Our aim was to showcase what makes Brandon an incredible place to host an agricultural event, meeting / convention or sporting event.

We tried to focus on Brandon’s impressive facilities, safe hometown feel and the fact that when people come to our city they can focus on their event.

We encourage you to share this video series on your social networks or via email and encourage others to think Brandon First when holding an event.

Membership in Brandon First helps fund projects like these that help bring events to our city.

Meetings / Conventions

Sports

Agricultural Events

 

 
Thank you to Brandon First member Dirty T Shirt Productions for the video production.

Now known as “Cruisin’ the Dub,” this family friendly event has only grown in popularity over the past few years. Hundreds of classic vehicles cruise Rosser Avenue from 6th Street to 13th, between 6:00 and 9:00pm.

If you’re into classic, custom, vintage and antique cars and trucks and motor-cycles, then this is the event for you. But there’s plenty of other entertainment for the whole family. Local radio stations, street vendors, charity BBQs and live entertainment are featured throughout the summer.

Cruisin’ the Dub starts off Thursday May 17th. Other Cruise Nights are also schedule on Thursdays. If you can’t make it this week, make sure to check out Cruisin the Dub June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd, and September 6th.

Chamber of Commerce luncheons are one a number of regular events held to provide opportunities for networking, conversation, and exchange of ideas among Brandon’s business community. Prominent business issues are discussed, with noteworthy individuals introduced to those in attendance.

Mayor Shari Decter Hirst will be providing her State of the City Address which we are looking forward to.

Brandon First is also pleased to announce that at the luncheon we will be unveiling the first of a three part video series that promotes group events coming to Brandon. Keep posted here for details!

The Keystone Centre, Brandon, Manitoba will host the prestigious North American Belgian Championships VII July 17 – 21, 2012.  This international show will attract approximately 500 Belgian horses competing for over $152,000 in prize money.

Featuring keynote speakers, varied presentations and workshops, Capturing Opportunities focuses on important business topics for rural and northern Manitoba entrepreneurs and businesses. By sharing information, and connecting people and resources, Capturing Opportunities aims to celebrate the successes and achievements of Manitobans, while inspiring businesses, individuals, and communities. 

With a focus on local economies, this year’s theme – the Local Living Economy – offers case studies in the following topics: Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Bio-Economy: Food ; Co-operative Business Models: Unique Manitoba Examples ; Keeping it Local, Looking Global ; and Opportunities in Grain Processing.

Keynote speakers for this year’s conference include: Dr. Jeffrey A. Stamp, PhD, a successful former product developer and food-based entrepreneur ; Robin Phelps, an expert on the concept of Economic Gardening, a term used to describe an entrepreneurial-driven approach to economic development ; and John Schneider, Executive Director of the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) for the State of North Dakota, who will be discussing approaches that Manitoba grain farmers are sure to be interested in with the approaching move beyond single desk marketing in Canada.

Alongside keynote speakers and workshops, Capturing Opportunities is hosting an Entrepreneur Boot Camp ; the Great Manitoba Food Fight, which gives local food entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their new products to a panel of expert judges ; and a wind-up “Celebration Banquet,” where Manitoba’s best and brightest in the field of food entrepreneurship will be honoured.

The conference also features events for youth, including the Junior Achievement Entrepreneur Elimination ; Manitoba Research Institute Young Entrepreneurs Challenge ; and Building a Business workshop.

For more information, visit the Capturing Opportunities website. 

Presented by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, the Sport Event Congress’ main draw is the Sport Event Exchange, where events rights holders meet one-on-one with municipalities interested in holding major Canadian sporting events.

The Sport Event Congress also boasts an impressive list of speakers, including John Furlong, CEO of 2010 Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Games; Roger Brooks, president of Destination Development International ; athlete/author Kevin Jagger ; and many others of interest. Sessions run all day on April 19th in regards to Sport Marketing and Sport Tourism.

Hoping to build on the success that Brandon has had in the past with events such as the Memorial Cup, the 2011 Red River Cup, and past Canada Games, this event offers an excellent opportunity to network with other municipal representatives from across the country, and also to share our past successes and promote Brandon as a destination for national events.

One of the largest attractions over recent years has been “Through The Farm Gate,” where attendees of all ages learn about sustainable agriculture first hand. For many, this provides valuable insight into the food system, and for farmers it provides a great way to communicate with consumers on the other end of the food system.

Shaun Cameron, of What’s Up Westman, says of the Winter Fair, “I like that my kids are now able to ‘live the farm life’ albeit for an evening or an afternoon. I like that they can take in a fair that’s fabric is woven so thick into Brandon’s collective psyche that it should never be change but merely allowed to adapt.”

Other family favourites included the pig scramble, petting zoo, and animal exhibits, as well as Draft horse events. Those who missed out on the fun will have to wait until next year, or make sure to check out other agricultural activities the Wheat City has to offer through the summer and into the harvest.

Held at Westman Place, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is one of only two fairs to receive Royal patronage.

The annual event is one of the largest agricultural events in Western Canada, and the largest annual event in Brandon. Visitors look forward to world-class show jumping, heavy horse competitions, sales and displays of livestock, over 300 commercial agricultural exhibits, live musical entertainment, and the family favourite Super Dogs act.

Gates are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, with trade shows running from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Held at Westman Place, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is one of only two fairs to receive Royal patronage.

The annual event is one of the largest agricultural events in Western Canada, and the largest annual event in Brandon. Visitors look forward to world-class show jumping, heavy horse competitions, sales and displays of livestock, over 300 commercial agricultural exhibits, live musical entertainment, and the family favourite Super Dogs act.

Gates are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, with trade shows running from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Founded in 1983, the Festival is a non-competitive held annually in March at the Brandon University campus. Featuring performances, discussion sessions, clinics, adjudicated workshops, the Brandon Jazz Festival draws junior high, high school, and university jazz ensembles, as well as featured performers for evening concerts. With over 3000 participants attending, the Brandon Jazz Festival has become a significant economic boost to the city.

Featured performers at this year’s Brandon Jazz Festival include jazz trumpeter Greg Gisbert and Grammy Award winning jazz vocal combo New York Voices. Tickets for all concerts and events can be purchased at Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.