Speakers and Celebrities at the Ottawa Home and Garden Show

2024 Speakers & Celebrities

The Home Show Panel Local experts

Talk title:

The Home Show Panel: Making the most of your outdoor space

Talk summary:

Tips, advice & inspiration on gardens & outdoor living from a panel of industry experts, moderated by journalist and All Things Home co-founder Anita Murray

For the speakers page:

Name: The Home Show Panel

Company: Local experts

Read more: [If we’re allowed to have a different title/company on the pop-up, here’s what I’d like]

Title: The Home Show Panel

Company: All Things Home & local experts

Tapping into the wealth of knowledge of three local experts, award-winning information website All Things Home has curated a team of industry panelists to share tips, advice and inspiration on how to make the most of your outdoor space. You’ll hear from:

Welwyn Wong: Multi-award-winning certified landscape designer and owner of Welwyn Wong Landscape Design

Michael Willis: Aquatic landscape & backyard designer with Roger Willis Pools & Landscapes

Lana Doss: Garden planner with Ritchie Feed & Seed

Moderator: Anita Murray, former Ottawa Citizen Homes editor, veteran journalist & co-founder of the award-winning information website All Things Home.

Presented in a relaxed discussion format, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask your own questions of the panel.

Pick their brains and get inspired!

Chris Mulholland Architectural designer

John van der Hayden Driving force of Reliable Home Environment

For over 15 years, John has been the driving force behind Reliable Home Environment, a family-owned business based in Nepean. His leadership has cultivated a team that prioritizes exceptional customer service, focusing on thoroughness and care in every interaction.

His relentless pursuit of innovation places him at the forefront of the HVAC industry. John spearheaded the installation of Ottawa's first side-discharge heat pump, a testament to his pioneering spirit and dedication to advancing energy-efficient technologies.

As a trusted leader, his expertise in providing cost-effective, energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions is highly regarded. His forward-thinking approach and leadership have been instrumental in setting new standards in the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in creating a comfortable climate in the home environment.

Candace Dressler Master Gardener

Candace Dressler is a Master Gardener and member of the Gloucester Horticultural Society. Candace is retired from IT and past-Director for Ontario Horticultural Association, District 1. She learned to garden with her grandparents in the prairies, 40 years ago and hasn't stopped. Candace joined Master Gardeners in 2017.

Presentation Synopsis

A Gardeners Dreams vs Nature's Reality

Bringing garden inspirations to fruition in the 21st Century

What do you need in your garden? What do you dream of your garden being? Choices in garden design, plant selection and purpose can be overwhelming.

Candace will talk about the different places and plants that have inspired her in her gardening journey, as well as gardening trends, fashions and traditional design and how she has adapted those ideas to her Ottawa garden. Which styles and plants are contributing positively to the environment and how garden design is changing to work more closely with the wildlife that rely on it

Odette McIntyre Master Gardeners advice clinics

Odette discovered her passion for horticulture in her first ornamental garden, which she tended with the help of her father at their home in Ste Anne de Beaupré, Québec. Her interest in horticulture and ecology intensified as she studied plant science at the Institut de Technologie Agricole. After graduating in 1980, Odette worked for 4 years at the Montréal Botanical Garden before relocating to Toronto where she has worked in a member municipality of York Region until retirement.

Odette continued experimenting with varieties & techniques in her own gardens, learning from Nikki Jabbour’s principles in particular. She became a Master Gardener in 2013. She shared her love and knowledge of plants with York Region gardeners, through Toronto Master Gardeners advice clinics, giving workshops, including a range of organic gardening topics and cold season production.

Since relocating to the Ottawa region to be closer to her daughter and granddaughters, Odette has presented to several local gardening groups, the Ottawa Public Library Gardening Program, the Ottawa Home & Garden Show, several seniors residences both in English and French.

Presentation Synopsis

Urban Potager

Learn how to create an attractive living space full of vegetables, ornamentals, herbs and structures in an urban setting where space is a constraint. Grow beautiful blooms, unique veggies and greens to enhance your table and thrill your guests. Find out about vertical gardening, edible flowers, found objects and more. An exciting, wide-ranging, transforming way to look at your garden.

Jeff Collins Owner of REWILD Landscapes

Jeff Collins (they/them), the owner of REWILD Landscapes, is a horticulturist and landscape designer focused on restoring habitats and ensuring food security. With a lifetime of experience, Jeff uses their knowledge and skills to remove lawns to create space for people and the ecosystem surrounding them. Jeff's designs include native plants and non-invasive, edible species. "Landscaping has a responsibility to create positive ecological and psychological benefits to all who visit it".

Chris Palmer Carpenter and Contractor

As a professional Industrial Designer turned Carpenter and Contractor, Chris has brought a new perspective to the world of building custom projects. With over 15 years of experience, his company focuses on multiple levels of projects, from kitchen renovations to complete home builds.

A creative eye and unique style keep Chris on trend and his work in demand. Chris can be seen on a number of different HGTV shows showcasing his skills. His most current series you can see him on is Scott’s Vacation House Rules.

You also may have seen Chris on various news and morning shows showcasing segments on quick tips for home repairs.

Be sure to follow Chris on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with his latest projects.

@handcraftedbychrispalmer

Zachary Martin Music

Akil Mesiwala The founder of The Box Of Life

Lana Doss Owner of The Fine Gardener

Talk Title and description:

Gardening Trends for 2024

As gardeners we've seen many trends come and go, but many of us are excited about the movements we're seeing that are likely here to stay. With environmental issues being a huge concern for many, gardeners are keen to implement practices that have a more positive impact on their outdoor spaces. Join Lana of Ritchie Feed and Seed as she talks about what's shifting in the gardening world. She'll share all about the uptake in edible landscapes, supporting pollinators, capturing stormwater and so much more.

Bio

Lana has relished playing in the dirt since she was a child and continues to share that thrill with others. She has spent over 30 years of her career in a leadership role in horticulture.

She grew up surrounded by nature and the ocean which inspired her love of all things outdoors. This fueled her passion to support gardeners in their desire to improve the native biodiversity in their outdoor spaces.

This past year she joined Ritchie Feed & Seed as a member of their Green Team helping people plan their gardens as well as hosting seminars and workshops.

With her own company, The Fine Gardener, she offers garden consultations.

2024 Speakers & Celebrities

2024 Speakers & Celebrities

The Home Show Panel Local experts

Chris Mulholland Architectural designer

John van der Hayden Driving force of Reliable Home Environment

Candace Dressler Master Gardener

Odette McIntyre Master Gardeners advice clinics

Jeff Collins Owner of REWILD Landscapes

Chris Palmer Carpenter and Contractor

Zachary Martin Music

Akil Mesiwala The founder of The Box Of Life

Lana Doss Owner of The Fine Gardener

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2024 Speakers & Celebrities

2024 Speakers & Celebrities

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Take a look at our past show

Search the Exhibitor List