At a time when digital engagement is skyrocketing, in-person events like the One of a Kind Show (OOAK) offer a unique opportunity for customers to connect with artisans and their creations on a personal level.
To explore the future trends of these events, we spoke with Janice Leung, Show Director for the One of a Kind Show, and Colin Asuncion, mainstage presenter, retail expert, and media personality.
Innovation and Craftsmanship: Elevating the Artisanal Experience
Leung explains that Canadian customers are increasingly looking to support small businesses and local brands.
“The One Of A Kind Show is the best place for them to get to know the best in Canadian-made businesses all under one roof,” she says. The OOAK Show is renowned for showcasing innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship. According to Leung, a key element that keeps visitors coming back is the chance to meet the people behind the brands. This personal connection is what makes the OOAK Show special and memorable.
Recently, many vendors have started focusing on more meaningful engagement with their visitors. “Through one-on-one consultation or customized experiences, our events provide a platform for these small businesses to not only showcase their products but also forge deeper connections with their customers,” Leung notes.
These interactions make the overall consumer experience richer and more impactful.
Sustainability and Ethical Practices: A Growing Movement
Sustainability and ethical production are becoming increasingly important to consumers. The OOAK Show has set ambitious goals to ensure their events have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact.
“We have many initiatives to reduce waste, and we work with various community and charitable partners to ensure we are running socially responsible events to enhance inclusivity, equality, and accessibility,” Leung says.
Many vendors at the show are also committed to sustainability, through production to the customer experience.
“Upcycling continues to be a huge trend within One Of A Kind, where vendors exercise their creativity to turn discarded materials—everything from broken skateboards to deadstock fabric—into exciting, unique products with a new life,” Leung shares. One example is Roncy Packs, a brand that uses upcycled materials to create functional items while minimizing waste.
The OOAK Show even introduced a sustainability award to recognize these efforts, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in the artisan market.
Digital Integration in Artisan Products: Bridging Online and Offline Worlds
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies among artisans. Many vendors now run fully functional e-commerce stores with social followings in the thousands, and use the OOAK Show as a revenue enhancement to their existing business. “Since the pandemic, many of our vendors have created fully functional e-commerce stores, and they are recognizing that they can use One Of A Kind as a marketing channel to showcase their brands and reach a wider and larger audience,” Leung explains.
The event serves as a showroom where customers can experience products firsthand, something that online shopping cannot replicate. “People come to One Of A Kind because they crave the human-to-human connections you get when you meet the brands, learn their stories, and understand how their inspirations have come to shape all the amazing pieces you see at the Show,” Leung emphasizes. This holistic approach allows artisans to expand their reach and connect with customers on multiple levels.
Evolving Consumer Preferences and Market Evolution
Asuncion observes that consumers will continue to seek unique, high-quality items that are also shareable on social media.
“Beyond unique, high-quality items, I think consumers will continue to thirst after products that allow for shareable content,” says Asuncion. “Designers, manufacturers, and artisans alike need to keep this in mind when creating new products and experiences. They have to ask, will my customer want to post a photo while using or wearing my product? Is my packaging cool enough to warrant an unboxing video? Is my store/kiosk/booth eye-catching enough for someone to want to take a selfie in it?”
This shift in consumer behavior underscores the importance of creating products that not only meet functional needs but also enhance the customer’s social media presence.
The Role of Physical Marketplaces in a Digital World
Despite the growth of e-commerce, physical marketplaces like the OOAK Show, Fan Expo and other consumer-forward experiences remain vital for fostering community and connection.
“The One of a Kind Show has been bringing people together for decades, so they are experts at building community,” Asuncion highlights. The OOAK brand aims to expand its reach beyond the event itself, acting as a concierge for those who love to shop locally and support craftsmanship year-round. “We want to continue building unique experiences for visitors to discover new brands and exciting products when they peruse our show floor,” says Leung.
The OOAK Show also focuses on nurturing new talent and providing accessible opportunities for emerging brands. “For the past few years, we have partnered with William Parkway Sr Public School where 13 talented Grade 8 student-preneurs have a space on the show floor to pitch their business and sell their work,” Leung shares. “These entry-level options are critical for us to continue to foster new talents and provide more accessible opportunities to remove barriers to entrepreneurship.”
Asuncion adds that the OOAK Show excels in building community both in-person and online. “The One of a Kind Show continues to build highly shareable experiences for vendors and attendees to amplify online,” he notes. “From gorgeous photo opps to unique presentations on stage, the One of a Kind Show continues to curate experiences within an experience that are begging to be posted and shared on social, strengthening the show’s online presence and broadening their reach.”
The future of in-person consumer shows like the One of a Kind Show continues to evolve with technology and consumer preferences, with trends pointing towards enhanced personal connections, sustainability, and digital integration. As these shows continue to innovate and adapt, they will remain essential spaces for artisans and customers to connect, share, and celebrate the art of craftsmanship.
