September 23, 2013
60,000+ people expected at Waterloo’s innovative booth
Half of visitors who attend the annual Ontario Universities Fair will stop by the award-winning Waterloo booth for information
More than 60,000 students, parents and educators are expected to visit the award-winning University of Waterloo booth at the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) during its 3-day run at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The OUF began in 1997 as a way to help high school students gather information about Ontario’s universities. Today, it’s Canada’s largest educational fair. It’s an opportunity learn about programs, campus life, and other factors that can help students find the school that’s right for them.
“The University of Waterloo presence at the OUF is an incredible collaboration among our faculty, staff and students,” said Valerie Herteis, manager of Waterloo’s OUF activities. “Our participation is really a manifestation of the innovation and experiential learning that make Waterloo unique."
Design helps visitors find the information they want
First launched in 2010, the Waterloo booth was designed by recent Waterloo architecture grads with input from students, faculty and staff. It features a ‘campus within a campus’ concept, taking a cue from Waterloo’s physical layout. It also incorporates Christie Digital MicroTiles as information and way-finding tools. Colour-coded t-shirts and ‘pavilions’ in the faculty colour schemes make it easy for prospective students to connect with the right people.
For high school students interested in attending Waterloo next year, the OUF booth provides an opportunity for ‘one-stop shopping’ in terms of connecting with the faculty, student life, admissions, and other experts that will help inform their decision.
Half of all OUF attendees visit the Waterloo booth
“We’ve had extraordinary feedback about our presence at the OUF. In fact, just seeing our booth has prompted students to investigate Waterloo when they hadn’t considered the University before,” said Tina Roberts, Director of Waterloo's Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment department. “The innovative, high-quality appearance made a splash when we first launched the booth, but it is the incredible energy and dedication of our boothers that really sustains the impact of our OUF presence each year.”
The OUF runs from Friday Sept. 27 to Sun. Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
