2018 Annual Report Building for Our Future

Westerner Park Building for our Future 2018 Annual Report Building For Our Future

With the completion of the new Exhibition Hall Our Mission: and the World Junior Hockey Championships To provide exceptional guest experiences on the horizon, our Westerner Park team is through premier facilities and services working hard to build a flourishing future for for agriculture and trade, sports and our organization and community. entertainment, conferences and meetings, generating economic benefits Having produced our first Canadian Finals for Central Alberta. Rodeo, playing host to the 2019 Canada Our Vision: Winter Games and seven sold-out Cirque du Western Canada’s Event Centre… Your Home Soleil performances, we are leveraging the For Celebration! momentum of this past year to continue to produce world-class facilities and experiences Our Values: for our guests to enjoy. Community and Westerner Team Focused Welcoming We look forward to showcasing Westerner Agriculturally - Rooted Park as the premier business, sporting, Deliberate Stewards agricultural, and entertainment hub that we Socially Responsible are in the prosperous years ahead. Looking at 2018

3 Message from the President and Board Chair

4 Message from the Chief Executive Officer

5 - 6 Our Westerners

7 - 8 Volunteers & Shareholders

9 Facility Upgrades

10 Sustainability

11 - 12 Paying It Forward in Our Community

13 - 14 And The Award Goes To

15 - 18 Ambassadors of Westerner Park

19 - 20 Canadian Finals Rodeo

21 - 22 Buckle-Up, Let’s Go! Westerner Days 2018

23 - 24 2019 Canada Winter Games

25 - 28 2018 Event Highlights

29 Stronger, Together - Our Partners

30 Financials

President and Board Chair Damian Zapisocky

2018 marked my second year as President and Board Chair. It was an incredibly exciting year as the Westerner Park family worked tirelessly to bring fantastic events to our community, and continued to build for our future in Central Alberta. With having had an incredibly busy year with many significant firsts, I would like to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and dedication of my fellow Board members, our staff, shareholders and volunteers, our partners, sponsors, and our community. Thank you for your ongoing support, contributions, dedication and accomplishments that make our organization successful year after year.

One of the most noteworthy milestones we reached in 2018 was the construction of the new Exhibition Hall. The 75,000 square-foot facility, that now connects the Stockmens Pavilion and Agricentre, will provide Westerner Park with the opportunity to bid on larger events that bring positive economic and social impacts to our surrounding communities.

Westerner Park also hosted our first Canadian Finals Rodeo, which proved to be a fantastic event that brought together fans, visitors and athletes from all over the world. We look forward to hosting the Canadian Finals Rodeo for many years to come. These accomplishments symbolize the continuous growth and success we are working to create for the future of Westerner Park and our community; we strive to continue to be Central Alberta’s destination for celebration.

Looking ahead, we are already planning the next events for the Exhibition Hall and preparing for an even more prosperous CFR 46. With the motivation to continue to elevate the Fair experience, our team of staff is eager to shift focus by building up the community spirit around Westerner Days!

As Central Alberta’s largest agriculture and trade, sports and entertainment, conferences and meetings facility, Westerner Park is the heart of our community, one with a rich and distinctive history, now 127 years in the making.

Damian Zapisocky President and Board Chair

| 3 Chief Executive Officer Bradley Williams

I am pleased to present the 2018 Annual Report: a piece that recognizes the impressive milestones and accomplishments that our Westerner Park team of staff, Board of Directors, sponsors, volunteers and community members have made possible within the past year.

It is my pleasure to be appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer for Westerner Park. As a former Vice President, Board member and volunteer, this organization is close to my heart and it is my privilege to lead our team of staff as we continue to construct the foundations for a successful future. In my time as CEO, I have quickly come to realize the true strength of our staff and the quality of, not only their workmanship, but their individual character. Through a whirlwind year full of growth and trials, our team has continuously demonstrated the dedication and commitment it takes to make our organization great.

In 2018, Westerner Park became the new home for the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Given the short nine-month period that we had to organize and present our inaugural CFR, many remarkable achievements were made by our Westerner Park family in preparation for the event. The “can-do” attitude of our staff and volunteers pulled through to help make our first year with the CFR very successful. We are grateful to have received an outpouring of support in funding and sponsorship, including backing from the Government of Alberta, City of Red Deer, and Red Deer County.

Deeply rooted in our rich agricultural history, we pledge to honor the past by building for our future. Westerner Park is a key community resource; by integrating technology and innovation within our development processes, we are able to create more opportunity for all. The construction of our new Exhibition Hall is a sign of our efforts in striving to create a better future for our community.

Bradley Williams Chief Executive Officer

4 | Our Westerners

Board of Directors Business Development

Damian Zapisocky President & Board Chair & Sponsorship

Janice Wing Vice President, Chair, Finance, Investment Nancy Paish Business Development Manager & Audit, Governance Jennifer McGhee Sponsorship & Administrative Assistant Graham Heron Past President, Chair, Planning & Development Deb Beck Elected Director, Chair, Human Resources Human Resources & Compensation Pamela Fallis Human Resources Manager Dianne Harder Elected Director, Chair, Volunteer & Shareholder Relations Christine Lindsay Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator Tyler Nightingale Elected Director Janice Morin Administrative Assistant Rick Polutnik Elected Director Lars Rogers Elected Director, Chair Risk Management Event Sales and Production Gil Vallee Elected Director Rod Hergott Event Sales & Production Manager

