Spurred by hundreds of requests from the public, the principals of the annual Taboo Naughty but Nice Show will bring back the recently cancelled show to Abbotsford's Tradex from May 11 to May 13, Canwest Productions vice-president Sean Libin confirmed Thursday.

In a press conference held at Tradex, Libin said after the Feb. 10 announcement cancelling the trade show's March dates, the company was inundated with feedback from supporters of the event.

"The community has spoken, (and) we've listened," said Libin, who was accompanied by supportive exhibitors and past Taboo show attendees at the press conference.

"We've heard from both sides of this issue and it's clear to us, and it should be clear to everyone in the Fraser Valley, that there are more people who welcome our show into the community than those who oppose it."

In February, Libin cited two reasons for pulling the show: a vocal minority who viewed the Taboo show as a "immoral perversion," and Tradex's lack of a liquor primary licence that would allow show visitors to walk around with a drink.

But within days, "we had over 100 e-mails, the Twitterverse began to buzz and people spoke out on Facebook. We received countless calls to our office," he said.

Canwest heard from Fraser Valley residents who "welcomed us with open arms," he said, and even from those who had no intention of going to the event but who "recognized the rights of those who did want to go."

Libin said he has reached out several times to Gerda Peachey, an ardent detractor of the show, and invited her to see it, but so far she hasn't accepted. Peachey says she has never called or been called by Libin or the show promoters.

"Not ever once did they call me," said Peachey, who maintains she had nothing to do with the cancellation of the show.

Libin said killing the show would cost Tradex $40,000 in losses and 175 workers' shifts, as well as losses to the 80 or more Taboo exhibitors.

The liquor licence issue is still unresolved but Libin said that won't impact the return of the show.

Tradex director of operations Vali Marling said it has applied to the provincial Liquor Control Board to change its food primary liquor licence to a liquor primary even before the Taboo show became an issue.

The change would be welcomed by many other trade shows, such as agricultural events, she said, as those exhibitors would be able to host licensed receptions and not have to keep their guests seated in one spot if they wished to drink alcohol.

"We've worked on it for more than a year," Marling said. The process, which requires an approval by the local council, could still take months.

Supporters at the press conference said the Taboo show, which draws up to 15,000 visitors over a weekend, can help people communicate with their partners and to keep the romantic fires alive.

One of those, Dr. Lyne Piché, is a forensic psychologist who counsels couples and gives seminars at the Taboo shows. She encourages people to make their relationships a priority.

"I talk more about sexual health. I really enjoy talking to people about how to address their conflicts and concerns, about how they can improve their relationships," Piché said.

Tori Harper, an Abbotsford mother of two, said the Taboo show helps her and her husband stoke their romantic spark.

"I think part of a happy marriage is having a fun sex life," but raising children and daily stresses can put a damper on that, she said. "You still want to be in love. It's nice to be able to close the door and not have to be a mom."

Her friend Lynn Thompson, a mother of four, said she and her husband look forward to the Taboo shows to provide "an educational, entertaining night out for adults."

There is a misconception the show is "dirty and full of porn," she said, but they find its educational components to be beneficial.

"If your child sees you (parents) connecting emotionally and physically, they can see you're in love. I can't think of any way the show can be detrimental to the community," said Thompson, who added her inlaws also attend the show.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com