Exhibitors have their booths set up and producers have their livestock settled into REAL District for the 53rd annual Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.
The event starts Monday and runs until Saturday. Each building that comprises REAL District is being utilized for the event, from the Viterra International Trade Centre to the Co-operators Centre, the Affinity Plex, and the Brandt Centre. Each day will have livestock competitions and sales, a rodeo, a crowning of the second-ever Miss Rodeo Agribition, a two-day Grain Expo from the Queensbury Convention Centre, and a trade-show with hundreds of exhibitors. The burning of the brand at 10 a.m. Monday marks the official start to the event, although there are events happening prior, such as the Canadian National 4-H Judging competition, bison on display, and Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program.
“Getting to watch it take shape really gets us pumped up,” said Shaun Kindopp, CEO of Canadian Western Agribition of the preparation for the event. “The crew that we have putting things together I put up against anyone in the country.”
He adds the show wouldn’t be possible without partnerships. Earlier this year, CWA announced a pair of Memorandum of Understanding agreements were signed with Beef Australia on May 8 and with Mexico’s Congreso de las Estrellas on March 23, in an effort, from the CWA’s perspective, to encourage more international trade and promote Canadian cattle genetics. Agribition also has several corporate partnerships from BHP, Deloitte, Brandt, among others.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the partnerships that we have, whether that’s with our community, the city, the province, our corporate partners, some of the others shows we’re dealing with,” he said. “I think partnerships is what makes the world go round and it’s a big part of Agribition.”
The multi-day event is also an economic driver for the province as last year’s show generated $116.5 million of economic activity in Saskatchewan, including $69.6 million to the provincial GDP.
Kindopp says the first day is free admission, courtesy of CN Rail, so it’s a chance to see what Agribition has to offer.
“The earlier you can be here, the better,” he said. “We just can’t thank everybody enough for all the generous support that they had done over the years and we’re hoping we can another big year again this year.”
SaskAgToday will be at Agribition all week. Check out SaskAgToday.com and tune in to 620 CKRM and GX94 for all the latest from Canadian Western Agribition.
