Canadian Western Agribition is extremely pleased with the final numbers from last year’s show.

The organization held its AGM yesterday in Regina.

CEO Marty Seymour says the organization saw its best year yet with a record profit of over $844 thousand dollars for the six day event:

"We saw record attendance, 130,000 people. Of course, the show financially did well but I think the real story for the Ag industry is the livestock community. With over $3.5 million worth of livestock traded in six days, the overall economic contribution to the province was $56 million, that is measured in selling combines, cutlery and all of the stuff that goes on," he said.

Seymour says there’s a lot of excitement around the construction taking place at Evraz Place and the new International Trade Centre:

"It's been no secret to the industry that the old building's were tired. The new building will create more open air, our new show arena will be there, our new international lounge is going to be located out of there. It will allow people to flow across the property a little more fluid. It really takes a first class show and really amplifies it with first class buildings. We've been working on that for 20 years and it just didn't happen without the support of the city, Evraz Place and the two levels of government," he added.

The International Trade Centre replaces 13 old barns and is scheduled to be completed in time for Agribition 2017, with partial use for 2016.

After 5 years with Agribition, Seymour is moving on to a new opportunity with Farm Credit Canada in May.   

Agribition President Stewart Stone says Seymour has done a great job, adding the board is now working on finding a replacement.

Canadian Western Agribition goes November 21 to the 26 at Regina’s Evraz Place.