REGINA - Tim Reid is out as the Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. President and CEO.
REAL Board chair Niki Anderson confirmed the news at a news conference at their offices in Regina. Anderson confirmed that Reid was removed in a unanimous vote of the board at their meeting Jan. 2.
It was also announced that the current Vice President of Corporate Services, Roberta Engel, has been appointed acting CEO.
It is the latest turn of events for REAL following a tumultuous 2023, a year which saw heavy financial losses reported as well as a council decision to replace the entire voting Board of Directors. A new interim board led by Anderson, who is Regina's City Manager, was appointed in November.
Reid’s leadership had come under particular fire through the past year, especially in the wake of a botched rebrand of Tourism Regina into Experience Regina when the organization was criticized over the use of sexist slogans during its launch.
The departure of Reid is being described as “without cause” in that there was no action by Reid that prompted his departure. Instead, Anderson emphasized the reason for Reid’s removal was strategic -- that a refresh and a change of leadership was needed to go along with the recent organizational changes that have been brought in with REAL.
“I think that as we kind of worked through the evolution of REAL and understanding that there has to be significant change, the board really believed that having a new set of eyes and new leadership would help in that journey,” said Anderson.
Anderson further elaborated that “we know we need to make changes with REAL. There’s financial issues. I think that even a better agreement and understanding of what REAL does, what REAL doesn’t do... we felt that, especially because we know there’s a new interim Board, it would also be beneficial to have new leadership at the helm.”
The belief expressed by Anderson is that Engel will be able to fill the interim CEO role, having been with the organization already for six years in a variety of roles. “We felt it was really important as the Board that the interim leader be someone that has familiarity with the organization and the skills to follow through in this interim period.”
There is also no word on how much Reid is being compensated in departing REAL. Anderson told reporters those details are confidential and private for Reid.
During her noon hour news conference, Anderson was peppered with reporters’ questions about the stability of REAL and the future of events such as the Farm Progress Show, the FROST Festival and others. Anderson reassured the public that events would go on as per usual.
“I would like to reassure every event holder, every person that’s coming to an event, that our number one consideration is making sure that all our planned events run well. A lot of the events frankly rely on other partners and we have significant expertise on our operational staff, and we will continue to rely on them to do the good work that they have always been doing.”
Anderson reassured the public that the FROST Festival is a go in ten days, and added they were “cognizant of making sure it runs and it runs well.”
On what message this latest move to part ways with Reid sends regarding the stability of REAL, Anderson said the message is “as the interim Board, we are prepared to make the changes that we think will best offer the organization a positive path forward.”
As for what the future holds for REAL itself, Anderson said city administration has been tasked with bringing a report forward with recommendations by the end of June on potential future options on REAL.
“I would predict that there would be really important information, research and considerations there that will guide potential future considerations on REAL.”
There is no date yet on when a new permanent CEO is expected to take over.
