About The Royal

City, meet Country

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a unique event that takes place every November in the City of Toronto. The Royal is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Where Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors are declared champions and where hundreds of thousands of attendees come to learn, compete, shop and have a great time with friends and family. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a registered, not-for-profit charity - charitable number 10464 2772 RR0001.
 
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair began on November 22, 1922 with an astonishing 17,000 agricultural entries and over 150,000 visitors. Now planning for its 88th year, The Royal continues to hold an important place in the world of agriculture and in the hearts and minds of the many participants and visitors - now over 340,000 strong - who continue to appreciate this truly one-of-a-kind event. 
 
We hope you’ll join us this November, and become an official member of our ‘Royal Family’.
 

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association
2011-12 Board of Directors

   

John Dunlap - President and Chair of the Board

John Dunlap is President and Chair of the Board of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. John has been a volunteer with the Royal since 1992 and served most recently as Vice-President. John works with his family’s real estate firm, Moffat Dunlap Real Estate in King Township, Ontario. John has an MBA from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University. Previously, John spent ten years working with the Boston Consulting Group in New York, Paris and Toronto. John also serves on the Board of Directors of Southlake Regional Hospital Foundation and is Chair of Southlake’s Governance Committee. John and his wife Raphaela have 3 children and maintain farms in Ontario, Florida and Georgia.
   

W. R. (Bill) Allen

Bill Allen is currently the President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. In 2006 he retired from the Ontario Public Service after a 33 year career with the Province, the last four years as Deputy with the Ministry of Tourism. In this position he was instrumental in developing and implementing a strategic plan for tourism. Prior to his Tourism appointment, he held several senior executive positions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. Bill lives in the rural community of Eden Mills, near Guelph, Ontario.
   

Leslie Beck

As one of Canada’s leading nutritionists Leslie has helped thousands of individuals achieve their nutrition and health goals. As Director of Nutrition at the Medcan Clinic, Leslie oversees the development and delivery of all nutrition programs. Leslie is recognized by the media as an authority on nutrition and food issues and is an experienced communicator in television, radio and print media. She writes a weekly column in The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper and appears weekly on CTV as Canada AM’s nutrition expert. Having a strong interest in sports nutrition, Leslie acted as nutritionist to the Canadian International Marathon and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors Basketball Club. Leslie obtained her Bachelor of Science (Dietetics) from the University of British Columbia and proceeded to complete the dietetic internship program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She studied a Masters in Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. She is a member the College of Dietitians of Ontario and Dietitians of Canada and is the best-selling author of 9 books on nutrition and health.
   

Michael Belcourt

Michael was President of Polo Ralph Lauren Canada for many years. He was President and Chair of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2002-2005, and continues on the Board as Lead Director and Chair of of the Nominating and Governance Committee. He is a Director of Equine Canada; Past President of the Toronto North York Hunt; Joint Master Toronto North York Hunt; Chair of the Faculty of Business Campaign Ryerson University; Member of the Advisory Council for the Ted Rogers School of Retail Management. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Commerce, Ryerson University.
   

John Core

John was a graduate of OAC '70 '72, Lambton County dairy farmer from '75-'01, chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario '90-'01. He is currently CEO of the Canadian Dairy Commission and a member of the Board of Guelph General Hospital.  John and his wife Donna reside in Guelph.

 
 

Peter Cullen

Peter, an industrial engineer, is the President and owner of a group of companies which are involved in the design and supply of electrical and robotic systems to commercial and industrial marketplaces located around the world. A keen supporter of equestrian sport, he operates his activities out of his farm in King Twp and he, along with his two children, compete in various levels of jumping competitions in Canada and the U.S. Peter has been involved in numerous charitable activities including the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Salama Shield Foundation which is helping provide medical care in many African countries.
 
 

David Freedman

David Freedman is President of Freedman Harness, continuing the legacy of a 200 year family tradition of harness making. David has traveled the horse show world extensively in his 25 years at Freedman Harness. At the top of the industry, David produces a significant quantity of Carriage driving harness. He currently serves as Chairman of the Horse Show Committee.

 
 

Bob M Jadavji 

Bob Jadavji is the Chief Executive Officer and producer of The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair. He is responsible for the management and execution of The Fair. He has served The Royal in the capacity of the COO and CFO for the past 10 years. Bob is a Certified General Accountant and has previously served in senior management capacity in both public and private corporations.
 

Paul Larmer

Paul Larmer is CEO of SEMEX ALLIANCE and has a lifetime of experience in the bovine genetics industry. He’s a strong promoter of youth, and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Ontario Youth Trust Fund since its inception and is a past chair of the Ontario 4H Foundation. He is also an accomplished International judge and has judged major shows throughout Japan, Spain, Germany, the UK, Australia and Canada.

 
   

James P. McClocklin

Growing up on the farm, Jim McClocklin was actively involved in all the farming operations: raising cattle, hogs and sheep and as well as growing wheat, oats and corn. As a youngster, Jim was a member of the local 4H Club. In the late 60s and early 70s, the McClocklins imported Maine-Anjou and Simmental cattle to Canada. Jim has owned, bred and trained standardbred horses for over 40 years. In the early 80s, he was the vice-chairman of Special Events for the International Plowing Match. For 30 years, Jim has been a box holder of the Royal and a sponsor of the Canadian Roadhorse Championships. After graduating from Cornell University in 1971 as president of his year, Jim became a fervent believer in community service and remains a vigorous supporter of charities and organizations like Rotary, the Salvation Army and the Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his 40 year career, Jim has worked in a number of senior executive positions in the financial community. Currently, he is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Linell Capital Inc. in Toronto.
   

 J. Andrew McKee

Andrew McKee, prior to his appointment as the President and CEO of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), was an active volunteer and board member for nearly 15 years; serving most recently as the Foundation's Vice Chariman and Treasurer.  Andrew has been a key player, and board member, in the creation and growth of several successful private and public Canadian corporations.  Before moving back to Toronto in 2000, Andrew spent seven years as COO of a Calgary based International oil & gas company where he helped establish operations in eight countries around the globe.  With a strong focus on corporte responsibility and stakeholder value creation, Andrew remains an active investor in several companies engaged in Juvenile Products Distribution, satellite technologies, environmental technologies, recreation, property development and oil & gas.  Andrew is currently Governor of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and sits on the Finance Committee.  He is married with two young daughters and holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.
 
   


Gayle McPherson

Gayle McPherson is Past President and Lead Director of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. She was the first woman elected to this position in the 87 year history of the Fair and has been involved as a volunteer with the organization for the past 27 years, serving as Horse Show Chair and most recently holding the position of President. She has been a member of various Boards of Directors including those of the Junior League of Toronto, Jump Canada, the Eglinton and Caledon Hunt, and the Canadian Pony Club. She also served on the Board of Governors of St. Andrews College, Aurora. She and her husband live on their Erin farm and continue to manage their farming operations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
   

Kim Gibson Philip

Kim is President of Canopy Development Corporation, a family owned business that purchases and develops lands for its own account plus develops commercial and residential properties. A former Chairman of the Urban Development Institute, he also serves as guest lecturer on behalf of the Land Development industry at University of Western Ontario, Ryerson University and York University. He is a Director of the Caledon Mountain Trout Club and he is immediate Past Chairman of the Royal Horse Show.
 

 

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Thank you all for an exceptional year! We look forward to the 90th anniversary next November. Click here to view images of the 89th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. 

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