BONNYVILLE – After a two-year wait, the Bonnyville Oil and Gas Show has once again been postponed due to ongoing economic challenges.
“We were so optimistic that a lifting of restrictions would mean a successful event, however the reality is that we all still need time to recover,” said Serina Parsons, the executive director of the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce in a statement on April 5.
The resource sector show was slated to take place in June 2021 but was postponed until 2022 with hopes that public health measures would ease allowing for a full-scale event to be held.
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And while the majority of those measures have been lifted, the effects of economic turmoil are still impacting many businesses.
While Parsons acknowledged that the price of oil is on the rise and businesses within the industry are seeing an uptake in profitability and more contracts, she says businesses are still working to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
“Doing more with less has become the new norm, which means labour shortages are still a reality and growth in profits are only just beginning.”
Parsons continued, “The Chamber, along with so many businesses, have moved from survival mode to recovery mode. But we need to realize this doesn’t happen overnight.”
The Chamber hopes that by allowing more time for business to recover and achieve stability, that registration numbers for event participation will return to pre-COVID levels and that the Bonnyville Oil and Gas Show will continue to provide an opportunity for businesses and industry leaders to connect.
“This time allows us to ensure our expectations are not compromised and that all those involved get the quality they expect from the event.”
The Oil and Gas Show was first organized by the Chamber in 2011. It is typically been held at the Centennial Center and regularly draws a large crowd to the area. It is known for its “hospitality, oilmen’s room, amazing networking and opportunity for business growth and connections.”
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