Description
ToolFest is Ottawa's Biggest and Best Tool Show since 1993! Showing the latest innovations while bringing together leading manufacturers and customers. More than two decades ago Mario Giannetti, Mario Frangione and Sam Giannetti – the three co-owners of Preston Hardware – had an idea to create an event that showcased the latest innovations in hand and power tools. This idea was driven by a passion to provide Preston Hardware customers with exceptional products and customer service, and to show appreciation for their loyalty.
With this idea in mind, Preston Hardware launched the first ever Toolfest in 1993. The first Toolfest was held under a large tent in the Preston Hardware parking lot and featured 20 manufacturers from around the country. Originally a one-day event, Toolfest ’93 brought together tool enthusiasts and contractors from across Ottawa to learn about and buy new high-quality tools. To help get the word out, and to encourage more people to attend, Preston Hardware began the annual tradition of providing guests with a free lunch buffet. That delicious tradition is one that continues annually at Toolfest.
Toolfest was originally organized as an event for contractors across the city. As the event grew and garnered more and more interest from the community, Preston Hardware expanded the guest list to include industrial customers in the private and public sectors, followed by tool fans and do-it-yourselfers. To meet the demand of this expanded guest list, Toolfest evolved from a one-day festival into a two-day event with open invitations to tool fans citywide.
As the crowds grew and the event got bigger and longer, Toolfest eventually outgrew the Preston Hardware parking lot and moved to the beautiful banquet halls across the street at Sala San Marco. With more space to work with, Preston Hardware was able to steadily add more booths, experts and tool products and now features 35 different vendors.
After more than two decades, Toolfest has grown to be Ottawa’s biggest and best tool show, giving visitors one-on-one advice from leading industry experts, sneak peaks of brand new products and the opportunity save and enjoy discounts not found anywhere else in the city.
Tell your friends
Quiz
