Celebrities & Speakers at the Ottawa Fall Home Show

Michael Holmes Jr Professional Contractor/TV Host

Michael Holmes Jr Professional Contractor/TV Host

Michael Holmes Jr - HGTV Canada

Professional Contractor/TV Host

Michael Holmes Jr. is a professional contractor, television host, public speaker, educator, and healthy home advocate. He received the education of a lifetime by working alongside his father, Mike Holmes, as a crew member on the hit TV show Holmes on Holmes®.

Since then, Michael has been a permanent crew member on Holmes in New Orleans, Holmes Inspection, Holmes Makes it Right and Mike’s Ultimate Garage. In Mike’s Ultimate Garage, Michael was given the ultimate challenge when Mike Sr. offered him to lead in building his state-of-the-art garage. Michael continued to shine as a leader, matching wits and skills with his father on HOLMES and HOLMES.

The latest series, Holmes Family Rescue, is about what the Holmes’ do best - rescuing homeowners who are suffering from botched construction jobs or are experiencing renovation fatigue. With the huge success of season one, season two is airing now on HGTV.

Starting later this summer, production will commence on the exciting new original series Holmes: Building a Legacy, starring Mike, Michael Jr. and Sherry for the new free streaming service Homeful!

Michael is also very passionate about woodworking and carpentry, displaying his skills through various custom projects for every homeowner.

And his passion for the trades and educating the next generation continues through his work with Skills Canada, Skills Ontario, Conestoga College, and other initiatives.

Marilena Tricarico Interior Designer

Akil Mesiwala Future Roots Cooperative

Akil Mesiwala Future Roots Cooperative

Growing Food in Portable Raised Garden Beds: Utilizing the Right of Way (ROW)

Akil Mesiwala & Kristin Topping

Future Roots Cooperative – an Ottawa-based, eco-not-for-profit

The Future Roots Cooperative is deeply concerned about the proposed revisions to By-law 2003-498, governing the Use and Care of Roads. Currently, Ottawa residents have limited permissions for gardening within the Right of Way (ROW), restricted to non-invasive soft landscaping up to 0.75 meters in height. These regulations prohibit hard landscape materials and the cultivation of consumables such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, and seeds. The City cites contamination risk and reduced permeability due to ROW hardscaping as primary justifications, yet supporting soil testing is limited. Additionally, proposed changes prohibit options like raised garden beds that would mitigate soil exposure.

Kristin Topping Future Roots Cooperative

Kristin Topping Future Roots Cooperative

Growing Food in Portable Raised Garden Beds: Utilizing the Right of Way (ROW)

Akil Mesiwala & Kristin Topping

Future Roots Cooperative – an Ottawa-based, eco-not-for-profit

The Future Roots Cooperative is deeply concerned about the proposed revisions to By-law 2003-498, governing the Use and Care of Roads. Currently, Ottawa residents have limited permissions for gardening within the Right of Way (ROW), restricted to non-invasive soft landscaping up to 0.75 meters in height. These regulations prohibit hard landscape materials and the cultivation of consumables such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, and seeds. The City cites contamination risk and reduced permeability due to ROW hardscaping as primary justifications, yet supporting soil testing is limited. Additionally, proposed changes prohibit options like raised garden beds that would mitigate soil exposure.

Kristen Campbell Future Roots Cooperative

Kristen Campbell Future Roots Cooperative

Future Roots Cooperative

Organization “Bio”

The Future Roots Cooperative is a locally-focused, not-for-profit, eco-collective. We want to change the way you think about landscaping, planting (both indoor and outdoor), and the interconnectedness of food waste and healthy soil.

The Box of Life - Akil will help you improve your growing outcomes by teaching you how to turn food waste into worm castings, a powerful soil amendment.

Rewild Landscapes - Jeff’s specialty is sustainable landscape design with a focus on invasive species management.

Radical Roots - Kristen is passionate about the reintroduction of native species to yards and landscapes.

Sweetlife Flora - Kristin understands the relationship between plants, the home and your mental health.

Reimagine what your indoor and outdoor environment will look like with healthy, natural soil, native planting and, of course, beautiful designs that serve to boost both your mental and physical health.

Website: https://www.futurerootscooperative.com)

Email: futurerootscooperative@gmail.com

Sue Pitchforth Décor Therapy Plus

Sue Pitchforth Décor Therapy Plus

Sue Pitchforth of Decor Therapy Plus is an International award-winning designer, media personality and speaker. Sue’s approach to design is refreshing, unique, and inexpensive, yet yields luxurious results. Believing the home is an expression of your life and personality, Sue is known for making design easy, fun and affordable. Forget everything that overwhelmed or intimated you about design, it’s a whole new world when you work with Sue. Believing the home is an expression of your life and personality, She feels most people usually have a lot of what they need, they just don’t know it. Her clients tell her all the time how surprised they were that she was able to turn a room from blah to wow with so little investment. Sue’s design philosophy always includes the “Three E’s”: Edit. Energy. Enjoy.

