Attendance, industry support strong Glencore has agreed to take over sponsorship of the show from Viterra through 2014
Organizers of Canada’s Farm Progress Show said that last week’s 35th edition saw a stronger international presence and record number of exhibitors.
Final numbers weren’t yet available, but show manager Rob O’Connor said more than 640 international visitors from more than 50 countries attended, surpassing the goal of 600.
As well, at least 52 foreign exhibitors set up shop at the show.
“I do know that inside of the international business centre, the offices have been full. I’ve never seen them so full in my history here at the show,” O’Connor said.
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The show, which rebranded itself from “Western Canada” earlier this year, hosted a record 806 exhibitors.
The show is now considered the largest in Canada.
“We are bigger than any show in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, anywhere,” said outgoing chair Larry Gregga. “We are it.”
Regina mayor Pat Fiacco said it’s safe to say the city could be branded as Canada’s agricultural business centre.
“We understand the economic spinoff of shows like this,” he said.
Tobias Eichberg, a consultant from Germany who has been advising show management, said there is more room for the show to grow and evolve. The three main indicators of a show’s success are attendance, the number of exhibitors and floor space.
“If you put all these together, I would say Canada’s Farm Progress Show is among the top three or four in North America,” he said.
The trade show business is volatile, he added, with some disappearing and others being created.
The Regina show is on solid footing with attendance of 42,000 to 45,000 each year over the three-day event and strong support from exhibitors. Last week, Viterra announced it had renewed its sponsorship through 2014 and that Glencore had agreed to honour the commitment.
Incoming chair Rene Carpentier said the show consults with larger farmers identified by its stakeholders to make sure it continues to meet their needs. Organizers also want to make sure the show offers information along with the latest in farm innovations.
O’Connor said at least 24 new products were launched at the show this year, including a combine, air seeder, grain cart and truck.