Michael Dawe Appointed Director, City of Red Deer Christina Sturgeon Agriculture Event & Production Assistant Manager Tanya Handley Appointed Director, City of Red Deer Kelly Korpany Parking & Security Assistant Manager Phillip Massier County Appointee to Board Shayla Flanagan Event Sales & Production Assistant Manager Appointed Director, Red Deer & District Mindi Granson Stacey Appleby Event Sales & Production Coordinator Chamber of Commerce Executive Catering and Banquet Sam Hassan Catering Banquet & Suites Manager Bradley Williams Chief Executive Officer Sunny Teoh Sous Chef Peggy Jackson Board & Corporate Services Administrator Marion Yovdoshuk Chef De Partie Thaddeus Pimentel Line Cook

| 5 Food and Beverage Operations Kim Mechefske Food & Beverage Support Service Manager Jim White Assistant General Manager & Operations Manager Brittney Stork Food & Beverage Operations Coordinator Craig MacLennan Assistant Operations Manager Cyndi Chaulk Stock/Cash Control Clerk Bryon Buehler Maintenance Technician (Master Electrician) Emily Suitor Stock/Cash Control Clerk Collin Nabe Maintenance Technician (Master Electrician) Krystin Clark Stock/Cash Control Clerk Dan Wood Health and Safety Coordinator Mike Butler Warehouse Supervisor Dione Glendinning General Services Employee Don McInenly Assistant Maintenance Worker Finance Greg Baskier Maintenance Technician (Mechanic) Alec Kabel Finance Administrative Assistant Harry Knox Building Maintenance Employee Cindy Goulding Accounts Payable Russ Berki Supervisor General Services Grounds Diana Poffenroth Cash Office Supervisor Nagmeldin Adam Accounts Receivable Tickets Alberta Box Office Steven Rutherford Junior Accountant Eve Sira Box Office Manager Wendy Schropp Box Office Assistant Manager Marketing Cory Koopman Box Office Coordinator Nancy Paish Marketing & Communications Manager Patricia Riviere Box Office Coordinator Ashley Nelson Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager Jari Apesland Marketing Specialist Social Media Piper McArthur Marketing Specialist Tickets Alberta Mark Toews Marketing Assistant Service Awards Event Delivery Staff Awards Abby Wallin Event Delivery Manager 5 Years 10 Years Colleen Reay Event Delivery Administrator Alejandra Cepeda Cindy Glendenning Peter Wiede Arena Operator Doug Harrison Dan Wood

Hubert Knox Arena Operator I 20 Years Doug Harrison Arena Operator I James Rutherford James Rutherford Arena Operator II Ben Jackway Event Delivery Supervisor Volunteer Awards Cindy Glendinning Event Delivery Supervisor 1 Year 10 Year Josh Merasty Event Delivery Supervisor Claudio Baustmante Trista Carey Jennifer Blair Jillian Hastie Wayne Parker Event Delivery Supervisor Melissa Bolin Ed Irwin Alejandra Cepeda General Services Event Delivery Maggy Fuzessery John Sim Amanda Merasty General Services Event Delivery Peter Fuzessery 15 Year Michelle Moore Annette Boomer General Services Event Delivery Sharon Beckley Tyler Nightingale Jack Tremain Damian LaGrange General Services Event Delivery Jennifer Primas Scott Wyzykoski 20 Year Joaquin Altuna Caminati General Services Event Delivery John Henderson 5 Year Juan Molina General Services Event Delivery Pat Young Gary Brown Jonas LaGrange General Services Event Delivery Dianne Harder Rick Allan General Services Event Delivery Lars Rogers Doug Sharp Tammy Psiurski General Services Event Delivery Damian Zapisocky 6 | Volunteers & Shareholders

