Lethbridge (Rural Roots Canada) – The Agri-Food Innovation Expo, a unique collaboration between Lethbridge & District Exhibition and Westerner Park in Red Deer, marked a successful second year with its first event hosted in Lethbridge. With over 20 exhibitors and 200 attendees—an increase from its inaugural year in Red Deer—the expo continues to establish itself as a key event in Canada’s agrifood industry.
“This is the second annual Agri-Food Innovation Expo, but the first one we’ve hosted here in Lethbridge,” said Paul Kingsmith, Director, Community Engagement for the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.
“Last year, Red Deer did the heavy lifting of getting the show off the ground and building its reputation. We’ve had the good fortune of learning from year one, and we’ve seen growth this year.”
The expo, designed to connect agrifood producers, processors, researchers, and entrepreneurs, responded to industry feedback by introducing several new features. Among the highlights were breakout sessions, one-on-one mentorship opportunities, and a pre-conference bus tour to local food producers and research centers, including Spirit Hills Winery and Lethbridge Polytechnic.
“These changes were made based on what attendees wanted,” Kingsmith explained. “Breakout sessions allowed for deeper dives into niche topics, while one-on-one mentorships gave attendees a chance to engage directly with experts and ask personalized questions. The bus tour was a great way to showcase local producers and cutting-edge research happening right here in Southern Alberta.”
The feedback from attendees and speakers has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve heard that the audience is really engaging with the speakers, which shows we’re matching the content with what people want. Both attendees and speakers are seeing the value in building connections and learning from each other.”
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The Agri-Food Innovation Expo underscores the significance of Southern and Central Alberta as hubs for the agrifood industry. With a strong ecosystem that includes producers, processors, researchers, and transportation infrastructure, the region is a natural fit for events like this.
“It just makes sense that events like this happen where the agrifood industry is thriving,” Kingsmith said. “Hosting it at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre here in Lethbridge is an opportunity to highlight the innovation and collaboration happening in the region. We’re excited about the momentum the expo is building as it moves back to Red Deer next year.”
As the expo continues to grow, it aims to strengthen connections within the agrifood industry, foster innovation, and provide a platform for businesses to share ideas and build partnerships. With a strong foundation and increasing interest, the event promises to be a staple in the industry for years to come.
The event was held at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre.
