Final report of the sunset review of the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board

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Arizona House of Repr! sentatives
House Majority Research
MEMORANDUM
Carolyn Atwater
Legislative Research Analyst
Government Refonn and Government
Finance Accountability Committee
To: JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Re: Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board
Date: December 19,2006
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2848
Office (602) 926-3535
FAX (602) 417-3181
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Attached is the final report ofthe sunset review of the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board,
which was conducted by the House of Representatives Government Reform and Government
Finance Accountability and Senate Government'Committee of Reference.
This report has been distributed to the following individuals and agencies:
Governor of the State of Arizona
The Honorable Janet Napolitano
President of the Senate
Senator Ken Bennett
Senate Members
Senator Jim Waring, Cochair
Senator Ed Ableser
Senator Bill Brotherton
Senator Jake Flake
Senator Linda Gray
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Representative Jim Weiers
House Members
Representative Bill Konopnicki, Cochair
Representative Kirk Adams
Representative Ted Downing
Representative Phil Lopes
Representative John McComish
Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board
Department of Library, Archives & Public Records
Auditor General
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Senate Republican Staff
Senate Research Staff
Senate Democratic Staff
Senate Resource Center
House Majority Staff
House Research Staff
House Democratic Staff
Chief Clerk
December 19, 2006
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE REPORT:
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
Background
Pursuant to Section 41-2953, Arizona Revised Statutes, the Joint Legislative Audit
Committee (JLAC) assigned the sunset review ofthe Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board
(AESF) to the Senate Government and House of Representatives Government Reform and
Government Finance Accountability Committee of Reference.
AESF is custodian of the 96-acre State Fairgrounds and Memorial Coliseum properties.
AESF directs and conducts the annual Arizona State Fair and leases the Coliseum and
fairgrounds facilities for special events, including the annual Arizona National Livestock Show.
Committee ofReference Sunset Review Procedures
The Committee of Reference held a public hearing on November 29,2006, to review
AESF's response to the sunset factors as required by A.R.S. § 41-2954, subsectIons D and F, and
to receive public testimony (See Attachment 4). Testimony was received from Don B. West,
Executive Director of the Board, and public testimony from Alberto Gutier.
Committee ofReference Recommendations
The Committee of Reference recommended a ten-year continuation for the Arizona
Exposition and State Fair Board.
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December 19, 2006
SUNSET REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to Section 41-2954 subsection F, Arizona Revised Statutes
*** Note: The following answers are a summary ofthe iriformation provided by the Board.
Please see Attachment 2for the complete Board response to the sunsetfactors required by A.R.S.
§ 41-2954, subsection F
I. The objective and purpose in establishing the agency.
AESF is required by statute to "direct and conduct state fairs, contests and
entertainment for the purposes of promoting and advancing the pursuits and interests of
the several counties of the State, and of providing sufficient revenue to defray the
expenses incurred by AESF in conducting such." It also hosts trade shows, home and
garden shows, merchandise sales, outdoor recreation shows, and an annual livestock fair.
Additionally, DEMA has determined that AESF is one of a select group of state agencies
that will be called upon to provide emergency services in the event of a disaster or
terrorism.
• II. The effectiveness with which the agency has met its objective and purpose and the
efficiency with which it has operated.
AESF operates without legislative appropriation and has done so since FY 1981­1982.
It has contributed $9 million to the state General Fund over the past 12 years.
AESF is ranked fifth nationally in fair attendance.
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III. The extent to which the agency has operated within the public interest.
AESF operates in the public interest by providing affordable entertainment for the
enjoyment of all Arizona citizens and does so without the benefit of taxpayer support or
legislative appropriation.
IV. The extent to which rules adopted by the agency are consistent with the legislative
mandate.
AESF adopted rules regulating certain State Fair amusement games in response to
gaming legislation passed in 1987. These rules were updated to comply with Secretary of
State requirements in 2002.
V. The extent to which the agency has encouraged input from the public before
adopting its rules and the extent to which it has informed the public as to its actions
and their expected impact on the public.
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December 19, 2006
The Board holds meetings in accordance with all open meeting laws and follows
procedures set forth by the Secretary of State before officially adopting updated rules.
VI. The extent to which the agency has been able to investigate and resolve complaints
within its jurisdiction.
The Board has no statutory authority to investigate complaints but handles any
complaints regarding operations or policies through the Executive Director or his
designee.
VII. The extent to which the Attorney General or any other applicable agency of state
government has the authority to prosecute actions under the enabling legislation.
AESF's enabling legislation does not establish such authority.
VIII. The extent to which the agency has addressed deficiencies in its enabling statutes
which prevent it from fulfilling its statutory mandate.
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AESF is only appropriated the funds it generates and receives no state General
Fund dollars. AESF indicates it would be greatly beneficial if AESFcouid be exempt
from programs or costs that would otherwise be borne by the state General Fund or
appropriate enough money to AESF to offset the increased costs and expenses.
The extent to which changes are necessary in the agency's laws to adequately
comply with the factors listed in the subsection.
No legislative changes are necessary. •
X. The extent to which termination of the agency would significantly harm the public
health, safety or welfare.
AESF has an economic impact of over $50 million on the gross state product,
helps generate $31 million in statewide compensation and generates over $6 million in
sales, income and property taxes.
XI. The extent to which the level of regulation exercised by the agency is appropriate
and whether less stringent levels of regulation would be appropriate.
This factor does not apply.
XII. The extent to which the agency has used private contractors in the performance of
its duties and how the effective use of private contractors could be accomplished.
AESF extensively uses private contractors in conducting the many events it hosts
throughout the year.
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December 19, 2006
Additional Questions
I. Identification of the problem or the needs that the agency is intended to address.
Needs include: renovation of buildings and parking lots, purchase ofnew
.equipment, and investing in new IT technologies.
II. A statement, to the extent practicable, in quantitative and qualitative terms, of the
objectives of the agency and its anticipated accomplishments.
Increasing attendance at the State Fair by 5 percent annually, maintaining a State
Fair guest return of at least 80 percent, and meeting with emergency management
agencies to discuss the state's disaster preparedness plan.
III. An identification of any other agencies having similar, conflicting, or duplicate
objectives, and an explanation of the manner in which the agency avoids duplication
or conflict with other such agencies.
No other agency provides the same services or has the same objectives.
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An assessment of the consequences of eliminating the agency.
AESF lists several consequences, including losing a valuable resource for
education, a livestock showcase, financial contribution to county fairs, an affordable
location for law enforcement training exercises and handling national and state disasters.
An assessment of the consequences of consolidating AESF with another agency.
AESF indicates it is unlikely that consolidation would result in increased agency
effectiveness or efficiency.
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Atlilchments
1. Letter from Rep. Bill Konopnicki to AESF requesting information.
2. Sunset factors pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-2954, subsection F.
3. Meeting Notice.
4. Minutes of Committee of Reference Meeting.
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BILL KONOPNICKI
1700 WEST WASHINGTON, SUITE H
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007·2844
CAPITOL PHONE: (602) 926-5409
CAPITOL FAX (602) 417-3105
TOLL FREE: 1-800-352-8404
bkonopnicki@azleg.gov
DISTRICT 5 J\rh!oua ~oriz.e of ~.epr.ez.eutati&.ez
JlrOClttx? J\ri1!Olt& B5DD7
August 16, 2006
COMMITIEES:
GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
GOVERNMENT FINANCE
. ACCOUNTABILITY. CHAIRMAN
APPROPRIATIONS (B)
COMMERCE
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Mr. Alex Turner
100 North 15th Avenue, Suite 402
Phoenix,Arizona 85007
Mr. Turner,
Ihesu1.1set.reviewprocess prescribed in Title 41, Chapter.27, Arizona Revised Statutes,
provides a system for the Legislature to evaluate the need to continue the existence of
state agencies. During the sunset review process, an agency is reviewed by a legislative
COlIDllittee of Reference. On completion of the sunset review, the Committee
recommends to continue, revise, consolidate, or temlinate the agency.
As you are aware, The Joint Legislative Audit COlIDnittee (JLAC) has directed the Office
of the Auditor General (OAG) to conduct the Governors Regulatory Review Council
audit and assigned the sunset review to the Committee of Reference comprised. of
members of the House of Representatives Government Refonll & Government Finance
Accountability Conunittee and the Senate Govenunent Accountability and Refonn
Committee.
In addition to the OAG audit and the 12 sunset factors addressed in the OAG report, the
Committee of Reference is required to consider certain factors, pursuant to A.R.S. § 41­2954
(F), in deciding whether to recommend continuance, modification or termination of
the Council. Please provide your response to those factors as provided below:
1. An identification of the problem or the needs that the agency is intended to
address.
2. A statement, to the extent practicable, in quantitative and qualitative tel111S, of the
objectives of such agency and its anticipated accomplishments.
3. An identification of any other agencies having similar, conf1icting or duplicate
objectives, and an explanation of the manner in which the agency avoids duplication
or conflict with other such agencies.
8. The extent to which the agency has addressed deficiencies in its enabling statues that
prevent it from fulfilling its statutory mandate.
9. The extent to which changes are necessary in the laws of the agency to adequately •
comply with these factors.
10. The extent to which the tenninati011 of the agency would significantly ha1111 the public
health, safety, or welfare.
11. The extent to which the level of regulation exercised by the agency is appropriate and
whether less or more stringent levels of regulation would be appropriate.
12. The extent to which the agency has used private contractors in the perfOffilaI1Ce of its
duties and how effective use ofprivate contractors could be accomplished.
Additionally please provide written responses to the following:
1. An identification of the problem or the needs that the agency is intended to address.
2. A statement, to the extent practicable, in qUaIltitative and qualitative ternls, of the
objectives of such agency and its anticipated accomplishments.
3. Au identification of any other agencies having similar, conflicting, or duplicate
objectives, and an explanation of the manner in which the agency avoids duplication or
conflict with other such agencies.
4. Au assessment of the consequences of eliminating the agency or of consolidating it with
another agency.
In addition to responding to tlle factors in A.R.S. § 41-2954, please provide tlle committee of
reference with a copy of your most recent annual report. Your response should be received by
October 13, 2006 so we may proceed with the sunset review and schedule the required public
hearing. Please submit the requested information to:
Steven Moortel
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 West Washington Suite H
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Thank you for your time and cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me at (602) 926-5409 or Steven Moortel, Legislative Analyst at 602-926-5987.
Bill Konopnicki
State Representative
Chair, Government Refornl & Govel11ment Finance
Accountability ConU11ittee
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October 12, 2006 . ~~
~~on.a ~to.tef'aiJb
The Honorable Bill Konopnicki
Chairman, Government Reform and Finance
Accountability Committee
House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix,iLl 85007
Dear Representative Konopnicki,
The Arizona Exposition and State Fair's (AESF) response to its sunset review IS
enclosed.
AESF is a valuable state asset. Over the past decade, it has contributed $9 million dollars
to the state's General Fund while not receiving any money from "that fund as an
appropriation. Not only is the agency financially self-sustaining, but it provides an ideal
location for the Arizona State Fair, the Arizona National Livestock Show, the Maricopa
County Fair and for consumer shows, concerts, and hundreds of other annual events.
AESF's crown jewel, the Arizona State Fair, is far more than a carnival, a concert venue,
or deep-fried Twinkie stand. It is a community gathering place with 122 years of rich and
enduring history. It brings the agriculture and livestock experience to urban dwellers. It
shares century-old traditions and hobbies with today's children and provides them with
premier educational attractions. Perhaps best of all, the Arizona State Fair accomplishes
these objectives while maintaining affordable admission fees.
On behalf of my board of directors, I respectfully request a favorable review and
continuance of the agency.
Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 602-252­6771
or at don.west@azstatefair.com.
DonB. West
Executive Director
Cc: Steve Moortel
1826 West McDowell Road Phoenix, Arizona 85007 • Phone 602-252-6771 • Fax 602-495-1302 ' www.azstatefair.com
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SUNSET FACTORS
Pursuant to A.RS. § 41-2954, the committee ofreference is required to consider certain factors in
deciding whether to recommend continuance, modification, or termination of an agency. The
Arizona Exposition and State Fair (AESF) provides the following responses to those factors:
The objective and purpose in establishing the agency.
The effectiveness with which the agency has met its objective and purpose and the
efficiency with which it has operated.
