MOOSE JAW — At an annual general meeting, the discussion turned towards the Moose Jaw Exhibition and its hidden importance — both economic and social — for the city of Moose.Jaw.
“We’re a major driver of tourism,” George Fowler told AGM attendees as part of his annual report.
“We are a driving force of tourism in the city,” he said.
Fowler pointed to the provincial government which is starting to see weddings as also tourism events.
“Half of the people attending weddings are from out of town, and the provincial government is seeing this as tourism,” he said.
The province’s view is based upon usually half of the guests at weddings are from out of town and they rent hotel rooms, buy meals and make many of the same expenditures as out of town visitors do.
Renting facilities for weddings is a major source of income for the Exhibition Company.
The annual Hometown Fair, the largest event to happen on the Exhibition Grounds, brings in thousands of visitors every year to various events.
The Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association stages their annual provincial championships, which bring out 500 horses in the multi-day event.
“They’re willing to drive in from all over the country, and there is a major benefit from that,” he said, adding, “We are important to the tourism of this city.”
The recent Canadian Power Lifting Championships were seen as a success. The Canadian championship brought in 400 competitors from across the country to the weeklong event.
Last year, the Western Power Lifting Championships were held, bringing in hundreds of competitors.
Fowler said between 175,000 and 200,000 went through the grounds last year.
