It has been three long years since I last attended an indoor farm show. Yesterday, I travelled to Brandon, Manitoba for the opening day of 2023 Manitoba Ag Days.

Thank You For Another Great CAAR Conference!

CAAR extends its sincere thanks to our many sponsors, exhibitors, auction donors, planning committee members, attendees and special guests for lending their time, support and passion for their industry to the 2019 CAAR Conference. Thank you for participating in the CAAR Conference! 

Getting Disruptive

Graham Sherman’s inspiring and motivating talk was the perfect presentation to open the final day of the 2019 CAAR Conference. Sherman is the co-owner of Tool Shed Brewing Company, an Alberta brewery that took an approach to creating policy change that can truly be described as “disruptive behaviour.”

A law that was impeding the startup of new breweries, including Tool Shed was in litigation, but no headway was being made. But what couldn’t be accomplished through the courts was handled with a lot of disruption. Not only did Tool Shed’s inventive and unconventional approach to overcoming their roadblock highlight lost economic opportunity in the province, but it was something that had never been done. And in about one year, their efforts led to legislation change.

Day Two of the 2019 CAAR Conference featured a sensational speaker program, plenty of networking opportunities, CAAR’s always-popular Pro-Ag Investments Auction and ag retail's biggest evening: CAAR's Choice Awards Banquet.

Roundtable Networking Discussions

The morning started bright and early, with a select number of conference delegates enjoying a working breakfast during Roundtable Networking Discussions. Attendees pre-registered for one of four discussion topics: Retail Management, Safety and Training, Technology and Services and Sales and Customer Services.

Brian Downie, manager of Shur Gro Farm Services Wawanesa branch, called the Retail Management discussion a great way to start the day with inspiration from hearing a variety of perspectives in his group.

“The discussion went very well. I was seated primarily with new contacts. It was good to hear perspectives from different retails, different companies and think about how I can maybe take some of these ideas home to my business,” says Downie. “It was definitely very valuable.”

And we’re off! Ag retailers from across Canada gathered in the heart of the continent in Winnipeg, MB today to break the ice at the 24th Annual CAAR Conference.

Taking Care of Business

Before getting the celebrations underway, CAAR’s board, staff and membership took care of important business at CAAR’s Annual General Meeting.

“I think that for any organization that you’re a part of, it’s important to be an active participant with all aspects of the organization, including its official meetings,” says conference delegate Steven McQueen from MC Ag Solutions. “Voting at CAAR’s AGM is what drives the association’s activities. If you’re involved in an association I think you should be engaged at all levels.”