AESF is also a training ground for many ofthe state's first responders like the Department of
Public Safety, the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), the State Fire
Marshal, and Phoenix Fire and Police. These entities used AESF facilities over 80 times in
2005. Additionally, DEMA has determined that AESF is one ofa select group of state
agencies that will be called upon to provide emergency services in the event ofa disaster or
terrorism.
In addition to conducting the annual State Fair, AESF hosts a variety of other events,
including trade shows, home and garden shows, merchandise sales, and outdoor recreation
shows..AE£F alsopresents-an-~uallivestockfair t.~at promotes the state's livestock and
agricultural interests. For almost 50 years, :AESF has contracted with the Arizona National
Livestock Show (ANLS) which coordinates and conducts the numerous shows and activities
of the livestock fair. AESF is also home to the Maricopa County Fair. Organized in 1975,
the annual event promotes youth involvement in 4-H and FFA activities and awards
scholarships to students who participate in the fair.
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Since 1905, the Arizona Exposition and State Fair has provided its citizens, counties and
industries with an outlet to showcase their uniqueness and diversity. Through its crown
jewel, the Arizona State Fair, AESF educates, encourages, and entertains. The State Fair is
Arizona's community gathering place; a site where the state's heritage, history, traditions,
industry, and future are on display for all to enjoy. AESF also provides numerous other
events for public enjoyment and is an integral part of the state's emergency preparedness
program. Specifically, the five-member Exposition and State Fair Board is required by
statute to "direct and conduct state fairs, contests and entertainment for the purposes of
promoting and advancing the pursuits and interests ofthe several counties of the State, and of
providing sufficient revenue to defray the expenses incurred by the Board in conducting
such."
AESF is extremely effective in meeting its overall purpose. The agency operates and
maintains its many facilities in a safe, serviceable and economic manner, successfully
conducts the annual State Fair, and provides buildings, equipment, and services for a wide
variety offunctions. In 2005, AESF became a temporary home for over a thousand
Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The agency has since become part of a national model for
evacuation services. Each year, AESF provides numerous state agencies with thousands of
tables and chairs for a variety of government sponsored events. It also assists these agencies
by providing building space for a variety of state sponsored events.
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AESF operates without legislative appropriation and has done so since fiscal year 1981-82.
In addition, AESF has contributed $9 million dollars to the state's General Fund over the past
12 years.
AESF operates one of the best state fairs in North America and is recognized in a national
industry publication that ranks fairs and expositions. In 2005, AESF ranked 5th nationally in
fair attendance and had one ofthe highest carnival ride grosses in North America (See
Exhibit 1) AESF accomplishes all of this despite the fact that new, publicly funded facilities
like the Glendale Arena, Phoenix Civic Plaza, and the University ofPhoenix stadium
compete for the public's entertainment dollar.
The extent to which the agency has operated within the public interest.
AESF operates in the public interest by providing affordable entertainment for the enjoyment
ofall Arizona citizens and does so without the benefit of taxpayer support or legislative
appropriation. Specifically, it conducts a nationally recognized and financially profitable
State Fair. Additionally, the agency hosts a variety of non-fair events including trade shows,
home and garden shows, merchandise sales, the Maricopa County Fair, and the Arizona
National Livestock Show. AESF also operates within the public interest by providing
facilities and large staging areas for emergency situations, special events, and government
functions. AESF consistently and aggressively renovates its facilities to better meet the
needs ofits guests and tenants. For example, AESF recently repaved its south parking lot,
added a new cooling system to its Exhibit b~ilding, repaired and replaced numerous roofing
structures, and constructed a block fence around an ancillary parking lot.
The extent to which rules adopted by the agency are consistent with the legislative
mandate.
AESF has established rules that are consistent with its legislative mandate. In response to
gaming legislation passed in 1987, AESF adopted rules regulating certain State Fair
amusement games. These rules detail how games ofskill are to be played on the State Fair's
midway. AESF updated the rules to comply with new Secretary of State requirements in
2002.
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5. The extent to which the agency has encouraged input from the public before adopting
its rules and the extent to which it has informed the public as to its actions and their
expected impact on the public.
AESF followed procedures set forth by the Secretary of State before officially adopting the
updated rules discussed in Sunset Factor 4. In addition, AESF Board meetings are held in
accordance with all open meeting laws as defined in A.R.S. § 38-431.
6. The extent to which the agency has been able to investigate and resolve complaints
within its jurisdiction.
While AESF has no statutory authority to investigate complaints, it handles any complaints
regarding its operations or policies through the Executive Director or his designee.
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The extent to which the Attorney General or any other applicable agency of state
government has the authority to prosecute actions under the enabling legislation.
AESF's enabling legislation does not establish such authority.
The extent to which the agency has addressed deficiencies in its enabling statutes which
prevent it from fulfilling its statutory mandate.
Unlike most other state agencies, AESF absorbs all costs from new state programs and
changes in cost allocations. For example, when ADOA required each agency to pay the costs
ofinsuring its own buildings, AESF's Risk Management bill doubled with no corresponding
offset for the increase in expenses. A more recent example is the amending of A.R.S. 41­191.01
requiring agencies to pay.635% of their payroll to the Attorney General's Office.
AESF already contracts and pays for a full time Assistant Attorney General. Other agencies
would place these increased costs in new budgets and receive General Fund money to offset
the increased expenses. AESF is only appropriated the money it generates and otherwise
receives no General Fund money. Consequently, each new program or mandated cost
increase decreases AESF's profitability and jeopardizes its self-sustaining abilities. It would
greatly assist AESF if the State Legislature would exempt AESF from programs or costs that
would otherwise be borne by the General Fund or appropriate enough money to AESF to
offset the increased costs and expenses.
The exten.tJo w~ich change~arenecessary in the ageacy's laws to adequately, colllPly ,
with the factors listed in the subsection. " ' , -
No legislative changes are necessary.
The extent to which termination of the agency would significantly harm the public
health, safety, or welfare.
AESF has an economic impact of over $50 million dollars on the gross state product, helps
generate $31 million dollars in statewide compensation, and generates over $6 million dollars
in sales, income and property taxes. (See Exhibit 2 - page 2) Along with losing millions
from the economy, termination of the agency would also result in Arizona losing a valuable
entertainment and educational resource. The state would also lose a 96-acre facility that has a
proven track record for handling emergency situations like Hurricane Katrina.
Through its multi-purpose facilities, AESF has become home to many events that promote
the civic interests of the state. For example, the agency has been a valuable resource for
community groups - the Goodwill Women's Auxiliary, the Volunteer Non-Profit Service
Association, and the Junior League Rummage Sale - that hold events at AESF on an annual
basis. In addition, the interests ofthe state are served by a variety of agriculture, industry,
and youth events promoted by the State Fair, the Arizona National Livestock Show, and the
Maricopa County Fair.
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11. The extent to which the level of regulation exercised by the agency is appropriate and
whether less stringent levels of regulation would be appropriate.
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This factor does not apply as AESF has no regulatory authority.
The extent to which the agency has used private contractors in the performance of its
duties and how the effective use of private contractors could be accomplished.
AESF extensively uses private contractors in conducting the many events it hosts throughout
the year. For non-fair events, it contracts with a private concessionaire to manage food
stands in the Coliseum and with numerous concessionaires to provide similar services on the
grounds. During the non-fair period, AESF also leases its grounds to hundreds oftenants
including numerous government entities that use its facilities at no charge or at discounted
rates. For the State Fair, AESF hires over 300 ride, game, food, and commercial vendors as
well as various entertainers.
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Additional Questions:
1. Identification of the problem or the needs that the agency is intended to address.
To better serve the public as both an entertainment destination and emergency preparedness
center, AESF is addressing the following needs:
• Renovating buildings aria parking fots to il1crease guest"safety and comfort;
• Purchasing new equipment to increase agency effectiveness and efficiency;
• Investing in new IT technologies to improve internal and external communication.
2. A statement, to the extent practicable, in quantitative and qualitative terms, of the
objectives of the agency and its anticipated accomplishments.
AESF has multiple objectives -that include presenting a prestigious state fair, preserving and
enhancing high guest satisfaction levels and, in light ofrecent events, improving the site as a
disaster shelter. Quantitative and qualitative measures of these objectives include:
• Increasing attendance at the Arizona State Fair by 5% annually;
• Maintaining a State Fair guest return rating of at least 80% (See Exhibit 3);
• Meeting with emergency management agencies including DEMA by December I,
2006 to discuss AESF's integral role in the state's disaster preparedness plan;
3. An identification of any other agencies having similar, conflicting, or duplicate
objectives, and an explanation of the manner in which the agency avoids duplication or
conflict with other such agencies.
No other agency provides the same services or has the same objectives as AESF.
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4a. An assessment of the consequences of eliminating the agency.
In addition to and as additional support for the reasons set forth under #10, the following
consequences would occur ifAESF was eliminated:
• Arizona would lose one of the most prestigious and well attended state fairs in the
nation;
• Arizona would lose the ability to showcase the best of its industry, business,
education, agriculture, and livestock activities (including 4-H and FFA) in a central
location;
• Arizona's counties would lose a valuable and consistent financial and promotional
resource. AESF contributes $1000.00 to each county fair fund on an annual basis.
Additionally, AESF encourages each county to participate in the State Fair's County
Outreach Program. Under the program, AESF picks up and returns competitive
entries from around the state. AESF also assists county fairs by participating in
networking organizations like the Arizona Fairs Association and the Governor's
Livestock Committee;
• Arizona would lose the ability to provide its citizens with reasonably priced
entertainment including concerts, midway rides, motorized events and rodeos;
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• Arizona would lose the ability to provide numerous civic and law enforcement groups
with an affordable location for events and training exercises;
• Arizona would lose the Arizona Livestock Show and the Maricopa County Fair, both
of which depend on the availability ofAESF facilities to showcase their events.
Neither entity has sufficient funds to relocate ifAESF were terminated. Both entities
annually contribute tens of thousands ofdollars to youth scholarship programs;
• Arizona would lose a valuable financial resource. AESF annually contributes
millions to the state's economy through its impact on the gross state product and
through sales, income, and property taxes. In addition, the agency has transferred $9
million dollars of its reserves to the state's General Fund over the past twelve years.
AESF is one of only a few state agencies that generates sufficient revenue to maintain
its facilities in a safe and serviceable manner without the aid of General Fund monies
(See Exhibit 4);
• Arizona would lose a valuable location for handling national and state disasters like
hurricanes, floods, and fires;
• Arizona would lose a valuable educational resource. Through displays and exhibits
like its State Fair interactive farm for children, AESF helps fairgoers learn about
animals and farming;
• Arizona would lose a valuable and enduring piece of its history, heritage, and legacy.
The origins and activities of the Arizona State Fair precede statehood.
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• Arizona would lose a premier convention and meeting site. Per the Phoenix Business
Journal, AESF is one of the top convention and meeting sites in the state. The
publication lists AESF as a "Best of the Best" selection in its upcoming December
'06 issue.
4b. An assessment of the consequences of consolidating AESF with another agency.
AESF offers the state a unique set of activities and services and is one of only a handful of
agencies that must operate within its generated proceeds. It is unlikely that
consolidating AESF with another state agency would avoid duplicate or conflicting
objectives. Given the experience and expertise level ofAESF staff - 13 of its 43 full-time,
permanent employees have 20 years or more of experience in the fair industry - it is also
unlikely that consolidation would result in increased agency effectiveness or efficiency.
sunset 2006.doc
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SOUft(E: IND!VIOUAt fAiRS. AD RESEARCH
[ 20] DECEM8ER 1005 FAIRS AMVSF..M£NTHUSINESS.COM
HOI£; AS RE\'JSID NUM8€RS ANO RANKINGS FROM 2004 WHEN NECESSARY uPON RECOPY Of UPDATED INfORMAYION. lHOSf CHANGESARE JlfFlICTEO 1N TtIS CHART. NR_NQT RAm:W IN 2004
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! STATE FAIR OFTEXAS 3 mmion-plus 3 maroon-plus Acold fTOnt on the dosing Sunday kept the fair from breaking the record midway gross set in 2003.
DaDas (not released) (not released) Sept. :z9.Ocl 22 but GM Errol McKoy was still oleased with the ride and games gross of about 512 nullion. Adult
admission 513, 51 more !han last year.
