Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) is undergoing a leadership change as President and CEO Rick Bennett has decided to step down from his position after less than five months due to “personal and family reasons.” The announcement was made by the board of directors of the municipal corporation. REAL board chair Jaime Boldt confirmed the departure of Bennett without disclosing specific details.
Trent Fraser, who previously served as the acting president and CEO before Bennett’s tenure, will reassume the role. Fraser, who also holds positions as the board chair of Tourism Saskatchewan and a board member of SGI Canada, is expected to lead REAL in the interim. Boldt expressed gratitude for Bennett’s contributions to REAL and the community, wishing him and his family well while expressing confidence in Fraser’s ability to take on the responsibilities.
The board stated that further information regarding Bennett’s departure for “private and confidential reasons” will not be disclosed at this time. It remains uncertain if the decision is related to previous controversies surrounding REAL’s financial stability. Recent developments from the exhibition association include the announcement of the Queen City Distillers complex project and the upcoming Foo Fighters concert scheduled for 2026.
Bennett’s appointment was initially announced on June 9 with a focus on areas such as financial stabilization, workforce engagement, stakeholder trust, and long-term planning. The organization plans to initiate the search for a new CEO in 2026. Over the past two years, REAL has been under interim CEO leadership for more than 75% of the time. Bennett took over from Tim Reid, who was dismissed on January 16, 2024.