Acheson Keith S Barnabe Guy V S Brooks Ed S Curtis Craig V S Goruk Katherine S Anderson Diana V Barnes Gary S Brososky Jan S Dallas Cal S Goruk Ken V S Anderson Robyn V Barnes Wendy PP S Brown Barry S Dandurand Heidi S Gruber Leanne V Baehr Connie V Baustmante Claudio V Brown Gary V S Dawe Michael D S Hammer Hoss S Baehr Steve V Beck Deb D S Buchanan Buck S Day Margaret S Handley Tanya D S Baer Michelle V S Beckley Sharon V Buchanan Jan S Der Herb S Harder Dianne D S Baker Jim S Bennett Joyce S Butler Sharon S Dickin Ed PP S Harink Greg S Baldwin Kevin V S Benoit Karen V S Bystrom Kay S Dickin Lois S Harink Linda S Bantjes Eileen S Berg Neil S Cadsand Daniel S Donald Jack PP S Harris Gary S Barclay Dale S Bergman Tony S Campbell Douglas G. S Donald Joan PP S Hastie Jillian V Barkshire Terrie S Bill Paul S Cantwell Robert S Donald Joan S Hegge Ed S Barkshire Wade S Bill Paula S Cantwell Sandra S Donald John S Hehli Amanda V Blair Jennifer V S Carey Trista V Donlevy Michael PP S Hehli Markus V Boake Millie S Chalack Donald V S Donlevy Robin S Henderson John V Bodwell Darlene S Chapman Joan S Dore Craig S Henry Joyce S Boettger May S Chapman Tom V S Douglas Lynne V Herder Bob S Bolin Melissa V Church Don S Duffin Eileen S Herder Margaret S Bontje Gord S Church Wendy S Duffin Lawrence S Hermary Joan V S Bott Wes S Clark Brenda V S Dugan Anna S Hermary Suzanne V Boulton Bob S Clark Shannon V S Edmundson Doreen S Heron Graham PP S Bowie Kim V Clark Wayne V S Elliott James S Hildebrand Gerald V Brauner Arnold V S Coghill Delores V Fertig Warren S Hough Allan S Brinkhurst James S Collicutt Lorna S Flamin Tyson V Hough Janice S Collicutt Steven S Flewwelling Morris S Hough Lorraine S Compton Jane V S Foster Jim S Hough Mal PP S Connelly Vernon S Friesen Harry S Hubl Marvin S Cornett Mary Joan S Frizzell Jason V Hueppelsheuser David S Cote Donald R. S Fuzessery Maggy V Hueppelsheuser Judy S Cranswick Leila V Fuzessery Peter V Hull Bill PP S Cruickshank Liz V S Ganson Mindi D S Hull Scotty S Cupples Garett S Gardner Marie S Hunter Bob S Gehrke George S Hunter Pat S Gerhardt Michael S Huse James S Gillard Tim S Hyde Phil S Gisler Merna V S Hyvonen Lorne V Glenfield Linda S Jablonski Mary-Anne S Goldade Albert S Jackson Elizabeth V Good Brian S Janssen Carol S Goranson Paul V S Janssen Jr. Bill S Goruk George S Jefferies Cindy S Jeffers Bryon S Jenkins Rachel V Jensen Valerie S Jewell Richard S Johnson Donald S Johnson Lorna V Johnson Ruby S Johnston David E. S Johnston Ken S Johnston Margaret S Johnstone Joan S McLoughlin Brian S Johnstone Larry S McMullen Kelly V Johnstone Linda S McMurray Heddi S Jones Shanna V McPhee Colleen S Kastern Chandra V McPhee Russ S Kaun David S McPherson Hugh S Kaun Susan S McPherson James Kellough Hugh S R. S Prendergast Fred S Kemshead Larry S Mills Robert V S Primas Jennifer V Kennedy Pat S Milne Ian S Pugh Len S Kennedy Robert E. S Mitchell Judy V Purdie Lynda S Kennedy Rod PP S Moller Ed S Purdie Rob S Klein Dianne S Moore Christine V S Radford Lyn S Klepper Jean S Moore Michelle V Roberts Bill V S Klugkist Erik V Moore Warren S Roberts Yvonne V S Kuffler Wayne S Morris Tim S Robinson Scott S Lacey Kathy V S Moulton Dale S Rogers Bill S Lacey Peter S Mueller Ellen S Rogers Lars D S Lampard Robert S Mueller Fred S Rosengren Betty S Thurmeier Merv S Lampard Thomas S Mueller Phillip S. S Saik Robert S Tisdale Glen V S Lampard Toby S Mulder Lynne S Savage Dave V Towers Kerri S Langford Tom S Mykytyshyn Darcy S Scanlan Adam V Towers Margaret S Lawrence Dan S Neeland Brian D. S Schmidt Peter V S Towers Ross PP S Lawrence Phyllis S Nesbitt Dale S Schnell Bob S Towers Tom PP S Laycock Bonnie Laura S Nesbitt Jan S Schnell Natalie S Tremain Jack S Lebedoff Fred S Newman Ethel S Schur Mary S Tremain Jack V Lee Lawrence S Newman Russel S Scott Angie S Truant Alfio S Leenstra LeRoy S Nielsen Don S Scott Brian S Truant Mike S Lehr Diane S Nightingale Tyler D S Scott Jim PP S Underwood Jan V Lewis Diane S Odell Donald S Scott Linda S Vallee Gil D S Woit Ivan S Leyenhorst Brent V Olafson Bill PP S Shapka Guy S Van Bussel Kevin S Wong Frank S L’Hirondelle Dale S Olafson Rhonda S Sharp Doug V S Vellner Marty S Wood Jim S Liptak Ed V S Oldring Bonnie S Shepherd Barbara S Volk Jason S Wyntjes Dianne S Liptak Kay S Oldring John S Sibbald Jerry S Walls V.G. S Wyntjes Henry S Lischka Martin V Olson Kent PP S Sim John V Ward Joel S Wyzykoski Scott V S Lorenz Richard S Owen Valentine S Sim Kelsey V Ward Ralph S Yamniuk Joe V S Lund Curtiss V S Pahl Robert S Slipp Jim S Ward Rose S Yamniuk Nancy S MacLeod Lenore S Panteluk Jack S Spiers James A. S Watkinson-Zimmer Young George V S Mallett Linda S Parks Gail S Stauffer Murray S Lorna S Young Pat V S Mandrusiak Ken S Paterson Lennard S Stegman Lynn S Watson Al V S Zapisocky Damian P S Martens Neil S Pattison Phil S Stephan Chris S Watson Millie S Zondag Jake V S Massier Phiip D S Pederson Vicky S Stephan Rod S Watters Kim S Matejka Betty S Pelletier Guy V S Stewart Mark V White Barclay S Legend Matejka Bill S Pengelly Mary S Stoller Glenda V S Wilkins Bob S V - Volunteer Matejka Mark S Penrice Karen V Stoller Mark V S Wilkins Flory S S – Shareholder McAdam Nancy S Perry Christine S Storwick Shirley S Will David S D – Director McCullough Ron PP S Perry George S Stott Jack S Williams Bradley S P – President McFadden F. Elaine S Peters Wendy S Surkan Gail S Willoughby Victor S VP – Vice President McKinnon AnnaBelle S Polutnik Richard D S Swainson Kenneth L. S Wing Janice VP S PP – Past President McKinnon Crystal S Pope Marcy S Thomas William S Winia Gerry S McLaughlin Joe S Poth Reimar S Thomson Mitch S 8 | Facility Upgrades

