Jim Caruk

Master Contractor Jim Caruk is the charismatic guide on the journey into the land of HGTV 's Real Reno’s. With his endless charm, good looks and 20 years experience, Jim can inspire, finesse, put out fires, hold hands, without ever breaking a sweat.

Jim has worked with some of Toronto’s most successful architects and designers, with spectacular results. Whether driving up in his half-ton, his sports car or on his Harley, Jim will always be wired for sound, giving the audience a true insider’s look into the day-to-day goings-on at each job site.  

Lynn Spence

Lynn really knows home décor.  She is a regular style expert on Citytv’s CityLine, Around The House and Fashion Friday.  Through her passion for style and design, she creates inspirational ideas and solutions to appeal to the viewer’s lifestyle.  She is also known for her work as a decorating editor for Chatalaine magazine. Lynn is best known for her uncanny ability to fuse the market trends of today with classical style. Lynn has an endless supply of ideas and energy and will continue to educate those around her.  Bring your design questions.

Frank Cohn

Frank Cohn, a Toronto University graduate, joined the Greater Toronto Home Builders Association in 1990.  He served a 2 year term on the Board of Directors and is past Chair of the Renovators Council of the GTHBA. Frank is the current Chair of the Renovators Council of the Ontario Home Builders Association. He was voted Renovator of the year of the GTHBA in 2001.Frank is a columnist with Canadian Contractors Magazine and is the host of the "Home Improvement Show" on CFRB 1010 AM

Shannon Strumecki - Host 

Jesse Schewchuk - Producer

As one of the producers of the television series “My Green House”, Jesse Schewchuk was given the opportunity to combine her love for the environment with her passion for television production. This experience enabled her to grow her knowledge base of eco-friendly, lifestyle options and technologies and share that information with the world. She looks forward to continuing the journey with the series and outputting the high level of excellence Prairie Dog Film & Television puts forth.   

Ramsin Khachi 

Design perfectionist Ramsin Khachi is widely recognized as a leader in his field of building and design.  Highly in demand, Khachi runs two firms including Khachi Design Group and Khachi Interiors, in addition to his regular appearances on Citytv’s Cityline where he educates the public on up-to-the-minute products, designs, trends and ground-breaking innovations.

Shawn Monteith   

Canada’s Handyman, Shawn Monteith has been in the construction, building and fixing for most of his adult life. Shawn has always had a keen sense of how things go together, how to build and repair them.  His Grandfather ‘Jimmy’ greatly influenced Shawn and encouraged him to look at all aspects of a problem before choosing the right tools and tackling it.  

John Sillaots

John Sillaots is the Host of “In The Workshop”, one of HGTV Canada’s most popular shows.  John has entertained across Canada and in the U.S. by presenting his informative seminars on woodworking techniques, finishes, renovations, repairs and much more.  John has viewers in Canada, U.S., Latin America, Europe and the U.K. and through the miracle of modern web, John can be seen virtually everywhere in the world.

William MacDonald

William MacDonald is the colour consultant for Farrow & Ball in Toronto , a regular contributor to Slice TV’s Three Takes  and the design editor for LoveMyPlace.com. He has an extensive background in interior design, art and photography, which has given him a wealth of practical knowledge. An enthusiastic traveler, William makes frequents trips to the world’s design hot spots. Highly influenced by his overseas experience, his design work can best be characterized as an amalgam of contemporary new world chic and traditional European styles.

Vicky Sanderson

Vicky Sanderson writes a weekly column about home improvement and decor products for the Toronto Star and is the editor of the female-friendly website LoveMyPlace.com. That gives her plenty of insight into consumer trends, new home products and design, and renovation projects. When she’s not busy testing new products, finding out what kind of home improvements consumers are doing, and following hot home trends, she enjoys hands-on home repair. Her specialty is tearing down walls.

Greg Labbe 

Greg Labbe jumped from being a chemist with a big multinational, to rolling in dirt and insulation with the small non-profit Green$aver. As Operations Manager, he oversees both the Energy Evaluators and the Retrofits Crews. He’s also the Green Guy for LoveMyPlace.com. Greg lives in a 1920s house with his wife and three kids in the Junction area of Toronto and can be found riding his bike to work

Emily Alfred

Emily Alfred is the Executive Director of RiverSides, a non-profit environmental organization, dedicated to water protection. RiverSides designs and delivers educational programs in partnership with government, businesses and non-profit organizations to help individuals and communities act to protect our shared water sources. RiverSides focuses on preventing stormwater run-off pollution (the leading cause of water pollution in urban areas) and rain harvesting. Emily has a degree in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo , with an emphasis on urban ecology, and has been working in environmental education and outreach and green building research for over five years.  

Rain Barrels - Why Everyone Should Have One

Emily from RiverSides will talk about the benefits of using a rain barrel at home, considerations for where and how to install a rain barrel, features to look for, and how much rainwater an average roof catch. Harvesting rainwater at home with a rain barrel benefits your garden, your household and your watershed. Catching rainwater in a rain barrel conserves drinking water, cutting your water bill and reducing demand on our water supply. Chlorine-free rainwater is ideal for gardens and catching rainwater instead of sending it to the storm sewer reduces stormwater run-off pollution (the leading cause of urban water degradation). 

Gabriela Delworth

Life Coaches

Visit these life coaches in their booth in Hall 2

Rob Stringer

Rob Stringer, BA, BEd, CPC is an award-winning Parenting & Personal
Success Coach who in addition to private & group coaching, Rob also
appears regularly in magazines across North America, offers workshops
& keynotes, and is the host of The Parenting with Intention Radio
Hour.

Susan T Howson 

Susan Howson, MA, CPCC, CHBC specializes as a Family and
Relationship Coach.  She is also a University Professor, Human
Development Expert, Author and was a finalist for Canadian Coach of

the Year.

Ruth Friedman 

Ruth Friedman is a Certified Life & Weight Loss Coach,  helping
individuals achieve their weight loss goals and live fulfilling lives.

Helene Desruisseaux 

Helene Desruisseaux, MBA, CPC, is a business and life coach focusing
on successful management, finance, and business education, performance
psychology and mind-body-soul health.

Jackie Martin 

Jackie Martin is a certified Business and Executive Coach, Group
Facilitator and Trainer with a solid background is sales, management
and business. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and small
business owners

Ronnie Hawkins

Meet Rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins on Saturday Afternoon only between 1 and 3 pm at

the Cambria booth 725 in Hall2. Come on by and meet with the Legend himself.