HSHHOoOUuWsStToO&nNROL1DVEEOSTOa (n1o,t7r4e0le,0a9se5d) (no1.H89e0le,1as7e4d) Feb. 28-March 19 AAtdtuelntdaadnmciessdioipnp5ed6.nearly 8Ok. but record·setting concert revenue at ReliantArena softened that blow.
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR 1,632,876 1,631,940 Aug. 24-5epL 4
The fair known for satisfying taste buds had offerings from alligator to zucd1in~ and food revenue
5l Paul, Minn. (same) (same, was up 5%-6% from last year. Adult admission 59.
lOS ANGELES
1,328,105 1,301,713
A2% attendance increase followed a new three-week-plus schedule, with Mondays and
COUNTY FAIR Sept. 8-Del 1 Tuesdays ofl.1Iaj Cammack Shows had a 20% increase in gross sales over 2flO4. Adult admission
Pomona, Callt (783.529) (830,000) 515 weekend$. 10 weekdays.
ARI20NA STATE FAIR 1.276.359 1,095.031 Anew; longer format from 18 to 21 days with Mondays off added a fourth weekend and prompted
10 Phoenix (not released) (not released) Del 13·Nov. 5 a 16.6% attendance hike. Preliminary numbers indicated a record year for Ray Cammack Shows, and
Qwest was the fair's presenting sponsotAdult admission $10.
CANADIAN NATIONAL
1.248,600 1,412,000 Bad weather. induding the tail end of Hurricane Katrina. and the threat of bad weather lowered
EXHI81T10N Aug. 18-Sept 4
Toronto {not released} (not released) attendance 115% from last year. Adultadmission 510.
SCTAAlGMAPREYDE 1.242,182 1.221,182 July 7·16 The Albertan centeMial helped attract record attendance. Tim McGraw produced a sellout at the
Calgary. Alberta
(726,464) (696.000) 12,OOO-seat Pengrowth $oddledome, with tickets ranging from S65-581.Adult admission $9.72.
SAN DIEGO 1.214.902 1,250.320 The fair narrowly missed setting an attendance record for the fourth straight year by less than 3%_ ; COUNTY fAIR (not released) (not released) June 16-July4
Del Ma~ Calit
Adult admission 511.
9 11 WPWuEAySSaTHllEuINRpN,GWTOaNshf.AIR (no1,t1r1e7le.7a0se7d) 1(6,04743.1,54891) SeplB·24 BFoetnttearstwiceSathhoewrsm-Aedanulttaad4m%isisnioc.r"e..a5s)e0i_n. attendance and a 1% jump in revenue fur Portland, Ore.-based : SAN ANTONIO STOa #.'- ~ Bad weather days, especiaUy on the weekends, prompled a slight attendance dip, though
10 SHOW & RODEO
. 1,095,939 1.100,000 Feb. 3-19
San Antonio
(same) [same) Frank laitshik's Wade Shows did well Adult admission 55.
- 11 14
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR 1,058,192 963,896
July 7-30 The fair set an attendance record and broke the 1million mark for the fIrSt time, and Ray Cammadc
Costa Mesa. Calit (788,729) (689.574) Shows had record carnival revenue of 55.2 million, 16% above last year·s.Adult admission 57.
EASTERN STATES 1,053.238 1,096.463 The weather cooperated for a fair that saw Gretchen Wilson and los Lonely Boys perform as well
12 EXPOSITION (not released) (not released) SepL 15-Dcl 1 as the newly formed NorlhAmerican Midway Entertainmenl Adult admission 515 weekends,
West Springfield, Mass. 512 weekdays. • 13 12
IOWA STATE FAIR 1,002,642 1,051,801 Aug. 16-20
Attendance broke 1 million for the third straight year but was down 4.7% from last year's ; Des Moines,. Iowa (not released) (not released) record lSOth anniversary celebration because of rain. Adult admission $8.
TUlSA STATE FAIR 971,449 935,220
Perfect weather at the end of the fair compensated for initial rain and cold that at one point
14 16 Sept 28-Dct 8 had the fair down 25%. Gate admission revenue was up 16%. mostly because of a 51 increase.
lulsa. Okla. (not released) (not released) Adult admission 58.
NEW VORK STATE FAIR
Attendance was down 3.6%. but the fair had its most successful grandstand concert run ever with • 15 13 960,145 996,063 Aug. 24-Sepl4 more than 53 m~roon in tickets sold for the Gngular Wireless Concert Series. I1IlIowing the fai~ Peter
Syracuse, N.Y. (505,440) (541,485) CappucciHi Jr. said he was resigning to take a position in the privatesectot.Adult admission $10. SOUTHWESTERN EXPO 941,100 93S,700 Good weather fueled a 0.6% increase in attendance.l1Irt Worth·based Talley Amusements
16 15 & UVESTOa 5HOW Jan. I3-Feb. 5 • I1Irth Worth, Texas (260.000) (255,641)- provided the.midway for the third year. Adult admission 58.
CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR 920,768 Achange from 18 days to a 22-<lay format with Mondays dosed was successful with a 0.3% increase
17 17 Sacramento. Calit [635,122) (699178,.622523) Aug. 1'-Sepl4 in attendance from last year. Adult admission 510.
PAOAC NATIONAl 903.467 767,481 Good weather and expanded programs prompted a nearly 18% attendance hike in Michael
18 25 EXHIBITION (001 released) (not released). Aug. 19'5ept 4 McDaniel's second year as ceo. Adult admission 5850.
Vancower
19 19
OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR 900.000 900,000
Sept. 14-24
Carnival gross for nank 2aitshik's wade Shows was up 8% at the fair, where estimated attendance
Oklahoma Gly (same) (same) held steady in the second year of a six-day-shorter. l1-day format Adult admission 57.
Wl5CON51N STATE FAIR 860,0711 879,323
Hot and humid weather kept the fair from meeting last year's attendance by 2.2%. Brad Paisley
20 21 West Air", Wis. (not released) (not released) Aug. 3-13 and the V100.7 Jam 4 Peace featuring 8rian McKnight sold out the grounds' 10.0DO-seat grandstand.
Adult admission 58.
21 20
ERIE COUNTY FAIR 855,664 883.797
Aug. 9-20
Four days of rain prompted a 3.1% dedine in attendance- Grosses were down for Strates Shows
Hamburg.N.Y. (nol released) lnot released) by 19%.Adult admission 59.
22 23 EVERGREEN STATE FAIR 837,550 845,278 The 0.9% deuease could be blamed on some rainy weather. but revenue was up, at Jeast in
Monroe, Wash. (not released) (not released) Aug. 24-SepL 4 part to food and beverage price hikes. Butler Amusements was ahead 5%. Adult admission 58.
23 18 INDIANA STATE FAIR 820.248 900,365
Aug. 9-20
Rascal Flatts performed to a so1d-out house at the fair; which saw a 9.8% dip in attendance
Indianapolis (438,7ij7) [559,304) because of bad weather. Adult admission $6_
•••
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
. 36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
27
U
24
26
28
32
29
47
35
33
36
38
30
39
44
34
45
43
41
37
46
40
NR
42
NR
49
KlONDIKE DAYS
Edmonton. Alberta
OHIO STATE FAIR
Columbus, Ohio
NORTH CAROUNA
STATE FAIR
Ral.igh. N.C.
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY
FESTIVAL &FAIR
Plant City. Ao.
IlUNOIS STATE FAIR
Springfield, III
NEW MEXICO
STATE fAIR
Albuquerque. NoM.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
fAIR & EXPOSITION
Miami
MISSISSIPPI STATE FAIR
Jackson. Miss.
NATIONAl WESTERN
STOCK SHOW
Denv.r
KENTUCKY STATE fAIR
Louisville. Ky.
YORK FAIR
York. Po.
CENTRAl CANADA
EXHI81TI0N
Ottawa
SOUTH FLORIOA FAIR
West !'aIm B.ath, Aa.
GREAT AlLENTOWN FAJR
Allentown, Pa.
BIG FRESNO FAIR
Fresno. caJi(
flORIDA STATE FAIR
Tampa, Aa.
SOUTH CAROUNA
STATE FAIR
Columbia. s.c.
GREATER
JACKSONVIllE FAIR
lacksonville. Aa.
PENSACOLA
INTERSTATE FAIR
Pensacol.. Aa.
DUTCHESS COUNTY FAIR
Rhin.beck, N.'(
COLORADO STATE FAIR
Pueblo. j:olo.
GREELEY INDEPENDENCE
STAMPEDE
Greeley. Colo.
8LOOM58URG FAIR
8100msburg. Pa.
ARKANSAS STATE FAIR
Uttl. Rod<. Ark.
MARYlAND STATE fAIR
Timonium.Md.
IONIA FREE FAIR
ionia, Mich.
GEORGIA NATIONAl FAIR
Perry. Ga.
810.503
(not rel.ased)
802.074
(680,000)
795,930
(554.530)
750,000
(not rel.ased)
747,967
(not released)
710,000
(476,083)
700.000
(637,579)
663,816
(not r.leased)
633,544
(not releas.d)
629,749
(sam.)
613,335
(not r.leas.d)
598,705
(not ,el.as.d)
580,843
(360,386)
576,000
(not rel.as.d)
545,049
(274,392)
526,718
(416,753)
508.394
(276,132)
493,457
(nol r.leas.d)
486,000
(not rel.ased)
480.000
(not rel.ased)
463,000
(not r.l.ased )
448,000
{free gat.)
441.655
(not releas.d)
439,848
(not rel.ased)
424.827
(not rel.ased)
402.255
(free gal.}
400.615
(not released)
747.983
(not released)
850.218
(654,668)
836,319
(682.535)
750,000
(not rel.as.d)
746,333
(not rel.ased)
645,000
(51l,000j
725.778
(655,778)
421,240
(not releas.d)
625,345
(not rel.as.d)
639,327
(sam.)
601,683
(nofr.I.ased)
554.400
(not releas.d)
645,945
(3'45,OOO)
694,000
(not rel.ased)
530,813
(334,633)
474,914
(375,752)
630,152
(322.196)
450.000
(not r.l.as.d)
486,000
(not r.leased)
500,334
(not rel.ased)
594,000
(not released)
432,000
(fre. gale)
512.864
(not rel.ased)
316,676
(not r.l.ased)
489,711
(not r.leased)
356,110
(fr•• gate)
390.213
(not rel.as.d)
July 26-29
Aug. 2-13
Oct.13-U
March 2-12
Aug. 11'20
SepL8-24
March 16-Apnl 2
Oct. 4-15
Jan. 7-22
Aug. 17-27
5.pL 8-17
Aug. 17-27
Aug. 29-S.pL 4
Oct. 4-;5
Feb. 9-20
DeL 11-22
Nov.H2
Oct. 19-29
Aug. 22-27
Aug. 25-5epL4
June 23-July 4
5.pL23-30
DeL 13-22
Aug. 25-SepL4
July 20-29
Oct. 6-15
'.
Th.Alb.ryan c.nt."!'ial and extra .ntertainment h.lp.d the fair br.ak the 800.000 mark lor
the first time. Conkl.n Shows, as the new North American Midway Ent.rtainmen~ was up 5%.
Adult admission S650.
Adnsing-night conc.rt by Rascal Aatts drew 24,000 and grossed mnr. than S700,OOO.
but attendance dropp.d about 6%. mostly b.caus. ol9D-d.gre. hea~Adulladmission 58.
Attendanc.was down 4.8% in the faurth-best-attended show ever. with Frank laitshik's Wad. Shows
fi.lding the midway on a on.-year contract.The fairreceived $4,';;9,949 for its r.venue share. down
2'Yo from·the 54,223.579 .arned from R.ithofler Shows last year. Adult admission S6.
The fair did ~ relea:se an off!dal attendance n~un~.. but officials said they were onJar ,,:,ith
~a:.lt":d::1: ;9~"jWe.k VIrtual washout. MIghty 81ue Grass Shows did well on • mIdway.
Attendance rose slightly despite s.v.raldays of rain and a canc.llation by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Astro
Amusements. now part of North Am.rican Midway Entertainmen~was down. Adult admission S3.
Better weather and 'SUCCeSSful school programs translated into a lQDk attendance increase
from last yeat while Murphy Brothers ExpOsition said it was on par or a bit ahead compared with '04.
Adult admission 55.
Rainy opening and dosing days h.lp.d attaunt for a 12% detrease. North American Midway
Entertammenl provid.d the camivalAdultadmission S8.