The Exhibition Hall Environmental Stability The Exhibition Hall is our largest and most Energy Management Systems were added to the technically-advanced venue to date. The sprawling Harvest Centre, and upgraded in the Upper Gallery, 75,000 sq. ft. facility provides hosting capacity above the Prairie and Stockmens Pavilions. These for international trade shows and large-scale systems allow for us to control our energy consumption conferences in Central Alberta. remotely, further reducing our environmental impact. With the Exhibition Hall in place, it allows for our Agricentre East and West received some guests to travel from the ENMAX Centrium, all much needed LED lighting. the way to Agricentre East without ever having to go outdoors. This is ground-breaking for hosting Safety substantial events like Agri-trade and CFR. Safety is at the forefront of our priorities as an Built with acoustics in mind, this is a fantastic organization. This year, we continued to focus on venue for hosting live entertainment. The ambiance making the Park more accessible and secure for all: can easily be enhanced with our state-of-the-art LED lighting system. The venue also features a box • $25,000 was allocated to build an accessibility office, 4 private dressing rooms, an upper viewing ramp outside the Parkland Pavilion. gallery, an in-house public address system, and full • Security improvements such as security gates with concession. unique access capabilities were implemented. • We installed lighting over our pedestrian crossings The ENMAX Centrium to help improve visibility and safety during events. Our C9 concession, now known as The Carvery, was renovated this year and now has the capacity to offer upscale menu items and beverages for an enhanced guest experience. The concourse in the ENMAX Centrium underwent a major upgrade to increase the washroom capacity of the venue. Our Future Looks Green Sustainability

Kitchen & Concessions Recycling Council Award Westerner Park is practical by nature. Our pledge Westerner Park hosts over 1,500 events in to create sustainable environments and business Red Deer each year. In 2017, we conducted a practices continues to transcend through our waste audit on our facility, leading to everyday operations. This year, we were able to enhanced programming. upgrade many pieces of our kitchen to bear the As a result of our efforts, Westerner Park was Energy Star Certified Efficiency seal, reducing energy awarded with the 2018 Community Leadership consumption to up to 70% on some units! Award from the Recycling Council of Alberta. Plastic straws are now a thing of the past for The R’s of Excellence Awards are dedicated to Westerner Park, as we introduced the use of paper recognizing the contributions that RCA members, straws in all of our facility concessions! Food service like Westerner Park, are making to promote and containers got an upgrade too, as we made the facilitate waste reduction, recycling and resource switch from traditional Styrofoam to compostable conservation in our beautiful province. materials wherever possible. From January 2017 to May 2018 we recycled approximately 2000 kg of paper towel, along with coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable peels. We also recycle cardboard, soft and hard plastics, batteries, and mixed paper. Another audit in Spring 2018 led to the elimination of Styrofoam cups in all departments and the incorporation the use of glassware during events. From March 2018 to March 2019 over 171,894 cans and bottles were recycled. From May 2018 to December 2018 over 32,000 lbs of cardboard was recycled. Paying It Forward in Our Community

In 2018, Westerner Park provided $418,325.10 in gift-in-kind venue rental to an array of community events, agriculture and sporting events, institutions and not-for-profit organizations who make a positive impact on others.

Green Deer We All Play Arts at the Market

With great respect for our land We All Play, a program providing New this year at the Westerner and environment, the Green Deer families with complimentary Days 19 Street Market, we ‘leave it better than you found it’ admission and parking for unveiled Arts at the Market. This slogan is one that we can easily Westerner Days, returned for exhibit welcomes local artists of all get behind. This year, 11 of our another successful year in 2018. mediums to display their work at no staff members participated in the Stantec and Nova Chemicals cost, with the opportunity to gain Green Deer challenge by collecting joined us to support their charities exposure from over 90,000 36 bags of trash along 19th Street of choice: Aspire Special Needs Fair goers. and the walking trails surrounding Resource Centre and Family our grounds. Services of Central Alberta, respectively. These charities Christmas Artisan anonymously selected well- Market World Milk Day deserving families to take a break and enjoy Westerner Days Fair As Westerners, our heart is in & Exposition. On June 1, we celebrated World community and we know not Milk Day the best way we know everyone is fortunate enough how – by giving back to our Share The Fair to have the means to enjoy the community. With the help of holiday season comfortably. With FunHaus and Trish Booy, our team the help of our community, we donated 380 bottles of milk to the We are moved by the work that raised over $2,100 and donated Mustard Seed and helped pack the Red Deer Regional Hospital over 680 lbs. of food to the Red and deliver over 300 lunches and the Ronald McDonald House Deer Food Bank in December. for kids in 32 schools across does for the families in our Our most sincere thanks goes out Red Deer. community, which is why we love to to all who made this contribution do our part with Share the Fair. For possible! our 4th year, we brought Doo Doo Big Bike Ride the Clown, Team T&J, The Cutest Show on Earth and friends from the Pivotal LLP- In support of the Heart and Alberta Professional Chuckwagon Charity Slo-Pitch Stroke Foundation, our and Chariot Association to deliver Westerner Park family of staff, a true Westerner Days experience Tournament board members and sponsors to children and families unable to participated in the Big Bike Ride. In attend this year’s festivities. We Westerner Park Staff headed out to true Westerner fashion, we arrived believe in the power of positivity the ball diamonds in support of the in our best cowboy attire, raised and look forward each year to Pivotal CPA LLP Charity Slo-Pitch $5,100 for cardiac and brain health bringing the joy of Westerner Days Tournament to help raise funds for research, and even took home to the people who need it the most! the Junior Achievement - Southern the Team Spirit award. Talk about Alberta Program. Westerner pride!

