By Troy Gillard

Officials confident Red Deer’s Agri-Trade will happen this year despite financial issues, pandemic

Jul 23, 2020 | 10:25 AM

RED DEER, AB – Officials say they’re doing everything possible to ensure one of western Canada’s largest agriculture industry events goes ahead this year.

The 2020 edition of the Agri-Trade equipment expo in Red Deer is scheduled for November 11-13. But financial issues at Westerner Park, where Agri-Trade is held each year, and public health restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic have created uncertainty for this year’s event.

Agri-Trade features around 500 exhibitors and sees over 30,000 attendees each year.

Westerner Park’s financial woes predate the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have resulted in the not-for-profit society’s cash flow currently being overseen by The City of Red Deer. Westerner Park approached the city earlier this year after admitting that past dealings, including unfavourable event contracts and capital expansion decisions, were a large factor in leaving them with a critical shortage of operating funds.

After approving $1 million earlier this year, Red Deer city council approved another $2 million operating grant earlier this month to keep Westerner Park running into 2021. Without that grant Westerner Park would’ve run out of its own operating cash in August.

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With November’s Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) already postponed until next year, Westerner Park CEO Mike Olesen says they’re working hard to host Agri-Trade in at least some form or fashion this fall.

“Right now it’s a matter of scenario planning and working very closely with the authorities around how Agri-Trade can organize itself so that it is safe,” he explains. “It will probably set the standard for exhibition events in the future. The timing of our event in comparison to the rest of western Canada leaves us as probably the last opportunity to have a show to this degree happen this fall.”

Olesen admits, however, they will have to find a way to have more control over attendance, the flow of foot traffic, and instituting health and safety measures required by government health authorities.

“We’re working hard and building plans with our partner in the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and our management team to have the event ready to run in a modified way, but also in a full capacity if we’re able to.”

According to Westerner Park, Agri-Trade stimulated over $300 million in economic spin-off in 2017. It’s an economic impact highlighted by the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce.

“As a partner in Agri-Trade and CFR, this Chamber knows first-hand the importance of national and international events which benefit our accommodation, service, Ag and retail industries,” Chamber CEO Rick More said in a statement. “Our role to keep Agri-Trade alive for November is high on our priority list with a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.”