Rain last year and none this year. along with a solid entertainment lineup. helped .account for
a 56% increase in attendance. the best of the Top 50 fairs this year. Adult admission SS.
Attendance has risen 3%-3.5% annually sinte 2003. and vp MarvW'rtt.xpeCls that to conti.... in
2006 with an add.d rod.o performance. ticket sales that are IS'll. ah.ad of last year and a
l00th anniv.rsary c.l.bration. Adult admission 59 week.nd~ 57 weekdays.
Bad weathe~ including a thunderstorm on the last Friday evening. accounted for a 1.1% drop
in attendance. but Cumberland Vall.y Shows was about .ven with last year. Adult admission S7.
Bigg.r names in the grandstand, indudi,,!! TIm McGraw, who essentially sold out !he 10,60o-seat
Apple Automotive Grandstand. translated to a 2% attendance increase. Adult admission· 55.
AIre. opening day and a sold-OUl Rolling Stones concert at Frank Clair Stadium h.lped push
attendance ahead 8% of last year, said assistant manager Wayne Roy, stepping in for former GM
Cheryl McBain. Adult admission 58.47.
Attendance was down but all revenue was up, I.adi"!! GM Rick Vymlabl to say that those who did
at'~nrl stayed longer-srn!.spentmort.-ttw~..tludaS1'year fo; Conldin Show;,;. which was ioidedinto
_North American Midway Entertainment-Adult ~dmission $15.
The fair's Bonnie Brosious attributes the 17% decline in attendance to high gas prices and a fear
of gas shortages.Adult admission 5S
Three daily newscasts from the fairgrounds by!hre. local TV affiliates may have b.en boosted
att.ndance by 2.7%; 8utler Amusements was up 15%. Adult admission 58.
Not onty was attendance up nearty 11%, but the ride gross for the fair's first independent midway
aft.r the run of Ed Gregory's United Shows of America was one of the b.~ .xceeding 53 mmion.
Adult admission SIO.
Rain on six of the first seven days prompted a nearly 20% drop in attendance after last year's
record-break.r. The fair also swrlch.d dates and wid b. h.ld a week later in '06. Adult admission 57.
Perfect w.ather h.lped boost attenilanc. by nearly 10%, and Mighty 81ue Grass Shows saw a 15'"
inaeiilSe fiam last year. Adult admission S8.
Good weather with no rain rut attendance and Reithoffer Shows revenue on par with last year.
Assistant GM Oon E. Frenke will take over from his retiring brother, John. Adult admission $9.
Rain on the last Sunday and a Ronnie Milsap concert cancellation prompted attendance dedine.
GM Tom Odak, r.tiring at the end of 2006. switched from 50·y.ar-plus contract hold.r R.itholler
Shows 10 Powers Gr.at American Midways for '06. Adult admission 512.
The 22% attendance tumble is deceiving because the fair was five days shorter; average
daily-attendance for Chris Wiseman's first fair as manager actually was up. But Bill Hames Shows
camival was slightly down despit.·good weath.c Adult admission 57 ....kend~ SS weekdays.
Good concerts and weather helped the fair, which reverted to its former name in 2004, better its
attendance by 1.~1o. Headliners Brooks & Dunn nearly sold out the 14,OOO·seat Stampede Arena.
which also had sutt.,sful conc.rts byU Top and Kelly Oorkson, 8ill Hames Shows also did well.
Two rainy days and high gas prices were blam.d for a 14% drop in att.ndance. though
Reithoffer Shows had a good run. Adull admission 54.
Perfect weather and revamped entertainment led to a 38.ae,k attendance increase for new .
GM Ralr,h Shoptaw, though-predecessor Jim Pledger also did some fair planning before leaving.
Oeggel .r Attractions had its best year. Adult admission S6.
Attendance slipped 13% mostly b.caus. of a light rail lin. that was down for r.pairs. but
O.g9Oller Attractions enjoyed a r.cord run, which it attributed in part 10 two .xtra rides
and a strong labor Day weekend. Adult admission 56.
The seamd year of the return to the free gate continued to see numbers rise. with help from a
TIm McGraw s.lIout in the 10,SOo-s.at grandstand on $40 and 575 tickets.
Despite high gas prices. a rainy first day and a canceled concert by Gretchen Wilson. the fair
set an attendance record at 2.7% over last yeaL Reithoffe( Shows also was up. Adult admission $6.
•!
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A.AIVSEMliNTlll'SINESS.COM FAIRS DECEMDER 2005 [2.1] •
"I strongly support the
Arizona State Fair...It is an
important part of the .
education of young people
from urban and rural
communities and has a
tremendous positive impact
on agriculture in Arizona."
Dean Fish,
County Extension Director
Agriculture/Natural
Resources Agent
Santa Cruz County
Cooperative Extension
"There exists no other place
that will accommodate the
Arizona National Livestock
Show in Arizona."
Grant Boice, Executive Director
Arizona National Livestock
.Show
. "You can be assured that not
only would all ofmy staff
and I be unemployed, but
thousands of other
employees from these
Arizona exhibitors'
companies would be laid off,
let alone the business that
would go under due to the
fact that the State has taken
away the only way for them
to earn an income."
Rene Smith, Producer
]v[aricopa County Home Show
It would take a lot of effort
and even years for us to find
a new home for the
Maricopa County Fair.
James "Jimmy" Wojcik,
Executive Director
Maricopa County Fair
.The Arizona State Fairand certain ofits larger non­fair
events have a substantial annual impact on
Arizona's economy as follows:
• Impact on gross state product
$50..2 million
• Statewide employee compensation
$30..9 million
• Full-time equivalent jobs created
1,320
• Sales, income, and property
taxes generated
$6..33 minion
Source: Center for Business Research, L. William Seidman Research
Institute, College ofBusiness, Arizona State University
2
-
~
~..,.
=r
9- , . .. l .
~.
........,.......,..,........I
:....:..
.:...I.t II-
Did vou know...
1,067,459 people attended
the 2002 Arizona State
Fair.
The Arizona State Fair is a
financially self-supporting
agency and pays 100% of
its employee benefits
including retirement.
Over 47,737 people
representing all 15
counties participate in Fair
activities such as
competitions and
community performances. :
• "The Arizona state Fair has
contributed $9 million to
the state's General Fund
over the last 10 years.
Between'agency earnings
re-appropriated to the
General Fund and direct
··taxrevenues derived from
. its activities, the Arizona
....,_Ex:position _and State Fair
, "'~,liasdirect1y contributed art
"-estimated minimum of
'.. ,--"$41;000,000 totlie general
::" .. ,ftlnd'W the last 10 years.
State & County Fairs
Arizona National
Livestock Show
Concerts
Exhibits & Shows
~~07\a ~'(cl£j'aiJb
Examples of Activities
Provided by the Arizona
Exposition and State Fair
The Exposition and State
Fair uses or leases its
facilities and space to
provide the following
activities:
Parking
""-- Fees
$1.5M
3
Carnival
Operator Fees
$2.7M
.--/'
\
Facilities
Rentals
$1.OM
/
Commercial
Space Fees
$0.9M
Total Operating revenues $10.8 million
Mission Statement
To provide unlimited opportunity to celebrate Arizona's heritage, youth,
industry, traditions, and future by bringing the entire community together.
Agency Description
Other/'
$IAM
The Arizona Exposition and State Fair (AESF) is a 96-acre entertainment
facility that showcases a variety ofevents including one ofthe pre-eminent state
fairs in the country. AESF rents its facilities to a variety oftenants and promoters
including the Arizona National Livestock Show, the Maricopa County Fair, the
"- .lVlancotiaCCil.lllty .Home and Garden" Shd"~" aria"~ Otheis.--AESF provides a .
location to showcase industry, agriculture, education and entertainment for the
enjoyment of the citizens of Arizona. AESF is appropriated only those
revenues it generates and receives no monies from the general fund.
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~""Jiii::O** b ~' -':~-C""Ri'Hi"i'3i~~~ is ;:a:c
The opinion of The Arizona Republic.
..­..,.-.
.ifJ.'. ",. ,.. •.-"... j••I ..
'"••
,.
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...~... •...
•.. •.- I•..I•:-
The Arizooa Republic.
A worker hoses the deck of La
Grande Wheel· Ferris at the Arizona .
State Fair. The wheel is 150 feet
high and can carry 216 people.
Other fairs are spiffing up.
The Iowa State Fair did a
$30 million upgrlj.de, using
money from private sponsors
-plus state matching funds.
Arizona, on the other hand,
turns management practices
topsy-turvy. Fair.officials must
wonder why they sweat over
getting past the break-even
point.
"What a bummer it·is. to think
that if they do really well, their
reward is the state will teach·in·
and take it," says Stephen Cham­bers,
executive·director of the
Western Fairs Association.
It's time to play fair with the
State Fair.
4
tense this year to go after the
fair's reserves of $5.4 million.
. That's justnot right..
[
As former state Rep. Bob ].
McLen~onputs .it, 0e State Fair
is "pumshed for beIng prudent·
with its money."
Worse, the fair is facing its
own financial crunch. Revenues
took a hit last year after five
days of rain,mcluding crucial
weekend dates, cut into attend­ance.
Worries about terrorism .
could reduce the crowds this
year.
In the long run, the fair needs .
the resources to attract fresh
acts and upgrade the facilities:
It takes $2 million in upfront
money to launch th~ fair each
year. .
While state fairgrounds used
to be once-a-year wonders,. they
now host a variety of events .
year-round. Arizona is already
hobbled with the smallest state
fair site in the' country.: 80 acres~
While minodmprovements
were made in the past year, in­cluding
replacing a concert
stage, larger projects to consoli­date
buildings and construct a
multistory garage have been put
on hold.
EVENT NEEDS FUNDS TO UPGRADE
State plundering
of fair's profits
not ... well, fair
Editorial
Fall harvest season is her-e
again. It's time to pick the
corndogs, bale the cotton
candy and reap the caramel ap­ples.
The Arizona State Fair is un­der
way in all its colorful,
quirky, caloric glory.
And we need it. This is our
biggest community entertain­ment
fest, a rare.gathering of
the full spectrum of Arizonans.
In unsettled times, the familiar
rituals are a comfort, from pie­eating
contests to blue-ribbon
animals. .
The fair is such an institution
that many people assume the
state picks up part of the tab.
Au contTaire. The state rou­tinely
raids the fair's piggybank.
The fair is self-supporting,
with extra profits· going into a
reserve fund. The money is sup­posed
to be socked· away for ex­panding
and· improving fair .
operations. ·But since 1990, Ari­zona
has siphoned out $7 million.
Every ticket should be
stamped with the.disclosure:
"Price includes donation to Ari­zona
general.fund."
With a huge budgeHhortfall.
looming, the pressure will be in-
Arizona Republic
Phoenix, AZ
Oct. 13, 2001
Over 75% of Fair guests
rate the experience as
excellent.
The Arizona State Fair,
founded in 1884, bridges
3 centuries.
26,360 books were read
by Arizona school
children to earn free
carnival rides in 2002.
The Fair attracts 20% of
the state's population,
representing every
geographic, ethnic and
age segment.
Almost 90% of Fair
attendees plan on coming
to the 2003 Fair.
72% ofFairgoers are old
enough to vote.
The Fair partners with
State agencies such as
DPS and DES, and the
city ofPhoenLx, along
with private partners by
providing traITring.. ...
locations, equipment,
and services.
Did you know...
5
"The Arizona State Fair
provides Yuma County the
unparalleled opportunity for
children to showcase their
skills to a larger audience.
These kids work all year to '
earn the right to participate in'
the Arizona State Fair. It is
very important to their
development."
Robert M. Kattnig, Ph.D.,
Associate Livestock Specialist
Department ofAnimal Sciences
University ofArizona, Tucson
"The Arizona State Fair
provides a critical ruraVurban
interface. This is an
opportunity for urban
dwellers to experience
agriculture first hand. The
exhibition highlights the fact
that food does not originate
at the supermarket"
Terry Burke; Vice President
Clear Channel Entertainment,
Phoenix
"Selling the [Faits] property
to raise $5 million will
effectively put the nail into
the Fair's coffin. There are
currently no viable
alternative sites. While the
thought ofa deep fried
Twinkie may not appeal to
some, 1 million people
believe that the 118 year old
tradition is worth attending."
