REAL CEO Rick Bennett departs organization

Rick Bennett has stepped down as CEO of REAL for personal reasons. Trent Fraser takes over as Acting PCEO until a new leader is chosen in 2026.

After only five months on the job, Rick Bennett, the president and CEO of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), has departed the organization.

The announcement was made by REAL Thursday Morning. The organization’s board of directors said Bennett’s decision to leave the organization was made due to “personal and family reasons.”

Trent Fraser will move into the role of acting president and CEO effective Monday, Nov. 10.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“We thank Rick for his contributions to REAL and to the Regina community, and we wish him and his family well,” REAL board chair Jaime Boldt said in a news release. “We are confident in Fraser’s ability to step right into the job and lead REAL over the next few months.”

Fraser previously served as the interim leader of the organization from April 3 to June 30. Fraser will continue in the role until a search for a new president and CEO gets underway in 2026, according to REAL.

As a note in the announcement, Boldt said she “will not comment further on private and confidential reasons regarding Bennett’s departure.”