| 11 “We are committed to our community, and our Westerner Team. We see the community in the park, and the park in the community.” And The Award Goes To

Westerner Park was recognized on a national and international level in 2018 for a number of different categories. It is all made possible by our outstanding staff who consistently set the bar for innovation and growth in our industry, and the community members who voted. We are proud to present the following recognitions:

Recycling 2018 Red Deer International Council of Alberta Advocate A - List Association Leadership Award Awards of Fairs & Expositions Westerner Park is proud to be For the second year in a row, a community leader in green Westerner Days was voted Two awards were granted to initiatives. We were honored to Favorite Community Event for the Westerner Park by IAFE this year! have received the Community Advocate’s 2018 A-List Awards. The Rising Stars Wild Card event, Leadership Award from the Aaron Pritchett’s Westerner Days which ultimately led junior rodeo Recycling Council of Alberta, performance also made the A-List stars to compete on the same dirt as a result of the major recycling as Favorite Concert of the Year, as their idols at the 45th Canadian program we implemented last and Randi Bolton, Westerner Days Finals Rodeo, took home 2nd in spring. We were commended performer, took home the Favorite the Non-Fair Related Ag Event for our efforts in reducing our Local Performer award! category. We also took home 3rd ecological footprint by swapping place in Educational Exhibit for Styrofoam cups for biodegradable Alberta Agricultural/Fair Industry Challenge food containers and glassware in with Westerner Day’s No Harm on our facilities. Agricultural the Farm; Team T&J taught children Society Awards through an innovative, engaging Red Deer Reader’s and interactive program that put a vital focus on agricultural safety. Choice Awards Our marketing team received Best Indoor / profound acknowledgment at this year’s Alberta Association Healthy Living Outdoor Festival of Agricultural Societies conference, bringing home a sweeping total of Expo In 2018, Central Alberta’s Largest four awards! Agricultural societies Summer Celebration brought in from across Alberta recognized Westerner Park was thrilled to nearly 100,000 guests! With the some of the creative marketing be nominated for the Leadership help of our Westerner’s in the tactics Westerner Park put behind in Being a Local Healthy Hotspot community, Westerner Days Fair & a number of our self-produced award. Presented by the Healthy Exposition was voted Best Indoor/ events. Campaigns from our Urban Living Expo, nominees are Outdoor Festival for the 2018 Red Farm Festival, Canadian Finals classified as locations that promote Deer Reader’s Choice Awards. We Rodeo, and Rising Stars Junior the culture of healthy living in extend our sincerest thanks to Canadian Finals Rodeo were Central Alberta. all those who voted in support of adorned with praise at the Westerner Days! annual event.

| 13

Ambassadors of Westerner Park

Jim White

In the 127 years of Westerner Park’s history, Jim White has played an integral role for the past 40 years in the advancement of the premier event facility that we are today. Jim is currently the Assistant General Manager and Operations Manager for Westerner Park; he stands as an advocate for the continuous growth and improvement of Westerner Park in the community.

From the planning of buildings to the repairs and renovations of our existing structures, Jim directs all activities with the collective vision and purpose of bettering our community. He is passionate about leading projects that create more opportunity for Central Alberta, and Westerner Park as an agricultural society. Most recently, Jim has led the successful project of our new Exhibition Hall. Our largest and most state-of-the-art facility to date, the Exhibition Hall will leave a lasting legacy of his noteworthy 40 years service here at Westerner Park.

Always willing to lend a helping hand, Jim is the type of person you can count on, as many of our surrounding community organizations do. From lending equipment and fulfilling special requests, he is known to go above and beyond his regular duties to work with and assist our neighboring agricultural societies including Olds, Bowden, Delburne and Northlands in Edmonton. He has also made a point to work closely and develop a strong relationship with our year-round ENMAX Centrium tenant, the Red Deer Rebels, since their arrival in 1991.

With 40 Westerner Days fairs under his belt to date, Jim has played a key role in the progression of Central Alberta’s Largest Summer Celebration. With strong family values, he has always been an advocate for seniors and families in the planning process of Westerner Days. It’s important to him that we look after our community and provide a warm welcome to guests, while ensuring they are getting good value for their hard earned money. His leadership skills have been especially impressive in times of severe weather. In his calm and patient manner, Jim White has lead Westerner Days through some trying conditions such as the flooding of the ENMAX Centrium, flooding streets, funnel clouds, hail, rain and sleet. Through it all, he has guided our team with clear direction and purpose.

From his calm emergency response leadership in severe weather, to the planning and overseeing of the construction of the new Exhibition Hall, Jim’s contributions to Westerner Park have been nothing short of vital to our organization’s long-term success.

“Once a Westerner, always a Westerner” - Jim White Dianne Harder

Since 2013, Dianne Harder has been a Director for the Westerner Park Board and heavily involved with Westerner Park on a volunteer basis. She is chair of the Volunteer & Shareholders Relations Committee, sits on the Governance Committee, served on the committees for Agri-Trade, Canadian Finals Rodeo, and Westerner Dairy Showcase; Dianne also sat on the Red Deer District & Chamber of Commerce Board as a Westerner Park representative.

