REGINA — Vendors from the Sask Expo Regina 2024 event are still searching for answers on whether they’ll get any of their money back.
In 2024, the event was cancelled in Sept. due to health concerns.
Lorne Oliver, co-owner of AP Spray Art, said he paid a $750 deposit for two booths.
Since the event got cancelled, organizers either gave vendors the option to receive a refund or carry over the deposit for the 2025 event.
Oliver pursued obtaining a refund, as he lives paycheck to paycheck.
“$750 is a lot, it's like an entire month's worth of groceries and more,” Oliver said.
He added, “I did not make much money at all last year. So it kind of took a lot of the wind out of my sails.
Oliver sent multiple emails to Sask Expo Regina and got no answers for months regarding a refund.
“I finally sent an Instagram message to the actual person running it and said what's happening. It took me two Instagram messages for him to reply.”
After months of waiting, Oliver was told by the organizer that the venue had taken the money, causing Sask Expo Regina to be unable to provide refunds.
Sask Expo 2024 was set to take place at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District.
Tim Day, REAL's public relations manager, said in a statement, ”REAL was not the organizer of this event and is not responsible for collecting or refunding vendor deposits.”
“All financial transactions, including deposits, were managed directly by the event organizers of Sask Expo Regina.“
Day also mentioned REAL is pursuing payments from outstanding debt from Sask Expo Regina.
With silence from organizers, Oliver wasn’t surprised when it was announced the event wasn't returning in 2025, as Sask Expo Regina is dissolving.
Sask Expo Regina cited lower attendance since lockdown, venue issues, and other challenges as the reason for its dissolution.
Oliver said many vendors have emailed the organization since the announcement.
“They've been getting no replies, or they've been getting completely blocked, or their email comes right back to them.“
From Oliver’s understanding, some vendors are now considering legal action.
SaskToday reached out to Sask Expo Regina for a response, but did not receive one.