Tim Kock; Extension Agent
4-HYouth Development
Yuma County
Retta Springer. a resident of Aqua Caliente,
writes occasional artides for The Sun on events
in eastern Yuma County and 4-H. She can be
reached at 928-454-2401 or bye-mail to:
greeneyes99@juno,com
BY RETTA SPRINGER
SPEGAL TO THE SUN.
Yuma Moos, took her steer to
the fair. The black angus cross
----·took second -place 1.."'1 Prosp'ect
't'ime·and efforfhave paid offc"Marker Class and Nikki·' also
for several Yuma County 4-H brought home a· belt buckle for
members who competed in this winning the Junior Grand
year's Arizona State Fair. ' Champion Sho\Vwan.
Nathan Krueger from the The State Fair Horse Show is
Roadrunners Club entered a a three-day event held in Scotts­woodworking
,project, and his dale. Three Yuma County 4-H
bookshelf received a, [lIst-place Horse members placed this yeEr.
blue ribbon. Lori Yankosky placed fIfth in
Yuma COUnty 4-H .did well at Junior Western Sho:wmanship.
the fair's Small Stock Show. 'In the gymkhana events, Ambur
.AJ.yssa Hanson received Grand Luster placed ninth in Senior
Champion Senior Showman in Goat'Tying and David Hardin
rabbits and Grand Champion placed ninth in Junior
Senior Team in livestock jUdg- .Roping-Heading,
ing. She had the Best of Breed Representing Yuma County
Cinnamon Rabbit. in the 4-H Livestock Judging
Ryan Hanson received .Grand Team competitioFl. were senior
Champion Junior Individual ·team members Justin King,
Livestock Judging and had Best Kayla Hughes_and Vickie Baer.
ofBreed Dutch Rabbit. The Han- Junior team' members were
sons are from Animals R Us' Nikki Nigh, Brent Wofford,
Club. Cody Slaughter and Heather
The Tumbleweeds Club also Turk-Engler. ,The junior team
did well. Best of Breed Peruvian placed fIfth in team competition.
Cavy went to C.J. Frailing; Best Two of the team 'members also
of Breed American Cavy went to placed in the Individual Comp.e-,
Raymond Rodgers and Saman- titions scores. Heather won sev­tha
York had Best·of Breed Rab- enth place and Cody ninth place.
bit, Best of Breed Du~k and
Champion Senior Showman in
pigeon. Tumbleweeds Club also
took second place in Group Jun-ior
Livestock Judging: '
Nikki Neigh, a member of
Yuma Daily Sun
Yuma,AZ
Nov. 13, 2001
Yuma County 4-H
youth win ribbons.
at Arizona· State Fai'r
WI. •••••
••
•••••••••••
••••
••
•••
••••••
••,
.-.­~,•
..•.'
•~•~
•~
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. stitched a lD-inch-square block,
complete \vith batting and back·
ing, using Davies' sewing
machine at the back of the
classroom. Davies sewed the
pieces into a quilt measuring
about 5 by 4 feel
"The boys were.more fasci­nated
with the project than.the
girls were," she said. ''They did­n't
think of it as a gender proj­ect."
The quilt was based on-the
Amish style of abstract goomet­ric
arrangements using solid·
color blocks. Students also stud,
ied Amish culture, the. Revolu­tionary
War and the history. of
the American flag.
Since returning·from
Phoenix, the quilt has hung in .
Davies' classreom. -
"The kids will have-to decide
when they graduate" where it
will end up, she. said. -
6
Countv Fair.
At"the state event, it won a .
special achievementTosette and
was displayed with other best·
of-sRow winners.
"I'm sure that helped,"
Davies, a quilter for 30 years, .
said of the theme. "We started
. with the Alnerican history
theme ... it just happened to be .
appropriate:" -
The 28·students who made
the quilt started it in Davies'
class last December. At Hen­dricks,
3400 W. Orange Grove
Road, students stay Vi'ith the
same teacher for two years.
Each student designed and
By DINA L DOOlEN
Citizen Staff WritBr .
TR1CIA MdNROvrruesOrfCiUzen
Sixth-grade students. from- Anne Davies' class at Heillfricks
Elementary School display their special quilt
Kids at aFlowing Wells School District elementary
school create an Amish-style quilt with aU.S. history
theme. The work.impresses craft judges at the county·
and state levels..
Vllhen Anne Davies' class
began its quilt.project- a year
ago, the children could not have ­known
how timely it would be,
The red, white and biue,
American history-themed quilt.
helped earn the Hendricks Ele­mentary
School shih-graders'
project spedal recognition at
this year's ArizonaBtate Fair.
The fair started·Oct.ll-a
month after the-ten'orist
attacks - although the quilt was:
completed last. spring and won
a blue ribb9D,in April's Pima
-Astitch iIi time lands State Fair award
Tucson Daily Citizen
Tucson,AZ
Dec. 10, 2001
Look into their faces and see
the pride and sense of
accomplishment that will give
them ajump-startas adults.
But when you put the two
elements together, kids and
animals, you get what the fair
is all about
Blue-ribbon -.
moments'at the
State Fair
Two things that define the
Arizona State Fair: animals
andkids.
Usually, we think of the kids
eating cotton candy and riding
the Ferris wheel, whereas the
_animals are the prized beasts
of experienced farmers and
ranchers.
"It makes me feel like I'm
actually doing something,"
says J.e. McDonald, 12,
whose turkey sold for a record
S2,000. "And it gives me a
spurt in life."
ArizonaRepublic
Oct 26, 2002
Text by RichardNilsen
Photos by Peter Taylor
"The Arizona State Fair
instills a sense of pride and
unity in our state by allowing
residents, both young and old,
to showcase their animals and
their creative talents."
Did von know...
David W. Schafer,
PhD Resident Director
VBar VRanch
University ofArizona
"We are amazed with the
diverse learning and
educational experiences [at
the Arizona State Fair]."
Craig Sawyer
JJ & Sons Concessions
Shane Glisan
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc
"We cannot stress enough the
importance that the Fair plays
in the everyday life of so
many people... seeking the
same thing; a safe, fun filled
daY'orevening of
entertafriment and joy."
• The Fair provides
educational attractions like
PresidentS & Patriots,
displaying an exact replica
of Oval Office, and Mad
Science an educational
interactive stage show.
The Arizona State Fair 4-H
and FFA auction is the
culmination of a statewide
livestock competition held
during the Fair. The 2002
auction raised $39,150·
towards thq:iarticipants'
college funds.
Comacr salld" Moss ar
smoss@Jpresc01tnz.com or
t .. ~ Of"'ll(\ __ ",'''1n
ited vision:
The puhlic can 'ec land PUrcll3SCI the
center's. completed pottery at its gift shop.
open 8 a.m. 10 4 p.m. Monday through Fri­da)'
al440 :'I. Washington St.'
The pottery will also he for sale at lhe
"l.ast Minme SLacking Stuffer" Salurday,
Dec. 21. at the old armory, 824 E. Gurley St.
7
· Blind ceramist Flora
Reed glazes a.
ceramic Christmas
tree Tuesday at the
Yavapai Blind Center.
· Reed won a first
; place ribbon at the
· Arizona Stale Fair ior
her ceramic work.·
CMerJRoy.....,
Blind potter 8~s Rackoll, above, works on a bowl Tuesday at lhe Yavapai'Bliod Ceoter.
Raekon'won blue ribbons at the Arizona Stale Fair for his ceramic woFk. Below, blind ceramist
Georgia Wilson works on a Christmas project Wilson. 99, won the Golden Years Award at the
Arizona State Fair tor a sel 01 red, white and blue-ceramic heUs:
,--,....,...,=~,------:-:-:-:----,
fair - for decorating miiiiature birdhouse
ornamcn~. .
Rackoff. Wilson and. Kenson are ail
patrons of the Yavapai Blind Center,
where they make their pottery.
Another half,dozen or so. of the
center's visually impaired clients won· in
pottery categories at both the Yavapai
Cowlly Fair and·the Arizona State Fair,
winning dozens of ribooDS.·
"We cornered the market at the State
Fair; said Ann Somerville, director of
the center, and did well at the l'avdpai
County Fair, too, she added; garnering a
total of 20 ribbons.
At the county fair, the center's POt-·
ters competed. alongside sighted people;
Somerville said, bur had their own· spe­cial
category at lhe state fair. .
Winning recognition for their pottery.
is an important accomplishment for
these folks, she said. "They learn they
can still lead a good life With their Ilm-
Blind potters
reap awards
at state fair
Iy SANDY MOSS
11e Daily Courier
ElliS Rackoff lost most of
his sight, two-and-a­lalf
years ago from diabetes
md now sees only shadows of .
)~jects andpeople.
Regaidless,lllmrofqiiought .hoihc' two
llue ribbons and one' red from lhe Ari·
:ana Stale Fair for his hand-buill kiln-fired
~ative America-style pots.
Though he can't see the colors ofthe final
lroduets. Raclcoff said "I know the shape
md·l know what black used to look like:
Making pottery is· relaxing for Rackoff.
,vh9 enjoys "playing" with the clay, he said,
;omething he'd. never done when he couid
jee.
He is understandably proud ofhis pottery
lCtIIflen and awards.
"Il's my way of e.\.-pressing mysclt" he
;aid.
Another blue-ribbon-winning blind por­cer
is Georgia Wl1son, 99, ""ho'li be 100 in
February.
Wlison "'liS the oldesr person to enter
mything in any category at the State Fair,
:Or which she garnered the Golden Years
-\ward to go along With a blue ribbon for a
latof red, white and blue ceramic bells she
painted.
Wilson has been coming.to·the Yavapai
Blind Center for seven years.
\\"1th snow-while bair and eyes clouded
from macular .degeneration. Wilson does
pottery, "because it's there. to do: she says
matter-of-factly.
A former long-time home economics
teacher at Prescott fligh School, Wilson now
enjoys coming. to lhe center and woiking
alongside her)'!lung friend, Georgia Kenson.
86. who also won :rblne ribbon at the state
Daily Courier
Prescott, AZ
Nov. 24, 2002
.,•••••
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Did vou know._
• Arizona State Fair has won
28 1st place industry
awards and 29 2nd place
awards since 1990.
• Arizona State Fair
consistently ranks in the
top 10 fairs by attendance.
15% of the Arizona State
Fair's full-time employees
have been with the Fair 20
years or longer.
Western Fairs
Association MFA] Awards
1990
I" Place News Photo
I" Place Manuals & Handbooks
2" Place Television Advertising
2" 'Place Display Advertising
3" Place Manuals & Handbooks
3" Place New Special
EventslExhIbits
3" Place Radio Advertising
1992
I" Place Fairtime Program
I" Place Display Advertising
I" Place Community Outreach
Progmm---'~'
1993'<"
I" Place· Give It Your Best Shot,
Acts & Attractions Series
I" Place New Special
EventlExhibit Non-Competitive
Exhibits
I" Place News Photo
I" Place Children's Program
I" Place Facility Marketing
Program· Facility
2" "place Display Advertising
Series
2" "place Display Advertising
Single
2' "place Innovative Management
2' "place Television Advertising
3" Place Sponsorship Program
1994
I" Place Non-Traditional
Revenue Generating Program
I" Place Display Advertising
Single
2" "place Ideas for Sharing
Signage
3" Place Display Advertising
Series
3" Place Give It Your Best Shot,
Acts & Attractions Single
2" "place Competitive Exhibit
Promotions
3" Place Give It Your Best Shot,
Youth Series
1995
I" Place Display Advertising ­Single
2" 'Place Non-Traditional
Revenue Generating Programs
3" Place New Special Events,
Non-Competitive Exhibit
3" Place Give It Your Best Shot
2" "place Give It Your Best Shot
2" 'Place Give It Your Best Shot
2" 'Place Give It Your Best Shot
3" Place Display Advertising
Series
1996
I" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Human Interest
I" Place Display Advertising
I" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Youth Series
I" Place Competitive ExhIbit
Program
3" Place Innovative Management
2" "place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Acts & Attractions
2" "place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Carnival
2" "place Community Outreach
Programs
2" "place Competitive Exhibit
Promotions
..... 3"'l'Iace Posters
1997" "
2" "place Fairtime
Programs/Schedule of Events
2" "place Ideas for Sharing Other
Than Listed
2" "place Competitive Exhibit
Promotions
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Human Interest - Series
1998
I" Place Competitive Exhibit
Programs
2" "place - Give It Your Best Shot
2" "place Fair Web Sites
3" Place Most User Friendly
Competitive Exhibitor Guidebook
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Agricultural Series
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Acts & Attractions
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Human Interest
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Carnival Photos
3" Place Ideas for Sharing
4" Place Radio Advertising
4" Place News Photos
4" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Funny Bone Series
4" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Carnival Photo
4" Place Overall Children's
Program
4" Place One Program for Children
4" Place Ideas for Sharing
1999
2" 'Place Display Advertising
Series
2' 'Place Display Advertising
Single
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Human Interest
3" Place - Give It Your Best Shot,
FunnyBones
8
2' "place Excellence In Education,
Non-Competitive Fair Program
2" "place Second Year ExhIbit or
Program
2" "place· Give It Your Best Shot,
Carnival Photo
2" "place - Give It Your Best Shot,
Youth Series
2000
I" Place Television Advertising
I" Place Fair Web Site Created By
Professional
2' 'Place Television Advertising
3" Place Radio Advertising
3" Place The Oops Award
2001
2' "place Fair Web Site Created By
Fair Staff ....
