U of Guelph research impact wows 300,000 at the Royal

A highly effective way to address questions such as “so what?” and “who cares?” is to show impact. Just ask the University of Guelph.

The institution, which has dubbed itself Canada’s Food University for the past 20 years or so, focused specifically on highlighting the impact of its unique, multi-faceted research enterprise at its 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair exhibit. This year’s theme was “Nourishing Ideas, Cultivating Innovation and Growing Solutions.”

Impact has long been a cornerstone of the university’s research communications. But the stars particularly aligned for the Royal exhibit, making it a standout among the 2,500 exhibitors who greeted 300,000 visitors to the annual event. Reaction to the 2,700-square-foot exhibit, staffed by a dozen student ambassadors, recruitment officers, graduate students and researchers, could be summed up in one word: wow!

“What stood out for me was the focus on education and the application of research towards the production of healthful foods within a healthy environment,” says Prof. Brian McBride, a retired University of Guelph dairy researcher who attended the Royal with his family. “The exhibit felt alive. Even my grandchildren were drawn into its positive energy.”