The Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Show came to a close Thursday afternoon, wrapping up one of the busiest weeks of the year in Weyburn. Over the course of two days, hundreds, if not thousands, took in the exhibits that showcased the latest innovations in the industry. They also heard from a variety of speakers, ranging from former Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Broncos crash survivor Tyler Smith. All this, despite wind warnings, and gusts that reached upwards of 91 kilometres an hour.  

“I think every year we think we've set the bar, and then it feels like the next year we’ve just exceeded it,” said Dan Cugnet, the chair of the Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Show board. “The feedback so far from everyone has been just what a fantastic show and time it’s been. The golf was fantastic, the new match saddle bronc event – Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings – was fantastic; the reaction to that has been huge. The dinners, the meals, all the awards, the speaker at lunch today, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and of course, again, it always comes back to the vendors and the exhibitors. The equipment, the technology, and the people that make this industry go.” 

The entire community, as they do every two years for the oil show, rallied around to help make the event a success. Volunteers helped to prepare and serve the meals for upwards of 800 people. The crew on the ground who organized everything behind the scenes were also kept busy, with everything ranging from setting up the spots for the vendors inside the arenas and on the exhibition grounds to arranging for the registration of the hundreds of guests who came through the doors.  

“As the chair, I couldn’t be happier and more proud of what we’ve done as a community, and it really is, I think, just one of the best things that happens in Southeast Sask at any point, but certainly every two years when it rolls around,” Cugnet added. 

The windy conditions did provide some challenges, particularly for those who were set up outside of the arenas. The record-setting winds didn’t deter them, however.  

“I really admired our exhibitors that were outside just gutting it out,” Cugnet noted. “Yesterday was a tough day to be outside, you know, but they still said they had customers and people coming around. They found value still in it, even with adverse conditions like that, which is just a testament to the show and how much everybody enjoys being here.” 

The show also attracted a number of first-time vendors and exhibitors, all of who Cugnet said were blown away by the community support and involvement in the show. Many also cited the community as one of the reasons they are going to be back.  

From here, the planning is already underway for the next Saskatchewan Oil & Gas Show, which is scheduled to be held in 2026.  

“We’ve already got our list of notes of things we need to do differently, improve for next show, so we’ll debrief with that in a couple of weeks, and yeah, then it’s on to the next one,” Cugnet said.