As a Communication Specialist based in Red Deer, Dianne began her career at CKRD-TV and radio, where she hosted and helped develop the “Makin’ 8” program which covered pro rodeo competitors at Western Canadian rodeos, including the Canadian Finals Rodeo. She regularly contributes to numerous publications such as Horses All and Canadian Rodeo News and has announced agricultural events for the Calgary Stampede for many years. She is also a regular CFCW broadcast crew member during the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

An honorary member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and the Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association, Dianne received the 2018 Bell Memorial Award from the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame for her reporting, among her collection of other impressive accolades. Westerner Park is extremely fortunate to have her expertise on board in building a successful future for our agriculture community. George & Pat Young

Over 60 years ago, George Young began his volunteer career with Westerner Park. As a signage foreman for the City of Red Deer at the time, he joined the Parade Committee meetings to gain insight around the Parade’s logistics; this connection evolved into his current role as Committee Member and Head Marshall of the Westerner Days Parade. Since then, George has worked on the Grounds Committee, became a shareholder in 1979, and served on the Board of Directors from 1998-1999. He remains actively involved in both the Parade and Pony Chuckwagon Committees.

With George’s involvement with the Parade, it was inevitable that his wife, Pat, was also a volunteer on Parade Day. Eventually, she became an active member of the Parade Committee, and since has carried out many duties associated with the Parade. Pat is a wealth of information, and has naturally taken on a mentorship role towards each Staff Liaison. She has also sat on the Casino Committee, and became a shareholder in 2006.

George and Pat are perfect examples of what it means to demonstrate ‘Westerner Pride’. Westerner Park will be eternally grateful for the contributions they have made to our organization. 16 |

We are thankful to have received an abundance of support from our partners and sponsors, including a $250,000 grant from our provincial government’s Culture and Tourism ministry.

An estimated $20 million was injected into our local economy from the 2018 event, and we are thrilled to welcome this event back to our community for the next decade to come. Westerner Park is proud to be the new home to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, and the creators of the Rising Starts Junior Canadian Finals Rodeo. Canadian Finals Rodeo The 46th CFR will commence from October 29-November 3, 2019 at Westerner Park. For the first time ever, the Canadian Finals Rodeo presented by RAM, took place in Red Deer at Westerner Park from October 30 to November 4, 2018. After a successful bid in 2017, our team had only nine months to plan and produce the world- class rodeo event in true Westerner Park style. Over the six days, we welcomed 108 qualifying athletes and over 43,000 fans who came out to witness Canada’s top rodeo stars compete in the greatest sport on dirt!

Over $45,000 was raised for local charities through a number of on and off-site events in our community. Highlights from the TD Main Stage, inside the CFR Cabaret, CFR45 Champions included performances from Lindsay Ell, Emerson Drive and Meghan Patrick. Troubled Monk created the Seeing Red Ale, which Richmond Champion - Bareback Levi Simpson and Jeremy Buhler - Team Roping Callahan Crossley - Ladies Barrel Racing made its debut as the official craft beer of the Canadian Finals Rodeo! Daily pancake breakfasts, a $77,4 48.98 $68,131.45 and $66,141.27, respectively $99,190.21 western-style tradeshow featuring 119 exhibitors, and nightly buckle presentations kept fans busy Scott Guenthner – Steer Wrestling Clay Elliot - Saddle Bronc Wacey Finkbeiner - Bull Riding between rodeo performances. $69,899.44 $82,294.67 $73,729.02 Shane Hanchey - Tie Down Roping This year also brought a few record-breaking moments to the nearly half-century-old sporting event. $66,338.34 Jake Vold set a new CFR arena record with a Bareback Riding score of 90.25 on C5 Rodeo’s highly- decorated bucking horse, Virgil. The Larsen bothers made history as the first trio of brothers to Jacob Gardner - All Around Cowboy Tristen Manning - Steer Riding Mason Helmeczi - Novice Bareback compete in three separate CFR events in the same year. Tyrel, the eldest of the three, represented the family in Saddle Bronc. Kane Larsen qualified last-minute in Bull Riding, while Orin took home Riley Warren - High Point Champion Cooper Thatcher - Novice Saddle Bronc the Canadian title in Bareback Riding. To top it off, Taylor and Tristen Manning became the first set of twins ever to qualify for the CFR, at just 14 years old! We are thankful to have received an abundance of support from our partners and sponsors, including a $250,000 grant from our provincial government’s Culture and Tourism ministry.

Westerner Days 2018 The 2018 Westerner Days Fair & Exposition saw a total of 93,543 guests enjoy the food, activities, shopping and entertainment! Each night, thousands of fans met up to watch twelve fantastic TD Main Stage performers, enjoy spectacular fireworks displays, and experience the thrilling Red Deer Motors North American Pony Chuckwagon Championships. Red Deer stayed mostly sunny for our visitors during the week, and on Saturday, July 21 we welcomed more than 20,000 people into Westerner Park!

Westerner Park would like to give our sincere thanks to all sponsors, media, volunteers and staff who have helped us make this year’s event a success. This year, we had over 20 off-site events all over Red Deer, which saw thousands of people enjoying pancake breakfasts, chili cook-offs and charity BBQs. In total, Westerner Days off-site events raised over $24,000 for local charities!