Z002
I" Place Radio Advertising
Miscellaneous Awards
1989-1990
Rocky Mountain Emmy Award
Commercial Budget Over $10,000
Desert Production Center
1990-1991
Rocky Mountain Emmy Award
Commercial Budget $3,000-$10,000
Desert Production Center
1993
IAFE Outstanding Television
Campaign for Fairs Whose Attendance
was Over 1,000,000
1994
IS" Annual Telly Award for Non­Network
Television Commercials and
Programs and Non-Broadcast Video
and Film Productions
Desert Production Center
1995
IAFE Outstanding Poster Campaign
for Fairs Whose Attendance was Over
1,000,000
1996
IAFE Outstanding Television
Campaign for Fairs Whose Attendance
was Over 1,000,000
1998
APS AzTEC Award Gold Program
•
I,
I
I' •I..•..
••..••
..
••
•• t'
i••
~•,•I
I,
t••••
t4•f
4••~
f
4
'4
' .
~~rmOtt
i:£.uc.
Fact: ASF visitors AGAIN recognized
the fair for value and customer service ...
~ 47% said the ASF had "a great
variety, a great value"
~ 43% gave the ASF an "excellent"
. rating
~ 81 % said they would definitely visit
the ASF in the future
~ 66% said the additional weekend
made them want to come more times
81
- - - - - - --------_ ...
I Introdueti_on I
We are pleased to be able to again serve The Arizona State Fair (ASF). The findings
in this marketing research project include data from the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,2004 and
2005 studies and trend information that can further serve as a guide when making future
marketing decisions. All who use this data should feel confident that it accurately reflects
the individuals who attended the Arizona State Fair in~ the year 2005 with regards to their
perceptions, attitudes and feelings.
The mission and focus oif this project
The mission of this project was to identify and cQmpare the type, kind and profile of
The Arizona State Fair population in the year 2005. It needed to survey perception
regarding facility, entertainment, systems and specific consumer purchasing habits.
Additional focus was given to Internet purchasing activities with queries on usage patterns
as well as awareness and recall.
As previously mentioned, this study includes comparisons and establishes
benchmarks that are now used as trend lines and p~rformance indicators. This project
continually develops new areas where information can be trended to track growth and
progress. SEMR prides itself on returning actionable data as we will continue in our effort
to make this document a "desk top referral" guide as you plan, discuss and move forward
serving the people here in the State of Arizona.
~._~._.•~--~-_._..._--_..•._...~..~.~............•.~.~.... •
"1 ~ •
....•................•.,..............•....
~1JjlllHott ' .
,,'1mclt .
I Methodo~gy I
This project utilizes the intercept survey method of information gathering. SEMR field
technicians were on site at the Arizona State Fairgrounds October 15th through November
6th
, 2005, randomly intercepting approximately every 5th state fair attendee asking a series
of questions set forth in the SEMR custom-design~d survey tool (see index) approved by
representatives of ASF. The incentive was a pass for any midway ride.
The ASF site was divided into quadrants A (northwest), B (northeast), C (southwest),
and D (southeast) with the sample to equally survey each quadrant. Daily counts,
percentages and totals are listed below. ;
The completed surveys were then entered; tabulated and appropriate formulas were
used to return the data in this report. .
14~Oct 49 5%
15~Oct 70 7%
16~Oct 54 5%
17~Oct 0 0%
18-0ct 26 2%
19-0ct 61 6%
20-0ct 30 3%
21~Oct 62 6%
22~Oct 64 6%
23-0ct 74 • 7%
24~Oct 0 0%
25~Oct 36 3%
26-0ct 59 6%
27~Oct 36 3%
28~Oct 55 . 5%
29~Oct 63 > 6%
30-0ct 63 6%
1~Nov 39 4%
2-Nov 55 5%
3~Nov 36 3%
4~Nov 57 5%
5-Nov 63 6%
6-Nov 15 1%
total 1,067 100% " t
, .' '<+ .• ,I,:.~ ~
",;':,1~~'.'#,~.,.'.'",
!~~~
2
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
FINANCIAL REPORT
June 30, 2006
•
•
•
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':.-~--,--_ .. •-.••
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ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
FINANCIAL REPORT
June 30, 2006
Table of contents
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Revenues and Expenses for the month
Consolidated Statement of Revenues and Expenses year to date
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to the Financial Statements
Investment Summary
Multiple Events Cash Flow Analysis
Comparison of Fair to Budget
Comparison of Non-Fair to Prior Year
1
2a
2b
3
4
5
6
7
8
I'
t ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
t Consolidated Balance Sheet
Through the month ending t June 30, 2006
tt • Current assets Current year Prior year
t Cash in bank and on hand 20,500 20,500 • Cash on deposit with State Treasurer 113,239 63,288
• Investments 5,991,792 3,883,133
Receivables: • Accounts 68,163 22,661
• Accrued interest 0 0
• Prepaid expenses 251,834 214,373
Restricted cash on deposit with State Treasurer 14,336 405,217 • Restricted investments 857,185 2,283,846
• Total current assets 7,317,050 6,893.018
• Plant and equipment, at cost
Land 70,435 70,435 • Buildings and improvements (less accumulated
• depreciation of $17,421,447) 598,600 907,504
•
Furniture, vehicles, and equipment (less
accumulated depreciation of $3,876,584) 1,463,402 1,493,441
• Improvement~other than buildIn~s (less ... -
• accumufaJ~d depreciation of $1 ,668;956) 1,273,242 1,426;331"
• Construction in progress 2,365,406 67,542
Total plant and equipment 5,771,084 3,965,258
• Total assets $13,088,134 $10,858,277
• Liabilities and Fund Equity • Current liabilities:
• Accounts payable $302,480 $0
• Accrued payroll and employee benefits $128,000 $101,332
• Rental deposits $154,356 $134,991
Current obligation under capital leases
• Total current liabilities 584,836 236,323
• Lonq-term liabilities
• Long-term liability for compensated absences 228,793 201,304
Long-term obligations under capital leases 40,395 58.116
• Total long-term liabilities 269,187 259,420
• Total liabilities 854,024 . 495,743
•
Fund equity:
Retained earnings - Fund 1 (Unreserved) 4,362,589 673,471
• Retained earnings - Fund 1 (Reinvention of Grounds) 5,000,000 5,000,000
• Retained earnings - Fund 1 (Fair start up) 2,000,000 2,000,000
•
Retained earnings - Fund 1 (Transfer to Fund 2) 0
Retained earnings - Fund 2 {Capital Improvements Only) 871,522 2,689,063
• Total fund equity 12,234,110 10,362,534
• $13,088.134 $10,858,277
•
TotalliabiJities and fund equity
• See accompanying notes to financial statements.
•
1 11-Aug-06 • ••••
11-Aug-06
($585,132) 1__-l.($::::...:3~9:::2.0,.::....91~81.u.) (l.-19.::....4:.:.:,2~14..:..i..)I
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
Consolidated Statement of Revenues and Expenses
For the month ending June 30, 2006
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2a
Net income (loss)
Operatmg revenues:
Operating expenses:
, . ~, '''.f '0.,
June June Increase
. 2006 2005 (DECREASE)
Rentals 0 $23,564 ($23,564)
Admissions 0 0 0
Carnival 0 0 0
Parking 0 15,816 (15,816)
Commercial Space 2,480 0 2,480
Food and Liquor Sales 435 4,905 (4,470)
Advance Ticket Sales 0 0 0
Programs and Novelties Sales 1,382 0 1,382
Other 13,505 1,676 11,829
Total operating revenues 17,801 45,960 (28,160) .
Nonoperating revenues'
Nonoperatmg expenses·
Payroll (Permanent and temporary) 207,128 174,978 32,150
Employee-Related Expenses 214,353 72,875 141,478
Travel "'""', ..' ~ .,..... 389 .~ 210 ... - , ._--.-------
Entertainers' Fees " 0 "., 0 . 0
Sponsorship In Trade 0 0 0
Professional and Outside Services 6,879 8,713 (1,833)
Advertising, Printing, and public relatio 64 120 (56)
Prizes and Awards 0 0 0
Insurance 14,417 18,250 (3,833)
Building and Equipment Rentals 1,429 1,799 (369)
Repairs, Maintenance, and Supplies 74,212 16,767 57,445
Capital Lease Interest 112 159 (47)
Cost of Contract 0 0 0
Depreciation 55,450 104,706 (49,256)
Utilities 54,194 59,207 (5,013)
Other 2,566 2,552 13
Total operating expenses 631,191 460,302 170,889
Operatinq income(loss) (613,390) (414,342) (199,049)
Pari-mutuel racing receipts 0 7,064 (7,064)
Interest on investments 28,259 16,360 11,899
Sale of capital assets 0 0 0
Total nonoperating revenues 28,259 23,424 4,835 . .
Equipment devaluation-D.V.1. Boards 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
Total nonoperating expenses 0 0 0
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,
•
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•
11-Aug-06
$571,425 I $1,300,151 I
1,157,595 46,575 1,111,021
12,901,961 11,694,729 1,207,232
$1,871,577 I
Year to Date Year to Date Increase
FY06 FY05 (Decrease)
$1,070,523 $1,064,049 $6,475
4,547,604 3,721,941 825,663
3,367,183 2,756,196 610,986
1,671,325 1,648,884 22,441
1,049,023 989,269 59,754
498,726 456,691 42,035
106,850 111,952 (5,102)
60,002 . 26,687 -33,315
1,688,320 965,634 722,686
14,059,557 11,741,304 2,318,253
Prizes and awards 147,838 128,492 19,346
Professional and outside services 858,707 943,266 (84,559)
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
Consolidated Statement of Revenues and Expenses
Year-to-Date for the Twelve months ending June 30,2006
Sponsorship In Trade 764,944 398,505 366,439
Rentals
Parkinq
Commercial space
Admissions
Other
Food and liquor sales
Total operating revenues
Building and equipment rentals 132,522 114,175 18,348
Insurance 347,119 445,795 (98,676)
Advance ticket sales
Advertising, printing, and public relations 1,061,192 848,703 212,488
Payroll (Permanent and temporary) 4,140,686 3,728,871 411,815
Employee-related expenses 1,099,843 825,431 274,412
Camival
Proqrams and novelties sales
Cost of contract 65,721 84,000 (18,279)
Repairs, maintenance, and supplies 700,037 529,034 171,002
Capital lease interest 1,601 2,159 (557)
Depreciation 878,538 1,190,033 (311,495)
Utilities 889,196 824,855 64,341
Other 109,735 111,300 (1,565)
Operating revenues:
Operating expenses:
Total operating expenses
Net income (loss)
Operating income(loss)
N f
!--T~ra_v_e_1 - =-"""_+-__2_3_,'-1_4_6-+- 1__2.:-.,2._~~ ,- .._._._19~
Ent~rtainers' fees 1,681,136 1,507,862 . 173,274
N
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2b
onopera mg revenues:
Pari-mutuel racing receipts 399,483 407,064 (7,581 )
Interest on investments 314,498 117,786 196,712
Sale of capital assets ° ° ° Total nonoperating revenues 713,981 524,850 189,131
onoperatmg expenses:
Equipment devaluation-D.V.1. Boards ° ° ° Other ° ° 0
Total nonoperating expenses 0 0 0
L
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••••••
I••
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••
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••
,
­""",
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
Statement of Cash Flows
Through the Month Ending May 2006
Cash flows from operating activities:
Operating income{loss)
Adjustments to reconcile operating income(loss) to net
cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in:
Accounts Payable
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
Advance deposits
LT Uability for Compensated Absences
Decrease in:
Accounts Receivable
Prepaid Expense
Net cash used for operating activities:
Cash flow from capital and related financing activities
Pari-mutuel racing receipts
Acquisition of capital assets
Obligation under capital leases
Net cash used for capital and related financing
._ ~ti'ljtj~s_
Cash flow from non capital and related financing activities
Residual Equity Transfer Out
Net cash used for non capital and related financing
activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquistion of investments
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
Interest on investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, July 1, 2005
Cash and cash equivalents, June 30, 2006
Cash and cash equivalents, June 30, 2006 consist of: ­Cash
in bank and on hand
Cash on deposit with State Treasurer
Restricted Cash on deposit with State Treasurer
Investments
Restricted Investments
3
$1,157,595
878,538
302,480
26,668
19,365
27,489
(45,502)
(37,461)
2,329,172
399,482
(2,684,364)
(17,721)
(2,302,603)
o
o
(5,144,498)
4,462,500
314,498
(367,500)
(340,930)
489,005
$148,075
20,500
113,239
14,336
°° $148,075
11-Aug-06
II'
t ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD
• Notes to Financial Statement
••t Note 1 - ACampoiu~n1tsouretclaeyived from pJauri-nmeu3tu0e, l2r0a0c6ing receipts and undaimed property •
t are restricted in use and shall only be used for Capital Improvements.
