics
- Ideal target audience for our freeze-dried products
This festival seems perfectly aligned with our offer and our target audience. It could become an unmissable event for Treko.
These four events represent varied and exciting opportunities for Treko. They would allow us to reach different audiences, expand our visibility and potentially conquer new markets.
We are excited to explore these new possibilities and meet even more outdoor enthusiasts across Quebec.
Lessons learned and evolution of our approach
Our journey through various outdoor events has been rich in lessons. Here’s how our approach has evolved over the years:
Adaptability and resilience
At first, our enthusiasm compensated for our lack of experience. Today, we are able to adapt quickly to unforeseen situations.
• Tribal Fest 2023: Despite the destruction of our kiosk by the wind, we persevered.
• Expé Festival 2024: Successful introduction of new products and concepts.
Refined market targeting
We have learned the critical importance of knowing our target audience well.
• FQCC 2023: We realized that RV owners were not our ideal audience.
• Salon Sherbrooke 2024: Understanding that hunters and fishermen have well-established eating habits.
Active listening to the customer
Our approach has shifted from simply showcasing products to more dynamic interaction with our community.
Now we do regular prototype introductions to gather direct feedback.
Our vision for 2025 and beyond
From our past experiences, we have learned valuable lessons that will guide our future strategy:
• Quality over quantity : We plan to participate in fewer events, but to be better prepared for each one.
• Consolidation of our presence : The Montreal Show remains a priority to strengthen our position on the market.
• Thorough preparation : Each event will be carefully planned to maximize its impact.
• Continuous listening : We will continue to listen to our community to adapt our offer and our presence.
And you, what are your plans?
We are curious to know your projects!
• Which outdoor show(s) do you plan to visit in 2025?
• Is there an event you would like us to participate in?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to connect with you and start a discussion about the future of outdoor events!