Sue recently, along with two partners, opened a retail space in Downtown Smiths Falls called "Curated Finds Inspired For You" and looks forward to inspiring their customers with fabulous finds, Artisan creations and fun, interactive workshops!

Sherry Holmes Contractor, TV Host, and Part-time Designer.

Sherry Holmes Contractor, TV Host, and Part-time Designer.

Sherry Holmes is a contractor, TV Host, and Part-time Designer. Her dad is also celebrity contractor Mike Holmes, so construction is in her blood. She started behind the scenes on Mike's breakout series, Holmes on Homes®, and has been a permanent crew member ever since joining her dad and brother on Holmes in New Orleans.

The latest series, Holmes Family Rescue, is about what the Holmes’ do best - rescuing homeowners who are suffering from botched construction jobs or are experiencing renovation fatigue. With the huge success of season one, season two is airing now on HGTV.

Starting later this summer, she’ll be in production on a brand-new series with her dad and brother, Holmes: Building a Legacy, for the free streaming channel Homeful!

Throughout the complications of the past several years and becoming a mother for the second time, Sherry continues to lend her support and social media presence to youth and young women wanting to get into the trades with organizations like Skills Canada and World Skills and mentorship programs like Conestoga College's Jill of All Trades and WIST (Women in Skilled Trades).

Adam Weir TV Contractor

Adam Weir TV Contractor

Adam Weir has a multitude of interests and abilities. From a young age, he taught himself magic and worked that into a business for himself at the age of twelve. He graduated with Honours from the Television Broadcasting program at Algonquin College and moved to Montreal to further explore the Television and Movie Industry. Here he worked behind the scenes concluding with a job as a 3^rd Assistant Director. That led to his own stage show as a Magician on Discovery Cruise Lines.

He later moved to Toronto, which led him to work on the last 13 television seasons on some of the most successful series for HGTV. These experiences honed his affinity and skills in construction work. During this time, he worked in a variety of roles including construction coordinator, project manager and on-camera talent, most recently on 3 seasons of Island of Bryan. Since leaving the Island, he has produced, directed, and filmed a number of videos for suppliers and sponsors. He has most recently acquired the exclusive rights to EZ Dock in the Kawarthas (ezdockkawartha.ca). He is excited to bring together his love of entertaining and his knowledge of construction to the Ottawa Home Show this year.

SASCHA LAFLEUR and JOSEE SIGOUIN West of Main

SASCHA LAFLEUR and JOSEE SIGOUIN West of Main

Sascha has had a passion for design for as long as she can remember. She attributes her creative flare and abundance of artistic energy to the early influence of her artisan-rich family.

After studying and working in interior design in Montreal, she went on to found West of Main with the dream of creating intentional spaces that aligned with her "relaxed elegance" style. Over a decade later, West of Main has become an international award-winning design firm recognized for building, remodelling, and furnishing custom homes with timeless designs inspired by travel and global craftsmanship.

Josée Sigouin
Senior Designer & Design Manager, West of Main

From a young age, Josée has been creative and interested in interiors and home improvement. This early passion led her to complete her studies in interior design and has since worked in residential design on an international scale. She has fond memories of the numerous projects she led in South America!

Her appreciation for collected and globally influenced designs, impeccable attention to detail, and 10+ years of experience has made Josée an invaluable leader at West of Main over the past 5 years.

BONNY KOABEL ACCESS REBATES

BONNY KOABEL ACCESS REBATES

Bonny Koabel CPA, CGA is the Founder and CEO of Access Rebates. In 2003 Access Rebates was founded to assist homeowners with obtaining difficult to access Government funds including grants, subsidies, tax credits, refunds and rebates. Prior to starting Access Rebates Ms. Koabel spent 10 in industry where she learned first-hand how to obtain Government funding. Ms. Koabel took this knowledge with her to Access Rebates where she has successfully worked on grants as large as $1,000,000 for renovations. Ms. Koabel writes for a several magazines and her articles and podcasts can be found online.

Bonny will be presenting on rebates and tax implications of Garden Suites and Multi-Generational home additions

RYAN BRANTON Contractor Ryan

RYAN BRANTON Contractor Ryan

Contractor Ryan is a seasoned general contractor with over a decade of experience in the industry.

With a remarkable ability to connect with people, he has become renowned for his insightful talks at various home shows, leaving attendees inspired and eager to implement his expert advice.

