Love this post. Lets get something going!
I would seriously like this to happen! The "Annual Ontario Metal Expo and Awards"!!! WTF is it for? To acknowledge and create press and awareness about Ontario metal bands who are releasing albums each year. The first idea that comes to mind is to hold something like this late in the year once most all the calendar year's metal albums have been released, maybe November, just after memorial day, but before the xmas rush (with people having to attend xmas work parties etc...). + Nothing much else happens in November.
Two ways to do it: 1) Have it in Toronto every year (maybe a MUST!) or 2) Hold it in a different Ontario city each year (based on demand!) to move it around and focus on the scenes in other cities and expose their metal, too! What are the scenes?
Toronto (& Greater Toronto area), Hamilton, London, Windsor, Ottawa, Sudbury, and as far as Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay (the last two basically being one venue towns that are used as travel stops for touring bands passing through)
On a Saturday, bands all afternoon and evening, maybe a presentation of sorts around 8-9, and then 3-4 headliners from anywhere. Budget for 200 paid tickets the first year and see how things go.
A 'program' of sorts could be put together documenting the year's Ontario Metal releases and tours, w/ additional info on ressources and things for bands to help promote themselves and "Ontario Metal"...
Like I said, we can't just sit around and grow old waiting for shit like this to become a reality. Someone has to make it happen! These are just a few pipe dream ideas, there's lots than could be done to make this awesome! At the very least, 50-100 willing people/bandmembers participate in this and we have one hell of a metal drunkfest party! It's time to really start showing the personalities of the Ontario Metal scene!