COLUMBUS — The inaugural American Birding Expo will be held Oct. 2-4, in Columbus, Ohio. This commercial event is designed to connect the worldwide birding market with bird watchers and other nature enthusiasts in the United States.
The event will be held on the grounds of the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and will feature more than 80 vendors from nearly 30 countries and as many states. Attendance is free and open to the public.
“There’s never been a commercial North American show of this size devoted exclusively to birders and nature lovers,” said Bill Thompson, III, who heads up the Expo organizing team.
The expos provides an opportunity for consumers to connect with companies, organizations, and destinations and for the birding business community to market directly, face-to-face with nature-oriented consumers, he added.
From midday Oct. 2, until early evening Oct. 4, the buildings and marquee tents will be filled with every product and service aimed at the American birder. Expo exhibitors represent many of the world’s top birding destinations including: New Zealand, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Guatemala, Chile, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, and dozens of others.
Major birding optics and tour companies will be Expo vendors, as will the leading manufacturers and retailers of birding gear and bird-feeding products in North America. The event will also feature games and activities for kids (and adults).
Although this is a commercial event where birders can shop and browse among dozens of vendors, the Expo is also raising money to support three conservation causes: saving the critically endangered hooded grebe in South America, helping to preserve and protect the red knot in North America, and by supporting the Young Urban Naturalist Program locally in Columbus, Ohio.
Funds will be raised primarily through attendee donations, vendor and sponsor support, and a conservation raffle.
For more information, and to register to receive Expo updates, visit birdingexpo.com.
