The 45th annual Canada’s Farm Show in Regina has come and gone, and Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) is calling it an enormous success.
Numbers from REAL in a news release show a 20 percent increase in attendance, over 350 exhibitors were at the show, and over $81-million in sales were secured.
“We’re very happy with who came out and what came out,” said Vice President of Agriculture for REAL Kirk Westgard said. “Talking to some of our exhibitors, the people came out to buy, so it was a very good show for both Regina Exhibition Association…but it was also fantastic for the exhibitors who really indicated that people were there to buy and the right people were attending their booth to have some good conversation and buy product from.”
In addition to visitors from Western Canada, Westgard also says there were 115 visitors from 70 different countries, including the U.S., Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.
“A good representation of lots of countries and lots of interest to find out what we’re doing here in Saskatchewan and how we’re leading the agriculture revolution and the agriculture tech side of the business.” he added.
This year’s farm show introduced 4 new initiatives: the Premier’s Breakfast, Growing Connections Conference, the Global Agtech Summit, and Launch your Career in Ag event. Westgard says these new events were very well-received.
The innovation awards were also handed out. The winners were Accusampler Ultra MT by VeriGrain; Binahlo by Adaptive Agriculture Solutions Inc.; and Inputs Pro, invented by Kristen Timmerman of Inputs Pro Inc.
Westgard says Canada’s Farm Show contributed $19.2-million in economic benefit to the City of Regina and surrounding area.
He says there are a few things to improve on for next year’s show.
“We’re going to stick to and encourage more growth in our international side, in our innovation side, and our collaboration side, so everything we’re doing we’re just trying to continue to get better with everything we do.” Westgard said.
Next year’s show is scheduled for June 18-20, 2024.
Hear the interview with Kirk Westgard below.
