A significant provincial event for public works professionals is making its way back to Renfrew County next year, and local organizers are counting on the City of Pembroke to help make it successful.
The Renfrew County Road Supervisors Association (RCRSA) has been chosen to host the 2026 Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) Municipal Trade Show, which is one of the largest events of its type in Canada. This two-day event, scheduled for June 2026 at the Petawawa Civic Centre, usually attracts over 2,000 attendees and around 200 exhibitors from all over the province.
Steve Boland has taken on the role of trade show ambassador for the local organizing committee. Together with Chris Mantha, Petawawa’s director of public works, he updated Pembroke’s parks and recreation committee about the AORS trade show during their meeting on Nov. 18.
This trade show rotates yearly among Ontario’s 32 AORS member associations and was last hosted in Renfrew County back in 2014, where it brought in more than $55,000 in benefits for the community. Organizers hope to replicate that success and have asked Pembroke for support through staff involvement both in planning and attending the trade show itself.
The community-focused impact is something RCRSA members take pride in. The proceeds from the 2014 show provided $30,000 in scholarships for high schools across Renfrew County, $10,000 for local hospitals, and funding for long-term care homes, school nutrition programs, and training funds. They plan a similar investment model for 2026.
The upcoming event will be jointly hosted by the RCRSA, County of Renfrew, and Town of Petawawa. The choice of Petawawa Civic Centre was due to its convenient location near Highway 17 as well as easy access to several hundred hotel rooms; it also has enough space for indoor and outdoor exhibits along with equipment demonstrations and ample parking. The Pembroke Shores Golf Course will host the Ross Mc Kenzie Memorial Golf Tournament-a traditional part of the AORS show.
This trade show provides a comprehensive view into public works fields such as road maintenance, bridge upkeep, water treatment services, emergency management solutions, heavy machinery operation, engineering practices, fleet services management, GIS technology usage-and more. For municipal operations staff specifically-it’s a rare chance to compare products side-by-side while building contacts and discovering new technologies.
The profile of visitors emphasizes how vital this event is: public works directors; operations managers; engineers; fleet supervisors; water services staff; groundskeepers; facilities personnel; plus private contractors all make their way there each year.
Boland noted that planning efforts for this edition have been going on for over a year now. After submitting their proposal back in December 2023-the RCRSA got approval from AORS’s board last August. An executive team has since formed with groups focusing on logistics financing promotion entertainment volunteer coordination exhibitor relations.
Over 1,200 promotional brochures have already been printed out-and local representatives attended this year’s tradeshow learning logistics while encouraging early registrations specifically aimed at making sure Renfrew County shines through during its own event next summer!
Organizers believe that hosting this trade show also gives them an opportunity not only highlight assets within our county but promotes tourism business development too! And it offers municipal staff great access training networking-benefits greatly increased when held so close!
“In June of 2026 we’re expecting a large contingent of people to come to this area to see what we have to offer and we’re hoping some of them will come early and enjoy some of the amenities that we have in the Ottawa Valley and that some will stay late and enjoy some of the amenities so there’s some spin offs,” Boland told Pembroke’s parks & recreation committee.
Steve Boland Anthony Dixon /Pembroke Observer and News
As plans continue unfolding-the RCRSA along with partners intend reaching out councils throughout our county encouraging engagement across various levels including allowing operations personnel assist planning process attend coming June gathering too!
Councillor Troy Purcell who chaired today’s meeting since chairwoman Coun Pat Lafreniere joined remotely thanked both Boland & Mantha keeping everyone informed regarding these developments ahead!
“This is a great opportunity showcase City Pembroke Town Petawawa alongside entire county-we anticipate hosting around two thousand visitors! That should provide ample chances really put forth what makes us stand out here within Valley showcasing incredible community spirit so folks can explore area,” Purcell commented positively about exciting potential attached future gathering!
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