93,543 Guests 149,721 times Attended Westerner Guests Rode on Days 2018 Midway Rides

387.58 Seconds 14,100 Guests Reed Rosencrans’ Attended TD Main Total Time in Stage Concerts The Pipe Yard wagon Red Deer Motors North American Pony Chuckwagon Championships & Tarp Auction The 20th Annual Tarp Auction was held at the Sheraton Hotel Red Deer on April 18th, 2018. New this year, we introduced tarps for 40 wagons and 20 chariots that were up for grabs for our bidders. Business owners vied for the opportunity to have their logo on their desired driver’s tarp or chariot, displayed before thousands of spectators each night at the Fair’s races. A good evening was had by all, as guests spiced up the Sheraton’s ballroom with some high-energy bidding. By the last fall of the hammer, a total of $117,655 was raised by our sponsors and supporters! We extend our thanks to all who made the night a success and continue to help make Westerner Park “Your destination for celebration™.” Westerner Park was pleased to have welcomed the Alberta Professional Chuckwagon & Chariot Association (APCCA) back to Westerner Days in 2018. The APCCA is a sanctioning organization with over 100 registered drivers from Western Canada, and is the longest serving association of its kind in Alberta. Sponsored by Red Deer Motors, Walway Waste and 96.5 CKFM, the 2018 event had a total of 53 drivers participate in hopes to walk away with the coveted North American Championship title and trophy buckle. The 2018 Chuckwagon Champion went to The Pipe Yard driven by Reed Rosencrans, while GoRV driven by John Stott was close behind as our Runner Up. Prairie Water + Equipment Rentals driven by Marty Maxwell took home the 2018 title of Chariot Champion. Crow Enterprises driven by Jim O-Connor received the Best Dressed Buckle. Congratulations to all of the participating drivers!

Volunteer Groups Hosting Central Alberta’s Largest Summer Celebration requires a great deal of help and support from our community. Westerner Park would like to extend our gratitude to the following volunteer groups who made the 2018 Westerner Days Fair & Exposition a success: Shalom Counselling Centre, Ronald McDonald House Red Deer, CARE, Wonderflow School, Canadian Blood Services, Canada Winter Games, Mustard Seed, Crossroads Church, Hockey Alberta Optimist Club 22 | 2019 Canada Winter Games

The Games at Westerner Park From February 15 - March 3 2019, Red Deer hosted the 2019 Canada Winter Games. With 19 sports, over 150 events and a major arts and cultural festival, the 2019 Games welcomed 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches and over 20,000 visitors into our community.

Westerner Park played host to the official Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games. Fans from across Canada flooded into the ENMAX Centrium, to celebrate what marked the beginning and end of a significant moment in history for the Red Deer sporting community.

While the rest of Central Alberta stayed abuzz with activity over the two weeks, our facility hosted six major sporting events! Westerner Park was home to the Men’s and Women’s Hockey, Table Tennis, Boxing, Archery, and Judo sports. As a host venue, we invited the community to come together and celebrate the many athletes that dedicate themselves to their sports at our facilities. It was an honor to have so many people from across our great nation experience our Park, and the Westerner pride and hospitality that lives here.

| 23 Gold Sponsorship Part of building a strong community is supporting the youth within it; we were incredibly proud play the role of a host venue and provide a Gold sponsorship to the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Part of the sponsorship supported the Observers Program; the program provides future host organizations first-hand insight on what it takes to successfully produce the Canada Games. Tickets Alberta was also a Bronze sponsor and the exclusive ticket provider for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Through our partnership with the Canada Games, we were able to acquire legacy assets that will better our facilities for the years to come. Assets such as new ice decking for the ENMAX Centrium have been added to our inventory as a result of hosting the Games. 24 | 2018 Event Highlights

Cirque de Soleil Cirque de Soleil’s Crystal performance was one of the most exciting highlights of 2018. Initially, their first ever on-ice production brought five performances to Westerner Park. Due to the overwhelming demand, Cirque added three more performances to their roster! With seven sold-out shows in five days, the Park was constantly abuzz, giving our staff the extra energy they needed to provide exceptional service to tens of thousands of enthusiastic visitors. Down to the Numbers We are inspired by the stamina displayed by Cirque Thank you Canada Tour de Soleil’s team. The production alone for Crystal is no We were fortunate to have the Thank You Canada small feat; it takes a fleet of 17 semi-truck trailers and Tour make a stop at Westerner Park! Over 4,000 fans a minimum of 12 hours for their crew to assemble the watched in awe as the most highly decorated figure elaborate set. They travel with 80 pairs of skates, 27 skating duo in the world, along with other great Canadian wigs and complete over 30 loads of laundry on Olympians and national champions, performed on an average day! ENMAX Centrium ice.

Agri-Trade 2018 saw another successful Agri-Trade Equipment Exposition. The three-day show utilized every square inch of available indoor space at Westerner Park. Being the first event to occupy our new Exhibition Hall, it attracted a record number of exhibitors and over 31,000 attendees from all over the globe. Agri-Trade is estimated to provide an economic impact of over $275 million on the equipment and tourism sector annually. Westerner Park has been a proud partner of Agri-Trade, alongside the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, since 1984. unior Canadian Finals odeo RISING STARS RISING STARS 20 18

