Whoop-Up Days and new concession grow LDE revenues

In their October report to the Economic Standing Policy Committee, Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE) shared positive news on their revenue growth. A successful Whoop-Up Days in August nearly doubled gross revenues from 2023, bringing in $242,500. The recent addition of a new concession in the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre is also helping generate more dollars for the organization, while better serving visitors over busy weekend events.

This is all good news as LDE continues to close the deficit gap the organization was facing earlier this year. With an original annual shortfall estimated at $6.5 million, LDE reports a deficit of $1.9 million to the end of August 2024. With just two months left in the fiscal year, this is $4.6 million less than what was estimated.

“It is very promising to see that number continue to come down while also seeing all of the exciting events and activities LDE is creating for the community,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “The staff should really be commended for the hard work they have put in. We also want to thank the community, and the region, for supporting the various events happening in the facility.”

Prior to Whoop-Up Days, LDE made the decision to add a concession in the Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre which has proven to be a strong step forward.

“I’m really pleased with the addition of our concession,” says LDE Acting CEO, Kim Gallucci. “This brought in just under $30,000 during Whoop-Up Days and continues to do well at the events we have hosted since. We are able to feature local products that highlight agriculture in our region like the french fries and cheese curds in our crowd favourite, poutine.”

Gallucci says there is lots of potential to grow this revenue stream and is forecasting the concession could be open 125 days in the next fiscal year.

In September LDE confirmed another 15 events for 2024 and six for 2025. The Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre was bustling in September, with more than 20 events, including the Windy City Tattoo Show, and one of the busiest weekends in the venue’s history on the weekend of Sept. 28-29 when it simultaneously hosted the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market, the Honouring Traditions Powwow, the Rotary Black-Tie Gala, the Taboo Show, Cirque Italia and a small private event. October continues to see an influx of events, with more than 40 bookings, including the final Lethbridge Farmers’ Market of the season on Oct. 12, the Lethbridge Handmade Market on Oct. 12, Gujarati Navratri celebration from Oct. 11-13, the Alberta Livestock Expo on Oct. 16-17, City & Baby tradeshow on Oct. 19 and more.

For a full list of upcoming events visit: https://www.agrifoodhub.ca/agri-food.

In an effort to provide transparency and information to the public, an online resource is available at https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/lethbridge-district-exhibition. This site serves as the hub for any City news and Council decisions regarding LDE.