t Note 2- Agency Account
• Money's deposited in the Agency Account for events not completed are not • induded in cash on hand and in the bank. They amounted to $21,045.86 as of
• June 30, 2006 , Note 3- Bonds Payable
• The remaining balance of Coliseum Revenue Bonds, Project of 1964, originally
• authorized in the amount of $7,150,000, of which $6,900,000 was issued were
• retired in June 1994. The bonds were sold to provide monies to construct and
equip the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum.
••
Note 4- Contributed Capital
• In accordance with Laws 1989, Chapter 4, Section 1, the Coliseum transferred
•
$1,000,000 to the State General Fund. The transaction was reported on the
Financial Statement asa-.residua!-equity tr·ap.sfer.
•
•
Note 5- Residual Equity Transfer
During the Fiscal year 1991-92 the Coliseum and Exposition Center mandated
• by Laws 1992, Seventh Special Session, Chapter 3, pertaining to Arizona ~ •
Revised Statutes Section 23-987 to transfer $2,000,000 to the State General
Fund. The transaction was reported as a transfer of total Contributed Capital
~ and the balance of $1,106,071 from Retained Earnings.
~
In accordance with Laws 1999, Senate Bill 1003, 1St Special Session, Section 23,
the Arizona Exposition and State Fair transferred $2,000,000.00 on June 30, 1999
~ and another $2,000,000 on July 1,2000 to the State General Fund. The transactions
~
were reported on the Financial Statement as a residual equity transfer.
In accordance with Laws 2003, 1St Special Session, Chapter 1,
~ the Arizona Exposition and State Fair transferred $2,000,000.00 on June 04, 2003
~
to the State General Fund. The transaction was reported on the Financial Statement
as a residual equity transfer.
l In accordance with Laws 2003, 1St Special Session, Chapter 1,
~
the Arizona Exposition and State Fair transferred $1,000,000.00 on June 25, 2004
to the State General Fund. The transaction was reported on the Financial Statement
l as a residual equity transfer.
l Note 6- Capital Projects in process and new equipment
Established reserve for capital projects and capital purchases approved
I by the Board.
I
Note 7- Devaluation of Diamond Vision, Inc., video display system and scoreboards
The D.V.J. boards were purchased on a sublease and sale agreement on
I September 1,1992. Through market research it has been determined that the
I
boards were overvalued. Therefore a one time adjustment was made to devalue
the boards to the amount owed. This required an adjustment to Building
I improvements totaling $585,635.08, to the accumulated reserve for Building
I Improvements for $364,551.46 and a expense charge of $221,083.62.
The adjustment was made as of, Fiscal Year End June 30, 1997.
I Note B- Other Categories on Pages 2a & 2b include as follows: • I Income - Entry Fees, Other Event Income, Returned Items, Sponsorship,
Sponsorship In Trade, and Miscellaneous
I Expense- County Fair Aid, Communications, and Miscellaneous
I 4
I
• ~•••••••••••••••••I
ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD INVESTMENT SUMMARY
USTB OUTSTANDING •• STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE •• MONTH END AS OF i 3'O.Jun-06 <---- CHANGE EVERY I
NAME
RATE OF DATE OF
RETURN PURCHASE
COST FACE
AMOUNT
~URRENT
DATE
TOTAL
ACCRUAL
GENERAL
FUND #1
TOTAL FUND #1
RACING
FUND #2
3.5669 I 25·Feb·03 $5572,600.00
Reinvestments $400,321.46
I Treasurers Otc Total $5,991,791.96 $5 991 791.96 ,., 30-Jun-06
$5,991.791.96 # $5 991 791.96 # 30.Jun-06 -
3.5669 I $637,500.00 ' ,
Reinvestments $219685.47
I Treasurers Olc Total $857185.47 $857185.47 , 30-Jun-06
TOTAL ALL FUNDS
I $857,185.47IJ $857,185.47 L 30-Jun-06 [I . .
I $6,848,977.431~ $6,848,977.43 D',30-Jun-OG D $0.00 I
MATURITY BY MONTH AND YEAR BY FUND
MONTH &YEAR FUND #1 FUND #2 TOTAL
Slale Treasurer Office I 5,991,792 I 857,185J
TOTAL -- -I [~991J9TI~-$857;1851
I 6,848,977 I
I $6,848,977 I
C\MYDOCUMENTS\BOARD\USTB
5
T1784B05
AUCTION04
AUCTION05
MULTIPLE EVENTS CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
Account 252-235625
Bank of America
EVENT NAME
Beginning Balance
TER MARK GUN SHOW
2004 LIVESTOCK AUCTION
2005 ARIZONA STATE FAIR AUCTION
TOTAL
EVENT DATES
OS/20-2l/2005
OCTOBER 7-24,2004
OCT 14-NOV 6,2005
06/30/06
21,045.86
AMOUNT
5,000.00
2,491.86
13,554.00
•
•
,•
7
2005 ARIZONA STATE FAIR
Revenues and Expenses Current Year Vs. Previous Year
399,483 407,064 (7,581)
314,498 117,786 196,712
0 0 0
713,981 524,850 189,131
0 0 0
$3,445,574 $2,135,042 $1,310,532
$4,061,214 3,484,296 $576,918
34,782 40,669 {5,887)
486,390 237,540 248,850
753,592 673,012 80,581
636,543 339,243 297,300
764,944 398,505 366,439
29,332 13,366 15,966
229,745 214,528 15,217
40,438 22,156 18,282
0 0 0
3,367,183 2,756,196 610,986
1,049,023 989,269 59,754
50,869 52,596 (1,727)
1,306 (496) 1,802
1,052 2,088 (1,036)
6,278 6,432 (154)
49,495 20,347 29,148
11,562,184 9,249,745 2,312,440
_.~ - .. ..
11-Aug-06
Favorable
Amount
Jun-05
Previous year
Jun-06
Current year
2,M5,470 2,300,815 (294,655)
608,695 460,317 (148,377)
1,681,136 1,507,862 (173,274)
742,551 825,830 83,279
23,146 12,248 (10,898)
968,341 737,355 (230,985)
279,710 285,636 5,925
143 189 46
36,042 33,140 (2,902)
188,536 245,045 56,509
110,923 83,216 (27,707)
91,302 110,886 19,584
25,291 27,612 2,322
275,838 201,043 (74,795)
22,366 35,860 13,494
185,452 137,042 (48,411)
65,721 84,000 18,279
147,838 128,492 (19,346)
764,944 398,505 (366,439)
17,147 24,459 7,312
8,830,592 7,639,553 (1,191,038)
2,731,593 1,610,192 1,121,4eJ1
FAIR
Operating revenues:
Admissions
Entry Fees
Concert Tickets
Parking
Sponsorships
SponsQrships in Trade
Food
Beer and Wine
Programs and Novelties Sales
Rain Insurance Reimbursement
Midway Income-Gamival
Commercial Space
Other Event
Cash over(short)-Bad checks
Rentals
Personnel Recoveries
Miscellaneous Income
Total operating revenues
Operating expenses: ...
Payroll (Permanent andTemp)
Employee Related Expenses
Professional Entertainer Fees
Other Professional Services
Travel
Advertising
Depreciation
Capital Lease Interest
Communications
Insurance
Other Lease Rentals
Printing and Photography
Maintenance and Repairs
Supplies
Clothing and Uniforms
Utilities
Cost of Contract
Premium Awards
Sponsorships in Trade
Other
Total operating expenses
Operating income(loss)
Non-operating revenues:
Racing Receipts
Interest on investments
Sale of Capital Assets
Total non-operating revenues
Non-operating expenses
Net income (loss)
-•
••••
••••
••~
•••
• • ".•
It •••
,.
••
••••••••••rt'
•• •
Arizona State Fair
Revenues and Expenses
'03-'05
ASF 2005 ASF 2004 ASF 2003
Operating revenues:
Admissions $ 4,061,213.61 $ 3,484,295.79 $ 3,272,701.83
Entry Fees $ 34,781.50 $ 40,668.69 $ 29,257.00
Concert Tickets $ 486,390.00 $ 237,540.00 $ 237,570.00
Parking $ 753,592.00 $ 673,011.50 $ 655,700.00
Sponsorships $ 636,542.50 $ 339,242.50 $ 240,687.00
Sponsorships in Trade $ 764,944.00 $ 398,505.00 $ 216,753.00
Food $ 29,332.39 $ 13,366.46 $ 8,938.32
Beer and Wine $ 229,744.62 $ 214,527.51 $ 206,043.02
Programs and Novelties Sales $ 40,438.10 $ 22,155.62 $ 32,748.82
Rain Insurance Reimbursement $ - $ - $ -
Midway Income-Carnival $ 3,367,182.74 $ 2,756,196.33 $ 2,473,915.80
Commercial Space $ 1,049,022.80 $ 989,268.77 $ 1,054,002.44
Other Event $ 50,869.15 $ 52,595.88 $ 60,427.04
Cash over(short)-Bad checks $ 1,306.05 $ .__-.J~~§:ZQ)' $ 487.84
Rentals ._.- '$ 1,052.06 $ 2,087.80 $ 1,602.00
Personnel Recoveries $ 6,278.00 $ 6,432.00 $ 7,627.00
Miscellaneous Income $ 49,495.01 $ 20,346.75 $ 15,606.21
Total operating revenues: $ 11,562,184.47 $ 9,249,744.90 $ 8,514,067.32
Operating expenses:
Payroll (Permanent and Temp) $ 2,595,470.37 $ 2,300,815.40 $ 2,167,786.77
Employee Related Expenses $ 608,694.55 $ 460,317.14 $ 386,471.46
Professional Entertainer Fees $ 1,681,135.90 $ 1,507,862.00 $ 1,472,050.00
Other Professional Services $ 742,551.27 $ 825,830.20 $ 685,989.10
Travel $ 23,146.44 $ 12,248.32 $ 23,853.62
Advertising $ 968,340.60 $ 737,355.41 $ 666,848.55
Depreciation $ 279,710.31 $ 285,635.50 $ 269,224.66
Capital Lease Interest $ 143.30 $ 189.44 $ 234.12
Communications $ 36,041.98 $ 33,139.79 $ 19,189.69
Insurance $ 188,535.67 $ 245,045.00 $ 228,704.00
Other Lease Rentals $ 110,923.30 $ 83,216.29 $ 90,278.27
Printing and Photography $ 91,301.63 $ 110,886.01 $ 140,012.42
Maintenance and Repairs $ 25,290.60 $ 27,612.40 $ 47,395.83
Supplies $ 275,837.82 $ 201,042.62 $ 190,299.98
Clothing and Uniforms $ 22,365.57 $ 35,859.93 $ 24,586.68
Utilities $ 185,452.31 $ 137,041.69 $ 194,042.52
Cost of Contract $ 65,721.00 $ 84,000.00 $ -
Premium Awards $ 147,837.72 $ 128,491.71 $ 119,524.60
Sponsorships in Trade $ 764,944.00 $ 398,505.00 $ 349,981.00
Other $ 17,147.18 $ 24,459.33 $ 12,524.88
Total operating expenses: $ 8,830,591.52 $ 7,639,553.18 $ 7,088,998.15
Operating income (loss) $ 2,731,592.95 $ 1,610,191.72 $ 1,425,069.17
•
•
•
•
Fonnat Document
Forty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session
Page 1 of2
Bill # Search
Interim agendas can be obtained via the Internet at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/lnterimCommittees.as~
ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
INTERIM MEETING NOTICE
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
----SENAl'EGOVERNMENT AND HOUSE GOVERNMENT REFORM·ANDcGOVERNMENT F
ACCOUNtABILITY COMMiTTEE OF REFERENCE SUNSET OF THEARIZONA EXPOSn
STATE FAIR BOARD • Date:
Time:
Place:
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
9:35 a.m.
