Western Canadian Crop Production Show is growing in popularity — and running out of room
As agricultural equipment continues to get bigger, so too does the need for a co-ordinated effort at the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon.
Organizing the set-up schedule starts a month before the four-day show, held this year Jan. 12-15. Larger pieces of equipment and some smaller exhibitors are given a specific move-in time.
“It’s definitely choreographed,” said Lori Cates, manager of the show.
Forklifts, cranes and tractors are used to position the products during set up and removal.
“When we’re moving that equipment in and out, it’s very technical,” she said.
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“We also have the luxury of having four really good volunteers and they make that move-in seamless…. Our exhibitors, year after year, comment on that.”
Cates said great weather contributed to this year’s strong attendance, but it was a different story leading up to the show when temperatures reached -30 C.
“The challenge was those move-in dates,” she said.
The event also hosted more meetings and seminars compared to past years.
“That was really good for us. We could accommodate more of those types of things,” said Cates.
However, she said the facilities are now mostly maxed out for available space.
“The growth in the show will be when we have another building. That’s something that we’re all working towards because we have so many requests from our exhibitors for more space and we just can’t give them anymore.”
Now in its 32nd year, the event is one of Western Canada’s top grain industry venues for the latest technology, services and products.
This year’s show attracted 18,806 people and 351 companies, which filled 1,022 trade show booths.
