A student-led food and drink expo at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology attracted nearly 1,500 guests — more than triple the expected turnout.
Taste of Olds, held April 3 at the College’s Alumni Centre, featured local food and beverage vendors from across the region. The event was developed and managed by second-year Business Management Diploma students as part of a Project Management course.
“We were hoping for 500 people, so to see the venue filled with 1,500 guests was truly incredible,” said Jennifer Hainsworth, an instructor at Olds College. “This event was planned and executed entirely by students. Their vision, leadership and collaboration made this night unforgettable.”
Students led the planning and coordination of the event over several months, taking on responsibilities such as budgeting, sponsorship outreach, marketing and logistics. The result was a family-friendly showcase of local food and drink, as well as a hands-on learning opportunity for students. To top it all off, proceeds from the event will be donated to the Mountain View Women’s Shelter.
“It has been an absolute joy coaching these students as they applied real-world project management skills,” shared Hainsworth. “They tackled every challenge head-on and, in doing so, gained experience that will serve them incredibly well as they step into the business world. I'm so proud of their hard work, teamwork and dedication to making The Taste of Olds a huge success. It's moments like these that remind me why I love teaching — seeing students grow, shine and make an impact.”
A huge thank you to all vendors, sponsors, community partners and everyone who attended. The event wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s support.