Ryan possesses a unique talent for demystifying the often complex world of general contracting. Whether he's discussing how to establish trust in your contractor, unraveling the intricacies of renovation pricing, or guiding you through the maze of working with city officials, his presentations are an absolute game-changer.

Combining his wealth of knowledge with his engaging speaking style, he effortlessly imparts practical strategies and tips that empower homeowners to navigate their renovation projects with confidence.

Emma Terrell The Urban Botanist

Emma Terrell The Urban Botanist

Emma Terrell - aka The Urban Botanist

Emma Terrell is the creator and owner of The Urban Botanist. An international speaker featured in BBC news; Emma is an empowering citizen scientist who advocates for the natural world. She is the host of The Urban Botanist's Living Wilder series, and Lee Valley Tools YouTube channel.

Always bringing a fresh, inspired, and engaging perspective to the hobby of horticulture, Emma encourages people to grow their green thumbs through her eye opening and creative plant-based workshops. She has spent the last 6 years combining her education and passion with greenery to bring together The Urban Botanist! Designing and creating stunning interior feature walls using nothing but green, her designs will have you wanting to bring greenery into all of our indoor living spaces. Her mission is to encourage people to engage with nature through ecofriendly products, sustainability hacks, education, biophilic design, and more!

Chris Palmer Handcrafted by Chris Palmer

Chris Palmer Handcrafted by Chris Palmer

As a professional Industrial Designer turned Carpenter and Contractor, Chris has brought a new perspective to the world of building custom projects. With over 10 years of experience, his company focuses on multiple levels of projects from kitchen renovations to complete home additions.

A creative eye and unique style keep Chris on trend and his work in demand. Chris participates in many charities donating his work to help raise money for groups such as Diabetes, Habitat for Humanity and others. You can also find Chris sharing his knowledge on the latest and greatest home renovation tips for DIY'ers as a regular guest expert on The Global Morning Show, Marilyn Denis Show and other networks. Chris has also made appearances across many HGTV shows over the years.

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

ANITA MURRAY ALL THINGS HOME

ANITA MURRAY ALL THINGS HOME

Anita Murray (All Things Home) Bio

Anita Murray is co-founder and president of All Things Home® and owner of Three C Communications and a veteran of the Home Show presentation stage. A career journalist with more than 25 years as an editor and writer at the Ottawa Citizen, she was the newspaper’s Homes Editor for five years, reporting on the new and resale home markets, renovations, design, architecture, gardening and more. She has covered the Ottawa housing industry since 2011.

Shirlee Engel Shirlee Interiors

Shirlee Engel Shirlee Interiors

Shirlee Engel Bio (2023)

Shirlee Engel is the Founder and Principal Designer at Shirlee Interiors.

The daughter of an architect and realtor who specializes in high-end homes with artistic flair,
Shirlee was a national television journalist before launching her boutique interior design firm.

Driven by a belief that every home should tell the unique story of the people who live there, Shirlee combines her passions for interior design and storytelling to create beautiful, functional and timeless homes that reflect her client's personalities, lifestyles and budgets.

Shirlee is a regular guest on CTV Ottawa Morning Live, where she offers design and decorating tips for viewers. In her spare time, she loves to tackle DIY projects around her home, which she features on her Instagram page @designedbyshirlee.

Learn more at www.shirleeinteriors.com.

Jeff Collins REWILD Landscapes

Jeff Collins REWILD Landscapes

Jeff Collins, 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 create spaces for people and the ecosystem surrounding them. Jeff's designs include native plants and non-invasive, edible species. Jeff believes that it shouldn't just be the local wildlife and pollinators enjoying the landscape but the homeowner and community as well.

2023 Speakers & Celebrities

2023 Presenters Information

Michael Holmes Jr Professional Contractor/TV Host

Marilena Tricarico Interior Designer

Akil Mesiwala Future Roots Cooperative

Kristin Topping Future Roots Cooperative

Kristen Campbell Future Roots Cooperative

Sue Pitchforth Décor Therapy Plus

Sherry Holmes Contractor, TV Host, and Part-time Designer.

Adam Weir TV Contractor

SASCHA LAFLEUR and JOSEE SIGOUIN West of Main

BONNY KOABEL ACCESS REBATES

RYAN BRANTON Contractor Ryan

Emma Terrell The Urban Botanist

Chris Palmer Handcrafted by Chris Palmer

ANITA MURRAY ALL THINGS HOME

Shirlee Engel Shirlee Interiors

Jeff Collins REWILD Landscapes

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2023 Speakers & Celebrities

2023 Presenters Information

​Search the ​Exhibitor List

Search the Exhibitor List