HHR3
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Opening Remarks
3. Presentation by Executive Director, Don B. West
4. Public Testimony
5. Discussion
6. Recommendations by the Committee of Reference
7. Adjourn
• Members:
Senator Jim Waring, Co-Chair
Senator Ed Ableser
Representative Bill Konopnicki, Co-Chc
Representative Cheryl Chase
http://www.azleg.gov/FonnatDocument.asp?inDoc=/iagenda/house/112906+house+grgfa... 11/28/2006
Fonnat Document
Senator Bill Brotherton
Senator Jake Flake
Senator Linda Gray
11/27/06
br
Page 2 of2
Representative Phil Lopes
Representative John McComish
Representative John Nelson •
People with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations such as interpreters,
formats, or assistance with physical accessibility. If you require accommodations, please I
Chief Clerk's Office at (602) 926-3032, TOO (602) 926-3241.
http://www.azleg.gov/FonnatDocument.asp?inDoc=/iagenda/house/112906+house+grgfa...11/28/2006
•
•
• ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Forty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session
SENATE GOVERNMENT AND HOUSE GOVERNMENT REFORM AND
GOVERNMENT FINANCE ACCOUNTABILITY
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE SUNSET OF THE ARIZONA EXPOSITION
AND STATE FAIR BOARD
Minutes of Meeting
Wednesday, November 29,2006
House Hearing Room 3 -- 9:35 a.m.
Chairman Konopnicki called the meeting to order at 10:19 a.m. and attendance was noted by the
secretary.
Members Present
•
Senator Ableser
Senator Brotherton
Senator Flake
Senator Gray
Senator Waring, Cochair
Members Absent
Speakers Present
Representative Downing
Representative Kirk Adams
Representative Konopnicki, Cochair
Representative Lopes
Representative McComish
•
Don B. West, Executive Director, Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board
Alberto Gutier, Lobbyist, Gutier Group/RCS
PRESENTATION BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DON B. WEST
Don B. West, Executive Director, Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board, gave a slide
presentation on the agency. He indicated that the agency's two primary statutory purposes are to
conduct state fairs and other types of entertainment and defray expenses so it is not a financial
burden on the state. The fairgrounds consists of 96 acres and is located at 19th Avenue &
McDowell. The state fair this past year was the most successful in Arizona history with
1.3 million people attending. The Arizona fair is now ranked fifth in the country by attendance.
He said 80 cents of every dollar the fairgrounds earns is earned by the state fair. When the state
fair ends, there is a very aggressive non-fair event schedule with just under 240 events, which
brings in about 20 percent ofthe agency's revenue. No money is received from the general fund;
SENATE GOV & HOUSE GRGFA COR
SUNSET HEARING OF THE
AZ EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR BD
November 29, 2006
in fact, the last request received from the general fund was in the late 1980s to refurbish the
coliseum. The state fair contributed $9 million to the general fund over the past 12 years and •
$10 million to the general fund over the past 16 years.
Mr. West related that in 2003, the Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Business Research
conducted an economic impact study and found that the state fair has a $50 million economic
impact on the state's gross product, $6 million was generated from various taxes (including sales
and income), and during the state fair alone, about 1,800 jobs were created. At that time, the
state fair was 18 days. It now runs 21 days, so the economic impact has probably grown to some
degree.
He conveyed that one of the aims of the state fair is to educate, so a Read and Ride program was
created where children read three books to receive three carnival rides. The program began three
years ago and over 17,000 books were read this past year. Thousands of students enter
competitions at the state fair, and thousands and thousands of children attend the fair free of
charge as part of school field trips to learn about livestock and agriculture. An animal auction is
held every fair, and this past year, $50,000 was raised in auction proceeds that benefit youth
scholarships. There were almost 15,000 different entries across the state; 11,000 competitive and
almost 4,000 in livestock, and half of the livestock entries were from outside Maricopa County.
New to the fair this year is a 20,000 square foot interactive farm in which 300,000 guests walked
through and participated. The fairgrounds is also the home of the Arizona National Livestock
show and the Maricopa County fair, which have substantive and major impacts on the livestock
and agriculture industries.
Mr. West related that recently the fairgrounds became an emergency resource center. On Labor
Day weekend in September 2005, he received a call late Friday night, and by Sunday the
coliseum was completely mobilized and staff was ready to begin receiving evacuees from
Hurricane Katrina. Over 1,000 evacuees stayed in the facilities for over three weeks, and shortly
thereafter, a very successful state fair was conducted. This past year, over 80 training exercises
were held free of charge by police and fire service people. He will also shortly be meeting with
the Department of Emergency Management to discuss the fairgrounds' further role as a disaster
staging area. Additionally, the fairgrounds is a government resource. The Department of
Economic Security, the Arizona Department of Administration and the Arizona Department of
Transportation use the facilities. Staff take equipment, personnel and expertise off-site,
contributed to the 9/11 Memorial and helped with the Governor's Appreciation event.
He indicated that 97 percent of fairgoers in the most recent survey rated the experience as good
or excellent. It is the nation's smallest fairgrounds. Seventy-five percent of the space is
committed to livestock, agriculture, education and youth activities. Over 30 percent of the
people that attend the fair are from Scottsdale and other East Valley communities, and that trend
has been increasing in the last two or three years. Over the decade, the fairgrounds won just
under 100 industry awards.
Mr. West advised Senator Gray that this is the first year the 20,000 square foot farm was set up.
It is patterned after similar farm programs across the country and was very successful. He
related to Senator Ableser that during the non-fair period a series of events are held, including
home and garden shows and gun shows, which are very lucrative for the fairgrounds. The
SENATE GOV & HOUSE GRGFA COR
SUNSET HEARlNG OF THE
AZ EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR BD
2 November 29,2006
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•
•
•
remainder of the calendar is filled out with "mom and pop" events like antique markets, the
Junior League rummage sale and the volunteer nurses' book sale. Occasionally events are held
in the coliseum, such as cheerleading, but the grounds primarily generate the revenue.
When Senator Waring asked how many people attend the state fair from outside Maricopa
County, Mr. West replied that according to the latest survey, 30 percent were from Scottsdale,
30 percent from the West Valley, 20 percent from the North Valley, and about 10 percent from
outside Maricopa County (including people from out of state).
Senator Waring speculated that people in Yuma attend the Yuma fair. Mr. West agreed, noting
that there is a very strong network of county fairs across the state. Senator Waring commented
that people in the outlying counties have something to go to that is comparable, and therefore,
are not being cheated, which is always a bone of contention with Legislators.
Senator Brotherton remarked that livestock and agriculture people in outlying counties, such as
4-H participants, look forward to going to the state fair, as was the case with Senator Flake years
ago when he played in the band at the state fair.
Senator Flake stated that he played the trombone in the marching band when he was a freshman
in high school. The band was invited, along with many other high school bands, to march the
midway, and he had never seen anything like it before. He was so enthralled with the carnival
that he never saw the agriculture exhibits. He has a grandson who raised exotic chickens when
he was about eight years old and entered a few in the state fair. One of the chickens won a prize.
He never saw a boy so excited when he showed up at the state fair and his grandson showed him
around. It is a very worthwhile organization. About three years ago, there was talk about selling
the fairgrounds when the state was going through economic difficulties, but he is glad that never
happened.
Mr. West advised Senator Waring that the first event was held in the stadium in 1964. There was
a full concert schedule this year during the state fair, so the building was checked from stem to
stem prior to opening. It is in relatively good shape, as good as a building 40 years old can be,
but its condition is continuously and carefully monitored.
Senator Brotherton said he worked with Mr. West before he was Executive Director. Mr. West
is from Yuma, so he is aware ofthe concerns of people in rural areas. Senator Brotherton said he
also believes the state fair is a very worthwhile organization. In his household, the state fair is
perceived as the beginning of the holiday season. It is a great event that he and his family attend
about three times during the run ofthe state fair.
Senator Flake asked if every county has a booth at the state fair. Mr. West replied that each
county was represented by booths in the past, but in relation to Senator Waring's question about
interfacing with outlying counties, a program was implemented over the last few years called
County Outreach where staff drive to the counties to pick up competitive entries, judge the
entries, and return the entries to increase interaction with people outside Maricopa County.
3
SENATE GOV & HOUSE GRGFA COR
SUNSET HEARING OF THE
AZ EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR BD
November 29, 2006
4
Mr. West related to Senator Ableser that Maricopa County has a fair. It is a nonprofit event that
is not regulated by the county. The fairgrounds has been home to that fair for many years and •
provides as much support as possible.
Chairman Konopnicki asked if efforts have been made to find a location with additional space.
Mr. West answered that he would love to find a site that would more adequately showcase what
the agency has to offer. Other fairs with more attendance generally range from 300 to 400 acres.
If a location could be found not too far outside the main part of Maricopa County, relocation
would be considered. Several locations have been looked at, but at this point, trying to find the
appropriate location appears to be problematic, and there is a funding issue.
Senator Brotherton indicated that he and his family found the fair environment to be safe and
secure, but unfortunately, people have gotten the wrong impression about it at times. His district
runs along 19th Avenue, which includes the west side of the fairgrounds. The agency tries to
work with the neighborhoods, and the wall that was built around the fairgrounds made the
property look much better. A study was conducted that showed an East Valley location as #1,
North Phoenix #2, leave the fairgrounds as is #3 and the West side #4; however, people in North
Phoenix and the East Valley were not in favor of having the fair in those areas. Where it is
presently located is working well with the neighborhoods, and it is going to be difficult to find a
location and relocate as the cost years ago was about $50 million. The fair could not provide that
much money, so an appropriation would be needed from the Legislature.
Mr. West clarified that the price tag three years ago was $50 million for the land and $50 million
for infrastructure. •
Chairman Konopnicki said the only way the funds could be generated is if the fairgrounds could
be sold for enough to be able to purchase a less expensive property, which is a tough assignment.
Mr. Downing thanked Mr. West for the presentation. He remarked that everything he learned
about life he learned at the county fair. When he was about 10 years old, he entered a chocolate
pie-eating contest. He did not have to pay for it and he ate one pie after another. He won the
contest for his age class only to find the prize was another pie.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Alberto Gutier, Lobbyist. Gutier Group/RCS, advised that RCS is a Phoenix company that
conducts state fairs in Texas, California and other states. The state fair is a great operation. He,
Senator Flake and others have been talking for years about keeping the state fair in the present
location. It is an asset for families that cannot afford to go to Hawaii or Disneyland whose
children can raise $100 over a period of six months to go to the state fair and eat fry bread and
fried Twinkies. It is something to look forward to. He asked the Members to maintain the state
fair as it is.
Senator Flake said he has many great memories from the state fair. When his granddaughter was
only about eight he asked her parents if he could take her on a date to the fair. Her parents said
yes, but she needed to be home about 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. He bought a block of tickets for the •
SENATE GOV & HOUSE GRGFA COR
SUNSET HEARING OF THE
AZ EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR BD
November 29, 2006
•
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rides, but at 9:00 p.m., he still had several tickets. Her parents were worried, but he and his
granddaughter had the greatest time.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Senator Waring moved that the Committee of Reference recommend a
lO-year continuation for the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board. The
motion carried.
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
(Original minutes and tape are on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk.)
5
SENATE GOV & HOUSE GRGFA COR
SUNSET HEARlNG OF THE
AZ EXPOSITION & STATE FAIR BD
November 29, 2006