The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has announced Rick Dillabough as their new Manager of Operations and Sponsorship Lead.

Dillabough is no stranger to the Provincial Ex or the Keystone Centre, having spent 30 years with the Brandon Wheat Kings, most recently and for a number of years, their Director of Sponsorship and Business Development.  He stepped down from his position with the Wheaties in early spring, not quite sure where the winds would blow him.

It was clear across the parking lot, to a building he is very familiar with, the Provincial Exhibition’s Dome Building the location of his new office.

“I know, like the Wheat Kings, the Provincial Ex has gone through a real difficult time, with all of the circumstances over the course of the past year and a half, but if I can help in some way to get them back and help with the recovery, that’s my objective right now.”

“I’m really looking forward to helping, not only the Provincial Ex, but the community at large.”  

Dillabough says if he compares the Provincial Ex job description to that with the Wheat Kings, the two jobs are really quite similar.

“It’s a different product, but it doesn’t change significantly,” he explains.  “Obviously the biggest thing is you have to identify the events and the inventory; what have you got to go to the corporate community with? So that’s going to be a priority, to identify those pieces.”

“Obviously they already have a very good group involved from the volunteers to the executives to the staff,” he continues.  “They’ve done an outstanding job of coming up with different ways to navigate through these past 18 months.  I give them a great deal of credit!”

Reflecting over the past 2 years, Dillabough says he says it’s critical to grow the revenue streams for the Provincial Ex, but at the same time exercise empathy.

Dillabough says he has a steep learning curve ahead of him but knows he also has a great team to work with at the Provincial Ex.  

President of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, Greg Crisanti, says they’re excited to have Dillabough join the team. “Brighter days are ahead, and our board of directors realizes that Rick is the ideal candidate to lead our organization into our next chapter. We are excited to have Rick join our leadership team and are looking forward to the success and growth he will bring to our organization as we work on rebuilding, celebrating, and reconnecting with in-person events for our community.”

“Sense of community has always been important to me. This past 18 months has presented a significant challenge to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and the community, and I look forward to being a part of its recovery,” adds Dillabough.