Ag Ex praised as a major economic boost to Brandon

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This article was published 26/10/2023 (966 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Ag Ex livestock show is a big boost to Brandon’s economy, Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba general manager Mark Humphries said during the Exhibitors Night on Tuesday at the Dome Building.

“Bringing people into Brandon, filling hotel rooms, using local restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations boost the city’s economy. The economic impact that’s a spinoff from our events is huge,” he said. “The sponsorship this year has grown by over 50 per cent compared to the previous year and this is because of the value that it brings to the sponsors.”

Humphries pointed out that the events were not only drawing visitors from Manitoba but also from across the country, including Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta. “This wide geographic reach brought a substantial number of exhibitors, with over 600 head of cattle participating. So again, with that comes the hotel use, the restaurant use.”

Humphries expressed gratitude to the sponsors, most of whom are local businesses with a strong presence in Brandon and the surrounding areas. He stressed their commitment to seeing the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba’s events grow, recognizing the economic value they bring to the community.

“Even in the face of uncooperative weather, it is witnessing a great turnout of cattle. It’s a big economic boost to Brandon, and we’re really the first show in the fall and the trade show is full,” show chair Dallas Johnston told the Sun. “This event not only benefits the cattle exhibitors but also brings a bustling trade show to the city, offering a diverse range of agricultural products and services.”

Set against the backdrop of a thriving trade show, Johnston said, his expectations for the upcoming week are running high. “I expect we’ll get a lot of people up for the trade show because there’s a vast array of things to look at like ropes, tractors, and more.”

“This night, which is the exhibitors’ night, we basically welcome all the exhibitors in, give them a bit of a free supper, and maybe a drink if they’re really lucky,” Humphries told the Sun. “This night is a heartfelt gesture to exhibitors who had travelled great distances to showcase their cattle. They got the cattle loaded, washed, put to bed — they’ve had no time to prepare supper — so it’s to help them out for the first night.”

The exhibition, he said, promises to be a remarkable event, drawing visitors from all over to experience the flourishing agriculture scene in Brandon.

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