ED DEE RODEO

On August 25, Westerner Park and the Red Deer & District Tie Down Roping went to Colt Cornet with a time of Chamber of Commerce hosted the Rising Stars “Wild 9.0, while Pecean Deleeuw finished on top of the Steer Card” Rodeo presented by MNP LLP. The event gave young Wrestling with a time of 5.0. Team Ropers Kash Sigouin athletes from across Canada the opportunity to qualify for and Carson Payton took the round with a time of 13.8. the Rising Stars Junior Canadian Finals Rodeo. Kaybree Zunti won the Barrel Racing with a time of 13.56 and Bull Rider William Barrows finished off the Saturday, November 3rd marked a moment in history performance with a winning score of 71.0. as Westerner Park & the Red Deer District Chamber of Commerce hosted the first annual Rising Stars Junior The 2018 recipient of the Rising Starts Ambassador Canadian Finals Rodeo. Today’s up-and-coming youth Award, sponsored by the Bowden Agricultural Society & rodeo competitors were showcased for the first time ever, Keith Bailey, was Clay Guthrie. Guthrie is known in the by doing what they do best, at the ENMAX Centrium for community for going above and beyond in showcasing the CFR Performance #5, sponsored by MNP LLP. These young sport of rodeo. athletes competed for $24,000 in scholarship money and the title of Rising Stars Junior CFR Champion. The Rising Stars Junior CFR aims to provide a place for Canadian youth to showcase their rodeo talents in the The 2018 Rising Stars Junior Canadian Rodeo Champions same arena as the legends they look up to. were Blake Link with a score of 59.0 in Bareback, and Sawyer Eirikson with a score of 70.0 in Saddle Bronc. With This Ring… Bridal Gala

We proudly present Western Canada’s Event Centre in union with Central Alberta’s Largest Bridal Gala

“With This Ring… Bridal Gala is the brain child of In April, Westerner Park seized the opportunity to three local female entrepreneurs who recognized a acquire With This Ring… Bridal Gala as part of our need for brides in central Alberta; at the time, there self-produced event line up. Dubbed Central Alberta’s was no convenient option for wedding planning on a Largest Bridal Gala, the procurement was a natural fit do-it-yourself level. These women took their combined for Westerner Park as we stand behind the success industry knowledge and creative skill-sets and made that this event brings to so many central Albertans it their mission to fulfill the ultimate wedding planning on a bi-annual basis. We look forward to continuing experience. Now in its 15th year running, With This to work with the founding women and creators of the Ring… Bridal Gala is a hugely successful event that event, while bringing Westerner Park’s signature not only assists hundreds of brides in completing their down-home hospitality to the (head) table. “I Do” to-do list, but also puts money back into the pockets of local business owners. 2018 Event Highlights

Christmas Artisan Market In its second year at Westerner Park, the Christmas Artisan Market saw over 1,300 visitors who finished some of their holiday shopping on a local level. Guests enjoyed free skating in the ENMAX Centrium and meet and greets with Santa, contributing to a $2,100 and 680 lb. donation to the Red Deer Food Bank.

Red Deer Oktoberfest On October 4, Westerner Park welcomed over 150 guests to the historic Holiday Inn Chalet for a true German celebration they won’t soon forget! In partnership with our friends from Troubled Monk, our first-ever Oktoberfest featured authentic German food, live music, and many collectible beer stein refills. Red Deer Rebels The past year provided plenty of exciting moments for hockey fans at the ENMAX Centrium. On top of qualifying for the playoffs for a 5th consecutive season, the Rebels saw two players in Brandon Hagel and Reese Johnson, sign NHL contracts with the Chicago Blackhawks!

The Rebels worked with the Oilers Entertainment Group to bring the first Oilers/Flames preseason game to Red Deer in many years. The sold out crowd of red and orange jerseys witnessed a high scoring affair, including an Oiler goal from former Urban Farm Long Table Rebel Evan Polei! The CHL also brought their Dinner & Festival marquee Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to the Enmax Centrium in January, which Presented by Red Deer County, our sold-out Long featured the top 40 players from across Canada Table Dinner, part of the Peavey Mart Urban Farm showcase their talents to 5500 fans, including 300 Festival, proved to be incredibly successful this year. NHL scouts and executives. In conjunction with Open Farm Days, guests were taken on a tour of the farms that were supplying ingredients The marquee moment of the year, however, was for dinner. Once back at the Park, they were serenaded the awarding of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey by the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra during an Championships to Red Deer and Edmonton. equestrian vaulting performance prior to enjoying a five Canada’s favorite holiday event will bring course, farm-to-fork culinary experience. After hearing international fans and media to our region for an outpour of positive feedback from attendees, we are 2 weeks in December 2020 and January 2021. excited to grow this event even further in the future. Our Partners

At the core of Westerner pride is the ‘spirit of partnerships.’ As we enhance our relationships with all levels of Government and key agencies, we secure our place in the communities we serve. We value the sense of teamwork we’ve built with our partners through the years, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without support from our corporate partners. We are grateful for all of the support.

The Government of Alberta Westerner Park is sincerely thankful for the ongoing support from the Government of Alberta. The Alberta Lottery Fund supported a number of Westerner Park programs and facilities in 2018 with a $298,852 grant. The City of Red Deer We are proud to foster our long-term partnership with the City of Red Deer. Our municipality backed the inaugural Canadian Finals Rodeo as the co-presenting sponsors of the Opening Ceremonies, and continues to support Westerner Park through our 50-year land lease agreement. Red Deer County Another long-standing and significant supporter of Westerner Park is Red Deer County. Red Deer County presented the Opening Ceremonies of the 45th Canadian Finals Rodeo via sponsorship alongside The City of Red Deer. Red Deer County was also essential in supporting our Urban Farm Festival in 2018. Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce As a team, we successfully produced the 45th Canadian Finals Rodeo with the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce. Agri-Trade is another example of the significance of our partnership; the event draws thousands through our doors each year and boosts our agricultural industry, economically. This major equipment exposition is jointly owned with the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce and the Westerner Exposition Association. Corporate We are honoured to work with the following local and global brands and businesses:

| 29 Westernerpark.ca 403.343.7800 4847 A 19 Street Red Deer, Alberta T4R 2N7